The Imposter by Judith Townsend Rocchiccioli Read Free Book Online

7
     
    "I'll
never forget the first time I met you, Jack Françoise.  You were brutally
interrogating a nurse and eating a jelly donut.  Might I remind you how rude
you were to me.  I was not impressed!" Alex's voice was stern and
emphatic, but her blue eyes were laughing.
    "It's
all in the past now, Miss Lawyer Lady.   I had to check you out good, you know,
and you finally earned your stripes!" Jack teased, then turned his
attention to the food line.  Ahead he could spot the donut case.  "Oh,
good.   This day’s getting a little better -- two jellies left."
    Alex
shook her head as she watched Jack help himself to the remaining two jelly
donuts and a cup of black coffee.  She helped herself to decaffeinated black
currant tea and a bagel.  She decided to spare the Commander any lectures on
his health.  The day had been difficult enough, and it had barely started.
    As
they moved through the line towards the cashier, Commander Françoise said,
"You pay, Alex.  You make the big money.  Besides, I don't get a hospital
discount, although I should considering how much time I spend in this
place."
    Alex
laughed and nodded in agreement as she handed her CCMC ID badge to the cashier,
who scanned the amount and charged it to Alex's account.  The two selected a
private table in the back of the physician's dining room.  They munched in
silence for a few minutes, each caught up in their own thoughts about Angie and
Bridgett.   Finally, Alex broached the inevitable topic, "Well, Jack, what
you got?"
    Jack
shook his head.  "Not a lot.   These kind of cases make me sick.   Nurses
should never be expected to walk that far alone at night.   It's at least two
blocks from the psych unit to the parking deck.  It's unlit, heavily shrubbed,
and unsafe.   It's a perfect setting for a brutal crime like this one.  I'm
surprised there haven't been more crimes over there."
    Alex
and Jack were interrupted by Dr.  Desmonde, who joined their table with a cup
of tea.  Her voice reflected Jack's anger, "I agree.   You're right,
Jack.   I've been screaming at Montgomery and Favre for three years to do
something about the location of the psych units, or at least the parking.   I
would have been satisfied with some lights, for God's sake.   Alex, you have
known my concern about this for a couple of years!  We both tried to get
administration to move towards making the psych areas safer.   This hospital
doesn't give a rip about psych because it isn't a money maker."  Monique
slammed her teacup down on the table in frustration. 
    Alex
eyed her friend carefully.   Monique was a beautiful woman in her
mid-forties.   She was clearly distraught over Angie.   The tall, thin
psychiatrist was impeccably dressed as always, but her luxurious dark hair had
fallen out of its neat chignon.   Her normally pale, lovely face was flushed
with anger and frustration.   Her voice, usually low and controlled, was close
to hysterical, or as close to hysterical as Monique would ever be.
    Alex
nodded.   She knew Dr.  Desmonde was right.   She didn't challenge her at all. 
Monique Desmonde was uncharacteristically upset.   She rarely wore her emotions
on her sleeve and she was a master at controlling her feelings and behavior.  
After giving her friend a chance to recover and compose herself, she asked Dr. 
Desmond how Bridgett was.
    "Bridgett's
gone home with her husband.  I gave her a sedative and a prescription for
later.  They were going to get Angie's baby, who I may add was in the hospital
nursery all night.  I would think the nursery workers would become suspect if a
nurse never showed to pick up her child.  Damn, these people." Monique's
deep voice was loud.  Several physicians looked curiously at her from their
tables in the private dining room.
    Alex
intervened and changed the subject.  "What do we have as far as evidence?
Did forensics get anything good?"
    Jack
answered first.  "Just the normal stuff --