The Imposter (Alexandra Destephano Book 2) Read online

  Alex and Robert sat quietly and Nadine said, "Go on, Jack, what else?"

  Jack sighed and continued, "There's also evidence that Weston Whitset killed his elementary school teacher when he was seven years old. After that, he was committed to a state institution for the criminally insane. Anyway, Weston assumed the identity of his brother, Lester, about 20 years ago. Lester was a hospital administrator in the British West Indies and died there rather unexpectedly. As a matter of fact, he died during a visit from Weston. Weston Whitset had been released earlier from a forensics unit and had gone there to visit. Apparently, Lester Whitset's death was never reported in the United States, but Weston Whitset's was." Jack looked around at the incredulous stares of the group.

  The Commander continued, "Therefore, the psych hospital wrote him off and never expected him back for follow-up. There was some speculation of foul play in Lester's death, but the evidence against Weston was inconclusive. After a year or so, Weston Whitset reappeared in the United States as Lester Whitset and assumed his brother’s identity and occupation."

  Alex moaned and said, "Oh, my God, this is unbelievable!"

  Françoise agreed, "Yes, unbelievable, but true. Anyway, the records at the Pennsylvania psychiatric hospital noted that Lester Whitset had called from the West Indies, shortly before his death, and expressed concern because his brother had stopped taking his medicine and was acting strangely. Shortly after that, the hospital received notice of Weston Whitset's death, so they closed their case."

  Robert interrupted, "So, was it proven that Whitset killed his brother?"

  "No," Jack said. "Lester Whitset apparently drowned while sailing. An autopsy revealed he had been taking illegal drugs -- a real surprise to everyone. Anyhow, the investigation and evidence against Weston was inconclusive. It's an incredible story!" Jack lamented, as he shook his head.

  "What was Whitset's psychiatric diagnosis?" Robert asked.

  Jack shook his head and said, "I'll try to explain, but it's hard. He was diagnosed with autism when he was little and then as a paranoid schizophrenic. He was dangerous and violent. I'll never understand why they let him travel out of the United States." Françoise shook his head disgustedly.

  Alex remembered back when psychiatric hospitals had emptied their patients into society. The timing was about right, the late 1960s and early 1970s. "Not so surprising, really. Has anyone in psychiatry reviewed Whitset's records from Pennsylvania?"

  Commander Françoise smiled at her. "Funny you should mention that, Alex. Our state forensic psychiatrist called me an hour ago. He said that, based on his review of Whitset's records, he would diagnose him as having delusional misidentification syndrome."

  "What! What in the heck is that? I've never heard of it. Delusional misidentification syndrome. Is that for real?" Robert asked.

  "It's apparently a syndrome in which the affected patient believes that people in his environment experience radical changes in their psychological identity without a change in their physical appearance. In this case, the forensic expert said he based his opinion on the fact that Whitset was actually suffering from Fregoli Syndrome. Fregoli's occurs when the patient has the delusion that others exhibit radical changes in their physical identity without changing their behavior."

  "Huh? Say that again, Jack. I want to be sure I understand," Nadine said. The others nodded their heads in agreement.

  "I wish Monique was here to explain it. I really can't. Interestingly enough, she had suspected it and had noted that as a potential diagnosis in his file in her office. Let me try to tell you what I can." Jack looked so tired and sad that Alex was alarmed for him.

  Jack repeated the definition of misidentification syndrome and continued, "Whitset's records say that he reported his schoolteacher turned into plastic before he killed her. He said she was a plastic person, an imposter, and he had to kill her because his voices told him to. He referred to these plastic people as imposters all the way through his medical records. The forensic psychiatrist thinks that is why Whitset tried to destroy and eradicate the faces of Angie, Monique, and Mrs. Smithson. The shrink thinks Whitset saw them as plastic people. Apparently, it's written all through his medical records that his job was to kill imposters!"

