The Imposter Read Online Free PDF Page A

Alex's office.  
Alex felt as though she were watching a perfectly choreographed production.  
Betty Favre stood uselessly to the side of the group for a moment, studying her
bright red manicure, and then took a seat in a Queen Anne chair.
    Alex's
heart was thudding as Monique motioned for her to join them on the sofa.  
Bridgett seemed transfixed, unable to talk.   She looked like a tall, beautiful
Barbie doll.   Dr.  Desmonde began slowly, "Bridgett, I'm afraid I've some
bad news for you."
    Bridgett's
eyes were blank as she stared at Monique, a beautifully groomed, dark-haired
woman in her forties.   Dr.  Desmonde began gently, "Bridge, can you hear
me?  We must talk, now."
    Bridgett
nodded her head slowly.   Alex could feel fear and uncertainty crawling up her own
spine.   Her knees began to shake and her heart was pounding madly.   It was
the same feeling she always had when something bad had happened.  Alex felt her
knees jerking so badly that she was sure they would cause her feet to jump out
of her 4 inch heels.   Jack touched her knee,  realizing Alex's discomfort and offering
support.  Alex gave the police Commander a small, tight smile.
    Dr.
Desmonde continued, her voice soft, her eyes meeting Bridgett's straight on.  
"Angela worked yesterday, Bridgett.  She worked the 11am to 11 pm shift on
the psych unit."
    Bridgett
interrupted Dr. Desmonde.  "Yeah, yeah, I know.  I tried to call her last
night.   .   I called early in the evening, but she was working on the prison
or forensic unit or wherever.   We never spoke," Bridgett continued, the
irritation in her voice unmistakable.  "The idiot from the E.D. said she
was over there and had been beaten up or something, said she couldn't speak so
I didn't believe them."  Bridgett turned and noticed Commander Jack
Françoise  at her side and addressed him, her brilliant blue eyes full of
anger.  "Commander, can you do something about this?  Someone is harassing
me about Angie,” Bridgett said as she started to rise from the sofa.  
"I've got to go.   I have a ton of work to do."  Bridgett rose from
the sofa to leave, as if nothing real had just happened.
    Jack
looked over at Dr.  Desmonde who gave him a thumbs-up sign.   He took
Bridgett's hands in his own and said, "Bridge, it's not a joke.   Someone
hurt Angie after she left work last night.   She was attacked and we didn't
find her until this morning and ...."
    Alex's
heart lurched at the sight of Bridgett's big blue eyes.   They were filled with
terror and uncertainty.   Her pupils were huge, surrounded by liquid pools of
white.   Her long blonde hair created a halo around her head.  Alex wasn't
completely sure if Bridge understood what the police commander had said.
    Dr. 
Desmonde interrupted, "Angie's over in the E.D.   They're going to take
her up to surgery and I thought you might like to see her before she
goes," Monique's voice trailed off, uncertain of Bridgett's level of
comprehension.
    "Yes,
yes, I would.  Is she OK?”
    Monique
continued, slowly as she shook her head, "No.   Not really.   She is very
sick.  In fact, she is in critical condition.   She has a machine breathing for
her, a ventilator, and she has some head injuries.   She has lost a lot of
blood.   She also has some internal injuries and Dr.  Goshette wants to do an
exploratory to be sure she isn't bleeding on the inside," Monique said.
    "How'd
she get hurt?" Bridgett asked in a dazed and child-like manner as she
looked around the room.   It was clear to all of them that Bridgett really
wasn't getting it.   Alex couldn't help but be amazed at how good the brain was
at screening out bad news.
    Being
the psychiatrist that she was, Monique tried hard to work through Bridgett's
shock and denial.   She started again, "Bridgett, Angie was attacked and
beaten last night after work.   She is very ill.   Do you understand?"
    Bridgett
nodded impatiently, "Yes, you told