That Which Survives

by Ciana Stone

  Ian had been nervous and excited that day. Nothing had prepared him for what he encountered. He had expected a disoriented, frightened girl who could not cope with the loss of her memory. Senna was none of those things. She was beautiful and vibrant and didn’t seem traumatized by the loss of her memory.

  They had begun therapy immediately. That spring she underwent scholastic testing. The results of the tests showed that not only did she possess the equivalent of a high-school education, she was able to exempt over thirty hours of undergraduate classes in college. That was both interesting and puzzling. If she had been educated in her absence, then there had to be a record of it somewhere.

  Minora hired a private investigator to find the answers. By the time summer was winding to a close, the answers were still as much a mystery as they had been from the outset. Senna left Charlotte that August to attend college in Pennsylvania. Ian recommended a colleague he knew there and only saw her during her summer vacations for the next few years.

  By the time she finished undergraduate school they were still in the dark about what had happened to her during those missing years. Ian had ruled out disassociative personality as the cause of the memory loss, and there was no indication of any brain trauma or disease that would have caused the amnesia. He had been training in advanced hypnotherapy during the last few years and was interested in trying some of the new techniques on her. Her acceptance into the graduate program in physics at MIT prevented that.

  Ian snapped back to the present and looked back at the notes on his computer screen. He had seen Senna since she left to go the graduate school. When she had contacted him upon her move to Charlotte, it was a surprise. He had not expected to ever see her again.

  She was interested in undergoing hypnotherapy to try and unlock the mystery of what had happened to her. She would not give him a concrete reason why she wanted to, only that she wanted to know what had happened during those missing years.

  Ian began with conventional therapy in order to regain her confidence. It wasn’t long before he was ready to begin hypnotherapy. They started and had progressed from her childhood to age fifteen without any difficulty. The first block occurred when she tried to remember past the point in time that she and her mother were attacked in Iraq. At that point time seemed to stop for her. The last recall she had was her mother lying on the floor reaching for her and someone grabbing her and pulling her away.

  Ian suspected that someone had deliberately made her forget. His problem was that he had no idea what methods were used. There seemed to be a block in her mind that suggested a deep mental control. The center of the problem, therefore, was how to circumvent the control. So far everything he had tried had met with failure. Tonight Senna told him she thought it was time to admit defeat and that she had accepted she would never remember.

  Ian had tried to dissuade her from terminating their sessions and she promised to consider it. He hoped she would change her mind. He knew it was not for entirely selfless reasons. He wanted to help her recover her memory, but it would also be a feather in his cap to achieve success in this case. He had already gotten four well-received papers from it and if he was successful in unlocking her memory it would be a major boon for his career.

  He rose and walked over to the window. There was nothing more he could do until Senna made up her mind whether she would continue the therapy. The best thing he could do was go home, have a drink and relax. Yet, even as he told himself that, he knew it wouldn’t happen.

  * * * * *

  University of North Carolina at Charlotte

  Ryan and Paige walked to their car without speaking. As she unlocked the door, he looked over the car’s roof at her. “I think we might as well call it a night. There’s no point trying to talk to any of the people now on the list Aldridge gave us. We’ll start fresh in the morning.”

  She didn’t comment but got in the car and started it. “So where to?” she asked as he got in and fastened his seatbelt.

  “Home.”

  “So early?” She cut her eyes over at him. “It’s not even ten. Why don’t we stop somewhere and have a drink?”

  “Thanks but no. Maybe some other time.”

  “You really are getting to be an old man,” she complained. “You used to be fun until you started dating Doctor Dull.”

  Ryan didn’t want to get into another discussion about Senna. He didn’t understand what Paige had against her. The times they had all been together in social situations Senna had been friendly and polite toward Paige. Why Paige disliked her was a mystery to him.

  “Ryan, I’m just trying to point out, as a friend, that you’re letting this woman turn you old before your time.” Paige’s voice didn’t carry the same rough edge as before. “Why let yourself get bogged down in a boring relationship so soon after your divorce? Live it up a little. Get out there and find out what kind of woman’s right for you. Don’t just settle on the first one who comes along.”

  “Thanks for the advice,” he said as she came to a stop in front of the courthouse. “See you in the morning.”

  “Sure you won’t change your mind about that drink,” she leaned over to ask as he got out.

  “No, thanks anyway. See you tomorrow.” He closed the door.

  She shrugged, waved and drove off. Ryan walked to the parking deck to get his car. He called Senna as he walked. She still was not home.

  “Hi, it’s Ryan again. Just thought I’d see if you were interested in having a drink or something. It’s about ten and I’m in the car.

  He headed home, which was on the southeast side of the city. He had to pass by the karate school where he had been taking lessons for the past year. The lights were on. He pulled in, parked and went to the door.

  He could see the owner of the school inside, working out alone. Ryan watched for a few seconds, impressed again at the way the man moved, then tapped on the door. The man turned and walked over to open the door.

  “Sorry to bother you,” Ryan said. “I was headed home and saw the lights and thought I’d stop and see if you wanted to go have a beer.”