  Noting the confusion on the faces of his colleagues, Jack tried again, "In other words, Monique, Angela, and Mrs. Smithson turned to plastic in front of him. A delusion, I guess. Anyway, whenever Whitset got angry with them, they appeared plastic to him. They were physically, in his mind, the same people with plastic faces. They were the same people with the same behavior, but, Whitset, the wacko, considered them imposters and his enemies. Since his voices told him to destroy imposters, he went about his mission."

  Alex felt sick to her stomach. “This is hideous, just grotesque. It sounds like the plot for a horror movie. I can't believe it happened here at Crescent City!"

  Nadine nodded her head in agreement with Alex and said, "Yeah, it's a ghastly story. Isn't it ironic that it was Whitset who was actually the imposter? Do these types of patients usually commit rape, Jack?"

  Jack shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don't know, Nadine. The state guy didn't say. There is no evidence to suggest they do. I forgot to ask, I was so appalled at the story. Anyway, Whitset did have an aberrant sexual history. There were several sexual situations when he was hospitalized, so I guess it's hard to say. We do know that Whitset raped people."

  "I guess Whitset planted the evidence to try to implicate Jim McMurdie, didn't he?" Alex asked.

  Jack answered affirmatively. "Yep, and almost got by with it too. I think he knew Monique was on to him. I think that's why he went after her. Just like Whitset's schoolteacher, Angie, and Mrs. Smithson, I suppose Monique turned to plastic and appeared as an imposter in Whitset's sick, whacked out mind." Jack's voice was sad and forlorn. "I hate crazies," he added.

  There was a long silence as each of them considered Jack's story. It was a lot to take in and understand.

  Finally, Alex asked in a quavering voice, "Jack, do you have the results of my rape tests?"

  The Commander looked at her gently and said, "Yes, I do, Alex. The tests are inconclusive. Whitset was a nonsecretor and ...."

  Alex felt her heart sink. Now I'll never know, she thought to herself.

  Jack interrupted her thoughts and said, "However, the other tests were conclusive. The physician reported no evidence of penetration or any other physical evidence that would support an actual physical rape."

  Alex felt optimistic for a moment, until Nadine’s sharp voice interrupted her.

  "You still encountered a psychological rape, so you'll have to be prepared to work through the trauma. The emotional piece is unchanged. You do understand that, don't you, Alex?"

  Alex nodded and said, "Of course I do. Thank heavens that Josh Martin arrived when he did. I'll be thankful for that for the rest of my life." In her heart, Alex knew that she hadn't been raped by Whitset. For some reason, that gave her comfort and she was ready to move on.

  Robert took her hand and smiled at her.

  Alex resisted the urge to jerk it away from him, not quite understanding why she was having such a negative reaction to Robert. He had been just great, wonderful to her in fact. What the hell was wrong with her?

  Just at that moment, Mona appeared at the door, breathless, and said, "Commander, Commander, the nurse in neurosurgery is on the phone. She has news for you. The phone in here should ring in just a moment."

  Jack jumped up and grabbed the conference phone.

  Alex, Robert, and Nadine looked at him expectantly, hope on each of their faces.

  Jack broke out into a gleeful laugh, saying "I'll be right up." He turned to his friends, "She's awake, she's awake! She asked for me! I'll see you yo-yo's later."

  Jack hugged Alex, Nadine, and Robert all at the same time and then literally danced out of Alex's conference room.

  "Think he'll take the elevator?" Alex quipped.

  "Nah," said Robert. "He'll run u
p the four flights of stairs! I'd better arrange for a crash cart by the elevator."

  They all burst out laughing, all aware of Jack's elevator phobia. Life was good after all.

  Chapter 44

  Later that evening, Alex and Robert were finishing dinner at Café Dégas, one of Alex's favorite neighborhood restaurants. The mood had been light and joyful. Now, as Alex looked around the restaurant, she found herself a little depressed. Café Dégas had been Mitch's favorite restaurant and they had dined there often. Her thoughts returned to Mitch and how much she had loved him – or, at least, thought she had.

