Crescent City Chronicles (Books 1-3)

by Judith Lucci

  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. Handprints 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 sensed this and 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 at 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’s 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 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.

  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 b
ottom 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 in 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, Lester'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 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.

  "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.

  He asked gently, "Why Alex? It was a situation you couldn't control. You're not guilty of anything."

  Her voice was morose, her eyes filled with tears, "I'm just not going, Robert, I'm not. Now leave me alone about it, please." She laid her head down in his lap and pretended to fall asleep. She needed to be alone with her thoughts to try to put together exactly what had happened. She needed to think through what she should've done. She was feeling so guilty – about a lot of things. She should've saved Monique. Finally, she fell asleep on Monique's sofa.

  A half an hour later, Josh opened the door for Nadine Wells. They talked quietly in the kitchen for a few minutes and Josh motioned for Robert to join them.

  Robert seemed uncertain about Nadine. When he learned she was NOPD's expert on sexual crimes, he retreated into himself.

  Nadine perceived the change in Robert's behavior and assured him she wouldn't badger Alex. She mentioned they had met shortly after the rape of Angie Richelieu.

  Robert seemed surer of the petite Nadine's concern for Alex and went to awaken her.

  Nadine held up her hand, motioning for Robert to wait a moment. She asked him, "Dr. Bonnet, what is your relationship to Ms. Destephano?"

  He flushed a little bit at the question. It would have been easy to answer before last night. He didn't know what to say and stammered his reply, "Well ... well, to be honest, Ms. Wells, Alex and I were married when we were students and lived in Virginia. We divorced about four years ago. Alex moved to Texas and I moved to New Orleans. I'm from here ..." Robert's voice trailed off, unsure of exactly what it was the woman wanted to know.

  She continued to look at him, their eyes locked. "And now, Dr. Bonnet, what is your current relationship with Alex?"

  Robert was uncomfortable. Her directness was bothering him and he didn't like it. He felt guilty and defensive for some reason. He remained silent.

  Nadine turned to Josh. "Josh, could you leave Dr. Bonnet and me alone for a few minutes?" Josh nodded and hastily left the kitchen. Nadine continued to look at Robert, whose defensiveness was turning to anger. His lean, handsome face was red. She repeated her question, her voice adamant, "Dr. Bonnet, it's important that you answer my question for your sake and for ours."

  "Why, why in the hell do I have to answer your question? I haven't done anything illegal or wrong." He was stubbornly defensive.

  "I must know if you and Alex are sexually intimate. If you are, and have been recently, it could complicate any evidence we gather tonight. That's the reason for the question. Otherwise, I agree. It's none of my business."

  Nadine saw Robert's shoulder sag. "Ms. Wells, I love Alex. I'd like to marry her again. We're presently good friends and have been since earlier this year. I assure you there's no evidence from a sexual encounter that would complicate a police rape investigation. I promise you."

  "Then why are you so uncomfortable?" Nadine looked at him shrewdly, still persistent.

  Robert was amazed at the woman's perceptiveness. "Tonight, at least earlier tonight, Alex and I had dinner at her house." He smiled at the memory. "I believe we could have complicated the evidence if Dr. Desmonde hadn't called Alex at 11 o'clock. Actually, Alex and I were ... well, the phone rang, but nothing had happened." He looked sheepish, even a little embarrassed.

  Nadine smiled at him and touched his shoulder. "I'm sorry she called and spoiled it for you. Trust me, there will be other times. Thanks for being honest with me, Dr. Bonnet. Can I count on your support – emotional and physical – to get Alex through this?"

  "Yes, absolutely. What do you want me to do?"

  "Help me help her remember what happened. I believe, based on what Commander Françoise and Officer Martin said, it's possible Alex doesn't remember what happened. She may not know if she was raped or not."

  Robert was flabbergasted. "You're kidding. I'd never have thought that."

  "It's a protective reflex that many women have after a rape. It's a dissociation mechanism that's commonly associated with sexual crime and abuse. It sounds as though her clothes, while torn, were basically intact, so I'm hopeful that she wasn't raped. Let me rephrase that, I'm hopeful she wasn't actually penetrated. She was most assuredly raped in the greater sense of the word, and Alex will view it that way. It's critical for her
recovery and continued mental health that she knows for sure so she can learn to deal with it. Do you understand what I'm saying, Dr. Bonnet?"

  Robert nodded mutely and followed her into the living room where Alex remained on the sofa. Damn! It was a lot easier being a surgeon than a shrink or mental health worker. Being a surgeon was quick and simple and you got results right away – not so much with mental health stuff.

  Nadine shook Alex gently.

  She opened her eyes slowly. They were liquid blue in color, the color of bachelor's buttons in the summer. She struggled to sit up.

  Robert noticed that her right shoulder was drooping. A fractured clavicle, he surmised – the same arm that had been injured in February.

  Nadine spoke softly, "Alex, Jack asked me to come over and talk with you. Josh and I need a statement about what happened here tonight. Are you up to talking?"

  Alex nodded, looking to Robert.

  Clasping her hand tightly, Robert assured her he would stay with her.

  Nadine was pleased that Bonnet was so cooperative. So many men were either useless or macho machines in times like this. He would be a good support for Alex, if she'd let him. For some reason, Nadine's intuition told her she wouldn't.

  Josh began, "Ms. Destephano, do you mind if I tape your interview? The Commander asked me to get your permission. If you would rather I didn't, I won't."

  Alex smiled at Josh, "You can, Josh. It's okay. Call me Alex.”

  "Thanks, Alex." Josh cut the recorder on, giving the date, time, describing the crime scene, and naming the people present at the taped interview.

  "Tell me what happened tonight, Alex. You can go as slowly as you like. I've got three tapes with me. We've got plenty of tape and plenty of time." He handed Alex the microphone.

  In a clear voice, Alex talked into the machine. She began with the phone call from Monique and ended with the entrance of Josh Martin. She cried when she related how Whitset had beaten Monique with the lead pipe and how he had cut her face after she was unconscious. She made no mention of rape, but recounted in great detail how Whitset had sung his sick little rhyme to her and how he had torn her clothes. Her hand was gripped tightly by Robert throughout the interview, which took about 20 minutes.