Beantown Interests

By Michael Weyer

Person of Interest owned by CBS. Rizzoli & Isles owned by TNT.

This hit me fast and out of the blue as a huge fan of both shows and somehow seemed fitting so here we go, all comments are more than welcomed.

(Shots of New York City streets) "You are being watched. The government had a secret system. A Machine that spies on you every hour of every day. (Close-up of video feed of Harold Finch with data note: UNKNOWN) I know because I built it. I designed the Machine to detect acts of terror but it sees everything. Violent crimes involving ordinary people. The government considers these people irrelevant. We don't. (Close-up of John Reese: MISSING) Hunted by the authorities...(Close-ups of Joss Carter and Lionel Fusco: NYPD ACTIVE), we work in secret. (Close-up of Shaw: PERSUMED DEAD) You'll never find us. But victim or perpetrator, if your number's up...(Camera view of Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles) We'll find you."

"They're here?"

"They just got in. They'll be checking into their rooms within the hour."

"Good. I'll make sure initial contact is made so we can set things up for the kill."

Not for the first time, Samantha Shaw found herself wondering if John Reese ever actually slept. To other eyes, the tall and handsome man might seem a bit blasé, even bored by the world around him. But a professional like Shaw knew that in a moment, Reese could transform into an expert killing machine. She could relate as she was one herself. Yet here he was, at eight in the morning, calmly sitting on a couch in the large library of a brownstone building, sipping coffee in that same dark suit of his with no signs of having finished a foot chase through the New York docks just three hours previously. It annoyed the woman a bit more as she brushed back her long black hair, settling into a nearby chair in her dark sweatsuit.

"Get good sleep?" Reese asked in that soft voice of his. Shaw just glared at him before getting her own cup of coffee. She was sipping it down as Harold Finch entered in his usual tweed vest and trousers, his glasses and short hair making him look like a high school teacher. He paused to offer a treat to Bear, the brown-furred Shepherd eagerly taking it before lounging back on his bean bag seat. Walking with his distinctive limp, Finch spoke in a flat tone that was a strange mirror of Reese's. "I apologize for the early morning call so soon but unlike we mere humans, the Machine never sleeps."

"We have a number?" Reese asked.

"Two, as it so happens." Finch took a pair of photographs as he made his way to the clear board taking up most of the library. He taped to it a photograph of a very attractive woman in her late 30's with lush black hair and a smile clad in a uniform. "Detective Jane Rizzoli, Boston Police Department, Homicide." He placed another photo next to hers, another attractive woman of the same age with golden brown hair and an expensive dress. "Dr. Maura Isles, PhD in forensic pathology, currently the Chief Medical Examiner of Massachusetts, attached to the same Boston division as Detective Rizzoli."

"I thought the Machine only gave us numbers for folks in the New York area," Shaw stated, reaching for the plate of donuts on the table nearby.

"It does," Finch confirmed. "I realized the reason when I discovered that Detective Rizzoli and Dr. Isles are attending a police conference here in New York over the weekend. Their plane should be landing in the next two hours."

"Boston murder cop," Reese stated. "The kind of person who must make a lot of enemies."

"Assuming she's not the perp." Shaw shrugged at Reese's glance. "What? Women can't be dirty cops too?"

"Normally, I dislike Ms. Shaw's rather cynical attitude toward life," Finch stated. "But in this case, her view may be correct." He placed another photo on the board, this of a heavyset man in his 60's in a prison uniform. "In my background check, I discovered that the good Dr. Isles is the biological daughter of Paddy Doyle, a rather notorious Boston mob boss."

Reese took that in with a slight nod. "The daughter of a mobster who's best friends with a Boston detective. An interesting mix."

"Indeed, which makes it more difficult to figure out whether we are dealing with victims or perpetrators." Finch sat before his desk of computers. "We do have a good batch of luck on our side. The hotel the conference is being held at happens to be the Coronet."

Reese nodded, then looked to a confused Shaw. "The hotel manager, Mira, owes us a favor for helping her out before. And we know the owner won't interfere."

"How can you..." Shaw stopped and looked at Finch. "You own it."

"A Manhattan hotel, an investment that never goes out of style," the man stated. "Which means I would gratefully appreciate you keeping any damage there to a minimum." He tapped a few keys. "Mr. Reese has already been entered into the hotel database as the temporary head of security while the usual chief enjoys a family vacation he won in a raffle." Reese and Shaw didn't even bother wondering just who made sure of that "prize." "As for Ms. Shaw..."

"If you suggest I pose as a maid, you're going to need a wheelchair."

Finch smiled slightly. "I assure you, the thought never crossed my mind. No, I do believe your unique grasp of congeniality shall be more useful elsewhere." He tapped a few fingers on his keyboard. "We need to get started before our ladies arrive."

Shaw narrowed her eyes. "Just how rich are you?"

"Looking for a raise, Ms. Shaw?"

"Unlike you two, I don't wear the same clothes every day."

"Economy and style are not primarily exclusive, Ms. Shaw."

