“What’s weird about your place?” Davina asked as she stood at the top of the stairs gazing around Betsy’s apartment.
“Well, it’s just a rather unique layout, and the space here, for example, kind of goes to waste.”
They stood in an open area that was surrounded by doorways and a hallway. There really wasn’t any way to set it up as a den or an office because of how open it was. The space was perhaps ten by twelve with a set of large windows on the exterior wall.
“It doesn’t have to go to waste,” Davina said. “I can use it to do my stretching exercises.”
“Oh, there you go,” said Betsy.
“Also, with such a huge windowsill, it would make for a good reading spot.”
“Not for you, I’m afraid. You really shouldn’t be going too close to any windows. Sorry.”
“No problem. It would really only be good for old-fashioned paper books, and I prefer a Kindle.”
The detective smiled.
“How many bedrooms does this place have?”
“Only one, I’m afraid.”
Feeling bold, Davina said, “That’s okay. I wouldn’t mind a snuggle buddy unless you’re not up for that sort of thing.”
Betsy laughed, and Davina wasn’t sure if it was a laugh of surprise, discomfort, or amusement. Maybe a mix of all of the above?
“Well, for now, let’s just bring your things down here.” Betsy led her down a short hallway in which there was a bedroom on the right and a bathroom on the left.
They stepped into an average-sized bedroom, and Betsy said, “You can just throw your stuff wherever for now.”
Davina placed the items on an empty chair that sat in one corner of the room. Then she followed the detective back down the hall and through a doorway on the right that led into the kitchen. Straight ahead was the back door. Next to it stood a small table and three chairs. There was no chair against the back wall, making the room a bit bigger since the table could then be pushed against the wall that way.
On the wall sort of opposite from where they entered the room was another doorway leading into the living room. Along the wall in the center of the apartment and between the two doorways was where the sink, oven, and refrigerator were located. You could make a circle if you walked through the open area by the stairs, through the kitchen, through the living room, and then back out at the top of the stairs where the open area was.
“I like it,” said Davina. “It’s a cute, interesting layout instead of the same old kind of thing one expects.”
“It’s comfy for now,” said the detective.
“Mind my asking how old you are, Detective Betsy?”
“No, not at all. I’m thirty. And I’m also hungry. I don’t know about you, but it’s been a while since I’ve eaten, so you feel up to some sandwiches, mac and cheese, or something? Or I can order something to be delivered.”
“I’m up for anything, delivered or not, as long as it isn’t Indian or Mexican.”
The detective smiled. “Not a fan of spicy dishes, are ya?”
Davina shook her head.
“Well, I’m really not up for cooking or putting anything together myself, so how about ordering a pizza?”
“Pizza would be wonderful.”
“You just have to stay out of view when they get here.”
“Okay.”
The two wandered into the living room and sat on the couch where Betsy ordered from her tablet.
As instructed, Davina remained out of view when the knock came from the door down below. No one could really see her anyway unless she was at the top of the stairs or close to the railing that was in the empty area.
They made small talk as they enjoyed their pizza.
“So how did you get your lovely and unique name?” Betsy asked.
“It’s a combination of my parents’ names.”
“Oh yeah?” Betsy bit into her extra cheesy pizza.
Davina nodded. “My dad is David and my mother is Laurina.”
“That’s pretty neat. What do your parents do?”
“My mom’s a doctor.”
The detective’s eyebrows rose.
“A general practitioner. Dad’s a therapist. Not for the mind but for the body. He mostly deals with the rehabilitation of sport and accident injuries. Started off as an x-ray technician and then was inspired to help the injured gain their independence back. Or at least as much as possible.”
“That’s great. Just wonderful.”
“Do you have any family here?”
Betsy nodded as she set her drink down on the table before them. “My parents got divorced when I was in my teens. My mother and sister are still in California, but my dad lives in the area.”
“You the only one in your family in law enforcement?”
Betsy shook her head. “Nope. My dad was also a detective, and he’s part of what inspired me to come here and join the action even if it’s not always very exciting and fun. Besides, after being in the same spot all my life, I needed a change.”
“You said was a detective.”
“He fell down a fire escape while on a foot pursuit and injured his back.”
“Oh, that’s too bad.”
Betsy nodded. “Happened a few years ago, and he’s now on permanent disability.”
Davina popped the last bite of pizza into her mouth as Betsy asked how long she’d been performing.
“Since my late teens. Before that, I’d always been in some form of dance or gymnastics.”
Betsy cringed and said, “I can’t imagine tossing my body around thirty feet above the ground whether there was a net under me or not.”
Davina laughed and said, “It’s dizzying at first but lots of fun once you get used to it.”
“No, thanks. I’d rather stay on solid ground.”
Davina laughed again as she rose from her chair. “Let me get you some cash to help pay for the pizza and then help you clean up.”
Betsy insisted she didn’t have to do either.
“Okay,” said Davina, “but anytime you need a housekeeper, or anything cooked or washed, let me know.”
“You’re on, but hopefully the brave aerial acrobat won’t be stuck here for long.”
Davina smiled softly. Although she knew the world would be a little safer with the killer behind bars, Davina kind of hoped she would be stuck there for a while.
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