La Danza Morte' by Robert F. Clifton (e reader txt) 📖

more to you than meets the eye."

“Actually, the building belonged to my parents. I inherited it when they passed away. Let's go into the den. We can sit and talk there. Can I get you anything?”

“You can direct me to the little girls room.”

“Sure, right down this hallway and on your right.”

“Thank you I'll be right back.”

When Natasha came back into the room she noticed the glass paneled doors that led to the balcony. She walked to it and looked outside seeing the ocean and boardwalk. “You have a lovely view”, she said.

“I like it.”

“Natasha turned and saw the large stereo and some of Robert's record collection. “Well it's apparent that you do like music,” she said.

“Yep, mostly pop and classical.”

“Yes, of course. You mentioned Ravel's Bolero. Unfortunately this room is too small, or I'd dance to it for you. Ravel wrote the piece for Ida Rubinstein. Did you know that?”

“No.”

“What else do you like?”

“Cole Porter's Begin the beguine.”

“Put it on and dance with me, if you can.”

Wallace got up out of his chair, and with a smile on his face walked to the stereo, selected the record and after placing it in position pushed the automatic button. The record fell into place and the music began. He took her in his arms and pulled her close. She looked at him and placed her arms around his neck and with dark eyes, eyes that were inviting, moved her body closer to him. To the sounds of the guitars playing the tune they danced. As they did he closed his eyes enjoying the feel of her in his arms, small, petite, moving with him in rhythm, their bodies almost one .He sensed the aroma of her perfume and the shampoo scent in her hair. He danced her across the room then leaned over and switched off one of the floor lamps. In the darkened room she looked up at him and he lowered his face and kissed her. She kissed him back and followed his lead as he danced her back to the center of the room.

When the music stopped he didn't want to let her go and he held her for a few seconds more. When he finally released her she said, “So you can dance the beguine. You're full of surprises. Do you have any more?”

“Lessons at Arthur Murray, no big deal. Now, let me know when you want to go back to the hotel.”

“I'll let you know in the morning,” she answered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Five

Margaret Helms

 

As Mary Wallace sat at her typewriter working on a manuscript, Robert Wallace reclined in his favorite chair. With his eyes closed he thought again about the homicide case resulting in the death of Gabriela Brunsdorff. As he did things and events came back to him.

At nine thirty that next morning Robert Wallace remembered walking into the squad room. “You're late Wallace”, Frank Stiles had said.

“I called in earlier and told the Sarge that I'd be late.” Wallace replied.

“Why? Did you find it hard to get up this morning? My wife saw you with a young woman at George's Restaurant last night. She said the woman looked like Audrey Hepburn. Is that right?” asked Stiles.

“I'd say she closely resembles Hepburn. What was your wife dong at George's without you?”

“It was a girls night out thing,' said Stiles.

“Anyway, not that it matters, but my being at George's last evening was part of this investigation. I got another name, another person to question. She's the ballerina's dresser, Margaret Helms,” Wallace explained.

“Are you bringing her in?” asked Stiles.

“Yes, I think it's better to question her here, away from the theater. I'll have a radio car crew pick her up after three this afternoon.”

At three thirty five in the afternoon Wallace looked up from the paper work he was doing at his desk. When he did he saw a small built woman with gray hair. She appeared to be in her mid to late fifties in age and had a worried expression on her face. Wallace stood up and said, “You must be Margaret Helms. Is it Miss or Mrs.?”

“It's Miss. Why am I here?”, Helms asked.

“Please Miss Helms have a seat. Believe me you are only here to help answer some questions that I have regarding the death of Gabriela Brunsdorff. Let, me say this, what you may tell me is very important to my investigation,” said Wallace.

“I don't know how I can help, but I'll try”.

“Thank you Miss Helms. Now, to begin with, I understand that your position with the ballet company is that of a dresser for Gabriela. Is that correct?”

“Yes, only now I am the dresser for Natasha Dubcek.”

“I see, now for those of us that are not familiar with your role could you tell me exactly what you do?”

“The title dresser comes from the duty of helping the ballerina into and out of her costumes before and after the dance. I also stand in the wings with emergency supplies such as needle and thread, tape, things of that nature just in case there is a costume malfunction. Other times I see to the needs of the ballerina. In the case of Gabriela I also made sure that she wasn't disturbed by fans and that she rested between dances.”

“Did you also oversee her taking her medication?”

“Yes. Usually she took her Lanoxin before the show.”

“How soon before the show?”

“I'd say about a half an hour before the show. That way it was acting before and while she danced.”

“Did you administer the Lanoxin or did she do it herself?”

“During rehearsals or paid performances I was the one who saw that she took it.”

“If you would, please tell me exactly how you did that the evening of her death.”

