Her tender voice sounded very soft and a little tired. Jeff forced himself to look at the other woman.
«We found a cat,» Nina Lapina repeated obediently. She pointed to the couch, and the policeman saw the fluffy white cat.
«Are you sure it’s not one of your neighbors cats?» Jeff took out his notebook.
«I’m sure.» The woman nodded. «I already know all the cats around here.» She got worried that she had violated some law, and looked at her friend for support.
«Yes, officer.» Vera addressed Jeff. «We found this poor animal when it was struggling out of the river.» She smiled. «I’m almost finished this picture. Wanna look?»
Jeff stepped closer and gazed at her work. It was a sketch, showing two women rescuing a cat from the water, and an impressed Jeff only shook his head. He saw her signature on the paper. Vera Grach, and he was surprised; as he knew an African-American girl with the same name.
«My God!» Vera glanced at her watch. «Sorry, officer, I’ve gotta run. Nina will explain everything.» She took the picture, closed the box with her painting paraphernalia, and, waving her hand, she left.
Jeff stood still, trying to understand what he felt in his soul. But his sense of duty compelled him to go back to business, and he addressed Nina Lapina. «Okay, ma’am, could you tell me exactly where you found the cat?»
* * * * *
Vlad Lapin had driven home, and saw a police car in the parking lot. Thinking about his family, he hastily got out of the car, rushed into the apartment, and almost collided with the police officer.
«What happened?» Vlad saw his wife and calmed down a little. «Is Larisa okay?»
He spoke English so the policeman would understand.
«Don’t worry, honey.» Nina smiled. «I just found a cat.»
Vlad sighed with relief. Then he demonstratively frowned, «It’s very typical of you.»
His job was over here, so Jeff Menard picked up the box with the cat inside and left. Nina followed his car with her eyes, then hugged her husband, «I’m sorry. But the poor kitty almost drowned!»
Vlad laughed, grabbed Nina in his arms, and spun her around a few times.
«Thank God you are all right!» he exclaimed happily. «One day your jokes will give me a heart attack.»
«You already took my heart away,» whispered Nina, bringing her lips close to his.
«I love you, my wonderful little girl.» Vlad panted with adoration, kissing her, and Lapina smiled, recalling the first day she had seen her future husband.
It had happened eight years ago, when Nina was seventeen, and it was her first day in the University. Shyly, the girl had peeped into the classroom, then gone inside. The other students had looked at her, and Nina asked, «Is this group P-16?»