  Konnor Chase wiped his face on the sleeve of his T-shirt. ‘”Sure, but I need to shower first.”

  “Take your time.”

  Ryan took a seat in the reception area while Konnor headed to the shower. He had met Konnor the previous year when he was giving a lecture at the police academy on crime scene investigations. Konnor was teaching self-defense at the academy.

  When Ryan found out Konnor had a school in Charlotte, he signed up. He had been through self-defense training at the academy, but that was a while back and he felt he could use some shaping up.

  Konnor turned out to be a demanding teacher. He didn’t tolerate laziness and was not one of those instructors who passed out rank belts quickly. He made his students work hard and insisted that each one put as much effort into learning as he did into teaching. Ryan had been studying for eleven months and had just started to realize how much he had to learn.

  Konnor didn’t talk about himself except to say that he had studied various systems. Ryan knew from talking with people at the police academy that Konnor was considered one of the best in the country. He didn’t require his students to address him by any particular title—they could either call him Mr. Chase, or simply Chase.

  Ryan had been trying to talk Senna into taking classes. He hadn’t known her to be an extremely athletic woman, but she ran, played racquetball, and worked out with weights. He thought she would enjoy it and it would give them something to do together. She had been completely uninterested, and had told him that fighting was the last thing she wanted to be involved in.

  Konnor returned and Ryan studied him as he walked across the room. He wished he looked more like Konnor. Ryan was six feet tall and weighed one-hundred-seventy-five. Ryan wasn’t fat or skinny, and could honestly look at himself and admit that he wasn’t bad to look at. His medium-brown hair was thick and untouched by gray, his hazel eyes were clear and his body was still f
it and firm. But Konnor had what most men secretly wished for.

  Standing a good three inches over six feet, he was built like one of the men you’d see in a kickboxing movie—muscular yet lean, strong yet agile. He seemed to exude some kind of inner power. His hair was thick and black, hanging down past his shoulders, but he always wore it pulled back at the nape of his neck. His skin was burnished, as if he had Native American blood, his features somewhat chiseled with a strong jaw, square chin and slightly full lips.

  But it was his eyes that were so notable. At first glance they appeared to be black—distinguishing between the iris and pupil was almost impossible until you got close. Then you discovered that his eye color was actually a deep indigo blue, so dark it was almost black. Ryan had to admit that Konnor’s eyes were definitely an advantage in a confrontation. They were cold as steel and you could detect no emotion in them whatsoever.

  “You hungry?” he asked as Konnor hoisted his gym bag over his shoulder and activated the alarm system.

  “I could eat.”

  “How about the Grille? They have decent food and stock a lot of imported beer.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll follow you.”

  They headed out. Just as Ryan was pulling into the parking lot of the restaurant he remembered the message he’d left Senna. He checked his watch—half past ten. He dialed his home phone to check his messages. There was one from Paige, telling him to meet her at the diner for breakfast. Another message was from Justin Baldwin, a fellow police officer and friend, reminding him about the party he and Senna were invited to on Saturday night.

  He deleted the messages, parked and waited for Konnor to park. He would catch up with Senna first thing in the morning.

  Chapter Three

  University of North Carolina at Charlotte

  Senna had just reached her office when a voice called, “Dr. Laserian?”

  She looked around for the source of the voice and spotted Mike Harper, the student who had asked her out the previous evening. He weaved his way around people in the hall, headed toward her. She was beginning to fear that Mike was not a young man who understood the meaning of the word “no”.

  “Hi.” He grinned down at her as he stopped in front of her. “You got a minute?”

  “Just barely. What can I do for you, Mr. Harper?”

  “Well, I was kind of confused about some things you went over in class this morning and was wondering if maybe we could get together and you could give me a little help.”

  “I’m sorry you were lost, Mr. Harper, but don’t feel bad. Most first semester students find physics a little confusing. I’m sure that with a little extra time spent on your assignments it will become clear.”

  In truth, she was not surprised that he was lost. In fact, the only thing that did surprise her was that he had managed to hang on this long. While Mike Harper might be an excellent athlete and quite charming, if one listened to the opinions of the female students, he was not “a rocket scientist”.

  “Yeah, well I think I need personal attention. So whaddaya think? Want to get together and tutor me?”

  Senna suppressed a smile. It never failed to amaze her at just how unoriginal the male species could be when it came to coming up with new lines. Since she had been teaching she had been propositioned at least a dozen times, and each time the excuse of needing to be “tutored” had come up.

  “Tutoring?” She gave him a smile. “That’s an excellent idea, Mr. Harper. Why don’t we go to my office?”

  Mike grinned like someone who had just scored the winning touchdown. He followed her into her office. She put her books and lecture notes on her desk then went to the file cabinet. She pulled out a folder then took a seat at her deck.

  “Okay,” she opened the folder and pulled out a sheet of paper, “here’s a list of physics students who are available for tutoring. I’m sure you can find one who will be able to meet your needs.”

  The grin on his face disappeared to be replaced by anger. “I don’t want some student. I want you!”

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Harper. But I’m not available.” She used her most polite but firm, teacher tone.

