“L’amour est un oiseau rebelle, que nul ne peut apprivoiser, et c’est bien en vain qu’on, l’appelle--”

“D...Detective. I didn’t know you can sing the French national anthem.”

“What anthem? It’s Habanera from Carmen. You should go out more, embrace culture. L’aaaaaaaa-mour!”

Detective Merlin was no dancer. He couldn’t even learn square dancing to save his life. But that didn’t mean he would reject it from his life. Or, show phobia when he walked into a certain dance academy somewhere near downtown. The detective embraced the emotions, showing his passion by bouncing up and down on his heels as he walked through the hallways, in the elevator, and past the studio rooms. All the while listening to catchy music.

“Tessa, Tessa, Tessa.” Merlin would wag a finger while he ‘danced’. He would glance at the various photos locked in golden frames of people dancing. Samba, Ramba, Waltz, Tango, even the flashier steps. “You really got to spice up your life, or you’ll turn into a grey dust at home. Try learning a couple of dance moves, might impress your clients when you really are invited to a ball gathering.”

Tessa slammed her forehead to her palm. She followed the detective, covering her face to avoid awkward stares or snickers when they watch the Shaggy Mongrel hop on his heels to the hall music. Unable to hold back, she blurted out, “Detective. Why didn’t you arrest Barrister Amelia? She could have been the murderer!”

“Cha-cha-cha~. What would be her motive? Chu-chu-chu~.”

“Uuh...Sh-she found out th-that Liam invited me to his hotel. Sh-she was jealous a-and she went up to kill him!”

Merlin held up a hand, counting off his fingers with a teasing tone. “Fooirst: the hotel manager and CCTV only mentioned you entering and leaving the hotel around the time of the murder. Shecond: what benefit would the lawyer get from dragging herself into a murder, out of blind jealous rage? Thoird: did you not notice she never once bat an eyelash to you. If I hadn’t been praising her fashion sense, she would have never even give us the time of day. It’s clear she only cares about her own ego.”

The detective did a little spin on his heel, finger guns at a couple of girls walking by. They burst out laughing, the thigh-slapping kind, and cackled away. “Liam might have been nothing more than her boy toy. Perhaps, the M in the S&M. Definitely no love lost in that ‘transaction’. Cha-cha-chu-chu-chu~”

“...Uuugh.” Tessa clutched her stomach at the thought, fanning herself to recover. “I honestly can’t believe my boss was that kind of guy. He’s always so stand up and stoic about everything. But if that’s the case, wh-why are we here in this dance studio?”

“Madame Belle was client number two on Liam’s roster, yes?”

“T-true but...Wait. You don’t think--” Just as Tessa tried to get her idea out, one of the studio doors flipped open with a reverberating ka-chak.

A diva.

Although past her prime, every step she made was well practiced and calculated, even if it was just a simple stride. A single turn made her skirt of sparkling nebula ripple and turn in the air. Slender hands, denying their wrinkles, would fluttered up to touch the shoulder of her partner – a dashing young man who could play the role of a youthful prince charming.

Tessa stared, in horror, as the diva tip-toed to land lips onto her partner's cheeks. Her prince charming of a partner would pick up her hand and kiss the smoothest parts between the wrinkles.

Tessa clutched her stomach even tighter. Where’s an emergency barf bag when you need one!?

Once the nightmare—er, parting gestures were over, the dancing prince would head into the locker room. The diva was making her way to the other end of the hall.

“...Wait! M-Madame Belle!” Tessa raced right over to cut off the diva. Even with flat-foot sneakers, she was able to drift on her feet to swerve around the diva, stopping her in the tracks. “M-Madame Beeeelle. Helloooo! It’s been a while, you still remember me yes?”

“Oh heavens!” Perhaps Madame Belle was old fashion, she never saw a drifting insurance agent before. “Uuuh...Yes. Y-you’re from the insurance company. Tammy was it?”

“Tessa Roads. Um. I would like to ask you a few--”

“Odd. I don’t recall making an appointment with you.”

“Oh, no, no. It’s not that. I came here to ask about my boss. You know, Liam Ferg--”

“Hmmm. Yes. Tragic.” Madame Belle let out a low sigh. “I am sorry for your loss. He was a great man, and bright agent. I trusted him a lot.”

“E-exactly! You used to be his client before he transferred you to me, right? I would like to ask about the night of--”

“You can go ahead and cancel my policy by the way.”

“I—Wait wut?” Tessa Roads choked and stumbled, whatever vigor she had going on just clocked out with a big nope.

Madame Belle would reach into the...cleavage, and pull out a compact. Opening it up she started to powder her nose through the small reflection. “Liam Ferguson is the only agent I put my faith in. He told me many good things about you, that is why I followed with his suggestion to work with you. Now that he is gone, I really am not in the mood to continue. So you may cut it whenever. I’ll prepare the fee when I get home.”