  Robert leaned forward and asked in his deep, beautiful voice, "Why so pensive, Alex? We’re having a wonderful time! We have so much to be thankful for."

  Alex looked at him, smiled lightly, and said, "Yes, we do, but I need to tell you something, Robert."

  Robert felt the walls crashing in. He knew it was his depression returning. "Yes," he said hesitantly, afraid of what she would say and knowing he didn't want to hear it.

  "I'm going to Virginia for a few weeks. You know how I go back home for renewal. I need to see Dundee and ride her through the woods. I need some time away. I also need to check on Grand and Granddad."

  "Yes, I know that," Robert said, his voice anxious, hoping that Alex would invite him as she had in February.

  Alex knew what he was thinking, but she also knew she needed time alone. She continued, "I need some time to myself. So much has happened. I'd like to spend some time in friendly, familiar surroundings."

  "I understand. I'll be here when you get back. You know that." His voice was low and gentle, his French accent subtle, refined and cultured.

  Alex was trying to choose her words carefully. She knew Robert loved her and she didn't want to hurt him any more than she had to.

  She continued, "When I return from Virginia, I think I'm going to consider an opportunity in San Francisco. They are looking for an attorney to set up a legal department in a new managed care organization. I’ve gotten several letters from them and I .…"

  Robert felt like something was grabbing his heart. He looked at her sadly and said tenderly, "I understand, Alex. I want you to do what's best for you. I have always wanted that." His eyes were sad.

  "I'm not planning to leave forever. I'm only going to take a sabbatical. Maybe a year or so, just to get this legal department up and running. I will come back to New Orleans. You know my grandfather would just die if I moved permanently to San Francisco. He's half dead now because I'm living here.”

  Robert nodded and smiled. "Yes, I know very well. I am well aware," Robert said, trying to make light of the situation.

  “Anyway, he's convinced it’s past time for California to fall into the ocean. It's just that … I need time to think things out and recover from this year. So much has happened .…" Her voice faltered.

  "You don't need to explain, Alex. I know you need time. I'll be here when you get back. I'll take care of things here -- Monique and Jack and the like. And I’ll clean this place up while you're gone. I'll be sure Favre is gone when you return, and I will work hard on getting Montgomery out of here too." Robert's voice was strong.

  "Thank you, Robert. Thank you for loving me enough to let me go." She looked at him sadly.

  "I do, Al, and I will." He leaned across the table and gently kissed her. In his heart, he believed he had lost her. But, he could still hope, right? He could wait for her forever....and then some.

  EPILOGUE

  Jack Françoise sat back in his recliner in his office on Royal Street, his door shut tightly against the noise of the bullpen, his eyes closed tightly as they oozed silent tears. He had been motionless for hours, battling emotions he never knew he had. For the first time in his life, Jack felt hopeless, useless and drained of everything that was good in life.

  He had returned from CCMC late in the afternoon where Monique, who had been doing well since she had awakened several days ago, had once again lapsed into a deep coma. Her neurosurgeon was an asshole and was not hopeful that she would awaken again. Of course, the jackass doctor had never thought she would wake up to begin with. Robert encouraged Jack to be hopeful, but of course, Robert was of no use because he was devastated over Alex's plans to leave CCMC for a year in San Francisco, pending Don's approval of course. Robert viewed her exodus as a direct rejection of him and their future. Unfortunately, his therapist was in a coma and unable to help. Things really suck around here, Jack thought to himself.

  To make matters worse, his nemesis, the Mayor had called the Commander to City Hall and berated him for not finding the killer of Senator Beau LaMont and DNC Hayes Hunter. Jack figured the Governor was giving the Mayor grief and since shit flowered downward, it was now his turn. The Mayor didn't give a damn about the two kids who had been murdered on the same day. What a surprise! Jack knew that Dr. Madeline Jeanfreau had connected the political killings with the murder of the kids, but he hadn't had time to meet with her to examine the evidence. There was never enough time and never enough energy to get things done.

