#benelumbo

(For Columbo there are only cold drafts — never breezes — but this is his terrain and the music plays his way: a dry Monday becomes a Sunday, a piano becomes a flute, and a man...)

"Are you telling me you just need a piano and the music sheet to picture how each instrument should sound? Terrific."

"Well, the piano was just to illustrate it to you, but thank you, lieutenant."

Alex's fingers run featherlight across the keys, tickling them without making the slightest sound, mirroring the tease on his face. For an instant Columbo forgets about the hard ivory and wonders about the expression piano hands. Trying to conclude something about it takes his gaze back to his own fingers, the cigar nothing but a short stub, and he realizes he has overextended his visit.

"Thank you for your time, maestro, and for explaining how you people work at the orchestra. I'm sure it will help us get a better hang on this case."

"Anytime."

Once again, the breeze. Alex steps away from the white piano and closer to him, right hand out for a handshake, and Columbo takes it.

"It was a pleasure watching you play."

Even though the sentence gives him goosebumps, Alex keeps his voice still. The thought that it could all be over right now almost makes him sick, but he can't help but see how far he can go.

In the soft darkness of the room, Columbo gazes at him. It's easier to feel rather than to see, but it's there again: the same intensity that followed him all afternoon during the rehearsal, during the car ride, during their silent walk to this hotel room. Once he adjusts to the lack of light, Alex thinks he recognizes something else too.

It makes Alex smirk and Columbo smile.

The distance between them is closed as he takes the cigar from the lieutenant's fingers, placing it in an ashtray with a short gesture; his body keeps its place in front of the other man's, just an inch away. For a moment neither of them moves, Columbo's smile fades, and Alex realizes his mistake. What would give him away would be nothing like a boutonnière, typewriters or mileage, but a fact much more simple: Alex Benedict is a man ruled by his passions.

Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 - Dave Malloy / William B. Ogden, Anders Zorn, 1895 / We Should Be Well Prepared, Mary Oliver / Reflections of Clouds on the Water-Lily Pond, Claude Monet / Georgy Chulkov, from “Autumnal Love,” featured in “A Treasury of Russian Verse,” / Old Westbury Gardens / Scheherazade, Richard Siken / Duets by Fredrik-Rattzen (painting not found, artist still on)

i. alex benedict

Soundtrack To My Life interview, Reece Shearsmith / The Red Cloud (2011), David de las Heras / The English Patient, Michael Ondaatje / Burning Piano (2008), Yosuke Yamashita / Pink Carnations and Narcissi, John Duncan Ferguessen / Haruki Murakami / “Spring in w Gościeradz” (1933), Leon Wyczółkowski