The Imposter (10 page)

Alex
was losing patience.   Then she slowly began to understand.  "What!  Great
day, you and Jack!"   She could hardly believe it.  Commander Françoise
and Dr.  Desmonde! Jack and Monique! Two of her favorite people.  They were an
item! She hugged Monique in her excitement.  

Monique
couldn't stop smiling.   She was ecstatic.

"I
just can hardly believe this.   What a surprise!"  Alex smiled brightly at
her friend, and the oppression of the Pavilion lifted for the moment.   She
continued, "Monique, tell, tell, tell.  Are you and Jack seeing each
other?"  Monique didn't respond, so Alex continued to prod her. 
"Your non-verbals are telling on you, Dr.  Desmond.  Now, spit it
out!"

Monique
smiled and turned bright red.  "It's not what you think, Alex.  We're just
good friends.  We've had several dates.  Well, I guess you would call them
dates.   Do people date at my age or is it called something else?"

"Of
course you date.  You can date when you are 90 years old.  How did it happen!
Oooh! This is the best thing I've heard in days.  Tell me!" Alex retorted,
unrestrained in her excitement.

"Shhhhh.  
I'll tell you downstairs.  Way too many ears up here.  Let's get the
elevator." Monique hushed her as she eyed one of the psych techs staring
at them.

As
the unwieldy elevator labored up to the second floor and then down towards the
lobby, the two women chatted excitedly.   Taking a seat on a drab, grey bench
located in the lobby of the Pavilion, Monique reached for her purse as her
iPhone beeped a text message signal.  She checked the text message and said,
"It's him.  He's gonna be late.  I'm going to call him back and see when
he thinks he can get here.   I'm just going to step over here so I can hear a
bit better."  Monique walked away from the bench and stood near a large
potted plant in the corner of the lobby.  

As
she examined Monique from the bench, Alex was mesmerized by her changing body
language.  Monique's erect posture relaxed, her speech became less calm and
controlled, and she looked 10 years younger.  Alex could have sworn she heard
her giggle.   Even her dark hair, pulled up into its everyday chignon, seemed
to gleam brighter in the small stream of sunlight that broke through into the
otherwise drab, grey lobby.

Alex
was overjoyed
.   Wow, this is unbelievable.   I'm loving it.  She loves
him.  I am so happy for her. 
But, for just an instant, Alex felt a pang of
jealousy.  She reprimanded herself, bristling with self-anger at her
jealously.   She wished she had someone she could fall in love with, someone
she could care for.  She hadn't had a date since … well, since February, when
her love life had once again ended tragically.  She and Robert saw each other
frequently for dinner, but that relationship was questionable and uncertain at
best.  It seemed unlikely that Alex and Dr. Robert Bonnet could rebuild their
relationship.  After all, they had been married for almost 5 years.  She worked
hard at keeping her depression at bay, refusing to let it overtake and engulf
her.

Her
thoughts returned to Robert.   He had been a brilliant surgeon.    Robert lived
to heal, to put people back together after major trauma.    A rising star at
CCMC and in the medical community at large, Robert was a luminary to the local
citizens of NOLA.   But in Robert's mind he was a crippled surgeon and was totally
useless.   He suffered bouts of depression over his arm injury and potentially
lost surgical career.  When Alex had reminded him that all physicians were
healers and that he could heal people medically, as well as surgically, Robert
had become angry with her and shut her out.    As a result, he was often
depressed and moribund.  She didn't know it, but Robert was seeing Monique
professionally in an effort to rebuild his personal and professional life.

Robert
had been the one who wanted the divorce, not her.  She doubted she would ever
recover from that rejection.  It had destroyed her for a long time.   Besides,
it had been years since they had been together.   They could be good friends
now, but lovers …?  Well, who knows, but she certainly doubted the
possibility.   Anyway, after the spring, Alex had decided to shut herself away
from romance for a while.

She
was jerked back into reality from her musings when Monique rejoined her on the
bench.  Monique was positively effervescent after her call to Jack, her cheeks
flushed, her eyes bright, and her spirit lifted.  

"Jack
wants us to meet him at the Palace Café.  He wants to celebrate that someone
knows about us.  He's naturally pleased that it’s you.  We were gonna tell you
and Robert this weekend, but now that you know about us, can we go celebrate? 
Can you go?  Should we call Robert and invite him for dinner?"

Alex
hugged Monique again.  "It's your call, Dr.  Desmonde.  It's your party. 
I'm up for anything, as long as it involves fun.   We deserve some after
today!"

