"If there's anything else you'd like to ask, or if you plan on killing me, now is the time to do it," Partain said, sliding his empty glass away from him. I looked in the direction of the bartender, who wasn't paying attention to us, and then put Synchro's device back into my jacket pocket.

 

"Otherwise, I'd like to continue drinking, now that you've started me down that path for the day," he continued. "You don't mind picking up my tab so far, do you? I'm sure that you can understand how I'm a little low on cash right now."

   

I ignored his sarcasm and placed two twenties on the bar.

 

 

"That should cover it," I said, placing my hand on his shoulder. "Thanks for the information, doctor. I've got to get going, anyway. But humor me for a few more minutes."

 

He raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.

flashback

"What caused the memory loss, really, especially if the initial devices were stable? Did something set it off?" I asked, standing up, still holding my glass.