Bad Blood (6Questions)

Day 29

"Bring it in, then, Marianne," I yearn for her gripping story and take a satisfying glance at her long face. "Taxi ain't for free, honey, you know my price list."

"We're not even there yet," she objects vainly.

"And you'll dance for me then, alright. But now about Louis Carson."

"There's nothing about Louis..."

I sneer. Nothing about Louis. "So that's captain Carson to you, correct?"

I don't get a straight agreement. "Why do you go there, Damian?" Marianne sighs and rests her head against the window. "I know both Louis and captain is a trap. Either you'll play jealous or betrayed - groundlessly."

Look at her, smart aleck. "Just betrayed, M, either way. We make no friends with the police."

"Is that the message Mayor sent you from prison? After you..."

"Don't change the subject, sweetheart," I stop her dryly. "Is there an unfinished business between you and the cop?"

Her look is puzzled - on purpose, I think. "What do you mean?"

"Is either of you obliged to the other? You helped Louis, he set you free, now he immediately runs to free you again - why?"

"Because you called him, I believe."

"Did he promise you an ongoing protection after you testified at the police? Or do you owe him now?"

"None of that kind," she declines maybe even too briskly.

"Because he's got a soft spot for ya," I conclude with a nod of sorta relief. Doesn't mean I forgive Louis - the bloody bastard better keep his distance. "How many times did he come to see you in the hospital?"

She's muted. I glance sideways, reaching for her chin to cross our looks.

"Watch the road," she struggles against my hand. And I do, but I also keep my grip on her to look back deep in her eyes every now and then after I check the free straight highway in front of us.

"Talk to me, Marianne. What's with your Louis?"

She bites her lip, closing her eyes. And to my sincere surprise starts singing out of blue. What about us. Off keys, hesitantly, but successfully clearing her mind against my stare. I laugh unenthusiastically and let her go. "Please stop." She's unbelievable. And unlistenable. "This is abusing our transport contract, darling. I wonder if it gives me the right to kick you out of the car?"

I obviously won't. I need her. I look at her. And she squirms. I'm not reading. I watch her. I do need her - where does that come from? And she needs me.

"I want your cooperation, darling. Loyalty, if you will," I place my unoccupied right hand on her thigh as if to secure her place by my side. "That's the whole extent of your honesty I'll require. I respect privacy, I won't listen to more than I need to know. But not if you keep important details from me. And," I smirk with easened seriousness, moving my hand in the inevitable direction, "not if you're carrying on with the captain jerk."

"I'm not carrying on with anybody," she releases her hitched breath and lies her hand on mine with unexpected result. Just a contact. She renounces pushing me away, and I find myself captivated by her warm touch. Hell...

"Right," I withdraw my hand from beneath hers to put it on the steering wheel, "because you surely don't want to explore the meaning of otherwise."

She disapproves quietly that I should decide who she's seeing. But doesn't say a word out loud. And I take it, and switch on the radio to show her I meant my promise to leave her thoughts alone. She's complex - and I gotta respect that or I'm afraid I'd push her straight into Louis' wide spread long arms. In a weird way, I'm even glad to do her the favour of taking her to her family.