The Imposter (Alexandra Destephano Book 2)

by Judith Lucci

  Robert went back into the kitchen where he sat for several hours, reminiscing over his life with Alex and the tragic events of the past few days. He felt miserable, guilty. He had enough to contend with before last night, and now he had no idea where it would lead or whether Alex would ever recover. Finally, he returned to bed, depressed and sad.

  He rested fitfully in Alex's beautifully appointed guest room. His mind kept returning to the attacks on Alex and Monique. Why hadn't he insisted on going in with Alex when he dropped her off at Monique's house? Why hadn't he sensed the danger? How could he have been so stupid? Robert continued with his self deprecation until he could think of nothing else to blame himself for. This was all his fault. It was his fault Alex and Monique had been attacked. It was his fault the marriage had ended and that knowledge was utterly painful to him.

  He felt tears jump into his eyes. The dinner he and Alex shared only two nights ago had been so promising. He had begun to think that perhaps Alex would marry him again. Now, they had all of this to work through -- the rape, the medical problems with Monique, and Jack's grief. Of course, he had been grappling for months with the thought that he would never be able to operate again. A surgeon without hands, an amputee, that's how he perceived himself. That in itself had caused him to be terribly depressed over the past six months. And now all of this. He could only hope and pray that he could cope.

  Robert checked his watch for the third time in twenty minutes. It was almost 6 o'clock in the morning. He checked on Alex and she was sleeping peacefully. He then phoned the neuro intensive care unit at CCMC. The nurses reported that Dr. Desmonde was the same, stable but unresponsive. Robert could only guess how Jack was doing and figured he was feeling just as useless as he was. Thank goodness he wasn't in Jack's position. At least Alex could think and talk, but Monique probably wouldn't ever come out of her coma. She probably wouldn't ever wake up. Tomorrow, they would do the first EEG to measure her brainwave activity. He prayed that the swelling had decreased. He wasn't ready to tell Jack they needed to disconnect the ventilator and let her die. Please Lord, he prayed to himself, don't let that happen.

  Robert returned to the kitchen and made coffee. The annoying feeling in his gut told him he was hungry, but he had no desire to eat. He continued to sit at the table, silently drinking coffee and reminiscing over all the mistakes he had made in his adult life. He only wanted his childhood again, just to be young and carefree. Finally, he was aware that Alex was behind him. He could feel her presence.

  She smiled tentatively at him, touched his shoulder, and asked, "Could you share your coffee with me?"

  He stood immediately, "I can do better than that. I'll let you have your own cup."

  Alex had huge coffee cups, just like the ones Alex's grandmother had in Virginia. Robert removed a brightly decorated porcelain cup from the cabinet, made Alex a cup of coffee in her Keurig, and set it down in front of her with a flourish. He was pleased that she looked so rested and relaxed.

  Alex savored the rich flavor of the New Orleans coffee. She murmured her appreciation, "Mmm, this is good. I feel like I may be human again. Thanks Robert. Thank you for staying with me and for always being there for me. It means a lot, especially in times like these."

  Robert smiled, feeling a little brighter. Alex looked lovely this morning. Her hair was down and its curly reddish-chestnut color beautifully framed her delicately colored face. Her eyes were clear and blue. There were no signs of tears, dark circles, or fatigue. Only the black eye and the drooping shoulder told of her recent misery.

  He said lightly, "You look rested this morning, Al. You must've gotten some sleep."

  "Yes, I did. I remember awakening during the night and crying. It all came back to me, but I decided that today's another day and we need to move forward. Have you checked on Monique?" Her voice and her face expressed her concern over her friend.

  "Yeah, I have. There's no change. It's still pretty early, Alex," Robert said, noting the crestfallen look on her face. "You know that." His voice was soft, but definitive, as he attempted to comfort her.

  Alex nodded, stirring her coffee. She looked up and asked, "Did Anthony Gavette kill Whitset?"

  Robert nodded. "Yes, he did. Apparently, Whitset had a secret access to the Pavilion. He used the old tunnels that connected the Pavilion to the main hospital building. Most people had totally forgotten they existed. That's how he had been coming and going secretly for months."

