kiss with a fist (on hold)

gravity's rainbow

Marta takes the backyard French door exit, and closes the door, ready to leave. She exhales as she listens to the crickets chirp. A lighter ignites, making a noise, and startling Marta. The light shows Detective Blanc as he lights his cigar.

"Detective." Marta says, as he exhales smoke, "you're still here?"

He makes a noise of confirmation, making Marta looks down for a second, "Did you know Harlan?"

"He knew my father who was a police detective years ago."

Marta nodded, "My father respected Harlan. Respected him quite a lot."

"Is that why you're here?"

"Here now, you mean?" Blanc asks, moving to show his face a little, "No. I stayed hoping to speak with you a little more."

Marta stayed silent as Blanc moves, showing his entire face, "Something is afoot with this whole affair. I know it. And I believe you know it too." he said taking another whiff of his cigar.

Marta sits down on the armrest of a garden chair, "So you're gonna keep digging?"

"Harlan's detectives, they dig and rifle and root. Truffle pigs. I anticipate the determine of Gravity's Rainbow."

"Gravity's Rainbow?"

"It's a novel."

"Yeah I know. I haven't read it though."

"Neither have I. Nobody has. But I like the title. It describes the path of the projectile determined by natural law. Y voilà: my method. I observe the facts without biases of the head or heart. I determine the aux path and stroll leisurely to it's terminus, and the truth falls at my feet." Blanc gets up as Marta's eyes follow him, "The medical examiner was ready to rule this a suicide, but earlier agreed to keep it pended for 48 hours. Tomorrow morning, I search the grounds of the house, begin my investigation. I want you to be by my side for it."

"What?"

"My confider, my eyes and ears." he simplifies

"Wait, wait detective, why me?"

"I trust your kind heart." Marta was speechless, "Also you and the youngin' had nothing to gain from Harlan's death." Marta looked to the ground, "So how 'bout it Watson?"

"Wait, Detective!" Blanc turns around, "If you want my insight on the family, none of them are murderers. You can ask (Y/N) the same thing. That's my insight."

"And yet viat coup, all confident, this machine arrives unerringly at the truth. That's what it does."

"Always?"

Blanc looked at her, "Tomorrow at 8."

Blanc goes inside, leaving Marta on the back porch, staring into the distance

.

The TV plays a Spanish soap, as a woman in an emerald green pantsuit is typing on a typewriter.

The door opens as a man in a cowboy hat enters, "Buenos tardos mija."

Mrs. Cabrera is watching it as Marta enters through the front door.She takes her scarf off, and collapses on the couch. Her mother rubs her back as her thoughts take her away.

"I missed something, there's always something I missed." Harlan said

"Harlan."

"But I know you can beat it."

"No, I can't."

"Without losing yourself, you've got to beat this and win." Harlan opens the office door

"Harlan, I can't"

"You can."

"No."

You have to. For me." he whispers the last bit

"Right now." he said pushing her out and closing the door.

Marta looked at the stairs contemplating her choices. She was under a lot of pressure at the moment and her brain wasn't functioning properly. She didn't have a choice.

She turned back and opened the door, "Harlan, we have to get you hel-" The sight in front of her made her at loss for words. Harlan was laying on the chaise, the knife up to his throat.

"You do as I say, and everything will be just fine."

"No, no."

"I promise."

"But-"

And he slit his throat.

Marta gasped in horror, and ran out of the office, closing the door. She sat on the steps crying, her brain rushing. She slowly stopped, her face becoming devoid of emotion. She knew what she had to do.

Marta leaned back, resting her aching back on the couch as she looked at her mother. She grabbed her hand and her mother patted their intertwined hands with her free one. Marts looked back on the TV her foot shaking.

Unbeknownst, a single drop of blood lay on the dirty white canvas on her shoe.

.

A knock came from the bedroom door, and (Y/N) opened it, showing Detective Blanc.

"Evening Detective."

"Hello Ms. (L/N). Uh-may I have a word?"

(Y/N) turned her head, looking at Jacob who was sitting on her bed, on his phone, holding it upside down

"Yeah, sure."

She closed the door behind her, and leaned her back against it, her hands behind her, fidgeting.

"Ms. (L/N), I know that you and Ms. Cabrera have nothing to gain from Harlan's death. I also know you two have some of the kindest hearts I've seen."

"You've only met me once, Detective. How are you so sure of that?"

"I see things that a lot of people don't. It's called having a keen eye. I do believe you do have one too. That's what makes up part of your kindness.'

She nodded, understanding, "I'd like you to help me with the investigation tomorrow morning. I surely do need another pair of eyes like mine on the grounds."

"Will Marta be there?"

"I am certain Ms. Cabrera will be there."

"I'll try my best Detective."

He smiles, just slightly, "Good." he turns to leave, but stops, "Also, you have something." he points to the side of his neck, "Just right there." and leaves

Her eyes widened, and realized she forgot that Jacob took the Band-Aid off.

She opened the door again, and lay on the bed on her side. Jacob moved so they were in the same position, facing each other. He wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her in closer. He kissed the top of her head, and closed his eyes, wanting this moment to last forever.

So did she.