“Gabriela took her medication before each performance or rehearsal. I always had a glass of water available for her in the dressing room. The night she died I had dropped and broke the glass and I went to Natasha's dressing room and took one that was frosted. I filled it with water and set it on the table as usual. Then Gabriela and I went to the wings to watch Natasha dance her solo. We came back, she took her medication and you know the rest.”

“Why the table?. Why not the dressing table?”

“Because after she danced a number she would come back to the dressing room, sit and rest, allowing her heart to stop beating rapidly. When she did I always had a glass of water on the table next to the chair she sat in.”

“Did she usually drink the water?”

“Yes. When we went back to the dressing room after her first dance number there was the frosted glass filled with water on the table. She sat down, took several sips of water and as I remembered made a face as if something was wrong with the water.”

“What did you think when that happened?”

“First of all I was thankful that I had been able to replace the glass and water. When it came to Gabriela making a face after taking her medication she always did that.”

“I see. So, correct me if I'm wrong. You gave Gabriela her medication before she went on stage the first time. You and she came back to the dressing room where she sat and rested between dance numbers and she took sips from the frosted glass.”

“Yes sir. That's what happened.”

“Now, the broken glass. Did you sweep it up?”

“No, someone else did.”

“Any idea who would have done it?'

“No, but whoever it was was probably the one who saved me the trouble.”

“I'll tell you what Miss Helms. I have to agree with you. Thank you for coming in to see me. I might want to talk with you later. Right now, I'll have someone take you to the hotel.”

At five pm that day Wallace stood in front of his refrigerator freezer trying to decide on just which frozen dinner he was going to heat in the microwave. At the sound of the door buzzer he closed the freezer and went to see who was there. He opened it and saw Natasha. “Well, well, what a surprise” he said.

“Do you mind me coming back to see you?”

“Mind? Hell, I'm delighted. Is everything OK.?”

“Yes, as I told you last night. I get bored sitting in a hotel room. What were you doing before you answered the door?”

“Trying to figure out what to have for dinner.”

“Oh, and I interrupted you. I'm sorry I should have called.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Now that you're here we can go out to eat or I can call for take out. It's up to you.”

“Then call for take out, but not right away. I want you to put your arms around me and hold me. Hold me close like you did last night.”

Wallace smiled. “Your wish is my command, but as I recall we were dancing then.”

“Forget dancing, just hold me”.

Taking her in his arms he asked, “Is something wrong?”

“Not really. I had an incident today at rehearsal, but I don't want to talk about it.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“No, I'll handle it. Now let's just sit and talk.”

“Fine, as we talk, think about what you want for dinner.”

Together they sat on the couch. Natasha had removed her shoes and with her legs tucked under her she leaned her head on Robert's shoulder. “Have you learned anything new in your investigation?”, she asked.

“No, not really. Things like this take time. It's like doing a jigsaw puzzle. You just keep trying to make the pieces fit. I still have many pieces of the puzzle to look at.”

“ I see.”

“What about you? How did rehearsal go today?”

“Fine, except Alexsey pulled a muscle this morning. Viktor is a little upset about it.”

“Will Alexsey be able to dance Saturday night?”

“I'm sure he will. Will you be there Robert? Saturday will be the first time I appear as the ballerina instead of the understudy. I want you to be there, to see me dance.”

“Then, I'll be there. No problem. Now, what about dinner?”

“Do you like Chinese?”

“Yep. Wait and I'll go get the menu I have from the Golden Dragon. I call them every once in awhile.”

On Saturday night Wallace showed his badge to the ticket collector and entered the ballroom. He had arrived at the time when the ballet orchestra was tuning up their instruments. In the semi-darkness of the audience section he heard the musicians playing various instruments playing the scale. The sounds of the trumpets and slide trombones came to him, do ,re, mi, fa, sol, was played over and over the pitch rising each time. Then, the sounds of string instruments, violins and cellos could be heard. Wallace looked over the audience. There appeared to be the beginning of a decent turn out for the event. The main floor seats were filling fast and as he turned his head he saw many patrons entering the room. He was glad there would be a decent size audience for Natasha's debut as the ballerina. She wouldn't be disappointed.

He wanted to go back stage and watch her from the wings, but considered it to be too presumptuous. He was an outsider, a fan, true, but still someone outside of the art of dance. He belonged to a different world then those in the dance troupe. So, he decided to watch from the aisle next to the wall. From there he could see the stage. He took time to open the program he had been handed when he entered the ballroom and saw the first act was called, “Aurora Variation.” Wallace had no idea what the act would be all about. He had to wait and see.

Soon the music started and Natasha appeared on stage. She was dressed completely in pink with ballerina slippers, pink tights, and a pink costume with an embroidered floral design. He was amazed at how fluid she was as she dance and completely astonished about the amount of time she danced only on her toes. When she was finished she received a standing ovation from the