Mystery: The Coming Back: (Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Suspense Thriller Mystery) (11 page)

But, like most things that day Stanley and Sarah managed to work their way around Tim, and despite his best evasive actions, they always ended up sitting close to each other, with their legs almost touching. Tim couldn’t do anything to change that without making it obvious that their vicinity was affecting him. So, Tim resigned to his defeat, he tried to enjoy the sun and the cold breeze, desperately ignoring the sweet love, growing in front of him.

That is right, Stanley once again chose someone else over Tim, although, Tim has been always by his side. That was why, when he had seen him get up and come his way, Tim’s heart had skipped a few bits. A big part of him had known that he will do just that, but that other part, the one that always reminded Tim that he was only human, was scared that he will go up to his room with the pretty blond woman sitting by his side.

Lydia was distraught about losing her new job with the Douglass family. People might think it would be easier the second time around, but Lydia felt the same pain as before. Although, she understood the Douglass reaction, she still thought that they were acting illogically and making things even more complicated.

Stanley Douglass was not who he was claiming to be, that Lydia was sure about. The man she had been treating was not suffering from autism, was confident and intelligent, able to make logical decisions. He was lying when claiming to remember the past of Stanley and failing to remember some of the most important things.

Lydia was sorry for not being able to confront him about the playing of the piano. According to his files, Stanley was a very good pianist and loved spending his time playing classical pieces. The new Stanley had never spoken about music or approached the piano. Lydia had intended to ask him about it, but he had left the room before she could ask him about it. Stanley’s parents also refused to listen to her and now Lydia was facing the dilemma – drop the case or continue to work on the case against the wishes of everyone.

After taking a deep breath and pouring another cup of coffee, Lydia took out the Douglass files and checked up the information about Stanley and his life in the Florida State University. This was a lead she had not explored so far, so she decided to go and see for herself. The drive over to Tallahassee was not too long, but it gave Lydia enough time to rethink the situation again.

The university campus was welcoming and reminded her about the long years spent in a similar environment. She missed the excitement and the intellectual challenge of the place, but right now she had other worries. Stanley’s professors were all glad to hear about him and answer her questions. Everybody had been proud of his courage and educational strides, despite having a learning disability.

“Stanley had to study harder and longer than the other students, but that did not discourage him,” Professor Bruck was saying. “He was among the most promising students here and always had challenging questions to ask.”

“What about friends?” Lydia asked.

“Everybody was his friend in here,” he answered. “We were all glad to see how Stanley managed to win over even the most hard hearted.”

“How would you describe his character?”

“He was a sweet boy, who had a kind word for everyone and was always smiling.” Professor Bruck answered. “We even called him the Smiley face.”

“Was there someone he was particularly friendly with?”

“Yes, if I remember correctly, her name was Sarah and Stanley was madly in love with her. There was also his friend, but that boy was very different from Stanley. He was sad, even angry all the time and I suppose Stanley was the only one, who had enough patience to be his friend.”

Next, Lydia went to visit the dorm room, where Stanley lived during his time in the University. The place was well kept and the resident aid was also very kind and helpful. “Here are the records from ten years ago,” he said, pointing at the books.

“Thank you,” she answered and sat down to look through them.

It was not difficult to track down Stanley’s former roommate, John Rees, who, according to the phone records was still living in the area. The drive to John Rees home was a short one and thankfully, he was home, when Lydia rang the bell.

“Mr. Rees,” Lydia started. “Could you tell me what you remember about Stanley Douglass, your roommate in the University?”

“Stanley?” the young man smiled. “He was a great friend and even better roommate. I have always been a reserved man and I was afraid of going to the university. But, Stanley managed to make everything easier for me. He was always by my side and never let me feel alone or friendliness.”

“What did he love to do best?”

“Oh, he loved playing the piano and used to spend all his free time in the music room. I often went there with him and loved to do my homework, while listening to him playing.”

