The Imposter (28 page)

Officer
Josh Martin came on duty at 11.  He'd learned and reported that Ms.  Destephano
and Dr. Desmonde had called the precinct looking for the Commander.  The watch
officer had described Dr. Desmonde's voice as desperate.  The Commander wanted
the doc's house watched and Josh agreed to cover it for the shift.  Josh knew
the Commander had special feelings for the psychiatrist, but he didn't know
what they were and, really, it wasn't his business.

He
smiled to himself as he drove into the Quarter.  He'd spent a pleasant evening
with Elizabeth Tippett.  They had talked about the events at CCMC,
superficially of course, and he knew that Elizabeth thought something was wrong
with Whitset.  Josh had experienced similar feelings earlier in the day as he
watched Whitset interact with patients.  Anthony, the big guy, had told him on
the sly that Whitset was one of them -- “one of the gang” was specifically how
the wacko had put it.  Josh hadn't given it much thought since and wasn't quite
sure he understood what Anthony meant.

Josh,
like most policemen, hated wackos.  He'd only had a little experience with
them, but he knew some of them were really dangerous, especially if they did
drugs and drank booze.  It just seemed to make them crazier, he thought.  

Josh
drove down Royal Street.  It was the second time he had cruised by Dr.
Desmonde's house.  The front light was still on, but the French doors leading
to the balcony were open.  He stopped the police car just as he heard something
breaking on the balcony.  He immediately radioed for help, took out his 9 mm
and raced towards the house, taking the steps two at a time.  There was no
answer at the door, so the young officer scaled the balcony and entered the
living room.

He
saw the prostrate, bleeding form of Monique Desmonde on the floor and saw
Whitset on top of another woman.  Josh aimed his gun at Whitset's head and said
"Freeze!"

Nothing
happened.  Apparently, Whitset didn't hear him.  Josh went over and kicked the
administrator in the back.  It was then that he saw Alex Destephano, her
clothes all in disarray.   Josh was appalled at what Whitset had done to her --
or may have done to her.  The extent of the attack was unclear, so Josh could
not be sure.

Whitset
looked up in surprise at the policeman.  His pupils dilated with hatred.  Then,
in a flash, he jumped the police officer, knocking his gun from his hand as he
ran out the French doors.  Josh went after Whitset, but before he could catch
him, Whitset jumped from the balcony and disappeared into the Quarter.

Alex
was lying on the floor.  Whitset had beaten her severely in the face.  Hand
prints were visible on her face.  Her lip was bloodied and there was a
considerable amount of blood pouring from one eye.  Josh bent over her and said
quietly, "Ms.  Destephano, can you hear me?"

Alex
was dazed, unable to talk, but nodded and pointed towards Monique.  Josh felt
for Monique's neck pulse.  It was beating faintly.  He felt sick as he looked
at the long slash mark circling the psychiatrist white, perfectly oval face. 
He reached for the phone to dial 911, but the phone was dead.  He grabbed his
radio and called for an ambulance.

Then
he turned his attention back to Alex.  She seemed more coherent and asked,
"Is Monique alive?"

Josh
nodded his head.  "I called for help.  Alex, did he hurt you?"

She
gave Josh a tight smile and said, "Josh, he cut Monique's face after she
was unconscious.  He cracked her skull.  I heard it break when he hit her with
the pipe.  Oh, no .…" Alex's voice began to break.

Josh
tried to hug her to offer some comfort, but she pushed him back frantically. 
Then, she started sobbing.  Finally, she said, "Josh, call Dr. Bonnet. 
Call the hospital and get them to connect you.  Please.   He has to come take
care of Monique."

Josh
left her for an instant and radioed the hospital.  He returned to tell her that
Dr.  Bonnet was on his way.  He also retrieved a quilt from Monique's bedroom
and covered the psychiatrist with it.  Alex was attempting to rearrange her
clothes when she heard the police car sirens outside the apartment.  Within
seconds, the house was crawling with NOPD and an ambulance was outside.