"Yes,"
Monique agreed.   "For sure.   Today was a bomb.   I think I will.  Do you
know Robert's number off-hand?  Never mind, it's in my cell.   Where's my
brain?"

Monique
saw Alex's hesitation and asked, "It is okay with you if Robert comes,
isn't it?" Monique returned to her doctor mode and tried to detect Alex's
emotions.

"Of
course it is, you crazy fool!  Call him." Alex watched happily as Monique
fished her smart phone out of her purse and walked toward the window to call
Robert.  She could tell that Monique was leaving a message on his cell. 
Monique was breathless when she returned.

"I
left a message.  Can't get to his phone, I guess.  I didn't tell him anything. 
I just asked him to join us.  When we get to the Palace, we'll call and text
him again.  I'm so excited about sharing our secret.   We're in the open! No
more clandestine relationship.   It feels so good.   Let's go."

Alex
giggled to herself about Monique's being in the open remark.  "Really,
Monique, it's not like you and Jack have come out of the closet!"  Monique
laughed as they walked towards the parking garage.  Alex noticed how dark it
was already though it was only 7:00 in the evening.  The trees, together with
the moss that hung from them, blocked out any remaining daylight.    Angie must
have been so scared when she walked alone in the early hours last night.  As
the two women approached the crime scene, Monique squeezed her hand.  After
they passed, Monique continued to chatter gaily.

"You
know, Alex, Jack and I have known each other for years.  In fact, we lived in
the same neighborhood.   Of course, he's older, but we even dated a few times
in college, when he was at Tulane and I was in premed at LSU.  We were never really
serious, but we really liked each other."

"Really! 
No, I didn't know that.  What happened?"

"Nothing,
really." Monique looked pensive.  "I think we just eventually drifted
apart.  There was no precipitating event, no argument or anything.  I was in medical
school.  Jack went into the service, came home from the wars, and became a
rookie with the NOPD.  Later, of course, you know that I married -- a
disastrous affair." Monique noted Alex's raised eyebrows at this piece of
information.

"I
never knew you'd been married, Monique.  What happened?  How long did it
last?" Alex was curious.

"Oh,
seven years.   Seven very long years.   I, for one, am a big believer in the
theoretical seven-year itch.  My husband was a stockbroker.  He left me high
and dry about 10 years ago for a very voluptuous blonde and a career on Wall
Street.   I call it the chick du jour experience, better known to my close
friends and family as Tartlett.   So much for forever after." Monique
looked disgusted when she described her ex-husband and his affair.

"Great
day! That was pretty awful.   How tacky!  Did it take you a long time to get
over it? I'm being snoopy, I know.  You don't have to answer if it makes you
feel uncomfortable."

Monique
looked thoughtful.  "To be honest, I'm not sure I'll ever get over it! It
felt like I'd been stabbed with a knife.  It took a long time for the intense
pain of betrayal to go away, but it finally did.  The thing that remains is the
sense of a loss of trust.  I really trusted Jeff.  I never would've expected
him to do that.  I thought we had the perfect, professional yuppie marriage --
minus the kids, of course." Monique was quiet for a moment.  "I guess
it sort of makes me afraid to love someone else, to make that kind of
commitment.  But, I do love having someone in my life to share things
with."

Alex
was nodding her head continually as Monique was speaking.  "Yes, I
certainly understand that …, perfectly.  I felt the same way with Robert.  I
knew we were growing apart, but I never thought he'd want to divorce me.  I was
devastated."

"I'm
sure you were.  I think Robert knows now he made a terrible mistake."
Monique gave Alex a knowing look out of the corner of her eye.

"Yes,
I think he does.  Well, tough for him.   Now it's water under the bridge.   Actually,
I know he does.   He told me that recently, but it's just not a relationship
that I can jump back into -- besides, we have lots of other things to work
on.   We each carry enormous baggage from that marriage and the breakup, not to
mention me losing Mitch and Robert possibly losing his surgical career.   I
think we are both fighting demons we need to work through.   Anyway, what else
about you and Jack? How did all this happen?" Alex waved her hands and
Monique laughed.

Monique
began her story.  "You know we saw each other earlier this year, during
the disaster at the hospital.  Well, anyway, we had coffee a few times during
that …."

"Coffee
and jelly donuts?" Alex couldn't suppress a smile.