“As you know, Stanley disappeared ten years ago and now, he is back, but he is missing a lot of his memories and we are trying to help him remember. Therefore, could you tell me some other particulars about his character?”

“He loved reading, watching TV and sports,” John tried to remember. “Oh, and he was able to remember every sports statistic for the football team he loved.”

“That is an interesting fact,” Lydia felt excited. “Could you tell me more about his love for sports and his memory?”

Doctor Chen returned back to Savannah the same evening and immediately headed for the Douglass house. Her intention was to apologize for her too aggressive behavior with Stanley, hoping that they will let her continue her work with Stanley.

“Mrs. and Mr. Douglass, I am sorry that you felt that my sessions with your son were too aggressive, but I hope that you would forgive me,” she said to them, once they invited her in the house.

“Don’t you worry, Doctor Chen,” Mrs. Douglass said. “We understand that you wanted to help, but all we want is to get on with our lives.”

“I wanted to continue my work with Stanley,” Lydia said carefully.

Vivian and Charlie looked at each other and Mr. Douglass was the one, who speak. “We had decided to end all further sessions with Stanley. If he doesn’t remember his past, that is fine with us, we are going to help him build his future. Doctor Chen, we are thankful for what you did so far, but we are happy to have our son home and that is enough for us.”

“I understand you, Mr. Douglass, but could you please let me speak to Stanley one more time,” Lydia pleaded with them. “You can stay in the room and I can promise you that I will only ask him a few questions.”

Charlie and Vivian agreed reluctantly and he went to call Stanley. The young man came into the room, looking withdrawn and angry. “What do you want now, Doctor Chen?”

“Could you play something on the piano for me, Stanley?” Lydia asked, surprising everyone with her question. She even stood up and went to open the piano for him.

“No, I am not in the mood,” Stanley refused and went to stand up.

“What about your former sports team, do you remember the statistics?” Lydia asked before he could leave the room.

“Are you out of your mind?” Stanley laughed. “It was ages ago!”

“Yes, but everyone is telling me that you remembered all the statistics and that you used every spare moment to play the piano. What changed?”

“I changed, now leave me alone…” he shouted in her face and ran up the stairs.

“That was strange,” Charles Douglas said. “We used to talk about sports together all the time. And you are right; Stanley was able to remember all the statistics.”

“He never opened the piano, since he has been back,” Vivian added. “I thought that it was strange, but then again, it was too emotional time for him.”

“In the past, every time he was feeling sad, he would play the piano,” Mr. Douglass pointed out.

“Have you ever thought that Stanley might not be Stanley?” For the first, time Lydia suggested to the family that Stanley might not be who he said he was.

“What are you talking about?” Vivian cried out. “Stanley is our son, so please leave us alone.”

Lydia did not insist further and left the house. She knew her suggestion was going to be considered by both parents. However reluctant they might be now, Lydia knew that the new idea was going to work its way into their minds.

As soon as, Lydia left the Douglass house, she went to the police precinct to talk to Detective Wilson. That late in the evening, the place was almost empty, but Wilson was still here. He welcomed her with a smile and made sure to close the door behind her.

“Did you hear that the Douglass fired me from working with their son?” Lydia asked him, when the door was closed.

“Yes, but Charles did not explain.”

“I used a more aggressive method with Stanley,” Lydia clarified. “He reacted badly and his parents defended him, by firing me.”

“That is their choice…” David said.

“Yes, but listen to what I have found,” Lydia continued excitedly. “He doesn’t know how to play piano, doesn’t remember anything about his sports team and acts completely differently from Stanley from before.”

“I can see that you have found very interesting things, but I still think that you should leave the Douglass family alone.” David knew that this was the right thing to say, but he still could not ignore Lydia’s findings.

“But, these are all evidence that this man is not Stanley Douglass!” She exclaimed.

“Okay, if I promise you to look into this, would you go out with me?” David asked her hopefully.

“What do you have in mind?” Lydia asked in the same playful tone.

“Come on, I will show you,” David smiled and opened the door for her.

