This time when he opened his eyes, David Chan felt at least okay. He noticed he could move his head freely. Gently swinging his legs over the bedside, he boosted himself to a sitting position. He felt dizzy, closed his eyes, and waited for the spell to pass.
When he opened his eyes, Hank Lee stood in front of him.
“It’s good to see you up,” said Hank. “Feeling a little lightheaded, huh?”
“Yes, a little. Have I been out for a long time again?”
“No, just asleep overnight. It’s about 7:30.”
Chan nodded and reached out to Lee. “Can you give me a boost?”
The coroner grabbed his arm and helped him to his feet.
“Thanks, Hank, can you do me a favor?”
“Breakfast?”
“No, not now. I need to go see Jasmine Komine.”
“David, no. Didn’t you hear what Chin said yesterday? She’s dead, David. That was her body in the Pacific Insurance fire.”
“No it wasn’t, Hank. It can’t be.
I’m telling you I spoke to her. She and her boyfriend.”
“Why don’t you just wait for Chin to report back on his visit? He’ll probably head over there early.”
“I can’t, Hank. Please.”
The two drove to the apartment building on Nehoa Street. Chan, with Lee following close beside in case Chan felt dizzy and needed an arm, knocked on the apartment door.
After a moment, a tall, older Asian woman opened the door.
It took Chan a moment to focus on the fact that this was not the woman of his dreams.
“David,” said Hank, giving him a gentle elbow to say something.
“Oh, ah, Ma’am, excuse me. My name is David Chan. I’m with HPD.” He showed her his badge. “I was looking for Doctor Komine.”
The woman gave him a concerned look. “Well, yes, you’ve found her.”
Chan blinked and shook his head. “No, I’m sorry, I meant Jasmine Komine.”
“Oh,” the woman said, “Um, well, I’m Janice Komine. There’s no Jasmine Komine here.”
Again Chan stood staring at the woman. Then, “In the phone book, Dr. J. Komine, that’s you?”
“Yes, Lieutenant, I’m Dr. Janice Komine. I’m an optometrist.”
“And you don’t teach at Hawai ‘i University?”
She shook her head.
“Ma’am, ah, have I seen you before? Have I been to this apartment?”
The woman shook her head. “I don’t believe so,” she said.
Chan continued. “Do you know a Harry Wong?”
Again the woman shook her head. “No, no I’m afraid I don’t.”
“Would you mind if I came in and took a look around?”
“Why no, Lieutenant, by all means. Please come inside.”
Chan and Lee both walked in. Surveying the apartment, Chan could see this was not the same place where he’d been.
He stood there stunned to silence.
Finally, Lee said to him, “David, is this the place.”
Chan shook his head. “No, it’s not. I don’t get it.”
“Let’s go, David.”
The two left and sat down in Lee’s car.
“Hank, I swear to you, this is the place I came to. That’s at least the door I saw before . . .”
“Yes, David, okay. I mean I believe you’re convinced this is the place, but you saw for yourself that it isn’t.”
Chan sat quietly. The puzzle had become even more complex. How could everything be so true . . . and apparently not true at all?
“Hank, can you take me to Pier 13?”
“Sure, David, sure.”
The two drove down to the docks. When they arrived, there were still a good number of police and fire personnel going through the debris.
Captain George Freitas was on and. The three walked over to what remained of the entrance.
Freitas said, “That was a close one, David. I’m glad to see you up and around.”
“Right, right,” said Chan, “it’s good to be alive. You know what, George, I can’t remember a darn thing about why I was here.
I mean, I can’t even remember being here or getting here either.”
“Well,” said Freitas, “maybe it’s temporary amnesia.”
“Right, right. “Hopefully, it’ll all come back to me.”
Chan and Lee went back to the car. Sitting down, Lee asked, “Where to now?”
“I have no idea, Hank. I feel like I’m in an episode of The Twilight Zone and it’s the end. I’m trapped in some kind of alternate reality. And it’s permanent.”
“It’s okay, David. You’re still healing. Be patient.”
And then it came to Chan. “I stopped over at Jasmine’s apartment on the way to visit the Harvey Wong I found in the phone book. The first time I stopped by, he wasn’t there. I need to see if he’s somehow related to my dream. Can you take me there?”
Lanning Lee 