�I don�t know, ma�am. I understand that a number of neighbors called. And the uniformed officer who was out here earlier said he had responded several times earlier today.�

Diane finally spoke in her sternest tone of voice, deciding to take advantage of Mrs. Krechnov�s fear. �Why don�t we go inside and talk about it, okay?� Diane uncrossed her arm to point at the door, and right on cue, Mrs. Krechnov winced and raised her hands to her face. Diane and Claire shared a pitying glance for this human punching bag. Mrs. Krechnov stepped back from the door, and Diane and Claire entered.

The first thing Diane noticed was that the house was perfectly clean. Not one speck of dust on anything. The maple furniture was from the 1940�s era, and each piece had been carefully maintained. There was nary a water ring, chip or stain visible anywhere in the room. The only thing amiss was that one corner of a green area rug was turned up. Mrs. Krechnov noticed that as she ran back into the apartment, and smoothed the corner back into place with her foot.

�I�m terribly sorry my house is such a mess,� she said, wringing her hands, glancing nervously around for any other signs of blight. Remembering her manners, she straightened and asked her guests, �Vould you like some tea?�

�No, thank you,� Claire responded. �May we sit down and have a talk?� When Mrs. Krechnov nodded, they sat gently on the seafoam green upholstered Davenport, and Claire continued, �I�m Detective Kelly, and this is my partner, Detective Russell. Please tell us what happened here today.�

�No, nothing happened here today. My husband vas just yelling at me for letting the house get so dirty, that�s all.� Diane and Claire looked around the apartment in wonder. �And he said the dinner gone cold.�

�Mrs. Krechnov, did your husband ever punish you when he was unhappy with the apartment or with the temperature of the meal?� Diane asked.

�He said he ship me back to Russia if I don�t get it right. He never let me get my citizenship papers because he said it would be too easy for me to come back if he got tired of me.�

Diane studied Mrs. Krechnov�s face. Her dark complexion was mixed with darker spots that Diane had at first believed were age spots. On closer inspection, they looked like old war wounds, healed bruises on top of healed bruises. Diane�s stern countenance softened. She knew all too well the demoralizing life this woman had lived. Mrs. Krechnov noticed Diane�s examination, and she looked down at her feet in shame.

�What�s wrong?� Diane asked with a gentle voice.

�I know I�m ugly. My husband tell me that today. He tell me he sick of my ugly face, and that he ship me back to Russia on the next boat.