Wrestling the Kraken

Margot

Margot

Case No. : 00101098979

Date : March 23, 1971

Location: City of Fox Hollow

Status : Homicide

The road was slick, drenched from the recent downpour. Of all days. Still I had to press on, not wanting to miss my chance. The rains had slowed to a drizzle, but left a stiff chill in the air. My coat battled the wind, insistent on bursting it open. Tightening the blue, knee length coat around me, I was careful not to crush the envelopes sheltered underneath.

Making my way across the road, busy with taxis and a hoard of people, I took a breath. This would need to be timed just right if it was going to work. I looked at my watch. Ten minutes remained until the call had to be made.

I can do it. I would have to.

Coming up the sidewalk, he was about to head in. He was Robert Sinclair, Editor in Chief of the Fox Hollow Gazette. Walking his way, I bumped into him, spilling his files and coffee. A yellow envelope fell from my coat.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." I said, avoiding eye contact. "Here, let me help you with that." I bent down to pick up the papers that fell, feeling that my hands were shaking, but not sure whether it was visible.

"Ah- not today! Now they're all wet!" Sinclair said, scooping up the papers off the damp ground. "Watch where you're going next time."

Handing him the stacks he had picked up- a yellow envelope wedged in between- I replied, "I will. Again, I'm so sorry."

Snatching the papers from me, he tucked them under his arm, watching me walk away, then shook his head. He looked down at his coat, which seemed to be alright, and tossed what was left of his coffee into the trash and headed inside.

I walked briskly down the street to the nearest payphone, glancing over my shoulder. Checking my watch, I had two minutes left. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a dime. It fell to the ground. Bending to pick it up, my heart panicked, as the dime kept slipping through my fingertips.

"Oh come on!" I yelled at the coin. I smashed my finger down, pressing hard on the dime. It stuck to my finger for a moment as I lifted it, but that was all I needed. Closing my thumb around it, I slid the coin into my palm and brought it safely up to the coin slot. I dialed the number written on my wrist, then checked my watch as it rang.

One ring. Two rings. Three rings.

"Hello..." I blurted as soon as it picked up. "Yeah it's done. I took care of it. He has it with him." I listened. "Okay. Yeah, I got it. I'm on my way." I replied and hung up the phone. One out of two. On to the next one.

♦

I stood in front of the theater where the Karras and Rossini circus was setting up their signs and banners. Word of mouth had created a buzz that veined throughout the city of Fox Hollow, regardless of rumors.

The building that lay before me of stone and elaborate decorative molding, held me in awe for many years. I was now, at last, able to go in.

The thought suspended me, as I tethered on the moment. I let a smile cross my face, despite the irony that brought me here. The door pulled me in, as I made my way up the steps. My hand on the handle, stemming a swarm of fluttering pins, coursing through my veins. Opening the door, it was every bit what I dreamed it would be.