"Yes,
yes, oh my God, those damn jelly donuts.  Anyway, I didn't see him for several
months after Mardi Gras.   In May, I was green grocery shopping at the French
market and had stopped for café au lait at the Café Du Monde, mainly to tourist
watch.  I love to watch tourists in New Orleans.   Jack was there, too.  It was
a beautiful day, not too hot.  We spent the afternoon together and even had
dinner.   Ever since then, we've been seeing each other.  It feels so good to
share this with someone.  I'm so glad it's you, Alex.  I know how highly Jack
prizes your friendship.   He loves you, you know." Monique changed the
subject as they reached the parking deck.   "Did you drive in today,
Alex?"

"No,
I walked today.  I have no wheels, except for Martin.  Should I call him?"

"Oh,
no.  I have my car.  It's on Level 4.   Let's take the steps, work our legs and
butt muscles." Alex groaned, but agreed.

Monique
and Alex continued to talk as they climbed the stairs.   Alex could feel the
fourth flight of steps, but Monique wasn't even winded.  She continued talking
as she skillfully steered her grey Volvo out of the CCMC garage and onto Canal
Street, heading for the Palace Café.  The two friends chatted incessantly
during the short ride to the restaurant.   Life was good for this hour.

Monique
maneuvered her vehicle right to the carpeted entrance of the Palace Café, one
of Alex's favorite places to dine.   The Palace was a local favorite and was
owned by the famous Brennen restaurant family.   Food at the Palace was to die
for and the award winning restaurant had been serving Creole cuisine in the old
Werlein Music building on Canal for years.   Monique generously tipped the
valet at the door.  She and Alex entered the beautiful eatery and spied Jack at
a coveted corner table.  The maître d' greeted Monique by name and accompanied
them to the Police Commander's table.

Jack
rose and kissed Monique on the cheek.  He hugged Alex tightly and said,
"Yo, Alex, now you know my deep, dark secret!  I've had a hard time hiding
this from you because I'm so happy I can hardly stand it."

Alex
had tears in her eyes as she hugged Jack.  "This really is a huge
surprise, a gigantic one in fact!"  She gazed into the happy, flushed
faces of her dearest friends.   "This is just perfect.  My favorite
peeps.  I'm so happy for you all and, to be honest, a bit jealous."

Jack
nodded, his face beaming.  "I know, Alex, and I understand your feelings. 
Your day is coming, Miss Lawyer Lady," Jack teased.   "Just have
patience.  I never thought this would've happened to an old, fat, nasty bastard
like me, but, well, I'm living proof.  If I can snag someone, you surely
can." Jack smiled lovingly at Monique, who once again blushed at his look.

"You've
got that right, Commander.   I am amazed that anyone would want anyone who is
as big a pain in the butt as you.   You're one lucky man," Alex taunted as
she high-fived Monique.  

"Jack,
we want to call Robert and have him join us.  Will you do that?" Monique
insisted, pulling at his jacket.

"Of
course, honey.  If it's okay with Alex.  Is it Alex?"

"Absolutely,
OK." Alex nodded her head, still shell-shocked at the big, burly, fearless
policeman calling her eminent, elegant, psychiatrist friend 'honey'.  Alex had
many descriptors for Monique, but honey was certainly not among them.  She
laughed.  "You guys are flipping me out.   I really need a drink.  This is
just great!" Alex's face glowed with happiness for Monique and Jack.

"Champagne,
ladies? I've been ordered to make a phone call." Jack pulled his cell from
his pocket as he signaled for the waiter.

As
the Commander left the table to call Robert, he appreciated the lovely decor of
the strictly old-line New Orleans restaurant.  He ordered a bottle of Cristal
on his way to the quiet bar area, and in less than two minutes, Alex and
Monique were toasting each other with beautiful leaded glass champagne goblets.

Robert
responded to Jack's call.  After a brief chat, Jack returned to the dining room
and was happy to see Alex and Monique having such a wonderful time.  Françoise
was wise in the ways of life, and he knew that bad times far outnumbered the
good times.  He also knew that the heartache of Angela's attack and rape would
surface again in the morning.  He had a suspect with a psychological profile
that was promising and it was one of Monique's patients.  To preserve the good
feelings and the festivities of the evening, he'd made a pact with himself not
to allow the dinner conversation to turn to the case.  After all, this was a
celebration honoring him and Monique.

Jack
continued to observe the two lovely women from a distance.  He felt his hard
policeman's heart fill with love for both of them.  Of course, the love was a
different kind of love for each woman.   Jack had known Alex for less than a
year and was very fond of her.  He smiled as he remembered how the beautiful,
tall, auburn-haired lawyer had stood her ground against his macho police
captain's ego earlier in the year.  The then ‘Captain’ Françoise had treated
her rudely, undermined her presence, denigrated her position as the hospital
attorney, and had generally been a bastard.  Of course, this was the barometer
the hard-nosed cop used to check people out.  Alex had responded to him in a
courteous and professional manner, but would not allow herself to be
bullied.    She immediately earned his respect, not an easy thing to do in Jack
Françoise's world.  

