by Judith Lucci
There was a knock at the door of the VIP suite and lunch was delivered. The group ate quietly and talked more about rebuilding CCMC's reputation than recent events. Shortly after lunch, the crowd broke up. Elizabeth went to handle the reporters, and Don gleefully returned to his office where he wrote a press release. Doctor Ashley went to make rounds and Alex made an excuse to go to her office to look over her mail.
Adam Lee stayed with Francoise and they continued to discuss the case and receive new information. Several hours later the Congressman and the police Captain sent out for a fifth of Jack Daniels after realizing how enormous, well-connected and well-monied Health Trust was. The criminal underpinnings had become clear. Both knew it would prove to be an international conspiracy and would take months to unravel. They only hoped there would be minimal retribution lodged against the events of the day.
Strange to be in the office over the weekend, Alex thought. It was so quiet and there were no phones, no chattering Bridgett, and no interruptions. Alex reviewed correspondence as she sat at her desk. After a few minutes, she sat back in her chair and thought about the past week. Things are better, but I know it will be a long time before I get over Mitch, if ever. I feel betrayed, cheated again. I'm not sure if I will ever trust a man again. She'd trusted Robert, and he'd divorced her. She'd trusted Mitch, and he'd used her. There were so many unknowns about Mitch and his motives. Had he deliberately used her? Looking through her open office door she noticed an overnight mail package on Bridgett's desk.
Alex sighed as she rose from her desk to retrieve the package. She picked up the parcel and when she read the return address, her heart started beating furiously. It was from Mitch but had been mailed from Biloxi on Friday. Alex removed the letter with shaking hands, and a tape recorder fell out of the envelope. Mitch's big, bold handwriting stared up at her as she read aloud.
"Dear Alex, by the time you receive this, you'll either know everything because I've told you, or you'll know nothing because I'm dead. This letter explains everything.
First of all, I was dishonest with you at the beginning of our relationship. I sought you out because I owed a large sum of money to a mobster named Frederico Petrelli. It was a gambling debt. He approached me four months ago demanding that I get the dirt on CCMC because his friends wanted to buy it. I arranged to meet you, with the intent of learning ways in which Frederico could ruin the hospital. As time went by, I began to care for you and detest myself. Later, when I didn't deliver, Frederico told me he wanted the land owned by Bonnet's family so his associates could expand their casinos on the Riverfront. Of course, there was no way I could do that. I think it was just another threat to make me deliver on the CCMC information. Anyway, Frederico and a large man with a ponytail came to my house after we had dinner at Cafe Volage and told me I had until five o'clock the next day to deliver. To prove his point, Frederico burned my forearm. I left immediately and went to Biloxi to gamble. I lost heavily at the casino, and after that, I have no recollection of what happened. I returned for the Endymion Extravaganza so I could again see you and explain what had happened.
The recorder holds a tape I recorded the night Frederico and the man with the ponytail came to my apartment. They admit their part in the CCMC crimes, at least the shoot-out and the attack on the heart patient. It's enough information to implicate them both. You almost caught me one night when my recorder fell out of my pocket. Forgive me for being so deceitful. I love you, Alex. Mitch”.
Alex finished reading Mitch's letter and sobbed uncontrollably. A little later she called Robert and told him to meet her in Francoise's suite. As Alex took the elevator to Jack's room, she was comforted with the knowledge that Mitch had loved her, and had tried to do the right thing. In reality, Mitch's letter would close the case.
Robert, his arm casted and in a sling, Adam and Jack were waiting for her when she entered the suite.
Alex said, "Sit down. There was a package from Mitch in my office. Mailed Friday from Biloxi. He also sent me a tape recording, which I think will answer all your questions. Jack, will you read the letter. I'm too emotional." Alex handed the letter to Francoise.
Jack read the letter slowly. The letter was the missive of a doomed man.
"Turn on that damn recorder," Adam Patrick Lee growled. "Let's see what we've got!"
The recording implicated Frederico and Salvadal easily. In less than a minute Francoise called for a warrant for Frederico's arrest. Within an hour Frederico was picked up and charged with the murder of Jonathan Mercier, the crime team reporting that the ballistics was a perfect match.
"Why'd Frederico kill Mercier?" Robert said.
"Frederico knew Mercier was the weak link. Knew he'd implicate him later on. The mob leaves no witnesses."
Robert nodded in understanding.
Francoise turned to Alex. "We got them. All tied up in a nice little package, at least for now."
"Yep, we did. But, you owe me one and payback's going to be tough." Alex, her eyes hard and unsmiling, eyed the captain.
"What the hell, what payback?" Captain Francoise was actually stammering. "What are you talking about, Alex." A light of realization paled the captain's already white face as he reviewed the possibilities. His thoughts returned to his recent elevator ride. He said, "Oh no, no way. No elevators, no damn elevators. I'm a sick man." Francoise looked around frantically.
Alex smiled. Now she knew his weakness, his Achilles heel. She thought about it and said, "Hmm. Elevators, that's a new twist. I'll have to work on the elevator." She paused to allow the fear to sink in. Then she looked at Jack and Robert and smiled. "You're both sick men and you're both leaving for Virginia on Tuesday to recuperate at Wyndley." Alex winked at her grandfather.
"Absolutely, we've got reservations to leave New Orleans on Tuesday morning. No excuses allowed." The Congressman looked pleased with the plan.
Francoise was so relieved that no elevators were involved, he said quickly, "Count me in, I'm coming."
Alex turned to Robert, "And you?"
The surgeon gave Alex a tender smile. "You bet. I want to see Grand."
From the Author
Thank you so much for reading Chaos at Crescent City Medical Center, the first book in the Alexandra Destephano Medical Thriller Series. I hope you enjoyed it. Since reviews are very important to Indie authors. I would be delighted if you would review my book.
To err is human and to forgive is divine. I can honestly say that writing novels is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, and I’ve done a lot of things. Even though my books are professionally edited by three editors and reviewed by at least five others before they are published, you may find an error. If you do, please email me at [email protected] and I will immediately correct it or if you’d rather, contact me on my webpage at http://www.JudithLucci.com.
I always want to hear from and connect with my readers. Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions, ideas for new books, or just plain anything. I am happy to answer any questions. You can follow me on Twitter at Judith Lucci Writes @ Judith Lucci, on FB at
https://www.facebook.com/judith.lucci or check out my Amazon Author Page at http://www.amazon.com/Judith-Lucci/e/B00AUVN0GK.
Once again, many thanks for reading my book!
