CELL

/ TWENTY FOUR /

Trust is a dirty word.

Ryan didn't trust Bradley, yet he had trusted that, as she'd imbibed already, he could sink a swift snifter. The contents of the glass would be safe, and the only effect would be the rush of heat down his throat. Perhaps a slight, pleasant buzz to follow.

Yes, he'd believed her.

Idiot.

He threw the glass across the room, where it barely bounced off the thick cushioning of the carpet. Rather than smashing against the far wall, it merely nudged it. An insipid touch to show a little willing. The lack of an explosion of shards to underscore his rage deepened his mood.

"What was in it? What have you done to me, bitch?"

Ryan jumped to his feet, prepared to attack the doctor. Only the knowledge that she was the only person who had any of the answers he sought stopped him. He stood with his fists clenched, torn between having to resist striking her before whatever drug he'd just ingested could take effect, and pouncing to let his anger loose. She just looked up at him expectantly.

Come on, her eyes said. Do it.

No. He wouldn't.

He walked over to pick up the glass and sat back down, feeling like a student called in front of the tyrannical school principal.

"There was nothing in it, was there?"

"No, there wasn't," Bradley said calmly. "I didn't ask if you believed me because you were foolish to. I was surprised. It takes a lot to surprise me, but you seem to be doing so at an alarming rate."

"Why? I'm not doing anything. How can I when I'm stuck in a cage?"

"Let's not be like that. The situation is the situation. It's necessary, even though you don't and wouldn't believe me."

"No," Ryan said. "I don't. None of this is necessary."

"I have to disagree, I'm afraid."

"But why? You never answer me."

Bradley leaned forward and put her hand on his knee. He eyed both it and her suspiciously and, seeing his face, she removed it again.

"I'm just trying to be friendly. Please, allow me that. I know you have questions. I wish I could offer answers, but I can't. Just trust me when I say this is all of the utmost importance."

"Sure. Whatever you say."

"Look," said Bradley. She extended her arms with her palms upwards. "I'll hide nothing that I'm able to tell you. Ask me a question."

"What's the point? You won't tell me what I want to know."

"No, but as a courtesy, and to show you can trust me, ask."

Ryan pointed to a vase on the far corner of the cabinet. It was empty apart from the water filling it to just under half way. Start with something simple. A vase that someone had taken the time to put water in should surely contain flowers. Why else would it be there?

"Why is that empty?"

Bradley stood and walked over to the vase, picking it up. She turned it in her hands and watched the liquid slosh about inside.

"I don't like flowers," she said.

"Then why have a vase in the first place?"

"It's there to remind me I don't like flowers."

Erm...

"That doesn't make sense," Ryan said, frowning. "Why have a vase at all, then? Why do you need a reminder for something you already know? It's pointless."