There has to be some truth about this jewel. She was a royal,” argued Alyssa, hands on her hips.

“That was just a story,” Michael tried to convince her.

“It can’t be a story. No writer writes stories like that. It has no coordination and it has no other written page. I think she was afraid of this ‘he’, whoever it is,” said Linda.

“Anybody has any idea about these ‘keys in my name’? I’m at a complete loss,” interjected John.

“Sorry to disturb, but I think we should inform the police about the possible clues. They might arrest Takeshi for further questioning, now that we're kind of sure about the criminal,” Alexei, who was watching the entire discussion, now spoke up.

“Certainly not,” the others said in unison.

“Look, we’re considering Takeshi as the murderer doesn’t mean that you are completely innocent in the eyes of law,” explained Nathan, “So we need concrete proof, ways, weapons and most importantly motives.”

They were suddenly startled by the sound of flute.

Linda had picked up a flute and started playing.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized on seeing all eyes on her, “It’s just that I love music and so, I couldn’t just resist myself.”
Alexei gave a broad smile, “You’re welcome to always come to my house to play any instrument you want.”

Linda nodded and moved to the piano instead.

“This piano is regal. Oh my God! The keys seem to be made of pure ivory,” commented John.
“John,” screamed Linda, “Did you realise what you just said? Why didn’t we think of that? We’re fools, idiots.”

“Hey, relax. What happened,” Michael put an arm around Linda, who was shaking with excitement.

Linda broke free of his grip and rushed to the piano. And began playing it. As her fingers flowed smoothly over the keys, the melodious reeds produced a sound which touched hearts.

“Hey, I remember this tune,” said Alexei, closing his eyes to blink back the rapidly forming tears, “Midore used to play this most of the time. Is it a popular tune? How do you know it?”

“Yes, yes, Y-E-S-S-S-S-,” exclaimed Linda, “Could you tell me on which instrument she used to play?”

“The melochord,” Alexei was surprised.

Linda flew to the melochord.
“Hey, I saw scratch marks on the melochord yesterday with a sharp object, probably the screw driver,” said John.

“That’s what the case is. We’re fools. Midore was a genius. She never wanted the thing, whatever she hid, to come to the hands of her brother. So she left the message for Alexei,” said Linda.

“For me? But I…”

Alexei’s protests were cut-off by Linda, “Yes, you. She wanted you to find the keys in her name. Why should keys mean the key for a lock? Why can’t it just be a key of a musical instrument?”

She stopped and looked at the others.

“But Linda,” asked Austin, “How can the keys signify her name?”

“I should have known that I was speaking to a bunch of music-blind people,” Linda made a face, and deftly placed her hands on the keys of the melochord.

Then she started playing. Her hand moved furiously from key to key. The entire room was silently observing her.

“Oh my God! I know what you’re playing,” squealed Alyssa, “You’re playing her name.”

“Umm, could you please explain to us?”

“Look, she is pressing three keys in every scale. Mi, Do, and Re. MI-DO-RE,” Alyssa looked at the others expectantly.

“The keys in her name. She had music in her name,” jumped Alexei, “I had ever wondered why she was so skilled.”

There were excited mutters in the room but Linda was oblivious to everything. She continued trying out all scales until at one press of a Re, one small latch suddenly opened causing the wooden cover to fall back.

And inside it was a piece of red velvet, covering something.

“C-sharp,” informed Linda, shaking her head, “Who could have thought about a secret chamber in a musical instrument?”

678 words...
To be completed...

Dedicated to Meghana_violet for occasionally talking to me and cheering me and reading my works too.