As
events continued to unravel during Mardi Gras at CCMC, Françoise finally
admitted to himself that Alex was some young woman.  His grudging respect for
her had increased.  He admired her courage and cursed her fearless and stubborn
spirit.  Jack's fear for Alex's life had culminated in life-saving heroics for
both of them, which had created a bond between them for life.   Commander Jack
Françoise loved Alex like a sister and best friend.

Jack
continued to look at Monique.  How could a gnarly, overweight, arrogant cop
earn or deserve the love and attention that Monique offered him? What could she
possibly see in him? Jack couldn't believe his good fortune.   Sometimes, he
still pinched himself when they were together.   Monique was just stunning. 
Jack was a bit older than Monique, but she looked 20 years younger.  Her long
hair was still dark and her face unblemished by sun and age.  She was tall,
maybe even a little taller than he was, and she was positively the most
exquisite woman Jack had ever met.  She was sensitive and completely without
pretense. 

Monique
already knew exactly what he was thinking and even knew how to respond to and
handle his dark moods.  He was so lucky.  He had decided he'd take Robert's
advice to lose weight and get himself back in shape, because who knew where
this relationship could lead?  He wanted to spend a lot of years with the
lovely Monique Desmonde and he wanted to look and feel his best every moment
they were together.   When he returned to the table, both women were laughing
heartily.  Jack kissed them both on their cheeks.

"Ladies,
I've good news! Robert can join us.  He's leaving shortly -- should be here in
about 30 minutes.  He can't stay long because he has to make late rounds, but
at least he'll be with us for a short time."

Alex
felt her heart flutter for a second and then was angry for feeling excited.  
What the hell, she thought.   She admonished herself and then convinced herself
how neat it would be for Robert to learn about Jack and Monique.   Robert had
known them since childhood.  He and Monique had grown up in the Garden
District.   Jack had lived close by in the Uptown area of NOLA.

Monique
smiled at Jack.  "Good work, Commander.  I knew you could get him.  Did
you tell him that Alex was with us?"

"I
sure did.  No offense, Alex, but I think he'd have come anyway." Jack
teased her.

"Robert's
going to be thrilled for you all.  Did you tell him?” Alex asked as she looked
at Jack.

Jack
answered, looking pleased.  "Nope, played it down.  I wanted to surprise
him.  I've been dreaming of this night for weeks." Monique smiled and
patted Jack's hand.   Alex's heart warmed at the gesture.

Jack
squeezed her hand and turned his attention to the menu.  "I suggest an
appetizer for now, then wait for Robert to order.  I'm sure he'll be able to
stay later than he thinks.  He's not operating, so he can't have too many
patients to see, now can he, Alex?" Jack looked inquiringly at her.

"I
wouldn't think so.  But, you know, it could be an excuse.  He could have other
plans," Alex speculated, changing the subject.   "What should we have
for appetizers?"

"I
doubt that," Jack speculated, as he consulted the menu.  "The Creole
Shrimp is good.  So is their baked spinach dip.  Let's start with those,"
Jack suggested, as he sought approval from the ladies.

The
three friends were enjoying their second glass of champagne and appetizers,
unaware that they were being watched from the lobby by Dr.  Robert Bonnet. 
Robert stood behind a column at the restaurant entrance.  He was curious and
intrigued by what he saw.  Alex looked lovely.  She always did, even on the
worst of days.   Seeing Alex always made his heart race, but he couldn't get
over the change in Monique Desmonde.  She seemed to have undergone a veritable
metamorphosis.  Her eyes were twinkling, her normally pale cheeks were flushed,
and her entire body was relaxed.  He'd never seen Monique look so beautiful,
not even at their senior prom at Sacred Heart high school where she had been
his date.  And, to think, he'd thought Monique had been reasonably pretty at
17.  But now, words couldn't capture how captivating she was this evening! 
Then, his glance shifted to Jack.  Jack was laughing, smiling without
reservation -- very different from the day-to-day, stressed-out police
Commander. 

