Free Flashback by Simon Rose Page B

as they crossed the marble floor of the hotel lobby, passing under glittering crystal chandeliers. He’d seen the exterior of this hotel a few times times before, but had never actually been inside. Max couldn’t help being impressed by the sheer luxury of it all as he accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Dexter towards the staircase. Inside the ballroom, Max again marveled at his opulent surroundings, gazing up at the elevated ceiling from which hung more ornate chandeliers. The dinner party was in full swing, filled with men dressed in tuxedos and women wearing elegant evening gowns. Max stepped to one side as a waiter hurried by him carrying a tray filled with sparkling champagne glasses.
    “Come on, David,” said Mrs. Dexter, grabbing his wrist. “There are some people we need to say hello to.”
    For the next half an hour, Max was introduced to at least thirty men and women in and around the main ballroom, all friends of Mrs. Dexter. It was obvious to Max that she was extremely proud of her son. Although in his own time Max knew that she’d been falsely committed to the hospital, supposedly driven mad with grief, he could see that her son’s death must have hit Mrs. Dexter incredibly hard.
     
    At the far end of the ballroom, Max spotted Mr. Dexter talking to a middle-aged man with thinning brown hair, plus two other men in military uniforms. To Max’s relief, Mr. Dexter beckoned him over. After Max had made his apologies to Mrs. Dexter and the others, he went over to where Mr. Dexter was standing.
    “General Travis, Colonel Marshall,” Mr. Dexter said, when Max arrived, “you remember my son?”
    “Of course,” said the General, extending his hand. “How are you, David?”
    “Good, thank you,” said Max
    He shook Travis’ hand, while the Colonel simply smiled in greeting.
    “And David, do you remember Dr. Kovac?” Mr. Dexter asked. “He’s been to our house for dinner a few times, when you were younger, but perhaps you’ve forgotten.”
    “Yes, it’s been a while,” said Kovac, offering his hand.
    Max immediately recognized Aleksandar Kovac from the photographs he’d retrieved from Carrington’s office and mailbox. Yet, the instant Max’s fingers brushed against Kovac’s palm, Max realized that he actually knew the doctor very well indeed. Suddenly, images of a scientific facility, complete with men and women in white lab coats, flooded into his mind. Max heard the screams of victims and saw Kovac standing over a young woman with green hair who was lying on a table. Abruptly, Max pulled his hand away.
    “David?” said Mr. Dexter. “Is everything all right?”
    “Yes, yes,” stammered Max. “I was, er, just thinking of the last time I saw you, Dr. Kovac. Yes, that’s it. You’re right. It has been a while. If you’ll excuse me, I’m just going to get some fresh air.”
    Finding it difficult to breathe, Max quickly left the ballroom. He hurried back down the staircase and across the lobby to the front entrance. He stood on the hotel’s front steps, greedily gulping in the night air. The memories Max had experienced when he touched Kovac’s hand had been frighteningly vivid. As he watched the downtown traffic, his breathing gradually returned to normal.
    “What are you doing out here?” said a voice behind him.
    Startled, Max turned around. It was Mrs. Dexter.
    “Oh,” Max answered, “I, er, just needed some fresh air.”
    “Well, don’t stay out here too long,” said Mrs. Dexter, turning to go back inside. “You look a little pale.”
    “Okay,” said Max, with a smile. “I’ll see you later.”
    As he watched David’s mother stroll back across the lobby, a cool breeze made Max shudder. He decided to take Mrs. Dexter’s advice and return to the party. However, Max really didn’t want to meet any more of her friends. He avoided the ballroom and
    made his way along a corridor that was mercifully quiet. When he passed a room to which the door was slightly ajar, he heard Mr.