“W-wait a minute.” Tessa tried to get her bearing with a laugh. It sounded like a dog choking on a big bone. “Madame Belle. That’s not why I’m here—B-but I do hope you could reconsider your decision!”

Madame Belle shrugged “I know, I know. This isn’t the most suitable time to jump ship, but to be honest I already have over, what, 10 other insurance policies at my disposal with other companies. I’ve been thinking of cancelling some of it, as it has been bothersome to keep track. Might as well start now. No hard feelings, Miss Red. I’ll make sure to write a commendation letter to your new boss.”

“But, Madame Belle what about when--”

“I’ve said everything that needs to be said Tanya.” Madame Belle finished her powdering and turned on her heels to walk away. “If you’ll excuse me, I have an appoint--”

“Oh myyyyyyy geeeeeeeerd!”

A cheer rattled the narrow hallway. The polished wooden floor didn’t help, it only amplified the reverb. It threw both Madame Bell and Tessa off balance, before a Shaggy Mongrel LUNGED!

“I-I can’t believe it. The one and only Madame Belle, oh!” Merlin dashed over and swept up the diva’s hands in his, shaking it as if meeting his favourite celebrity after so many years! “Three times winner of Dancing Amongst the Stars! The World Guinness Record holder for fastest Flamenco dancer – 1274 steps! The one and only, Dancing Diva Belle! OH! I must say, it is an honour and a privilege to meet a living legend of the dancing world!”

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“O-oh myyyyy.” Madame Belle’s ruby red lips perk up, harder than a child on Christmas morning. “Someone is a fan. Enchantez.” After an awkward shake of the Shaggy Mongrel’s paw—er hand, she let go and tried to be polite. “Always happy to meet an admirer.”

“My fair lady!” Merlin slapped a hand to his chest, as if vowing allegiance to the crown. “I am more than just a fan. I am your disciple – virtually!” The detective then whipped out his phone, sprinkling more gas station napkins and...plastic forks from his pocket and onto the floor.

After clearing the debris, he showed his phone screen. “2,567,823rd Subscriber to your YouTube channel! I watch every – and I MEAN every – one of your tutorials! If only my job paid better, I would devote myself to joining your membership to study your advanced dance sets!”

“Aaaaaaw.” Madame Belle’s lips curled up harder into a giddy grin, tears of joy welling up in her eyes. She couldn’t resist patting the Shaggy Mongrel on the cheek, like a grandmother. “Aren’t you the sweeteeeest. I can’t believe you watched all of my videos. Aaah, I never look good in them.”

“BLASPHEMY!” Merlin’s bark was loud enough to make Tessa jump three inches off her feet – as if a bomb went off right behind her. “You, Madame Belle, are – my – idol!”

Madame Belle...gripped at her heart before it melted apart. Hook, line, sinker.

Merlin did a quick flurry of steps, drawing inspiration from Irish Riverdance and some tap dancing heel clicks with his sneakers – making clicking noises with his tongue. “You, my lady, are an amalgamation of history’s finest dancers. Why, you deserve your own musical!”

“Oh please, stop! M-my aging heart can’t take any more of your thoughtful words!”

Tessa secretly wanted to vomit, but she swallowed the bile back in.

Merlin glanced at the suspect, before flapping his hands like a bird in excitement in front of his ‘idol’. “Not only are you a brilliant dancer, you are a true artist. I mean, look, look!” The detective pulled at Madame Belle’s hand, all the way to the walls of the hallway. There she would see the portraits again of magnificent dancers, students, teachers, and celebrities who may have visited the studio. Merlin was pointing at a specific group among the others.

Madame Belle’s portrait, with the same prince charming dancing partner. Smiles all around.

“Just look – at – thiiiiis!” Merlin would wave a hand to the portraits one by one. “Oh wow, you bring out the spirit of a koi fish. And this one, the rising of the sun. And ooooooh!” Merlin started to tap furiously one one particular picture. “You look like a great blue mermaid in this, I mean look at the details. Are those real scales?”

Madame Belle clapped her hands. “These aren’t just to make me look pretty. Each dance calls for a different flare, to bring out the raw emotion and passion of the performance. For instance this blue dress was specifically designed for Samba dances.”

“Woooow. It must have been very expensive!”

“Oh indeed! I had it specifically made to order. Why, see those blue scales? Straight from South Korea. I call it the Blue Moon, it’s one of my favourites.”

“I see, I seeeeee.” Merlin nodded and nudged at Tessa. “You should learn from Madame Belle. Look how healthy and active she is in her field of dancing... Now, I am curious, these blue chips. Could you get them anywhere else?”

Madame Belle snorted. “Hah. Good luck to that. We professional dancers are always in motion, we spare no hesitation when we make pivots and turns. The more ‘common’ decorations would fling off the dress like cheap beads stuck to Elmer Glue. No, no, no, these blue chips have been designed – specifically tailored to my size and dance style. I paid a pretty penny for those, so they better not fall off on a dime.”

