Memory Man

Decker is admitted to Leopold’s cell. Leopold appears dazed or drugged, and his arms display the needle tracks of an addict. Decker replays the DVR in his head to scan for any previous encounter they might have had: “His DVR whirred and frames flew past by the hour, by the minute. Decker had been to that 7-Eleven three times during that period. Sebastian Leopold was simply not there” (43).

Decker makes Leopold recount the details of the triple murder. Leopold falters at several key points, seemingly unsure of his story, and is vague about his motivation for committing the crimes. Although Leopold insists that Decker hadn’t shown him any respect during their encounter at the 7-Eleven, Leopold fails to recognize that the man questioning him is the same one he claims “dissed” him.

Decker remarks on the dolphin tattoo on Leopold’s arm. It’s common for sailors to get these, and Leopold admits he was dishonorably discharged from a foreign navy. Decker also notices a lump on Leopold’s neck, but Leopold denies that he’s seriously ill. When Decker asks for Leopold’s real name, Leopold refuses to give it but agrees to write his current name on a piece of paper and have his photo taken.