In order to get back into the mood of writing so I can continue my stories, I wrote some scenes for a 'Columbo' story I have in mind. A friend suggested I do a one shot for Columbo as it might help. So, I looked through my Columbo DVDs until I found one that gave me an idea for a missing scene. It's based on 'It's All in the Game,' a Columbo made for TV movie from 1991-2003 with Faye Dunaway. This was the only episode written by the late Peter Falk (Columbo).
Columbo and the Lieutenant's Predicament
Columbo sat alone at a table in front of a window in his favorite restaurant, staring out at the people walking by. He really wasn't paying attention, but was lost in thought. So engrossed that he didn't even hear or react to Barney, his friend and owner of Barney's Beanery, approach and sit a bowl of hot chili and several small packs of saltines in front of him.
"Here you go, Lieutenant. Just like you ordered," he explained. The detective didn't respond. "You better eat your chili before it gets cold." Still no response. "Hey, would you like some company?"
This time Columbo turned his head and glanced up at his friend. "Not really. I got something on my mind I gotta think about. Has to do with that case I'm workin' on. Thanks anyway."
The older man shrugged his shoulders. "Hope you work things out. You know where to find me if you wanna talk." He wasn't the least bit offended by Columbo's apparent dismissal because he knew and understood the cop. They had been friends for several years.
Now alone, Columbo picked up one pack of saltines, opened it, and crumbled them into the chili. He preferred it that way rather than eating it plain. But this time he found he really wasn't very hungry. It was more important to sort out the situation he found himself in while investigating socialite Lauren Staton's involvement in the murder of Nick Franco before continuing.
Picking up his spoon, he moved it around in the chili. Just thinking of Lauren Staton, it was with genuine affection. He was very much attracted to her; something that had never happened to him before. Not since his marriage years ago had he ever been attracted to another woman much less even looked at another woman the way he looked at Lauren. And the way she looked at him with those alluring green eyes of hers. Green eyes so full of promises and desire. He found himself getting lost in those sexy eyes.
Dropping the spoon, he pushed the bowl away from him and ran both hands down his face before clasping both hands together, elbows on the table, and resting his forehead against the clenched hands. If only he wasn't married…
Just having that thought made him ashamed. The flirting between he and Staton was one thing. But to feel attraction to a woman other than his wife was another. Afterall, he was as flattered as any man would be when a younger woman found him attractive. And she had made it clear that she was attracted to him. She had gone so far as to kiss him twice, and whether he admitted it or not, he enjoyed it. He had even given her a dozen red roses as a gift. But not because she had bought him the tie which he now wore; but because he wanted to.
But one thought still troubled him. And it was a big one.
What if she wanted more than flirting from him? What would he do then? Did he want a confession from her badly enough to cross that line he hadn't considered up to this point?
He had discussed the case with his wife and let her know about the flirting and the kisses. He also let his wife know he played along so Lauren would believe she was being successful in seducing him in order to distract him from suspecting her of murder. And bless her, Mrs. Columbo understood what her husband believed he must do in order to obtain a confession from his number one suspect. And she had no problem with this. But little did either of them realize that her husband and Lauren Staton had genuinely become attracted to each other.
"God," he murmured partially to himself. "What does this say about me?" he asked himself. "How far am I willing to go to get a confession from this woman who I find myself having feelings for?"
He thought about having kissed her and how good it felt; her lips were so soft, and she was so beautiful. Letting out a deep breath, he ran a hand over his thick black hair. His wife trusted him explicitly knowing there was a line he would never cross no matter what he needed to do. He thought about that line. Would he ever consider crossing it for the sake of this murder case?
How could he tell his wife what he was considering? It would break her heart and destroy her trust in him. Not to mention it could end his marriage. Just the idea he was even thinking about it was enough to trouble him.
He suddenly sensed someone's presence and turned his head sideways to see his friend standing with arms crossed over his chest.
"What d'ya want, Barney?" Columbo asked tiredly.
"You look like a man with a huge problem."
"Do I?"
"Yeah. And I bet that problem is named Lauren Staton. Am I right?"
Columbo's non-response told Barney he had guessed correctly.
He pulled out the chair on the opposite side of the table and sat down facing the lieutenant.
"Let me guess. You probably thinkin' about how can you arrest a woman considering how you feel about 'er."
Columbo arched his eyebrows. "I don't feel anything for her," he said in defense.
"This is me you're talkin to. I've known you for years. And besides, you told me you're investigating this case." He spotted Columbo's new tie for the first time; burgundy-colored with a print, not his usual black one. "She buy you that tie?"
"So, she gave me a gift. What about it?"
"Nothin'."
Columbo crossed his arms in front of him. "She's making a play for me and I have no idea at this point why."
"So. You like her and she likes you. There's nothin' wrong with that; you're easy to like. I'm just saying how can you arrest her for that?"
The lieutenant didn't respond.
"Answer me this," said Barney. "Did she do it?"
"Kill him? Yeah. But I can't prove it without a confession and I hate what I have to do to get it."
Barney smirked. "In other words, you like her more than you expected to."
"Who said I liked her?"
"You did. This case is eatin' at you. Tell me, did she kiss you?"
"Yeah. And I gave her a dozen red roses."
"Uh huh. I have to ask you somethin' and I want a straight answer."
"I know what you're gonna ask me…"
"I'm gonna ask it anyway. What are you gonna do if she wants more from you than what you're givin' her? You think about that?"
Columbo fell back against his chair. "That's all I been thinkin about. I can't do that to Mrs. Columbo. I can't betray her like that."
"But what if goin' to bed with that woman is the only way you can get a confession?"
Columbo let out a deep breath. "I don't know. I really don't. This case is driving me crazy. I hate this case."
"If you ask me, what's drivin' you crazy is that you really like this woman in a way you never thought, and it's killin' you to go down this path just to put her behind bars. You've fallen for this woman if you ask me."
Columbo's body stiffened. "I'm not asking you."
The older man knew not to push. He got up from his chair and picked up the bowl of chili. "That's okay. I'll get you a fresh bowl of chili. This one's probably gotten cold anyway." He walked away from the table.
Columbo watched his friend walk away and the corners of his mouth turned upward.
He would deal with whatever situation Lauren Staton approached him with. And he prayed he could handle it in a way that wouldn't betray his wife's trust or keep him from getting his confession.
The End