David took her to a beautiful hotel and after leaving her alone in the room he had booked for them, said that he would be waiting for her at the pool. Lydia quickly dressed in the bathing suit, left on the bed and went down to the pool.

She was laughing while walking towards the tubs. That man was not normal. Lydia couldn’t find him. He blew her off, probably, Lydia thought desperately. She was going to go back to the pool area, when a voice interrupted her.

“Lydia!” She heard a voice. Then she saw him. He was already in the tub. Whoops!

As she approached him, her smile faded. Lydia saw his shoulder then. The right shoulder was scarred, due to surgeries. “Hi.” She said, shyly, as she reached him.

“What are you waiting for? Get in.”

Lydia looked at him, surprised. Then she shrugged out of her towel to reveal the black bathing suit. Lydia could swear David’s eyes turned a bit darker.

Lydia got into the hot tub, moaning a bit as the heat crept through her body, relaxing the muscles.

“Feeling better?” His voice turned huskier.

“Very. It’s better than yoga, any day,” Lydia said, closing her eyes and reveling in the seductive heat as it swept into every portion of her body.

He chuckled, then snapped his fingers, and a man in suit appeared before him. Lydia looked at them.

“Two mimosas, please.” David said, his eyes not leaving Lydia’s. The man nodded and left.

Lydia flexed her shoulder muscles slightly, wincing at the pain, caused from too much hours behind the wheel. Then David stood up and walked over to her.

“Turn around.” He said.

“What?” Lydia opened her eyes, looking at him, standing directly in front of her.

He repeated his order. Lydia gave him a questioning look, but complied. His arms brushed her back, reaching up to her shoulders. He placed his arms on Lydia’s shoulders and pressed them soothingly. He was giving her a shoulder massage. His fingers were like experts. Lydia moaned under his touch, the sensation being irresistible to her. He quickened the pace on her shoulders, moving his way down to her back. His hands went back up to Lydia’s shoulders. After a while, he slowed to a stop.

“Thank you.” Lydia turned, looking at him gratefully.

He offered her a small smile, and went back to sit down.

“You remind me so much of her, yet you’re so different.” He said, giving Lydia an intense look.

“Her?” she asked, frowning.

The mimosas arrived. Lydia took one, while David took the other.

“My wife, Rose – she was so much like you,” he said.

“Was?” Lydia asked, wondering whether it was a sensitive topic for him and whether she should have asked or not. Lydia downed her mimosa.

“She left me, four years after our marriage. She grew tired. Tired of me, of my incessant work on new cases,” he said bitterly.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked,” Lydia whispered.

“It’s not a big deal, really. The fights have become a blur, and the insults have imprinted in my mind. Can’t really forget them. She always had a big mouth.” He laughed humorlessly, as he looked away from Lydia, not meeting her gaze. “Anyway, she left me. I was injured and had surgery. I needed her most then, and she decided that she couldn’t handle it anymore. I always thought about changing my job, you know. But I don’t know if I can do anything else. Sometimes I think I should go and try, but sometimes, I’m not so sure. The insecurities are killing me.”

“It’s normal to feel like that.” Lydia whispered. He met her eyes.

“I had a boyfriend. His name was Ross. He, um, we got engaged after I graduated. He was working in a bank and getting promotion after promotion. We were going to get married after my work was published. I really loved him. He was all I could ask for. We weren’t perfect, but he was perfect for me. But, once the university refused to finance my work, he decided to leave me. It was devastating,” Lydia said, tears in her eyes. “We were going to have children. We were having big plans for the future, but Ross obviously thought differently.”

“Wow!” David whispered.

“He did not even have the honesty to tell me he was leaving. I found out about it from the movers, he had called to take his things.” Lydia shook her head and continued.

“I thought he was the love of my life and that I will be spending my life with him.” Lydia’s voice broke.

And then she laughed. “How stupid of me. Screaming out my whole life story to a stranger. How pathetic you must think I am?”