The Weird Insights of a Scobberlotcher

Forty-five Sounds Deep Green with Gray Stripes

I loved the place. Dino's café always filled me with a greeny-beige drizzle bulging here and there with milky eruptions of prattle and clatter. It was pleasant. Comforting. An innocuous happiness somewhere down the road towards serenity. But this particular day I barely noticed it. Sat there tapping my finger against the rim of my cup. I'd just inherited the most incredible part-time job ever. And since that first turn in the barrel my day to day synaesthesia had kind of... kind of... what's the word? Palled maybe? Palled on me a bit? Seems the only one that fits somehow. I mean, the colors, the shapes, the images, now they all seemed slightly mundane after the spectacular sound and light show back in the fortunetelling factory. Not a bad thing, really. I could always use a bit more of the ordinary in my life.

What was really distracting me was the imminent arrival of the Grey Fog. He was surprised when I'd called him at the cop shop.

"Jerry! I didn't think I was supposed to ever hear from you again."

Worn smooth. Grayish brown shot with pale blue streaks. Like the pebbles you find on what the Brits like to call a beach. So, he wasn't unhappy that I'd called.

"Change of plan, inspector, change of plan. I have a scoop for you. Is that it? No, wait, that's on the news? O.k., a tip. Or is it a lead?"

"Call it what you like, Jerry. What is it?"

"Probably best to do this in person. It's a bit complicated. How 'bout we do the same bat time, same bat coffee shop?"

"That's just fine with me, Jerry. Or should I call you John?"

That gave me a bit of a start. Fucken cops! Nosey bastards just can't let things go.

"I see you've been doing your homework, Inspector."

"Ya, always have. Never could help myself. It's a compulsion. Used to drive everyone crazy. Always asking questions. Even when I said I'd leave it alone. It's one of the reasons I'm sitting here today. But then you knew my old man, you understood him, so you understand it's a legitimate compulsion with me, too."

I did. Which was troubling for me. Didn't want this 'understanding' crap to get out of control. God knows where it would lead.

"Anyway, what's in a name, right?" he went on in what could almost have passed for a conspiratorial whisper. Only thing missing was a muffled horn and the liquid hiss of a ship passing in the mist. "So, ya, like I say, no problem, I'll see you there."

Then, when he finally came in for a landing, he surprised the hell out of me. He smiled. And not one those cat-about-to-eat-the-canary jobs cops hold in front of your face like flashcards to cover their fangs. No, it was genuine. Warm even. Again, disturbing.

"Look, before you tell me whatever it is you wanted to tell me, just let me say one thing. I realize my old man put you in a really tough position. You could've done nothing, forgot about it. But you didn't. And you were brave enough to tell me to my face. That and you kept his confidence. That spared me a lot of extra pain. I want you to know that I appreciate what you did. Thank you."

Could've weaved a cloak of silk from his words. The guy was overtly moved. Oh my God, there it was again. Felt like I was becoming emotionally connected with a cop. Quick. Sunset's that away. Ride!

"Hey, no problem. I just thought I owed it to him. It was my, well, duty I guess."

Besides, I'd reported it to the authorities. My conscience was clear.

"Anyway, like I said, I asked you to meet me here because I have some information for you and it's very sensitive."

"Oh, and what information is that?"