Confabulation (6 page)

CHAPTER
12

Simon Klein sat in the small booth. He watched men and women walk by, wondering which of them, if any, sent him the note. Each time someone passed he hoped and feared they’d stop and sit.

During the cab ride over, he felt good about the meeting. Hope that he might get answers. As soon as he stepped out, fear planted a seed. He was alone, in a place he’d never been, hoping to meet someone about an ailment that had ruined his life.

As he waited, the seed grew. Worries that this was just a step in some plot to destroy him. Maybe just a practical joke. Maybe someone just wanted him out of his house. He tried to remind himself that he was probably safe. He was surprised to stop at a restaurant. He’d expected someplace more private. He had to admit, though, he was glad there were other people around.

He sipped on his water, still waiting.

Almost choked on a piece of ice when the waiter slipped his menu under his arm. He hadn’t seen or heard the waiter approach. He might have admired the talent under different circumstances.

"I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to startle you."

He cleared his throat. "That’s okay. I was just thinking."

"Very well, sir. I believe you’ll be dining alone this afternoon. Can I offer you a glass of wine? Or perhaps a cocktail."

"Wine would be nice. A Riesling. I’m expecting someone to join me, though."

"The reservation was for one, sir. I’m quite sure of that."

Simon felt something in the waiter’s tone and stance. Seemed he knew more than he could say. He ignored it. The other person must have a reason. He took the menu from the waiter. "Thank you."

"Yes, sir. I believe you’ll find the list of specials inside the menu quite appealing."

Simon watched the waiter walk off. Head up. Rear in. Looked uncomfortable. He took the menu from the table. Looked at the outside first. No markings. No messages. He turned to the specials. A note was tucked into the menu insert.

"First, let me assure, you are fine. There’s nothing wrong with your vision or brain. However, someone has targeted you, and you are in danger. They’re watching. I’ll contact you again, soon. Be careful."

Simon stared at the note and tried to find an emotion to hold onto. His mind jumped from fear to anger to depression to relief. Someone was behind what was happening to him. Even if the person who sent him the note was more enemy than friend, he or she still knew what was happening to him. He hated that he felt like a guinea pig, but the relief that came from knowing there was a cause, and therefore a cure, outweighed everything else.

"May I take your order, sir?"

"Yeah, I’ll have the lobster. I feel pretty good today."

"Excellent choice, sir. I’ll get that right to you." The waiter picked up the menu, slipped the note into his pocket.

CHAPTER
13

Henry kept peeling the potatoes. Kelly kept asking questions.

He hoped she’d give up if he just ignored her. Didn’t harbor much hope for success, but it’s what he did when he didn’t know what else to do. Even in elementary school, he would simply ignore the bell to go to lunch or recess to avoid bullies. Teachers would tell him he had to go, but he would change the subject to school work each time, or just ignore them.

When talking to his parents didn’t get anywhere, they left him alone. It didn’t really work much after that, but Henry kept going back to it. Like a ratted out, threadbare security blanket.

"Henry, did you hear me? Where have you been the past couple of days?"

Henry figured she wasn’t going to back off. He put the peeler and the tuber in the sink and turned slowly. "What do you mean?" he hoped he could just play stupid.

"I tried calling you several times the past two days, and I couldn’t get a hold of you. I left messages, but you didn’t call me back."

"Oh, yeah, sorry about that. We’ve been having reengineering meetings at work. I haven’t been in my office. I mean, I rush in to check e-mail, but then it’s right back out to the meetings.” He giggled. “I mean, why we have to be off-site at a hotel for this shit, I have no idea.” He turned the water on to wash his hands. “I’ve been coming straight home after. We’ve been wrapping up at about four.”

“And your cell?”

“Oh. Yeah. I turned the sound off on Monday. I think I forgot to flip it back on.” He walked over to his bag, a black backpack with the company logo, and pulled his phone from the side, flipping the mute switch as he did. “Oh, shit. Yeah, lots of missed calls. And messages. Sorry, baby.”

She rolled her eyes. Sighed. "Next time tell me when you’re not going to be around. I need to know how to reach you if your phones off."

"Sure. Did you need to get a hold of me?"

"No, not really. I just wanted to talk.” She pointed at him. Smiled behind the finger. “But I still need to know, for future reference."

He puffed his lower lip out. "Okay."

She laughed. "Good. Now, I’m going to go change clothes. I’ll be back in a minute."

Henry flipped the water back on and skinned the last of the potatoes.

He was glad it worked, but he hated lying. Still, he couldn’t have Kelly suspicious of him. He could feel that the danger was growing. Somehow, he knew he’d have to act soon. He needed to be able to keep track of her for the next few days.