  "Wasn't something said before I fainted about his killing a patient in there?"

  "Yep, he did. He told Anthony, who reported it to the psych staff, and it checks out. I talked to Jack last night, who confirmed that a young woman admitted for depression a few months back had committed suicide in the room by slashing her wrists. The staff never knew where she'd gotten the razor. Apparently, Whitset gave it to her -- at least, according to Anthony. Or, who knows, perhaps Whitset slashed her wrists and watched her bleed. He seemed to be that crazy."

  "Did he rape her?" Alex asked and continued to stare into her coffee.

  "I don't know. I don't think they can prove that, but Anthony said Whitset told him all about it. I would guess it's probably true. Whitset was a sick man." Robert looked carefully at Alex.

  "Also, Jack seems to think Whitset probably did slash the woman's wrists because there was a bottle of wine and human blood found in his office. They were mixed together. I think forensics is going to type the blood and see if it matches the dead woman's."

  Alex was appalled and her face was disbelieving. "What, you think Whitset bled the woman's wrist into the wine bottle? How disgusting!" She shuddered at the thought.

  Robert nodded. "Yes, grotesque and disgusting. Somehow he got the blood into the wine bottle. Unbelievable!"

  “Un huh, you bet. Real sick. You're sure he's dead?" Alex's voice was tremulous.

  "Positive. I'm absolutely sure. I saw him."

  Alex looked relieved, "I'm glad. Very glad. I guess that's not the best way to feel, but I'm glad he is dead”.

  Robert reached for her hand. "I think it's a very honest and appropriate way to feel. I feel the same way."

  "Good," Alex said brightly. "I feel vindicated, and I'm hungry. Let's eat. What should we have?"

  "I'll cook, you get dressed. You know that breakfast is the only meal I can make." Robert paused for a moment and said with a smile on his face, "By the way, Alex, do you remember what Jack did to Montgomery?"

  Alex looked confused. "What Jack did to Don? No, I don't think so."

  Delight was written all over Robert's face as he told her, "He cold-cocked him! Knocked the hell out of him! It was great!"

  Alex burst into laughter. "You're kidding! When?"

  "Yesterday, just after you fainted. I wanted to take a picture with my iPhone, but didn't. Everyone standing around gave Françoise a huge cheer!"

  Alex continued to laugh. "I'm sorry I missed it. Jack's been dying to do that for a long time and Montgomery finally pushed him over the edge. I just wish I'd seen it." She was interrupted by the phone.

  Robert answered and said, "Speak of the devil." It was Jack. They talked for several moments. Robert gave a delightful war whoop and hung up the phone. He was smiling a huge smile.

  "Robert, what is it? What did he say?" Alex's voice was excited, inpatient.

  "Jack swears that Monique just squeezed his hand. He swears she can hear him. He said she opened her eyes!" Robert was ecstatic.

  "What do the nurses say? Do you think Jack could've imagined it?" Alex felt hopeful but looked uncertain.

  Robert stared at her and said firmly, "No. If Jack saw Monique open her eyes and felt her squeeze his hand, then it happened."

  Alex smiled happily, "Let's hurry up and eat. I want to go see for myself."

  "Me, too. Get dressed and we’ll eat in a hurry. Jack also wants to give us the final information about Whitset before he closes the case."

  Alex felt her happiness ebb away and felt fear engulf her. He must have the re
sults of my lab reports, she thought to herself. At least I'll know. Then, she remembered. Well, maybe I will know something.

  The couple ate a quick breakfast and hurried to the hospital. They found Jack in the waiting room outside the intensive care unit. He looked forlorn, exhausted and gloomy. His face brightened when he saw Robert and Alex.

  "That damn Doctor who operated told me there was no way Monique squeezed my hand. He said her brain is too swollen for her to do anything like that."

  Alex felt her heart sink. She looked for reassurance. She walked over and gave Jack a huge hug.

  Robert said to Jack, "If you felt her squeeze your hand, then she squeezed your hand." Robert reassured him with a smile. "I'm going to go look in on her." Robert was mentally cursing the neurosurgeon. What a bastard the man was, but, that being said, he was a great neurosurgeon.

