Definitely Unknown (The Unknown Series Book 1) Page 2

  The more he thought about it, the more he became convinced that he must have some heredity mental illness. Now it was coming to the fore, and effecting his cognitive functions. He had to talk to Beth about it. Being in the medical profession, she would know something about mental illness.

  As if she could read his mind, the noise of his phone ringing broke his concentration. On the other end was Beth.

  “I was thinking about you,” he said to her, smiling, even though she couldn’t see his smile. “I miss you, babes.”

  “You sleeping any better, now you got the bed to yourself?” she joked.

  “The bed is better with you in it,” he replied. “I just had another guy come in and thank me for a great night out. It made me think that Kev was pulling some prank on me. You know he can be a bit like that with his pranks. Then again, if it was him, he would have come forward by now. He wouldn’t have let it go on this long,” he finished talking, rubbing his forehead. As if rubbing his brain might give him some answers.

  “Yeah, it is something Kev might think up,” Beth agreed. “But, he doesn’t have the power to enter your dreams, baby. FBI haven’t learned how to do that yet, I don’t think.”

  “I know, I was clutching at straws,” Simon sighed. That was another theory that came to nothing. “I’ve got other ideas, but we can talk about it when you get home. It doesn’t seem appropriate over the phone.”

  “Yeah, I’m getting home early,” she said, on a lighter note. “I can miss the last day, as it’s a professor from my own hospital. I'm already aware of the contents of his paper, because I helped him write it. Can you meet me at the airport tomorrow?”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ll be there. Text me the times and I’ll work the rest out for myself. It’ll be good to have back home, babes,” he finished.

  They ended their conversation, and Simon replaced the phone in its cradle. He already felt better, after hearing her voice. Knowing she would be back tomorrow, a day earlier than expected, was good. Beth was his soulmate. Had he never met her, he would have ended up as a lonely old man. She was his rock, and up to now, he had been hers too. Beth, and the view outside their condo, were the most important things in his life right now. His anchor, keeping him in touch with reality. Maybe they should get a dog. Weren't dogs good for the soul? Then again, it’d be stuck in all day on its own, that would be cruel. So, a dog was out of the equation. What he would do though, was get in touch with Kev, just to make sure he wasn’t the one playing any pranks on him.

  CHAPTER 3

  Simon hated airports. People rushing around to get to destinations all over the globe. It made his head spin. But, he hated the thought of not being there when Beth arrived back, even more. JF Kennedy airport was not exactly the quietest of places. People bumped into people, rushing for their flights. Parking fees were a rip off, and cabs were impossible to find if you didn’t book in advance.

  Walking through the echoing corridors of an airport always felt eerie to Simon. Fighting the way through the crowds, who always seemed to be going in the opposite direction to him. It was as if everyone lived in their own little bubble, and no one could see anyone else. He worked much better with people over the phone, than he did to their faces. People were unpredictable, with all their emotions. He found them hard work, so he tried to keep his distance.

  He heard his name called out, and it brought him from his deep thoughts. Standing a few feet away, was Beth. Her plane must have landed early, she was already here.

  “Hi, babes,” she smiled at him as they hugged in midst of the crowds. The people were like a colony of ants milling around them. He could not hear Beth’s words, drowned out by a metallic voice over the radio system. A voice informed everyone which flights were leaving and arriving. “I managed to get an early flight,” he finally caught her words. “I wanted to get home to you. You know, I hated leaving you with all this mess in your head.”

  “Hmmm, you smell wonderful,” Simon announced, inhaling deeply, and taking in her aroma. “It's so good to have you home. Oh, and speaking of home, Kev's invited himself over for dinner tonight. He’s cooking, so I knew you wouldn't mind.

  “I love his cooking, it’s way better than yours, or mine,” she replied, handing him some of her luggage. “You spoke to him about any of this yet?”

  “No. In truth I don’t know how to explain it without sounding crazy,” Simon replied. He pushed through the crowds with his arm around Beth. “Man, this airport’s extra busy today,” he announced, as they finally arrived out in the fresh air. “I brought the car. We’ll wait forever if we get a cab.”

