Mystery: The Coming Back: (Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Suspense Thriller Mystery) Read online

  “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 The young man came into the room, looking withdrawn and angry.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.

  Chapter 26

  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?”

  “Of course not. Don't put words in my mouth, Doctor Chen. You’re not pathetic. You’re strong for being able to bear with all this weight.” He said.

  Lydia shook her head again, but said nothing. Strong? She had cried herself to bed for a long time now. She didn’t know the first thing about being strong.

  David got up, and offered her his hand.

  “Where are we going?” Lydia asked.

  “You’ll see.” His smile made her smile as well. She took his hand and walked with him. They headed to the pool area.

  “Hey, David! Want to play pool volleyball, mate?” A tanned man waved to David from the pool.

  Another lady stood by his side, giving them a friendly smile.

  “Of course, Tom.” David turned to her, giving Lydia a breathtaking smile. “Are you up for it?”

  “Of course,” she said, smiling. “Though you are to give me a party if we win.”

  “Promise.” He whispered, winking at her. Lydia hit him on the shoulder, rolling her eyes.

  They got in the pool. David introduced them. Tom smiled at me. The lady was Sharon, Tom’s friend. Both were from Savannah.

  “You are so losing.” Tom smiled victoriously at David, even though he hadn’t won yet.

  “Not when I’m alive,” Lydia said to Tom, propping a hand on her hip. Lydia didn’t know where all this confidence came from, but she liked it. It made her feel worthwhile, like no one in the world could mess with her.

  “Ooh, someone’s taking charge,” David whispered in her ear. A shiver ran down her body from his proximity.

  They started. They were good, but Lydia and David had to be better.

  David and Lydia were good as a team. They were in sync, instantly knowing what the other one wanted. It was like they were telepathic or something.

  Lydia noticed his toned arms and his muscular frame as he jumped for the volleyball. He still had that athletic touch. An athletic body was one of the best bodies to have.

  “Lydia!” She was brought out of her reverie, as she ran (whatever form of running can be done in the pool), towards the ball and ended up colliding with David. He almost lost balance, but he managed to keep both of them upright.

  His arms held Lydia’s waist, keeping her balance.

  “Thanks,” she breathed out.

  He nodded, offering Lydia a small smile. They turned forwards, determined looked plastered on their faces. They were the warriors ready to win. They had to get this. Lydia ran towards the volleyball. She suddenly felt hands on her waist as she was lifted up into the air. Lydia spiked the ball. Tom and Sharon missed. Tom cursed under his breath, as he smacked the water in irritation.

  “Yes!” Lydia yelled, laughing.

  David put her down and laughed. His eyes followed down, looking at her chest. Lydia felt flattered as she saw his lustful eyes. His eyes had longing and lust pouring out of them. Lydia had an average build and she always wondered whether it had any appeal, but now she had her answer.

  “Not fair.” Tom came to them, Sharon following him slowly.

  David and Lydia looked at each other and backed up slowly, as Tom and Sharon’s mischievous expressions meant something was suspiciously wrong. They were right. Ten minutes later, they ended up having a chicken fight. In the end, all four of them were laughing.

  “It was a lucky shot!” Tom said, splashing water on Lydia.

  “Was not!” she cried, wiping the water out of her eyes.

  “Was too!” he shot back.

  “Was not!” Lydia splashed water on him.

  “Aren’t they acting like toddlers now?” Sharon asked David, shaking her head.

  “Maybe Tom should agree that it was a good shot,” David said, his lips curving upwards.

  “No, he shouldn’t. It was a lucky shot.” Sharon retorted. A minute later she yelled, “Was too!”

  “Was not!” David yelled back.

  Lydia laughed. Who were the toddlers now?

  A few hours later, David took Lydia home, after promising once again he would see about her findings and keep her informed.

  As David walked away he felt something he had thought he will never feel again. This woman was affecting him in ways he couldn’t even explain. It wasn’t simply a physical attraction, oh no, it was much bigger than that. It was as if her whole self was speaking to his soul in a language that only he could understand.

  She was different. She had a pull. She was magnetic. Her simple gestures had him trying to figure her out. She wasn’t the bold type, the one who knew the tricks and tactics employed to get a man to take notice of you.

  She was shy. She was fragile. Her every smile held a pain to it. She had gone through a lot, and still was. She was special. You know, David always appealed a woman who was unaware of her effects. Lydia didn’t realize how beautiful she was. She had a competitive streak, a fire to her needs. She longed control. She longed love.

  She could very well be the one for him– Lydia Chen!

  This realization startled him and in a way made him accept that something new and wonderful was walking into his life.

  Chapter 27

  The next day, Lydia continued to review the information about the case, looking for some detail that had escaped her attention before. David’s reaction to her actions had heard her a little, but she understood his position, as he was a policeman and an officer of the law. The few times they had been intimate together had showed her how kind and loving the man was, so Lydia was not worried about his feelings about her.

  An unexpected knock on the door disturbed her thoughts and Lydia almost jumped out of her seat. Putting away the files and making sure that everything in the room was in place, Lydia went to open the door. Her surprise was great at seeing Charles Douglass standing at her door.

  “Mr. Douglass, I was not expecting you,” she said. “Is there something wrong with your son?”

  “No.” Charles shook his head. “I came here to do the opposite. I beg you to stop prying into the case of my son. We ar
e finally happy to have our family back in one piece. I like seeing my wife happy, especially now, after she recovered from the cancer.”

  “I did not know that,” Lydia answered. “I am sorry to hear about it. I hope Mrs. Douglass will be okay.”

  “We all pray for her complete recovery,” Charles said. “But, once again, would you leave us alone and stop digging into Stanley’s case?”

  “If that is what you want, Mr. Douglass,” Lydia answered, but Mr. Douglass could see that she was not convinced.

  “We both heard you about your suspicion that this might not be our Stanley, but I think we have already accepted him as our lost son and that is enough for us.” Charles continued. “Doctor Chen, I know that you have no alternative motives to investigate this case, but to help us, but please understand our situation.”

  “Mr. Douglass, I cannot promise you not to try and solve this ten-year old mystery, but I can promise not to come to your home or try and speak to Stanley.” Lydia tried to find a way out.

  “I can accept that,” Charles said. “Thank you for trying to help us.”

  “Can I ask you something?” Lydia said carefully.

  “Yes…”

  “What would you do, if this man turns out to be an imposter?”

  “I just asked you to forget those accusations!” the man said angrily.

  “Yes, but just answer my question,” Lydia insisted. “Consider this, Stanley refuses to play the piano, remembers nothing about his favorite sports team and doesn’t even remember his teddy bear. Tell me, Mr. Douglass, does all this look right to you? I am not saying that he is not who he claims to be, but please just consider the possibility. Why don’t you try and ask him some questions that only the real Stanley could answer?”

  “I don’t know, Doctor Chen,” Charles answered, looking troubled. “You do what I asked you to and we will be fine.”

  Lydia accompanied him to the door and long after he disappeared from view, she stayed there thinking about what to do next. Mr. Douglass had never said that he did not believe her, but he also refused to accept the fact that he might have to lose his son once again.