Henry noticed Kelly returning, adorable as always in her sweats and t-shirt. "Kelly, I forgot to tell you something."

"What is it?" She reached across the island, grabbed a carrot, and began chewing.

"Um, I’m pretty sure I forgot to tell you I’ll be out of town for a few days."

"Yeah, you forgot. Now, what am I supposed to do?” She crossed her arms, and pouted. A little thing, but Henry felt the familiarity and comfort between them again. Made lying to her feel even worse.

"We have meetings at a client office for several days. I’m hoping to be done Saturday."

"Saturday? How long have you known?"

"I just found out this morning. I was pissed, and wasn’t going to go, but Dennis got called onto another project with the seniors."

She dropped her arms. "Oh, well, when do you leave?"

"First thing in the morning, but you can call me anytime you want while I’m gone."

"Oh, I will. I’ll call so many times, they’ll never send you to one of those stupid meeting meetings again."

Henry and Kelly laughed and hugged. Henry rubbed her head gently and stepped back toward the kitchen. "Now, I need to finish dinner."

"Well, I’ll just be on the couch with a book."

"I’ll let you know when it’s ready. It should still be another half hour or so."

"Okay." She kissed him briefly and hopped into the nearby couch.

Henry laughed and returned to the stove.

He knew he was pushing it. With the lies and with work, but he just needed a few more days. Something was about to happen. He knew it. With his whole being he knew it was true.

He just wished he knew why he knew it.

CHAPTER
14

Simon sat in his house wondering what he was supposed to do with the bizarre information he had received. Someone was messing with his mind. His thoughts. He believed that, but wondered if he really did. He guessed if someone was making him believe it, then he had good reason to go along. But, he didn’t know who these people were, why they were doing it, or who he could trust.

He wondered through his house in a haze. Not one caused by blindness, but by a mix of anger, fear, and confusion. He needed some contact. Needed to know what to do next. Alone, his thoughts turned to the worst.

Maybe both sides were working together. Play him against each side to get him to do what they really wanted. Sure, someone said they were trying to help, but Simon didn’t see them, or know any more about them. Other than they were watching him. Not very comforting.

He opened the refrigerator door, and reached for a bottle of soda. As he pulled the bottle from the door, his vision began to blur. He hurriedly set the bottle down, shut the door, and sat on the floor. He knew where this was headed.

Sparkles and worms crawled across his vision, but the blank out didn’t happen. It wasn’t anything like he remembered it should be. He tried to stand, but he slipped back down. Couldn’t identify up from down.

Half an hour passed.

Simon changed positions. Sprawled on the floor.

An hour passed.

A headache grew between his eyes.

Another hour passed.

"Is this it?” Simon stared at the ceiling. His hands balled into fists. “Is your little game over? Was the restaurant some kind of test?” He pounded the floor. “Who the hell are you?" His mind danced among the possibilities and his heart began to throb. Taking a breath was labored, as fear tightened his chest. He tried to scream, but the terror took the wind from his throat.

Another hour passed.

Simon rocked on the floor in a fetal position. His mind jumped from horrible reason to terrifying solution. He was sure that his time would end. The pain in his head continued to grow. He couldn’t stand due to the disorientation. Worse now than he could have imagined. He could feel tears flowing down his face, though his mind was too busy to know that he was crying.

Time ceased to have any meaning as the pain and distorted vision continued. His motions slowed as he resigned himself to his fate. He tried to sleep, but the pain and the bright blindness prevented rest.

Another hour.

The pain subsided, but Simon kept his eyes closed. Afraid they would be useless. Still, he forced them open. He was surrounded by darkness. His anger and fear grew, but his eyes soon began to adjust. He let out a sigh.

No lights on. The fingers of moonlight through the clouds provided some light after his eyes adjusted. His head still pounded, and he stumbled more than walked.

It had been barely noon when it first hit him. Now it was night. At least nine. He struggled to his feet. Groped along the wall for a light switch. Once the light was on, the expected joy was stripped from his mind.

He looked around and saw the evidence of the intruder. His papers were strewn across counters, tables, and the floor. His books lay on the ground, supporting the toppled bookcases. He’d been out for all of it. Didn’t see or hear anything. They’d been in his house. Stepped ver him. All the while he lay there. Helpless.

CHAPTER
15

Henry sank low in his seat. The hostess escorted Kelly and the other partners to an outside table. He shifted his body so he could see just over the door of his car. Felt pretty sure he wouldn’t be spotted. Henry felt like an idiot. He didn’t fancy himself a spy, or anything, but he was doing the best he could.

He’d been annoyed at himself, but invigorated by the successful lie. She’d wished him a safe trip and gone to work. He drove to her office and waited. It was all working. He’s also found that he was more alert, and less anxious about watching. He knew he had to be more careful, though. Being seen would blow it all to hell.