  Sat in the traffic was no fun either, but that was New York. Simon loved New York, but preferred watching it hustling by his window in the apartment.

  “You sleeping any better?” Beth opened the conversation, once again.

  “You know, I don’t want to talk about that stuff, Beth,” he said, sounding his horn at no one in particular. It was a case of taking out his frustrations on the traffic.

  “Look, one of the reasons I came back early, was because I wanted to be honest with you,” Beth announced. It seemed that she was leading up to something he didn’t want to hear.

  “You are going to tell me you can’t live with it anymore?” Simon was joking, but he turned a serious look towards her.

  “No, silly,” Beth chided. “I didn’t want to bring this up until I got back, but I’ve also noticed some strange behavior in you, as well. Now that I’ve got that conference out of the way, we should discuss this stuff.”

  Simon arrived at the parking lot, situated beneath their apartment building. He parked the car in their allotted space. As he turned off the engine, they sat in the car in silence.

  “What is it that I’m doing, that seems strange then?” Simon broke the peace and quiet. “You are going to put me out of my misery, and tell me?”

  “I just think it’s all a part of whatever’s going on in your head,” she said. “You wake me up in the middle of the night and insist on being intimate. Now, I’m never one to complain about our making love, but sometimes you call me by different names. I know you don’t have other women, Simon. I trust you with my life, but when it happens it’s like you’re not fully awake, and you’re not really you. If you can understand all that?”

  “Baby, I’m sorry,” he apologized. “You should shake me awake.”

  “I tried that once, and you forced me to kiss you. I ended up with quite a shaver’s rash on my face that night,” she smiled as she said it. “At first I thought you were kidding around. Then I realized it was like you were sleep walking, except you were sleep kissing.”

  “What? You mean I forced you to do that?” He held his face in his hands as if trying to hide his shame.

  “No, no, Simon, I am always willing to make out with you,” she tried to assure him. “I could stop you if I wanted to. At least I think I could, but sometimes you frighten me a little. Now though, I’m realizing it’s all a part of your troubles.”

  “So, what do I do? I can’t bear the thought of treating you like that,” Simon looked away with remorse. “Beth, I love you, I don’t want you to fear me.”

  “Simon, I’m not scared of you, but sometimes it's like you're someone else.” She took his hand in hers, squeezing it tight. “We are going to get you some professional help. I know a great psychiatrist, Dr Croman, he’s one of the best. I can probably get you an appointment immediately, he owes me a few favors. If anyone can get to the bottom of this it’s him. Now, come on, let's get upstairs. I can’t wait to see what delights Kev’s cooked up for dinner.”

  As they rode the elevator up to their floor, they stood side by side in silence. Simon was mulling over what Beth had said to him. The elevator rang out, announcing they had arrived at their floor. Upon opening the door to their apartment, a delicious smell of Italian food assailed their senses. From somewhere in the steam shrouded kitchen, was Kevin, who cursed loud, in Italian. Simon pretended to cover Beth
’s ears in mock indignation. Although neither of them spoke Italian, so they had no idea what he was ranting about.

  “Whoa there, buddy, watch the language,” Simon laughed, dipping a finger into some juicy sauce. “That tastes good, Kev. What we having?”

  “Sorry, but I knocked a glass of wine down the sink,” Kevin explained. “How can I keep my calm, when my wine is swirling down the plug hole? This is a Welcome Home Beth, dish. I do your favorites. For you, Simon, I do Farinata, from Liguria.”

  “Yeah,” Simon slapped his friend on the back, in a friendly gesture. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. I love chickpea pancakes.

  “No, no, I tell you not to call them that western name. They are F-a-r-i-n-a-t-a, you call them by their proper name. Then, if you can manage, you may have some of Beth’s food. For my beautiful Beth, we will crack open the mussels. Then, for me, we must indulge in a dessert of pear torte.”

