CHAPTER VIII: RYAN...UNPACKING HIS MEMORY

I got to thinking that maybe it was time to try to see what Ryan remembered if anything and so after breakfast I told him I thought we needed to talk and he nodded. Joey got coffee for the three of us and we all went out to the patio to sit by the pool.

"Ryan, you ok?" I asked.

"Yeh, I guess. I just don't...you know...I just don't...know what to make of...it.
Yah know?" His voice was halting and I could tell that admission came at great personal cost. He was truly finding all this very hard to understand.

"Yeh, sweetie. I can imagine it's all kind of overwhelming but I gotta ask. Ok?"
"Yeh, Dylan. It's ok. I'll do anything I can. I appreciate you know?"

"I know. Good boy. Ok, let's go back to the other night. They told us that you remember being in your apartment watching television. Right?"
"Yeh."
"Ok, and then you remember you were standing by Mrs. Williams body. Yes?"
"Yeh, there she was laying on the floor. I looked down at her and then saw the knife. In MY hand. Dylan, how could that be? I don't understand. I really don't, Dylan. Joey."

For a minute I thought he was gonna lose it but he kinda found his footing again.

"Ok, boy. slow and steady. Can you remember ANYTHING about in-between? What were you watching on TV? Did you watch an entire show? Did you see the ending? Did you go to the kitchen for anything?"

"No, I didn't get up for anything. I had a Coke on the table beside me. I was just sitting and I was watching Designing Women. God I love that show, Dylan."
"Yeh, Ryan, me too. Joey and I both love it. Guilty pleasure."
"Yeh, lol. Fun...Love Julia Sugarbaker. Anyway, I don't think I got through the last episode. I was just sitting watching the show and then all of a sudden just everything went all black."
"Black?"
"Yeh, dark yah know? Just poof. Like walking into a dark room from a light one and you can't see anything ."

"Ryan this is important. THINK HARD, do you remember ANYTHING about that moment when it went dark. Suddenly? Slowly?"
"I'm trying, Dylan. I really am, I am sorry. So sorry. It's hard..."
and suddenly he got a funny look and then he started to cry. Oh Good God.
"Shhh. Ok, Sorry sweetie. Just try...it's all good."
I reached over and got him a kleenex which he took and wiped his eyes. We let him regain his composure for a minute and just sat waiting for him.

"Sorry, Dylan."
"It's ok, Ryan. But do you remember ANYTHING?"
He just sat for a minute and then suddenly...
"A cloth."
"A cloth?"
I just remember now. I had forgotten I guess but sorta remember like a cloth. Over my nose and mouth, and then it all went black."

I looked at Joey and he at me and I know we were thinking the same thing. Chloroform or an equivalent. Someone conveniently used it to drug Ryan so as to be able to maneuver him into position as the fall guy...without him knowing it. With his having no concious memory of being moved into Lucille's apartment.

BUT WHO?
WHO would want Lucille dead? Why, for what reason?
The cops didn't see anything out of place or even missing so not robbery. But if not robbery then what?

I felt more confused than ever.
"Anything else Ryan? Just take it slow and easy, let your memory sink in."
"Ok. No, not...I'm not sure."
"Something else?"
"I'm not sure Dylan."
"Try Ryan. It may be nothing but you never know. Just tell me and if it helps kewl. If not nothing lost."
"Ok. Let me think a minute, all right?"
"Of course," and it was a very very LONG minute while I sat on pins and needles. I had NO idea if we were getting anything of value or not but it was worth a shot I surmised.

"The watch."
"I beg your pardon?"
'The watch, Dylan. I can see it clear as day."
"Ok, what watch? Yours? Someone else's?"
"No not mine Dylan. It was on a wrist."
"Whose?"

He sat for a minute looking first pensive and then sad.
Finally...he said tearfully...
"I don't know Dylan. I SWEAR TO GOD I DON'T KNOW,"
and I knew I had to stop for a while. This was getting way too close
to doing damage and I didn't want that.
"Ok, Honey. Let's rest for now, ok?"
He smiled and I saw a look of relief on his face.
Then suddenly...
"A man. Dylan, it was a man's wrist."
"You sure?"
"Yeh, it was a big watch, you know? Way too big for a woman to wear."
Well, that is something, but what? I wanted to shout scream holler...and all that fun stuff, but...I refrained. GOD I am so good at self-control.

Ok sometimes. Heehee.

"Wanna swim for a bit?" I asked him and he nodded. We all got our suits and spent the next two hours playing and relaxing. I hoped this would jostle his memory further. I knew it was too early for Jonathan to be in but I was gonna call him as soon as possible, and then Lt. Brantford too. It just seemed like so little, but sometimes these little things can add up.

"I have seen it before."
"What, Ryan?"
"That watch."

Hmmmm.


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