Robert
appeared a few minutes later.  Alex waved him towards Monique.  After a cursory
examination of Monique, Robert ordered an immobilizing board.  He called the
hospital and talked directly with neurosurgery.  He returned to Alex, took her
hand, and said simply, "Monique's unconscious.  She's in a coma.  Her
pupils are barely reactive.  She'll need surgery.  They’re waiting for her at
CCMC.  It doesn't look good, Alex."

Alex
was so traumatized, the right questions wouldn't come -- that is, not the
questions that she, as a nurse, would have ordinarily asked.  She let Robert
hold her while she sobbed quietly.  Alex was still unable to speak.  Robert,
sensing this, didn't ask any questions.

Josh
told Alex and Robert that they had made contact with Commander Françoise and
that he would be there within minutes.  He also reported there was a citywide
manhunt for Whitset.  The police were combing the Quarter looking for him. 
Josh was confident he would be apprehended soon.  Robert thanked him, but waved
away the questions he was trying to ask Alex.  She looked up at him
gratefully. 

Alex
continued to let Robert rock her in his arms.  She felt so guilty … and dirty.  
She hadn't been able to help her friend, and besides ….   She shuddered when
she thought about it and broke out into fresh sobs as the ambulance took
Monique away.  Robert eased Alex onto the sofa at the same moment Commander
Françoise entered the house.  His face was strained and as dark as a
thundercloud.

"Where's
Monique?" He bellowed.  "What the hell happened here?"

Robert
shook his head sadly.  "She's on her way to CCMC.  Whitset attacked both
Monique and Alex.  Monique has a head injury.  They'll do surgery as soon as
she arrives."

Jack
sat down, a broken man.  He stroked Alex's face.  "Are you all right,
honey?"

Alex
nodded, her eyes filling again with tears.  "I'm sorry, Jack.  I just
couldn't do anything.  He came on us like a maniac.  He was so strong.   I
tried so hard, but I just couldn't stop it."

"It's
okay, Alex.  You did what you could.  We'll find the little bastard, whoever he
is, and he'll pay for what he's done.  I need to talk to Officer Martin for a
few minutes.  I'll be back."

Josh
and Jack retreated into the kitchen.  Josh reported to Jack what he had found,
describing in detail the slash to Monique's face and how he had discovered
Whitset and Alex.  He saw Françoise face darken again and noted the curious
light that came into his eyes, the killer light.   It was the famous Jack
Françoise killer light that he had heard older officers describe.   He was sure
that it was only a matter of hours that Whitset had left on this earth.

"Martin,"
Françoise asked in a quiet, but demanding voice.  "Did Whitset rape
Alex?"

Josh
looked at the floor and back up into the Commander's face.  He replied, "I
don't know sir.  Her clothes were torn.  I just can't say for sure.  It
certainly looked like it could've happened."

"Did
you ask her?"

"I
asked her if Whitset had hurt her and she turned the conversation towards Dr. 
Desmonde.  She wouldn't answer me, Commander.  I tried to ask her --
twice." Josh looked despondent.

Françoise
nodded his head, as he felt the anger spread throughout his body.  "Robert,
come in here for a moment," he barked from the kitchen.

Robert
appeared immediately.  The men talked in low tones for a few moments.  Finally,
Commander Françoise said to Robert, "You've got to find out if Whitset
raped Alex.  If he did, she needs to go to the emergency room."

"But,
Jack," Robert began, "She's been beaten and terrorized.  Can't we
give her some time?"

"No.  
No.   Hell no.  We need the evidence against him.  Do you want me to ask her to
go with you?" Commander Françoise’s voice was firm and he gave Bonnet a
hard look.

Robert
wanted to accept Jack's assistance, but he knew he couldn't.  He shook is his
head negatively and said, "I'll do it, Jack.  You may want to go to CCMC
and check on Monique.  I'm worried about her."

"I
will.  I'm going now.  Then I am going to find and kill Lester Whitset."
Commander Françoise was reasonably calm, but Robert and Josh both knew that
beneath the calm façade was a roaring lion, out for blood -- blood to avenge
Monique and Alex.

"Jack,
Jack, come here.  I've got to talk to you for a minute." Alex was calling
for Jack from the living room.

Jack
went to Alex, and sat by her on the sofa.  "What is it, Al?" He asked
gently.