  “Oh, I love you, Agent Kevin Marshall,” Beth exclaimed. “As always, you excel in everything you do, Kev. This is a lovely welcome home dish.”

  “I serve to please all women on this earth,” Kevin winked over at Beth, while he continued to stir pans. He multi tasked opening hot doors in ovens, and cold doors in fridges. “I trust your trip went well?”

  “Yep, it did. I went specifically to listen to a German Neuro Specialist, giving a lecture. Best not bore you boys with the details. Let’s pour some wine.”

  Beth had already started to get out the wine glasses, as she noticed Simon opening a bottle of red, and white.

  “So, how do my two most favorite people in all the world, manage their lives when I am not in it?” Kevin asked, as he placed food on the table where Beth and Simon had seated themselves.

  “You might be a good cook, Kev, but somehow, and I realize this will come as a surprise to you, we manage just fine on our own.” Simon joked, as he cut into his Italian pancake with relish.

  “Actually, Kev, we do have something to tell you,” Beth said, sipping her white wine from a tall stemmed glass.

  “Not now, honey,” Simon stopped her going any further.

  “Whoa! What do you mean ‘not now?’ You don’t get to do that to your one and only friend in the entire universe,” Kevin interrupted.

  “He wants to know, Simon,” Beth said, looking at Simon concerned. “After all, he is your one and only friend in the entire universe,” she laughed.

  “Okay, okay,” Simon gave in.

  It was probably about time to get this off his chest. Time to speak to his best friend about the strange occurrences, and dreams that were plaguing him. The people sat at this table, were, in reality, the most important people in his life. If he couldn’t trust these two, then there was no one.

  “I’m having some weird dreams, and even stranger occurrences, with some work colleagues. I doubt the FBI can solve my problems. I’m turning into some kind of mystery man, who cruises the nightlife in the lower east side of Manhattan.”

  Simon, along with the help of Beth, explained the last few weeks to his friend. Kevin had always loved a mystery and that was why he became a cop. To solve mysteries, usually in the form of crimes, but any mystery would do.

  “So, you think it might be medical, Beth?” Kevin asked her, considering her the expert on this side of things.

  “I don’t know, Kev, and neither does poor Simon. We have a process in the medical profession. When we don’t understand why something is happening, we tend to begin with a 'process of elimination.' If Simon goes to see a specialist, at least it will give us an idea if it’s a mental health issue. I'm hoping we can cross that from the list,” Beth finished.

  They discussed the issue throughout their three-course dinner. Once finished, Simon took them to his favorite place. There, they sipped cold beer on the balcony, and looked out at the wide and illuminated vista in front of them. The river glistened when the reflection of lights and the full moon danced on its surface. People walked by chattering, over a dozen floors below. They represented little ants scurrying around on the sidewalk below them. That was how Simon liked it, all the hustle and bustle down there, up here, all was peaceful.

  “Well, buddy, it seems that your head’s a mess, and I hear you're involved in some important national event at work?” Kevin asked.

  “How’d you know that?” Simon queried.

  “Aha, we FBI guys, we know everything,” Kevin replied. “Actually, I know because Beth told me that you might be stressing out with work. Then, I asked around to find out what you are up to. It’s all hush hush to be honest. What’s your company’s role in it?”

  “We’re organizing the conference,” Simon knew that was no secret. “I’m helping out with IT stuff with regards to seating arrangements. You know the stuff I usually do. Setting up language networks, providing private access for delegates, and securing firewalls. I’m also liaising with security, which is impossible as no one will tell me who’s coming. I know they're all VIP visitors. Arranging network access for people you don’t know, is almost impossible. Anyway, I don’t think I’m too stressed out with it. Beth’s clutching at straws, wondering why I’m behaving so irrationally. I don’t think that's the answer. But I am going to take her advice on the professional help theory. I have to do something, or my head might explode.”

  “Yeah, if Beth can get you in quick, I agree, take it. Let’s do that elimination thing she does. Hey, we do that too, come to think of it. Let’s eliminate Simon’s brain, then we can all have some peace and quiet.”

