Irena - Police

The next day the police came in to talk just after the lunch time rush. "Excuse me, Ms. Valinskya, do you have a few moments?"

"Sure, officers. What can I do for you?"

"We are looking into the disappearance of a Ms. Nelson and would like to ask you a few questions." He proceeded at Irena's nod. "You last saw Ms. Nelson five nights ago, here at Waverly's, is that correct?" She nodded again. "Did she seem distraught, agitated, or nervous in any way?"

"Not at all. She had a couple of drinks, she talked about her day, then she left."

"What did she say about her day?"

"Nothing that sounded out of the ordinary. To me, it sounded the same as always, too many deadlines and too much stress, but exciting as well."

"Was anyone taking undo interest in her? Anyone watching her that would have left right after her maybe?"

"No. She sat at the bar, two stools over from where you are right now, if I remember right, and had three, no, two drinks, Kahlua and creams, as I recall. She talked to me a bit about her day, then left."

"Do you always remember what people have to drink?"

"If they are regular patrons, yes. Sophia was a regular, always sat at the bar, but had just started to talk a bit more over the last few months. She seemed reasonably happy, but lonely. Even so, she didn't strike up conversations with the sharks that sometimes come here."

"Would you know of anyone who had keys to her place? Did she ever mention a boyfriend or other close relationship?"

"No. She talked a bit about dating, trying to find a boyfriend, but it sounded like she wasn't having any luck. Might I ask why?"

"Just exploring all options. Right now it looks like she just ran away."

"Without telling any of her friends or co-workers?"

"We see this a lot. Young, professional person gets in over their head, either socially or financially, then runs rather than try to sort it out."

"Was she in financial trouble? She always paid here."

"I'm sorry, I can't discuss that."

"Oh, right. Of course."

"I think that's all for now. If you think of anything out of the ordinary, please give me a call," the man said as he handed her a card. On it was 'Detective I. Kowalsky'. "Oh, one more thing, did you know where she lives?"

"Out on Kingfisher St., in an apartment. She had me call her a cab a couple of times. I'm sorry, I don't remember the apartment number."

"That's ok. Her work gave us that."

"Should I be worried? My roommate works where she does and said I might have been the last person to see her."

"No, I don't think so. Like I said, it looks like she just ran off. Shame to abandon your stuff, but many do that."

"Abandon her stuff?"

"Looks like most of her things are still in the apartment. Odd about the computers, though."

"How so, if I might ask?"

"She had two of them for starters and they were both wiped clean, the drives blanked so far they wouldn't even boot."

"Is that odd?"

"For a runner, yes. Most would have just left them. Wouldn't necessarily have made the bed or straightened up the bathroom either. Now I've said more than I should. It's been good talking with you, Ms. Valinskya."

"And with you, detective."