She watched him walk toward the door.
“Steve?”
He turned around. “Yes?”
“Is it all right if I call my roommate? She’ll be worried about me.”
He shook his head. “Absolutely not. I don’t want you to make any telephone calls or leave this house. Your life may depend on it.”
Chapter Twenty-eight
“I’m Dr. Westin. Do you understand that this conversation is going to be tape-recorded?”
“Yes, Doctor.”
“Are you feeling calmer now?”
“I’m calm, but I’m angry.”
“What are you angry about?”
“I shouldn’t be in this place. I’m not crazy. I’ve been framed.”
“Oh? Who framed you?”
“Tyler Stanford.”
“Judge Tyler Stanford?”
“That’s right.”
“Why would he want to do that?”
“For money.”
“Do you have money?”
“No. I mean, yes…that is…I could have had it. He promised me a million dollars, and a sable coat, and jewelry.”
“Why would Judge Stanford promise you that?”
“Let me start at the beginning. I’m not really Julia Stanford. My name is Margo Posner.”
“When you came in here, you insisted you were Julia Stanford.”
“Forget that. I’m really not. Look…here’s what happened. Judge Stanford hired me to pose as his sister.”
“Why did he do that?”
“So I could get a share of the Stanford estate and turn it over to him.”
“And for doing that he promised you a million dollars, a sable coat, and some jewelry?”
“You don’t believe me, do you? Well, I can prove it. He took me to Rose Hill. That’s where the Stanford family lives in Boston. I can describe the house to you, and I can tell you all about the family.”
“You’re aware that these are very serious charges you’re making?”
“You bet I am. But I suppose you won’t do anything about it because he happens to be a judge.”
“You’re quite wrong. I assure you that your charges will be very thoroughly investigated.”
“Good! I want the bastard locked away the same way he has me locked away. I want out of here!”
“You understand that besides my examination, two of my colleagues also will have to evaluate your mental state?”
“Let them. I’m as sane as you are.”
“Dr. Gifford will be in this afternoon, and then we’ll decide how we’re going to proceed.”
“The sooner, the better. I can’t stand this damned place!”
When the matron brought Margo her lunch, the matron said, “I just talked to Dr. Gifford. He’ll be here in an hour.”
“Thank you.” Margo was ready for him. She was ready for all of them. She was going to tell them everything she knew, from the very beginning. And when I’m through, Margo thought, they’re going to lock him up and let me go. The thought filled her with satisfaction. I’ll be free! And then Margo thought, Free to do what? I’ll be out on the streets again. Maybe they’ll even revoke my parole and put me back in the joint!
She threw her lunch tray against the wall. Damn them! They can’t do this to me! Yesterday I was worth a million dollars, and today…Wait! Wait! An idea flashed through Margo’s mind that was so exciting that it sent a chill through her. Holy God! What am I doing? I’ve already proved that I’m Julia Stanford. I have witnesses. The whole family heard Frank Timmons say that my fingerprints showed that I was Julia Stanford. Why the hell would I ever want to be Margo Posner when I can be Julia Stanford? No wonder they have me locked up in here. I must have been out of my mind! She rang the bell for the matron.
When the matron came in, Margo said excitedly, “I want to see the doctor right away!”
“I know. You have an appointment with him in—”
“Now. Right now!”
The matron took one look at Margo’s expression and said, “Calm down. I’ll get him.”
Ten minutes later, Dr. Franz Gifford walked into Margo’s room.
“You asked to see me?”
“Yes.” She smiled apologetically. “I’m afraid I’ve been playing a little game, Doctor.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It’s very embarrassing. You see, the truth is that I was very upset with my brother, Tyler, and I wanted to punish him. But I realize now that that was wrong. I’m not upset anymore, and I want to go home to Rose Hill.”