"Ah, New York, New York." Jane Rizzoli breathed in the air as the taxi pulled in front of the Coronet Hotel. "The city so nice, they named it twice."

"Actually, New York has had far more names than that," Maura Isles stated as she exited the cab. "Beginning with Giovanni da Verrazzano naming it Nouvelle Angouleme. The Dutch then named it Nieuw-Nederland or New Netherland, which would later be adapted into New Amsterdam and-"

"I'll read the guide book, Maura," Jane interrupted with a sigh. As much as she loved the other woman, Maura's stunning inability to understand the concept of a rhetorical question was always aggravating. Still, she was willing to put up with it as she got her small traveling bag out from the cab's trunk. Clad in simple jeans and a leather jacket, Jane was looking forward to relaxing for the weekend. She found herself staring as the driver removed the three large traveling cases from the trunk. "We're here for two nights, Maura."

"Well, we have the conference, a few dinners, we may go out traveling and touring and want to be at my best for it." The medical examiner was clad in a lovely green blouse and matching skirt to show off her body with high heels, hair elegantly done as ever.

Jane just shook her head as they entered the hotel. "I'm really not looking forward to your idea of camping out." They walked through the foyer as an attractive brunette came toward them, her severe expression somehow matching her dark business outfit. "Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles?" she asked. "I'm Samantha, I'm part of the planning staff here at the Coronet." She handed each of them a small folder. "That's our itinerary, schedule of meetings and a list of amenities the hotel is giving to conference attendees. You're already checked in so..." She waved a hand sharply and a bellhop quickly moved with a cart to load up Jane and Maura's luggage. "He'll take you up, get you settled in, enjoy the hotel."

Maura frowned as the two walked with the bellhop. "A bit curt, don't you think?"

"It's New York, Maura. That's downright friendly by their standards."

As the two walked off, Shaw heard Finch's voice clearly in the advanced earwig placed in her ear. "The point of being part of the concierge is to at least have a show of being courteous, Ms. Shaw."

"I smiled, didn't I?" Shaw walked to a nearby station where Reese stood, clad in the uniform of the Coronet and talking to an attractive Latina woman in a business suit of her own. "Ah, Shaw, meet Maria," Reese introduced in as friendly a tone as he could manage. "Shaw's been helping us out."

Maria offered a hand which Shaw just stared at. "Obviously not a people person," she said in a thick accent.

"She has her style." Reese glanced to Maria. "We'll try to keep out of your hair."

"At least try not to shoot anyone?" Maria smiled as she headed to her office.

"Sure I shouldn't tell her about the cameras in the room?" Reese asked.

"Boss or not, Mr. Reese, I believe she'd have an issue with my looking in on hotel guests," Finch answered. He was sitting before his computers sipping tea just as a light flashed indicating an incoming phone call. "One moment, I believe Detective Fusco is checking in." Tapping a key, Finch spoke. "What do you have, Detective?"

He could imagine Lionel Fusco sitting at his own desk at the police precinct, the heavyset man in the rumpled suit with balding head no doubt glancing about with worry at anyone walking in on his conversation. "I can't talk too long. Carter needs my help on a case, something she's working on her own time."

"Did you make the inquires I wished?" Finch was all business.

"Yeah, I got some contacts in the Boston PD, we get together during football or Red Sox/Yankees games. Called a few, made some light questions. Sounds like Rizzoli's got a reputation, a bit rough around the edges, clashing a bit with her captain and in a few rough shootings."

"Hmm..." Finch muttered. "Not the reputation of a sterling cop."

It was rare for Fusco to be able to show a high road on Finch but he couldn't help smirking into the phone. "Trust me, professor. The cops with the squeaky clean records are the ones in someone else's pocket. From what they say, Rizzoli is rough but she's a damn good cop and honest too. She's got a younger brother on the force, kid's just as clean and top notch. Hell, her mom works there too, running the lunch counter."

"And Dr. Isles? What connection does she have to her father?"

"Not much, really. She didn't even know he was her dad for most of her life and when she did find out, didn't want anything to do with him. As for Rizzoli being on his payroll, the fact she put a bullet in the guy sort of blows a hole in that theory, no pun intended. Plus, Rizzoli got into it with Charles Hoyt."

"The serial killer?" Finch frowned. "I heard of the case but I didn't know Detective Rizzoli was so involved."

"Stabbed in both hands but still brought the psycho down," Fusco explained. "Personally, I don't think she's dirty so you'd better keep an eye on her. I have to get going."

Finch listened to him hang up and then touched his screen again. "Did you two get that?"

"For once, I'm willing to listen to Fusco's expertise," Reese answered. "When it comes to corrupt cops, he does have the inside knowledge."

"Quite true," Finch noted. "This would make the two victims rather than perpetrators which makes our job all the more difficult."

"This is nice," Maura noted as she looked at the large window showcasing Manhattan. "A gorgeous view."

"It always is," Jane said as she looked at the other woman, undoing her blouse. She sighed as she saw Maura opening a bag with her files. "Maura, honestly, we just got here, conference isn't until tomorrow. You can wait a bit before getting down to business."