Henry sat still for several minutes, watching Kelly eat and laugh. He smiled as she stomped her feet on the ground which was her normal sign of excitement. He had to protect her. He knew he had to watch. Knew it would happen soon. It seemed his memory was coming back more each day.

He knew her death was planned. He’d heard them plan it. Didn’t know when. He tried to remember, but it was blocked. He guessed that’s what people meant when they said they blocked out a bad memory. But he was hanging on to each piece now. Nothing was more important than remembering it all. Putting the puzzle together.

That meant Kelly knew the killer. Could be anyone. Even one of the partners. Henry began to panic. He glanced at her again and thought of the time she spent with them. He couldn’t watch her all the time when she was with them. She had meetings in the offices. Lunches, dinners, late night work. He couldn’t be there all the time.

Henry clinched his teeth until the slight movement of his jaw made a squeaking sound. A partner. A coworker. A friend. Henry couldn’t believe it was possible, but he knew in his gut that he had to stop it from happening. He looked wildly about the car. Hoping something would give him an idea.

Nothing. He clinched his fists. Wanted to scream.

Didn’t want to make a scene.

Henry started the car and eased away from the restaurant. A few blocks down, he let it out. Screamed to the sky and punched the seat next to him. He let it all out until he was spent. He rested his head on the steering wheel. And cried. He took breaths when he could and shouted again until his anger was less than his exhaustion.

He drove away. Still had no answers. He parked across from her office. Watched her walk through the revolving door when she returned from lunch. Sat and waited for her to leave.

Hours went by.

He was sure she was in danger. He tried to think of ways to see her, but found none. He called her to check in. Said he was bored and needed a pick up. They laughed for a few minutes before she went back to work.

He waited. Saw her leave. Made sure she was alone and left ten minutes later. He drove by the front of the house, saw she was there, and parked a few streets over in an apartment complex.

The next morning, Henry awoke in his car. As sunlight and consciousness returned, he could feel the fuzz in his mouth. As soon as his eyes cleared enough for him to drive, he pulled into a nearby McDonald's and ordered two large cups of coffee.

He checked the clock. She’d already be at work.

He headed back to the street that ran in front of Kelly's office.

Another day of watching and he still needed a way in.

He cringed as the acidic coffee landed in his hollow stomach. He fought back the urge to vomit, and chocked another few sips down before returning the cup to its holder. Around eleven, he saw her come out of the building. Watched as she eased into the large sedan along with a tall, older man whom he had seen many times.

"That’s one of the partners. Where are they going?"

He started his car, and followed.

He moved behind them as they exited the garage. They drove past the regular restaurants and merged onto the highway. "Where are they going?"

They exited the highway, and he darted across traffic to follow. Henry waved at the driver behind. The two men in hats and sunglasses didn’t acknowledge him, but they did take the same exit. Henry looked around.

Nothing but hotels. One. Another. And another.

The two men were still behind him.

He tried to ignore them. Just pissed off dudes. They’d get over it.

He kept following.

He started to worry that they’d come here for a reason. He’d been a pretty bad husband lately. Spying. Lying. Never being around. He wouldn’t blame her for cheating on him. He tried to think about something else. Focus on saving her, but he couldn’t get the image out of his head.

His heart jumped when the sedan pulled into the driveway of one of the city’s finer hotels. He didn’t want it to be true, but he felt in his gut that he knew what was happening. He waited several moments, and made his way to the lobby.

He scanned the interior from the window. He was pretty sure Kelly wouldn’t see him, so he entered the hotel. Made his way to the front desk.

"Hi."

"Yes, sir?" The desk clerk was a young man, who reminded Henry of Opie Taylor.

"Did the couple that just came in here check in?"

"No one has checked in for over half an hour, sir."

"No one?" He was sure that the clerk was lying, so he waited until the clerk shook his head. "Okay, thanks." He started back toward the main doors.

"Sir. A couple did recently enter the restaurant."

Henry looked over his shoulder to where the boy was pointing. "Thanks."

Henry walked over and peered into the dining room, searching for Kelly. He soon found her at a table with the other partner and what appeared to be three clients.

"Would you like me to show you to their table?"

Henry looked back and saw the clerk standing next to him.

"They’re speaking with the owner, but I can give her a note if you’d like."

He shook his head. "No, that’s okay. It’s not who I thought it was. Thanks anyway."

"No problem, sir."

A business lunch. He was worried she was having an affair. It was just a stupid business lunch. He felt sick. The stress was getting to him. But he needed to get under control. Needed to focus on what was important.

Keeping her alive.

Hell, that partner or the people they’re meeting could be the killers.

Back out the door, he got in his car.

Waited for her to come out.