  “Ha, ha,” Simon laughed at his friends sour humor. “My brain can stay exactly where it is, thank you, no elimination necessary. I am willing to go through with this though. Especially as I’m behaving weird in my sleep. In fact, we should sleep in separate rooms for a while, Beth.”

  “No, babes, no,” Beth responded.

  “Look, we don’t get to sleep together often anyway, what with your long hours,” Simon explained. Let's do this, till my head is clearer. I’d feel better if I take the spare room.

  “Erm, you two aren’t even married yet, and already you’re sleeping apart,” Kevin joked. “I agree with him on this one Beth. It’s only upsetting him more, knowing he might hurt you in his sleep,” Kev said.

  It was past midnight before Kevin left. Beth and Simon made their way to separate bedrooms, with Simon in the guest bed. They both hated the idea of sleeping apart, but in the end, it did seem the best option, at least in the short term.

  CHAPTER 4

  It pleased Simon that the clinic was in the same hospital where Beth worked. She’d promised to visit him that evening. Doctor Croman, who was treating him, wanted a thorough health examination. This meant an overnight stay. As it was the weekend, he did not mind. He was due a weekend off anyway, so the appointment fit into his daily life, without anyone finding out.

  Sitting in the reception of the clinic, he flicked through a glossy magazine. His brain was not used to such boredom, so he got up and started to pour himself a cup of the complementary coffee. Being in a strange state of thought, he then changed his mind. Caffeine was not a good idea when you were not sleeping too well. Mind you, since he had been sleeping alone, he was sleeping a deeper sleep. Could it be that simple, he needed a bed all to himself?

  A nurse called his name and he followed her into a small examination room. There, his mind continued to tick over with his own private worries. He hardly noticed her as she carried out her systematic duties. She took his weight, blood pressure and a small sample of his blood for testing. After which she asked him a few personal questions. Did he jog or workout, how many hours did he work, did he drink, smoke? All regular questions about his lifestyle. Soon, he found himself back in the waiting area. He had a strong urge to get up and walk out, but he owed it to Beth to see this through. He had never suffered any mental health issues in his life, why should he start now?

  Hearing his name called again brought him out of his reverie. The same nurse smiled at him, and led him into a large co
mfortable office. Here awaited a male doctor, seated behind a big old, wooden desk. The desk seemed out of place with such modern surroundings. Doctor Croman greeted him with a hearty handshake, as he introduced himself. This was the professional guy who Beth knew. Simon noted he was quite young and handsome. Was that a tinge of jealousy he felt, that Beth worked with such handsome men? Then he remembered how dedicated she was to her job. This led to a feeling of guilt, for thinking such thoughts.

  “Beth tells me you have problems with sleeping. Which is then further disturbed by vivid dreams. She also tells me that there are encounters and social events that you do not recall.” The guy smiled and looked up from his notes. “Well, you're in good hands here, so you can relax, Simon. We'll run some tests over the next two days. Check your physical health. Often psychological problems can relate to an underlying physical condition. When you sleep, we'll be monitoring you, using the latest brain imaging equipment. Tomorrow, we'll ask you lots of questions. Take a few more tests and investigate your brain patterns. Comparing your relaxed state, to when you feel under pressure. How’s that sound, Simon?”

  “Sounds like you know what you’re doing,” he said, but he was only half listening, and half thinking other things. How could anyone know about what was going on in his head, when he didn’t know himself?

  They chatted awhile, about how Simon perceived what was going on. The doctor made no assumptions about his lifestyle, or state of mind. He seemed to approach it all as routine. Neither did he make any promises. He indicated he was hopeful and they may have a better understanding of what ailed him, after the tests.

  That very same day, Simon found himself wired up to an array of machines. They monitored his vital signs as he ran at full speed on a cross trainer. These were exercises designed to push his body to its limits. Sure enough, he was soon breathing heavy, with his heart pounding in his ears. Despite being woefully out of condition, the doctor seemed happy with the results.