  "I'm going to go, too. The hell with that man. How about you, Alex? By the way, you look mighty good today." Jack leaned over, hugged her again, and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  Alex turned toward him and winced as her shoulder reminded her it was broken, smiled and once again returned the hug offered by the thickset, kindhearted police Commander. She whispered clandestinely, "I heard you knocked out my boss!"

  Commander Françoise’s eyes lit up and he smiled from ear to ear. "You are damn right, I did, Al. I would have kept hitting the son of a bitch if Josh Martin hadn't stopped me. Little prick has had it coming for months .…"

  "Probably all of his life," Alex surmised.

  Chapter 42

  Alex had a hard time controlling her emotions when she looked down at Monique Desmonde. She had forgotten how horrible craniotomy patients looked after surgery. Monique's eyes were both black and her face was swollen. She wasn't recognizable. Alex managed to keep herself together, but felt her heart sink as she heard Jack talking softly to her. She also began to talk to Monique. But there was no response. Monique seemed to be in a deep coma. Alex was beginning to doubt what Jack had seen. She looked over and saw Robert reviewing Monique's chart. He shook his head at Alex and came to the bedside.

  Robert and Alex stood quietly looking at Monique.

  Jack continued to hold her hand and talk to her. Finally, he said, "Well, she ain't talkin' now, but that doesn't mean she won't wake up a little later, right Robert?"

  "That's right, Jack. Let's go." Robert's voice was gentle.

  "Nah, I'm staying a while longer. Can we meet in your office later this morning, Alex? I'll have everything by then and I'll give you both the finals. Nadine's coming at 10 o'clock." Jack looked sad.

  "Sure, Jack. We'll see you then."

  "I'm going to the O.R. to get a shower and change my clothes. Either of you need anything," Robert asked.

  "No," Jack and Alex said in unison.

  "I'll walk out with you, Robert. See you in a little while, Jack. You want any donuts," Alex asked in a teasing voice.

  "No, I'm not hungry lately," Jack said a little dismally. He knew what his friends were thinking.

  On the way out of the unit, Alex asked Robert, "What do you think, Robert? Do you think Jack just wanted to believe Monique was coming out of it?"

  "I don't think anything. I'm just praying Jack is right." Robert's voice was tense, and Alex could feel his disappointment. "That being said, she's still in a deep coma and I certainly didn't see any response at all."

  Chapter 43

  Mona, Bridgett, and Leticia were drinking coffee and gossiping in Alex's office. All three stood and hugged her when she came in.

  Bridget looked rested and she was laughing. "Guess what, Al? Angie's much better today! Last night she began to come around. She began talking about the attack and said it was Whitset who attacked her. Angie was a little emotional when Jack told her that Whitset was dead. It takes her a while to understand stuff, but then she said she was glad."

  Alex hugged Bridgett again, as her secretary continued to talk.

  "Anyway, she seemed relieved that Whitset was dead. Nadine told her that her responses were natural, well, you know, normal. Anyway, she is so much better, and I feel so grateful to you all." Bridgett looked like her old self. Her blonde hair was piled high on her head, her blue eyes were sparkling and the rings of fatigue around her eyes were gone. Her clothes, once again, were outrageous. She wore a pink mini-skirt, an orange tank top, and a lime green blazer. She couldn't be any brighter. She even had on 3 inch gold heels and the largest lime green necklace and drop earrings Alex had ever seen.

  Alex shook her head when she noted Bridgett's outfit, but was so happy for her that she just said, "Bridge, I'm so glad. I know Angie's going to be fine now. She is strong and practical, just like you, and she will be able to work through it. Besides, she has her husband and Jessica to pull her through. They'll help her refocus her life."

  Bridgett hugged Alex again and said, "Alex, will you help me help her? You are so good at helping people with things."

  Alex felt her heart start to beat frantically. She understood then that Bridgett didn't know that Whitset had attacked and raped her as well. Alex didn't know if she would be able to help herself, much less Angie.

  "I'll do my best, Bridge. You know that. And by the way, most people would need sunglasses to look at you today, you're so bright. What an outfit!" If Bridgett picked up on the hesitancy in Alex's voice, she didn't let on.

