Heavy Rain: Origami Lament

Next chapter of my crossover story, enjoy.

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Boris Yeltsin: Or fall apart, considering Sam's hallucinations.
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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Heavy Rain, Until Dawn or their characters.

Manfred

Thursday

11:10 AM

3.332 Inches of Rainfall

JOSH POV

I knew that this was a long shot, but it was still worth looking up. I opened the door to the old store and let Jess enter first, before closing the door behind me. It was an old pawn shop that sold various devices like music boxes, antiques...and old typewriters.

'And thankfully it's run by an old friend of mine. I'm sure that he can help us.' I reflected. 'Maybe he can help us figure out what sort of typewriter was used to type up the letter.'

I walked over to the desk where an elderly, slightly heavy-set man was working. He looked up as I approached.

"Hello, how can I... Good heavens, Joshua?" he gasped.

I smiled. "Hi, Manfred. Been a while, huh?"

"Yes, it certainly has." he remarked with a grin, then spotted Jess. "Hello, Miss."

I introduced her. "This is Jessica, she's helping me with my investigation. Jessica, this an old friend of mine; Manfred."

Manfred smiled and offered his hand. "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, my dear."

Jess smiled back, shaking his hand. "Thank you, nice to meet you, too."

"Haven't seen you in a while, Joshua. This calls for a drink." he then remarked.

Jessica took a moment to look around the store while I joined Manfred at another counter where he set down two glasses and a bottle.

"My best scotch, seems like a good enough time as any to break it out." he remarked.

I laughed lightly, nodding as he poured two glasses and we drank. After taking a moment to savor the drink, Manfred smiled at me.

"Now, you mentioned a case. I assume you're here because you need my help?"

I nodded and produced the envelope. "This is connected to the case. You think you can identify the typewriter that was used to make it?"

Manfred gently took the envelope from me and put on his glasses, examining it closely.

"Hmmm, let's see here... Yes, the style..." he muttered. "Yes, I'm sure of it. This was written on a Royal 5 typewriter. Very rare these days, even for typewriters. I'm probably the only person in town who has any in stock, or any parts for them."

That caught my attention. "So I'm assuming if someone needed one repaired, they'd have to come to you?"

"Yes, or have it delivered here for repair." Manfred confirmed.

Jess came up at that point, eyes wide with excitement. "Which means that the killer might have..."

"Killer?"

I quickly spoke. "Part of the case, Manfred. But if what you're saying is right...we'll need to know which customers bought Royal 5 typewriters or had any repaired. Could you help with that?"

"Hmmm, I think I can. I do have several lists of customers for various things. There should definitely be one for that typewriter. It'll be in the back. I'll go and check."

With that, he made his way over to the back room. I looked over at Jessica, who was checking out an old music box, before moving from the spot where I stood.

I stopped in my tracks, glaring sharply as Jess, who looked back at me sheepishly, put the music box down, having accidentally activated it. Turning to face me, she bit her lip.

"He's been gone a while. You think he's alright?"

I paused, thinking. "Hmm, you're right. Hold on, I'll check."

With that, I headed towards the back room.

"Manfred? Manfred, you okay in there? ...Holy shit." I froze, eyes wide.

Manfred lay on the floor, dead, a heavy object next to him, the notebook still in his hand. A window was open and the phone lay off the hook, I could hear the voices through it and realized what had happened.

"Oh my God!" It was Jess, she had followed me in.

As she checked on Manfred, I reached the window and looked out, but there was no sign of anyone. The phone continued and I grimaced.

"The killer called the cops. They're on their way, they'll find us." I told Jess. "We've gotta get out of here."

To my surprise, Jess instead began grabbing the notebook.

"What are you doing?"

"We'll still need it, and we can't just leave. Our fingerprints are all over this place." she burst out.

"Shit, you're right..." I grimaced. "Okay, look, go and keep watch at the window. I'll find everywhere we touched and wipe them clean. Got it?"

She nodded and went to do just that as I pulled out a cloth from my pocket.

Wasting no time, I went through the entire shop, putting the phone back in its receiver and closing the window while wiping them clean. I made sure to wipe down the glasses and bottle, the counters, the music box, and also the door, as well as anywhere else I recalled touching or Jess told me she had touched.

"Are you finished? They'll be here any minute now." Jess asked worriedly.

I looked around, I was sure that I'd gotten everything. "Yeah, that's everything. Let's go."

With that, we made our escape and drove away just in time, for once we were a street away, we passed the police cars going in the opposite direction. I shook my head.

"This is getting crazy...we need to get you home."

"Home, what are you…?" Jess began. "Hold on, no, you can't be serious."

"I am serious." I insisted sharply. "This isn't some game, Jessica. The killer was right there, he could've gotten you."

Jess glowered. "You don't think I know that? This isn't a game to me, I'm trying to find the bastard who killed my son!"

"Jess, I can't put you at risk like this, I-"

"Stop the car." she suddenly snapped. "Stop this car right now!"

I was so startled, I did just that and she opened the door and stalked out, clearly furious. I grimaced and leaned back in my seat.

I knew right away that I had pushed her too far and I couldn't help but feel guilty about that. Shaking my head, I got out the car and went after Jess. She had stopped a short distance away, standing in the pouring rain, clearly distraught. I pulled my coat off and reached her, putting it over her shoulders.

"Here..." I said softly. "I'm sorry."

She shook her head. "Me too, I just... I can't stop thinking about Johnny and..."

I nodded softly. "I lost someone important to me once... I actually know what it feels like."

She inhaled shakily at that, before turning and clinging to me, her face buried in my chest. A little awkwardly, I reached up and held her, letting her cry, hoping that we'd finally patch this up and find the answers we clearly both sought more than anything.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.