detective story - part 7

Part 7 – Ending

“breet – breet, Ta – ta”, the tango music of my handphone rang. Who is it that calls on a sunday morning at 8? This had better be good. Mumbling incoherently, i picked it up.

“Hello?” i answered grumpily, at the same time bracing myself for some bad news.
“Monsieur Sticky ! Oh, you gotta come here now !” a shrill voice came over the phone.
“Mademoiselle Lilliane? What happened?” i put the phone a little farther from my ear, adjusting to the loud volume.
“Its Poodie, our poodle has gone missing !” Lilliane shrieked again.
“Huh? How can? Why like that? Mmmm....are you sure? Have you looked.....?”
“Yes it is ! Oh...her cage was broken, and she's gone ! Definitely someone stole her !” wailed Lilliane.
“Cool it, mademoiselle.....” what is it with dog lovers? Humans can even have enough to eat (including yours truly), and they're going mad over a poodle..pooh !
“Mmmmm.....” i hummed into the phone, buying some time to think. Could it be related to the case? Come Sticky, think, use your brain, my inner voice said.
You've been lazing too long, and now's the chance to earn your buck, the voice chided again.
Lemme think....Tear of Nile.....open french windows....Madame Bovarine the dog lover.... Mademoiselle Marine the struggling loyer.... Madame Mireille the M&A specialist...what is the connection?...Bingo ! Got it !
“Mdmsl Lilliane, give me half an hour, i'll be at your place.” I answered excitedly.

Crawling up from my mattress, i quickly changed and rushed to the car. Driving at my top speed, i reached Madame Mireille's place.

Hearing a dog whining inside, i gave the door a flying kick(as trained by senior), and charged into the room, just in time to see Mdm Mireille holding Poodie by the neck, and brandishing a evil looking dagger in the other hand.

“Sticky ! What the... ? How..? Nevermind ! I'll make short work of you first, and deal with the dog later !” she sneered.
Obviously she didnt know that i was trained in taekwondo and praying mantis fist 10 years ago.
Without another word, i stepped forward agilely using the Monkey steal Peach steps, closing the gap between us. Before she had time to react and recover from her astonishment, i flicked a Cobra chop at her dagger arm, disarming her, and gave her a Flying Slapping kick to her head.
I muttered a prayer of thanks for senior training me well, as Mdm Mireille slumped to the floor.

Tying her and Poodie up, i drove over to Mdm Flauntine's place. Lilliane was tearing but her sadness changed into utter surprised as i walked up the doorway, carrying Poodie in one arm, and Mdm Mireille slung over my back.

“Monsier Sticky ! How come...? What happened?” Lilliane queried.
“I dunno, let Mdm. Mireille explain for herself.” i replied tiredly. “Can i have some breakfast please? Sil-vous-plait? “
“Oh...sure ! Come on in! And oh Poodie ! I missed you so ! Muaks” With that, she kissed on the dog. Yucks.

After breakfast, I explained my hypotheses to Madame Flauntine. Its simple actually.
The guest must have slipped through the long and narrow french window, with the Tear of Nile, and force it down Poodie's throat. Therefore, when Poodie when missing, its obvious that the culprit came for the ruby. And from logical deduction :
1.Madame Bovarine is too rich to do this kind of thing. And, she's too fat to squeeze thru the narrow french windows.
2.Mademoiselle Marine is in financial debt, a strong suspect, but she's too weak to force the ruby down the dog's throat. Which brings us to
3.Madame Mireille, a medium built lady. Her motive will be to cash in the ruby, and used it to buy the stocks of the company that is going to be taken over, hence pushing its share price up.
Madame Mireille confessed to it all, and Madame Flauntine was gracious enough to let her off, on the grounds of their close friendship.

“Good job, monsieur Sticky.” my client praised.
“Oh, its nothing really. Just elementary, my dear Madame, elementary.” i replied with a low bow. Obviously, this is not my original line.
“I wouldnt have solve it without the prompt response from Mdmsl Lilliane.” i credited Lilliane with another low bow.
“Oh, i was just so worried about Poodie....”she blushed beet red.
“I'll send over your payment shortly. Now, if you''ll excuse me.” with that, Mdm Flauntine left, and i made my leave.

Note : Sil-vous-plait = if you please, if it pleases you