What
in the world was happening here, Robert wondered.   Jack looked happier and
more relaxed than Robert had ever seen him.  His worn face, the deeply furrowed
forehead, and dark eyes had lost their anxiety and fatigue.  His silver hair
was shining as he nodded towards the two women.  Robert continued to watch his
friends, as an awakening thought invaded his consciousness.  At the same
moment, he saw Jack cover Monique's petite hand with his big, calloused one. 
Then he knew! Jack Françoise and Monique Desmonde were in love.  Two of his old
childhood friends.  This was inconceivable, but it was wonderful. 

Robert
felt tears jump into his eyes, but hastily wiped them away.   He'd found
himself much more emotional since his injury and he was overcome with delight. 
Monique and Jack were as different as day and night.  Why, Monique was the
exact antithesis of the Commander.   She was quiet, reserved, dignified, and
cool as a cucumber.  Jack, on the other hand, was loud, boisterous, volatile,
and earthy.  Wow, this was incredible! Robert felt his pulse quicken in delight
for his two old friends.  He quickly strolled towards them.

Jack
saw Robert first, his policeman's intuition kicking in.  He stood up, heartily
shook Robert's hand, and hugged him.  Robert, charming as always, clasped
Jack's hand tightly and bent to kiss Alex and Monique on the cheek.  Alex could
not help but notice how handsome Robert looked.  His sandy blond hair gleamed
in the light of the chandeliers.  His light tan suit and pale yellow shirt and
tie were perfect for the sultry New Orleans evening.  His sensitive, warm brown
eyes quickly alerted Alex that he had discovered Monique and Jack's secret.  They
exchanged knowing nods.   Alex felt it amazing that they still communicated so
well emotionally even though their marriage had been over for years.   They
were often on the same emotional plane.   For some reason, that pleased her.  
Plus, she had to admit to herself that her former husband was a hunk and very,
very sexy.   Her heart quickened with memories of their times together.

Robert
smiled at Monique and Jack and said in his cultured Creole accent, "I've
been spying on you all.  I think I've been invited to a celebration.  It seems
there is love in the air!" Again, Robert smiled broadly at the threesome,
showing his perfect white teeth.  Monique blushed again and Robert couldn't
stand it.  He laughed at her and put his arm around her.  Alex felt her heart
quicken again at the sight of her former husband.  He was so charming, so
handsome, and they
had been
so perfect.

"Good
Lord, Monique.  You look like a 16-year-old girl on her first date! What in
heaven's name is happening! Fill me in, Commander," Robert demanded,
"You've never been at a loss for words!"

The
huge Commander looked a bit sheepish, as well as a bit embarrassed. "Yo,
Robert.  What can I say? Dr.  Desmonde told me she has a crush on me.  Me! Can
you believe it?  Big, ugly, uncouth, gnarly me?”

Robert
looked at Monique, his eyes twinkling.  "Nope, Jack.  Actually, I can't.  
Tell me, Monique.  This just couldn't be true.  You could like this big, old,
ill-bred, uncouth ox?"

Monique
was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes.  "Yes, yes, yes.  I
totally love the uncouth man.  Every bit of him!  Perhaps I need a
shrink," she joked.

Robert
and Jack both nodded in agreement.

Alex's
heart warmed and she felt tears springing into her eyes as the Commander bent
down and kissed Monique.  She didn't know if she'd ever seen such a beautiful
declaration of love.

Robert
was enjoying every minute.  "Well, I'm glad I'm here to see this.  It's
pretty special and, boy, what a surprise it is! This is a reason for
celebration! I vote for another bottle of wine." Robert motioned the
hovering waiter.

Robert
sat down next to Alex and touched her hand.  "What do you make of this
turn of events?"

"I'm
astonished, to be truthful.  But, I think it's wonderful.  I'm happy for them
both," Alex replied, enjoying the touch of Robert’s hand and then wishing
she didn't.  
What is wrong with me,
she asked herself.
   He is a
hunk and he wants me ....

Robert
proposed a toast to the happy couple and the four friends talked animatedly
throughout dinner.   Over coffee and dessert, Monique asked, “Robert, do you
know how Angela Richlieu is doing?  Did you oversee her surgery?"

Jack
took Monique's hand in his own.   "Are you sure we want to talk about this
tonight?  This is our night.   Let's wait until tomorrow," Jack pleaded.

Monique
was quick to reply.  "I do, if you don't mind.   It won't put a pall on my
happiness.   What about the two of you?"  Monique looked across the table,
eyeing Alex and Robert.   No one objected so she continued, "Well, let's
just talk for several minutes, get an update from Robert.   After all, we are
the best and brightest minds at CCMC, right here, right?" Monique asked,
rolling her eyes.