“Yes, of course! Now.” Merlin then pulled up a clump of empty chip wrappers...oops. Wrong pocket. He pushed them into Tessa’s hand, much to her chagrin, and he pulled out something from the right pocket. “Would it happen to look like this?”

A small plastic blue chip.

Madame Belle’s smile and eyebrow twitched at the question. She rummaged into her dress pocket to pull out a pair of thin glasses and took a close look to-- “Oh? Why, it’s exactly like the ones on my Blue Moon? Did I drop it here? How strange.”

“Nope. You dropped it at Room 777, Diamond Hotel. Precisely where Liam Ferguson died.”

“YES!” Tessa squeaked a cheer, the trap has been sprung!

“Wh-who!?” Madame Belle paled in he face, backing away into a corner. “Security! Secu--”

Merlin pulled out his Police ID to silence her. “Detective Merlin of C.I.D. I think you get the gist as to why I’m here.”

“I-I didn’t do anything wrong.” The diva started to turn away, trying to sneak out.

Only for Tessa to drift around her and cut her off, leaning an elbow against the wall. “Madame Belle with all due respect. If you know something about my boss’ murder, now would be a good time to speak up. Unless--” Tessa brought her face up close to the diva, judging eyes. “You’re the one who killed him.”

“NO! R-ridiculous! I-I’ve done no such thing!”

Merlin stepped in before the riled up Tessa got out of hand. “What is your relationship with the deceased?”

Madame Belle glanced between the insurance agent and detective, forcing a gulp. “I-I’m his client. What’s wrong with that?”

“Oh nothing. Just the fact we found this blue chip in his residence at the time of the murder. Now, I don’t mean to be rude but, was there by any chance you and Liam had...private dance lessons.”

“PR-PREPOSTEROUS!”

“Then how else do you explain the fact I found this plastic chip at the crime scene, which matches your dress. Specially tailored, at your expense I might add. See, exactly the same as the pieces in the photos.”

“I h-have nothing to say.” Madame Belle snorted, “You will be hearing from my lawyer!”

Merlin pursed his lips. He felt he was staring at a wall, even when it shuddered every now and then. He flicked up his hands, total defeat, and started to back away. “I guess we’ll call it a day.”

Tessa snapped with a stutter. “D-Detective? Merlin! Wh-what do you mean call it a day!? Sh-she’s definitely hiding something!”

“It can’t be helped. Even as a policemen, I am not entitled to force someone to give me their statement.” Merlin shrugged, then touched a portrait on the wall. “I guess I’ll just have to talk to this gentlemen for answers.”

Tessa saw what Merlin touched. A photo of Madame Belle standing next to a man near her age, well rounded with a hearty moustache. Both of them with matching wedding bands. She hissed a silent ‘yes!’.

Checkmate.

Madame Belle paled all over. She quickly scanned the hallway, for anyone else listening in, before she glared at them. “I’ll tell you everything, just...keep it private.”

Merlin ran a finger across his lips to zip it up and toss away the invisible key. “Of course, now, where were you on the night of Liam’s murder?”

“I-I was at a gala, charity ball. I was pretty much center performance. E-everyone and my husband can attest for me – b-but don’t talk to them, not directly. A-ask the staff and MC at the charity ball that should suffice.”

The detective nodded as he rubbed at his lips. “So, do you have an illicit relationship with the victim?”

Tessa leaned against the wall, arms folded. “Well? Any under the table deals? Huh? Huh!? Speak up!”

Madame Belle groaned, a shameful nod. “H-he’s an insurance ag-agent right? They got quotas to fill. So...we agreed: he kept me company, I buy whatever he’s selling.”

“Oooooh. Youuuu.” Tessa wagged a finger, only for Merlin to push it down with a calming smile.

“Well.” The detective scratched his cheek. “No doubt a young charming buck like Liam Ferguson would catch your eye. You certainly have a taste in fine wine. Ahem. When was the last time you saw the victim, alive?”

“I...Four days ago.” Madame Belle tried to look for something to wipe the growing tears from the corner of her eyes. When Merlin offered a gas station napkin, she ignored it. “I won a competition and we...celebrated together.”

“Any alibi?”

“Y-yes. I do have one. The Hotel Manager of Diamond Hotel, he always opens the lift for me whenever I arrived.”

Merlin raised an eyebrow. “...Was his name Karl Hoffman?”

“Yes, that’s right. H-he’s such a gentlemen.”

Tessa snorted. “As in you were going to lap him up like fresh milk too?”

“Easy there Miss C.I.D.” Merlin waved a hand to calm the suspect down, making her mumble to herself. He then asked. “Anything else you like to tell us while you still have the chance?”

Madame Belle threw up her hands in surrender. “I told you everything. My affair, all of it! Don’t arrest me, don’t tell my husband!”