  Jack sighed to himself as the tears began to cease. He felt his weariness subside and despondency decrease. Tomorrow was another day. Hopefully, it would be a better day. Perhaps, Monique would squeeze his hand, and he could focus once again on finding St. Germaine.

  After a short nap, Jack took a deep breath, rose from his recliner, swung open his office door, and roared greetings to his nightshift. They rallied around him in support. The NOPD of the 8th Police District loved and respected their leader. Jack felt his vigor and energy return. He would make it and so would Monique, Alex, and Robert. He was confidant again. Life was good.

  The End

  Suggested Book Club Discussion Guide

  Do you feel that the book fulfilled your expectations? Why or why not??

  Did you enjoy the book? Why? Why not?

  How did the book compare to other books by the author or other books in the same genre?

  What about the plot? Did it pull you in; or did you feel you had to force yourself to read the book?

  How realistic was the characterization? Would you want to meet any of the characters? Did you like them? Hate them?

  If one (or more) of the characters made a choice that had moral or ethical implications, would you have made the same decision? Why? Why not?

  Can you identify themes in the book? What do you think the author was trying to

  How did you like the ending?

  Would you recommend this book to other readers?

  Post Script

  Many, many thanks for reading my book! I hope you enjoyed reading The Imposter as much I loved writing it. To write a review, click here. As you know, reviews are critical to an author’s success and I would be delighted if you would share your thoughts with others.

  My books are edited and proof read by three difference editors and are reviewed by several beta writers, but since all of us are human, we often miss things. If you found any errors, please email me at judithlucciwrites @gmail.com and I will fix them. I appreciate your taking the time to do this. I would love to have an error free book! Feel free to email me anytime with your thoughts and ideas. Some of my readers have been instrumental in helping me develop subplots and a greatly appreciate your interest and enthusiasm.

  In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for Viral Intent a political-thriller and the third Alex Destephano thriller set for release in Spring of 2014. and please take time to examine my “quote” book, Meanderings Musing & Inspiration for the Soul, (click here) a collection of ‘one-liners’ and photographs I compiled in the Summer of 2014 when I had a broken arm, wrist and shoulder and was unable to type. It has inspired a new series for me which I hope you will see in coming months. Please follow me on Twitter and Facebook at JudithLucciwrites and visit my website at www.judithlucciwrites.com.

  Once again, many thanks for supporting my writing and I wish you only great things in your life.

  Judith

  COMING SOON
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  Viral Intent

  by

  Judith Lucci

  Copyright © 2013 by Judith Lucci

  All Rights Reserved

  Planned Release Date Spring 2014

  Chapter 1

  “Sandy! Sandy! You have got to come here right away! Something horrible is happening to the guy in bed 3! I have no idea what's up with him but I think he's going to die!" Kelsey Saunders voice was shrill with anxiety.

  Sandy Pilsner, nurse manager of the newly named Crescent City Health Sciences Center looked up from the nurses' station and said, "What's up, Kelsey? I just saw him 20 minutes ago when I was making rounds."

  Kelsey's face was white with fear. "It's awful. He has blood coming out of his eyes and his blood pressure is really low. He's also shaking all over. I don’t know if it is a seizure or his fever. Trouble breathing too. ”

  Sandy Pilsner, rose from her seat and looked into the eyes of the almost hysterical Kelsey, her new nursing graduate intern from LSU. She said gently, “Kelsey, it’s OK. I just checked on him a few minutes ago. He seemed fine except for his fever and the fact that his blood work is really screwed up and he has scant urine output.”

  “I know, I know I know, but I am telling you that things have changed quickly. Hurry up! I am sure he is going to die in a few minutes. There is just something wrong. He is totally going bad.” Kelsey brown eyes were huge and Sandy could see anxiety and worry reflected in them.

  “All right, let’s go and check him out,” Sandy suggested as she thought of the ideal teaching moment they would have when suddenly a harsh voice barked CODE BLUE, CODE BLUE, ED, Bed 3 over the hospital voice system.