  “Well you’ve got to have some time you can fit me in. I mean, it doesn’t have to be during the day. We can get together at night, away from campus.”

  “No, I don’t think so.” She stood and returned the folder to the file cabinet. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have things to attend to. Good luck with finding an appropriate tutor and have a nice weekend.”

  “Look, I don’t think you get it…” He closed in on her. “What I want is—”

  At that moment someone knocked on the door. Grateful for the interruption, she opened it to find Ryan standing outside with his partner Paige. “Ryan,” she said and smiled up at him. “What a nice surprise. Come in.”

  He walked in and Senna greeted Paige. “Hello, Paige. How are you?”

  “Just peachy.” Paige’s voice sounded a little sarcastic, but Senna chose to ignore it.

  “This is one of my students, Mr. Harper,” she said as they looked at Mike. “Who was just leaving.”

  “This isn’t finished,” he said in a low tone that carried a threat.

  “Yes, it is, Mr. Harper.” She maintained a cool, calm tone. “Good day.”

  Mike stomped out. Senna closed the door and turned to Ryan. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

  “Actually this is a professional call, “Paige answered. “We understand you knew Dr. Walter Van Dorne.”

  “Please, have a seat.” Senna gestured to the chairs in front of her desk and took a seat herself. “Yes,” she continued as soon as they were seated. “Walter was a dear friend.”

  “Dear as in beat the sheets, or dear as in sugar daddy just happy to have a pretty girl on his arm?” Paige asked.

  Senna regarded her in the same manner she did an unruly or rude student.

  “Paige!” Ryan exclaimed. “What she means is have you seen or spoken with Dr. Van Dorne since he arrived in Charlotte?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “When exactly?” Paige asked, cutting Ryan a sharp look.

  “Well, let’s see…” Senna checked her date book. “He called on the fifteenth when he arrived, around four in the afternoon. I had a faculty meeting that afternoon so I only spoke with him briefly. The next day, the sixteenth, I picked him up from his hotel and took him over to have lunch with my aunt, Minora Laserian. I had classes that afternoon so I left him with Minora then stopped by on my way home, around six, and she had already sent her driver to take him back to his hotel to get ready for his lecture that evening. I had dinner with Minora, and then returned to the campus for his lecture. I drove him to his hotel after the lecture. That was the last time I spoke with him.”

  “So, Dr. Laserian,” Paige emphasized the word doctor, “did Dr. Van Dorne appear nervous or upset? Did he mention anything particular that was troubling him, or anyone that might have threatened him in any way?”

  “No.” Senna kept her attention directed on Paige. “He didn’t mention anything.”

  “Nothing?”

  “No.”

  “Yet you said that you and he were dear friends.”

  “Yes, that’s correct.”

  “So, if something was bothering him, if someone was threatening him or if he was afraid, wouldn’t he have told someone as close to him as you claim to be?”

  “I have no idea.” Senna was beginning to be annoyed by the tone of Paige’s voice.

  “And he didn’t tell you anything that was going on in his life that would make you think something was wrong?”

  “No.”

  “Then exactly what did you talk about?”

  Senna turned her attention to Ryan for a moment. He had an apologetic look on his face when their eyes met, but he quickly looked away. She made mental note of it then turned her attention back to Paige. “If I knew anything that might help you find the person who killed Walter, I would be more than happy to tell you. But th
e truth is, I don’t. We spent most of the time talking about the book he was working on with another colleague, and reminiscing about the past. He didn’t give any indication anything was wrong. I’m sorry but I just don’t have anything to tell you.”

  “Okay.” Paige nodded then looked at Ryan. “You have any questions?”

  “No.” He stood.

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help,” Senna said as Paige stood and headed for the door.

  “That’s okay.” Paige stopped and looked back at her. “By the way, can you tell me where you were between the hours of one and three yesterday?”

  Senna was shocked by the question but tried not to show it. “In class.”

  “And that can be substantiated?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, thanks, Dr. Laserian. We won’t take up any more of your time.”

  Senna looked at Ryan as he stepped over to her. “I’m sorry. Dr. Aldridge gave us a list of names of people who had contact with Van Dorn and your name was on it. We’re talking to everyone.”

  “It’s fine, Ryan. I’ll do anything I can to help, I just don’t know anything. But what’s up with Paige? Why the sudden ‘Dr. Laserian’ routine? Did I step on her toes or something?”

  “Ignore it. It’s just one of her moods. Listen, are you free tonight?”

  “I’m meeting Kendal for racquetball at six but I don’t have anything planned after that. What’d you have in mind?”

  “Well, I was going to try and convince you to meet me at karate class and—”

  “Ryan, I’m really not interested.”

  “Just give it a shot. There’s a seven-thirty class and there’s lots of beginners.”

  “I don’t think so. Not tonight.”

  “Next week? Maybe?”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “Okay.” He smiled. “Fair enough. But do you think I could talk you into picking me up from class around eight-thirty? I had to put my car in the shop and it won’t be ready until tomorrow morning. I’m going to catch a ride to class with Paige.”