  Bridgett looked a bit chagrined. "Yeah, but I wanted to look cheerful for Angie. Believe me, she had plenty to say to me about my outfit. She's so conservative. She doesn't dress like me at all anymore. She used to hate it when Momma dressed us alike in bright colors."

  Leticia was laughing at them and commented, "Yes, Miss Bridgett, now, she does wear the bright clothes. No question."

  Alex’s spirits rose as she looked at Leticia. "Leticia, how's the boss this morning?"

  Leticia smiled coyly at Alex and said, "Well, Miss Alex, Mr. Montgomery isn't in this morning. I doubt he'll be here for the rest of the week. Rumor has it that he has a black eye, among other injuries." I even heard he needed to see his dentist 'cause he lost a few teeth!" Leticia was smiling broadly, her white teeth shining.

  Alex held up her hand to stop her and said gaily, "Say no more, Leticia. Let's just glory in rumors and the memories! And, Miss Mona, how are you today?"

  "I'm right well, Alex. I'm glad to see you're looking so good. Much better than yesterday! I guess I'm a little sad, though. Looks like I'll be out of a job soon. Bridge is coming back next week." Mona looked a little forlorn.

  "Get off it, Mona. You know you can only stand working a week at a time. If you need some extra work, I'm sure Alex can arrange it. Right, Alex?" Bridge winked at Alex.

  Alex smiled at both women. "Yeah. You bet. Just let me know, Mona."

  Bridgett changed the subject. "How's Dr. Desmonde, Alex?

  Alex shook her head. "Not good, Bridgett. She's the same. She's in a coma. Dr. Bonnet is hopeful that she'll regain consciousness soon. Her neurosurgeon is less hopeful."

  Bridgett and Leticia looked sad.

  Mona said expectantly, "Commander Françoise was in here earlier. He said she had squeezed his hand."

  Alex nodded her head and said, "Yes, I know. He told me, too. But now, she seems to be back in a deep coma." There was silence and Alex continued, "Bridgett or Mona, could you have dietary send up some coffee and donuts for us? Jack and Robert are coming over soon and will be in my office."

  Bridgett said with some authority, "The Commander just needs to be patient, Angie was in a coma too and now she's just fine."

  "Why don't you remind him of that, Bridgett, when you see him today, "Alex suggested. "He could use a perk.”

  Bridgett gave Alex a bright, dazzling smile. "I'll do just that, Alex. The Commander is a good man."

  Alex nodded in agreement, while Mona went to call dietary. Then, she waved goodbye to the secretaries and went into her office.

  As Alex savored the silence and elegance of her office, she noted she had less th
an an hour before Jack, Nadine, and Robert would show up. It had occurred to her that no one knew about her rape except for Jack, Robert, Josh, and Nadine. That was comforting. If Bridgett or Mona knew, she would've picked up on it. Alex felt some relief that her confidentiality was intact.

  As she continued to think, she again noticed the letter from her friend in San Francisco. Alex found herself reading the letter and scanning the organization's annual report. Her interest in setting up their legal department was heightened. More than ever she felt a pressing need to get out of New Orleans and away from Crescent City Medical Center for a while. Perhaps she could arrange for a year or two sabbatical. Maybe by then, Don would have quit and she could come back. She was infinitely sick of him and his juvenile antics. But she might as well forget California. Her grandparents would have a fit, particularly the Congressman. She really needed to get closer to Virginia. It occurred to her that this was the second time she had had these thoughts in a very short period of time. Maybe, though, she should consider California for a year.

  Mona buzzed her and said the others were in her conference room. Alex went in, her heart pounding, as if she were about to be executed. Now, she would find out if she had been forcibly raped or not. Then, she could make plans and get on with her life.

  Jack, Robert, and Nadine were drinking coffee and talking quietly. Only Robert was eating a donut. A bad sign, Alex thought. Jack had never turned down a donut before. She studied his face as she sat down. It was dismal as he spoke to them. He looked like a whipped puppy.

  "I don't have much to tell you," he began. "First of all, Whitset was responsible for the rape and beating of Angie and the murder of Mrs. Smithson. The evidence is conclusive, the bite marks match up perfectly."