"You
have got to search Whitset's office.  Monique went in there today, and she
found a gold chain hanging out of his bottom right desk drawer.  I'm sure it's
Angie's chain.  Bridget brought me her cross today and I had it repaired."
Alex's voice trailed off, remembering the teary scene in her office.  Then she
continued, "Monique also discovered that the college degrees n Whitset's
office couldn't be his."

The
Commander nodded his head.  "Yeah, I know they aren't.  He's a fake, an
imposter.  I think he's Weston Whitset's crazy brother.  I've got  to go. 
Anything else, Alex?"  Jack looked at her sharply.

Alex
shook her head.  "Not that I can think of.  I know there's more, but I
can't think of anything now.  I'm just so tired…" Alex looked away,
uncomfortable at the Commander's direct gaze.

"Alex,"
Jack's voice was gentle.  "Did Whitset rape you?"

Alex
didn't answer.  She looked at the Commander and began to cry again.

"You
must tell me, Alex.  It's important.  If he did, we’ll need the evidence to
convict him.  You'll need to go to the hospital and be checked.  "

Alex
pulled her hand away from Jack's.  She got up and left the room.  Robert and
Josh looked at her disheveled, torn clothes.  Then they looked at each other. 
Jack's face was suffused with anger and he shrugged his shoulders as he said to
Robert, "You've got to find out for sure, Robert.  Need the evidence. 
Need it bad!" The Commander's voice was rough and emotional.

"The
hell with that evidence, Jack.  I need to get her to CCMC to get her face
treated.   Besides, you're probably gonna kill him anyway." Robert's voice
was short and angry.

"No,
take her over to Community Memorial in Gulfport.  Alex doesn't need the
ignominy and stress of being treated for rape in her own hospital.  Check her
in under an alias.  I'll call and make the arrangements.  Take her now, dammit,
I mean it." Jack's saw Robert hesitate and said roughly, "Now, I mean
it.  And, check on Monique.  Make sure she gets the best CCMC has.  Do you
understand?"  Jack was glaring at his boyhood friend, his temper hanging
by a thread.

Robert
nodded.  "Yeah.   I'll do my best, Jack.  Now, get out of here." His
voice and his eyes were tired.

Jack
whispered to Josh on the way out, "Get Nadine Wells over here to see
Alex.  Let her decide about the rape.  And, get Alex's statement when Nadine is
with her.  Move dammit, move now!"

Josh
disappeared from the room to call Nadine.

Robert
intervened, "Please, Jack, you have got to calm down.  I know you are
stressed, we all are but there's no place for temper in this…"

Commander
Françoise pivoted around and stared at the physician.  "Dammit, Bonnet. 
This lunatic practically killed Monique and probably raped Alex.  He raped and
beat Angie Richelieu.  He probably killed Mrs. Smithson as well.  Don't talk to
me about my temper.  My temper's the only thing giving me the energy to move
right now.  Understand?  If my temper wasn't acting up, I'd be dysfunctional
with grief." Françoise stared at Robert, his eyes full of tears.

Robert
walked over to him and hugged the big, burly policeman.  The two men stayed in
an embrace for several moments, each crying silently for what they had lost.

Françoise
broke the embrace, "The next time you see me, Robert, Whitset will be
dead.  To hell with court justice."

Robert
nodded, powerless to stop him.

"Take
care of my girls, Bonnet.  I'm trusting both of them to you." Françoise
slammed Monique's French door so hard that the glass shattered and fell out.

Alex
reemerged from the bathroom.  Robert smiled at her, trying to make light of the
situation.

 "It's
a safe house! Here we are again, Alex.  Hiding out in a strange place.  It's a
lot like the safe house we were in earlier this year."

"The
other safe house was certainly safer, but not this nice." She tried to
smile at him.

"Al,
you got to tell me about Whitset and what he did.  Jack said we've got to get
the evidence soon – you know that." Robert's voice was gentle and he moved
over on the sofa so she could sit next to him.

"I'm
not going to any emergency facility.  Not CCMC, not in New Orleans, and not in
Mississippi.  I refuse to submit to any examination." Her voice was
adamant, stubborn.