Part 28
August 2002 - David Hayward's Cabin
"You have the answers, David," Maureen said, crossing in front of him. "You're the only person who can explain what's going on with me."
"You're looking for help," David said. "They obviously haven't gotten to you."
Maureen tilted her head to the side. "Gotten to me?"
"Edmund... Anna... Jackson. I'm surprised you're even here."
"You know, David," Maureen sat. "I trust you. Call me crazy, but... you saved my life. Why, I really don't know, and I don't think I want to know... but you did. I'm alive today because of you."
"You think you can convince everybody else of that?" David sat also.
Maureen was silent for a moment. "At the same time though... I lost my life. Everything I was, everything I loved. I want it back, David." She paused. "I'm remembering... little things, and they're... so much more than just flashes, now... I feel like I'm there, like I'm living it... all of it."
"You remember before the crash?" David asked.
"Not a lot," Maureen said. "Hardly anything, but... tell me I'm not going crazy, David. Tell me I'm not losing my mind."
"What are you remembering?" he said.
Maureen took a deep breath. "Edmund," she said. "It seems so strange. Like it's me there, but... it's not." She paused. "I sound like an idiot, but that's the best way I can describe it." She paused again.
"You're not crazy, Maureen."
"So this is possible?" she said. "For me to remember... everything. Remember being... Maria Grey?" David was silent. "Or is this it? Is my life going to be tiny flashes of memory?"
"I can't answer that," David said. "I have no way of knowing."
"But you gave me this drug. You know how it works, right? You know it's side effects, it's reaction with the body..." David didn't answer. "I was your guinea pig?"
"No." David stood. "Not at all."
"Then how do you not know what's going to happen to me?" Maureen approached David, grabbing his arm. "David." She looked him in the eyes for a moment before pulling back slightly and shutting her eyes. Her breath grew quick in shock. She dropped David's arm, backing away from him.
"Maureen?"
Maureen shook her head. "I... have to go," she said, backing nervously towards the door. "I have to go."
"Maureen."
"I have to go, David." Maureen hurried out of the cabin.
David stood in the doorway, watching her leave. He shook his head. "What did you remember?" he said softly. But he didn't dwell on it. He had bigger things on his mind... Jackson Montgomery.
August 2002 - The Chandler Mansion
Adam picked up the phone in his study, dialing a number and waiting a moment.
"Tempo Magazine," Brooke answered.
"Glad to see you're not screening your calls," Adam said, taking a seat behind his desk.
"What do you want, Adam?" Brooke asked.
"I'm just wondering if you've heard anything."
"About what?"
"Anything interesting happening in Palo Alto?"
"How would I know that?"
"Didn't he call last night to check on the boys?"
"Tad didn't talk long. I didn't get much out of him. Just that they checked into a hotel for Dixie."
"What happened?" Adam asked.
"It was the heat and her medication. Tad said she was fine once she got off her feet." Brooke paused. "Adam... I thought we agreed to steer clear for a while."
"Because of Tad..."
"Because... of our sons." Brooke interrupted him.
"You are being paranoid over this."
"No, I'm being cautious. We came close to being caught one too many times. We need to let this die down."
"Would you be saying that if Tad hadn't decided at the last minute to pack up and head West?"
"I don't feel like having this conversation, Adam," Brooke said. "I'm going to hang up now." She paused. "Goodbye, Adam." Brooke hung up the phone and Adam leaned back in his chair.
Outside the door to the study, Liza stood, replaying what she had heard Adam say, in her mind. Anything interesting happening in Palo Alto?.. Because of Tad?.. Would you be saying that if Tad hadn't decided at the last minute to pack up and head West?..'
Liza's eyes widened as the pieces began to fall into place for her. It was all too clear now. "He's sleeping with Dixie."
