The Persistence of Memory | ✔

11

"I guess he was quieter. But, it seemed like he had a lot more to think about so no one really blamed him for it. He still worked hard, did what he had to. Other than that, there wasn't much change."

That fit into what Fearnley's neighbor had said. There had been a change in Fearnley, small but still there. Nina supposed that was true enough for her as well.

"Did he ever talk about the accident or his recovery?"

"No, I don't think it was something he wanted to talk about. We didn't ask. Most people didn't know him well enough to anyway."

"Did he mention any headaches, trouble sleeping, other strange side effects?"

"He'd get migraines sometimes, yes. I asked him about it once and he said it was a side effect, that the doctors told him they'd go away in time. Never mentioned any trouble sleeping, but now that I think about it he did look tired when he returned to work. I just thought it was the strain of everything that happened. Could have been from insomnia."

Or dreams that aren't dreams after all, Nina thought. She shoved the thought away, not wanting to be bogged down by her own problems.

"Did he mention any new acquaintances? Maybe someone named Katie?"

Sadeghi looked confused by the question. He still thought about it before giving his answer, something Nina appreciated.

"No, at least, I don't remember him saying anything about meeting anyone." Nina nodded, not surprised by the answer in the least.

"What about his work? Did you notice any change in the way he worked or was he the same?"

"I'd say it was the same. He was very focused. Maybe working kept his mind off things." Nina had no doubt that it did.

"On the night of the incident, did you notice anything off about him? Any changes in his attitude or schedule?" Nina already suspected what the answer would be. She still couldn't help but feel just the slightest bit of anxiety as she waited for the man to speak.

"No, he left at the usual time. He was always careful to leave early enough to catch the bus. That night was the same."

"He didn't drive to work?" Sadeghi shook his head.

"His car broke down last year and he didn't bother getting a new one. A couple of people offered to drive him home after he returned to work, but he always said he didn't want to be a bother." Nina saved that information for later, an idea already occurring to her.

"I think that's enough for today, Mr. Sadeghi. Thank you for speaking to me," Nina said, picking her phone up from the table at the same time that she set down her nearly empty cup of coffee. She heard the man sitting across from her release a relieved sigh.

"I'm sorry I couldn't go into much detail," he said, standing from his seat as Nina did the same.

"No, there's no need to apologize. You were a great help." Nina walked with him to the door, taking her coat and pulling it on while Sadeghi stood there, seemingly lost in thought. Nina found herself wondering what kind of thoughts the faux interview might have brought up for the man.

Maybe he thinks he didn't know anything about Fearnley after all, she thought.

Whatever the case might have been, he didn't say anything else about Fearnley, and Nina soon found herself standing outside. The day was still much too bright for her, but she felt more at ease. Perhaps it was because of a renewed sense of purpose that came from knowing what to do next.

"Again, thank you for your time, Mr. Sadeghi." She stood before him as he held the door opened, looking just as tired as when she'd first arrived at his doorstep.

"It's no problem, Ms. Sheppard. Thank you for listening to me. I think I needed to talk to someone—anyone—about what happened." His grip on the door tightened, his lips forming a tense line. "I don't think I knew Christopher all that well, but he wasn't a bad man. At least, I didn't think he was. It's been confusing, everything that's happened."

Nina nodded, knowing full well how difficult it could be to reconcile something like what Fearnley was accused of, with any preconceived ideas of that person. Sadeghi would always think about what Fearnley had done, what hints there could have been. What he might have been able to do to stop Fearnley, if only he'd paid more attention. She almost wished she could tell him what she knew.

Instead, she bid him goodbye and walked away.

The door closed shut behind her, a soft sound that almost echoed in Nina's ears. She was back out in a too bright world she no longer felt she belonged in. Nina stuck her hands into her coat's pockets and walked down the walkway of Sadeghi's house and into the sidewalk. The streets were as desolate as when she'd first arrived, and Nina found herself feeling grateful for the bit of solitude.

As she walked away from the house, her gaze focused away from the fall colors around her, her mind mulling over what her next step would be.

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Hey everyone! As always, thank you all for reading this and I hope you've liked it. I may take a break for a week because I've been sick and don't know if I'll have time to look over the next chapter, but we'll see. Anyway, please don't forget to comment and/or vote if you can and have a great weekend!