POV Columbo
He always saw details. Details always was creating into the whole story. Almost immediately. Details joined together like pieces of a broken mirror which, thanks to his imagination, could be whole again and show the truth. This is how Frank Columbo saw reality from childhood.
However, despite his unique mind, Frank was not noticed and appreciated. He was thin, short, and not very handsome. Who could suppose that under this common appearance there is a mind worthy of great achievements?
He wasn't sent to good schools. No scholarship was given. Nobody saw the intelligence in those eyes. Only a little inconspicuous boy was seen. One more immigrant from Italy.
Little Frank grew in silent and peace. He read, got to know various facts and became fascinated by the police. He didn't love guns like the other boys. He loved people. He wanted to help them. At the age of 9, he decided to become a policeman.
Years have passed. He grew up, his appearance became even more common, he married a not very pretty girl (she hated her photos), but bright and temperamental. Her name? She hated it as well as she hated her appearance, so her husband had to call her Mrs. Columbo and he became a policeman (he was laughed at until he became the best lieutenant with the best murderer detectability)
During the years of his work, Frank has met many murderers. They hid the dark side behind a mask of smooth lies and false smiles. He's seen it a hundred times. Even so, each murderer thought he was unique. Their ideas were brilliant. Frank was not ashamed to admit that he admired some of them.
Frank has seen a thousand different ways in which people lie and cheat, get lost in their stories, and neglect small details when committing crimes. He saw almost everything. He thought that nothing could surprise him anymore. He was wrong.
He had never seen a master of lies like Sergeant Tom Hiddleston.
Sergeant Tom very handsome, charming, graceful and elegant like a member of the royal family. It was all the more unique among common policemen. Tom didn't look like a policeman and he didn't act like him.
Despite his personal charm, Sergeant Hiddleston's eyes were blank. His eyes looked wearily at everything and did come alive at rare times. For example when someone mentioned something about the family. Then Tom was lost in memories. Bitter and sweet memories, judging from the expression on his face.
Lieutenant Columbo saw all human feelings in the murderers he arrested. He saw greed, envy, hate, love, harm, compassion, pain, concern, anguish, longing, anger and forgiveness.
Frank had never seen anyone as contemptuous as Tom had for himself. He was a master at concealing this contempt. Tom's smiles were perfect, but there was no feeling in them. Whenever Sergeant Hiddleston was scared or nervous he would turn his face into a blank mask.
However, it was not the self-hatred that was most amazing in Tom Hiddleston. No. It was his good heart. Tom was a broken soul, touched by hatred. Such souls break to pieces. They drink alcohol, gamble, have a lot of sex, and end up hanging themselves on a chandelier or shooting themselves in the head. They don't have the strength to care for someone else. And yet Tom cared for everyone. He watched carefully. He applied the right words to specific people. He respected their secrets and their pain. He always saved everyone when he could. He never hesitated. He was a hero. The type of hero who is underestimated by anyone and still saves everyone. It was his habit. When someone thanked Tom he looked at them strangely, with caution and suspicion. As if he was afraid the words weren't being sincere.
Every day Frank wondered who had hurt this young man. Because someone must have hurt him. Tom was clearly raised in wealthy, but he was not disturbed by modest conditions. He was not vain because of his beauty. He did not boast of his outstanding shooting abilities, and in the fight with daggers he was a true champion. Columbo saw many talented people, but their talents were nothing compared to Tom's.
Tom Hiddleston was the best man Columbo had met in his life. And he met many people.
One day Columbo walked over to Tom who was looking for a file. Tom's eyesight was sharp, fully focused on the action, and at the same time he could see everything going on around him. He turned immediately and nodded toward Columbo.
"Hello, Lieutenant. How can I help you, as long as I am competent enough?" a sharp smile appeared on Tom's face. The kind of smile that says you want to end the conversation immediately but don't want to offend the other person.
"Yesterday I was at my brother-in-law to pick up pictures of my mother-in-law's birthday. A really lovely woman, but she has a very strong voice. Especially when she screams ..." Columbo began to narrate. Family stories always upset the interlocutor. Family stories always upset the interlocutor. However, there are many ways someone will react to this stories.
"Lieutenant, I'm sure it's an interesting story, but I'm busy. Could you please tell me these stories later, when I'm finished?" Sergeant Hiddleston asked politely.
He always had a way to amaze Columbo. Is he telling the truth that he doesn't have time to listen? Is he suggest listen later? Yes, Tom Hiddleston has a heart of gold. Columbo had no doubts before, but he still can't believe the man's goodness. Kindness that Tom himself cannot see. Tom hates himself. This is the saddest thing about Sergeant Hiddleston. This good man hides a hurt boy behind the mask of self-confidence.
"Of course, I'll tell you later." Columbo started for the door and counted. One, two, three...
"One more question and I'm already running away. I know that you have a lot of work and I don't want to bore you. I told you about my mother-in-law because she bought new family photo frames and I wanted to ask from you what frames are the most fashionable now. I want to buy such a frame for a wedding photo for my wife, "Columbo said, watching Tom's reaction. He didn't even flinch. Tom was in perfect control of his body. However, his eyes betrayed him. The green eyes of the orphan.
"Sorry, Lieutenant. But I never needed frames for family photos. I need to get back to work. Maybe Sergeant Wilson can help you?" he replied in a voice of gentle politeness.
"Thank you for the advice" Columbo left.
Tom Hiddleston was an angel. A wronged angel without a family. An angel who will save everyone. Except for himself. Sometimes even angels need help. And that day Frank decided to make those green eyes happy.
Tom deserved happiness. One thing is for sure. Those who hurt him must have had really cruel and dark hearts. Maybe even darker than all the murderers Columbo has arrested in his many years of work. Only real monsters could make this angel see a monster within himself.