"I just want to make sure..."

"Maura," Jane said in that tone of hers that always got Maura's attention and let her know her girlfriend was being serious. "Fine, fine, I'll check them later."

Satisfied, Jane slid off her pants. "Okay, need a shower before we get down to the city." She undid her bra and smiled. "Care to make it faster?"

Maura smiled herself as she began to undo her own dress.

"Oh, my," Finch remarked as he tapped a key to quickly blacken out the screen.

"What's wrong?" Reese asked.

"It would appear Detective Rizzoli and Dr. Isles are far closer than mere colleagues."

Both Shaw and Reese could hear the audio of a shower running and some soft sighs. "Huh," Shaw grunted. "My guess is Rizzoli is the man in that relationship."

"Speaking from personal experience?" Reese needled.

"Maybe." Shaw gave no indication if she was playing or not.

Finch was quick to silence the audio and drop the video screen down. "It would explain much more of their connection," he managed to state. "Which also enhances the possible number of would-be attackers."

"You're not keeping it playing?" Shaw asked wryly.

"Contrary to what you and Mr. Reese might believe, Ms. Shaw, I do have some sense of decorum left within me." Finch tapped a key to bring up a screen showing the hallway just outside the hotel room. He straightened up as he saw a man in a black suit with dark hair at the doorway, sliding a plastic key into the lock. "Mr. Reese, someone is attempting to enter their hotel room."

"On my way," Reese said, already moving quickly toward the stairs. He bounded up them at high speed as Finch switched back to the interior room cameras. He watched as the black-suited man entered, sliding the key into his pocket. He glanced about to make sure it was empty before quickly moving toward the pair's luggage. He opened up one of the smaller bags belonging to Maura and began rummaging through the folders inside. "Mr. Reese, he's looking through Dr. Isles' files."

Reese didn't reply as he raced up the stairs but made a note to complain later about Finch not making sure the two had a room on a lower floor. "Ms. Shaw, I need you by the elevators in case he comes down that way," Finch stated.

"On it," she replied, moving toward them. Finch watched as the man found one file and opened it up, removing a cell phone and holding it up. "It appears he's taking photos of the files," he stated. "Mr. Reese, I believe it's best you arrive there..."

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than Reese entered the room. He moved quickly toward the other man, who was surprised at the sudden appearance but moved quickly, pulling out a revolver with a silencer. Reese ducked and charged, striking quickly to grab the man by the trigger hand and prevent him from shooting. He struck out with an elbow to the man's chest, causing him to gasp. The man was quick to strike back, the two trading blows and strikes.

The attacker pulled a short knife out of his coat, swinging it about as Reese backed away. The two faced off, each looking for an opportunity to strike at the other. The suited man lunged with his knife aimed straight and Reese grabbed his wrist to force it back. They slammed against the wall, grunting as the man punched Reese in the jaw. Grunting, Reese increased his hold on the wrist and twisted to yank the man toward the wall. He gasped as he landed right onto the knife's blade. He slumped slowly to the floor, the knife sticking out of his chest.

Taking a breath, Reese glanced over to the file and moved quickly to place it back into the bag and zipped it back up. He reached over to pick up the dead body on the floor, lifting it with a grunt. He moved to the door, half-dragging, half carrying the body and had just shut the door behind him when the shower turned off.

Jane entered the room, brushing her hair out with a towel before slipping on a robe. "See, that was well needed."

"I still think the need to have intercourse in a shower is overrated," Maura stated as she brushed at her wet hair. "It's actually rather unhygienic and distracting to boot, not to mention the dangers of slips and falls..."

"Maura, you can take the romance out of a candlelight dinner," Jane stated.

"I'm sorry," her lover said leaning to kiss the detective. "You're right, I need to learn not to be all store talk all the time."

"Shop talk," Jane automatically corrected before moving to dress. "But come on, we've got a few hours to kill, we can tour the city."

"Ooooh, there is a good exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum!"

"Great," Jane dryly said. "I'll try to contain my excitement."

Maura was placing her bags on the bed and frowned. "Huh." She opened one and rummaged through the files. "It's not in the right order."

"Maybe it got knocked loose on the flight or something," Jane shrugged.

"I always make sure they're secure," her friend argued.

"Maura. It's just a file, ok?" Jane rubbed at her back. "I am making it my mission to get you to lighten up on this trip and you know how I take my missions seriously."

Maura smiled as she began to dress but couldn't shake the nagging sensation as she glanced once more at her bag.

Finch rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "I believe that hiding a dead body on the hotel premises runs the risk of lowering our star rating, Mr. Reese."

"I'll find a better place to put it later," Reese replied. He was back at his lobby station with Shaw, checking out the cell phone he'd taken from the man. "I'm sending you the photos he took."

Finch turned back to his computer as the pictures appeared on his screen. "It appears to be a file on a recent autopsy report," he stated. "A John Doe discovered shot to death in Boston a week ago."

Reese and Shaw were looking at the same photos off the cell phone. "Two shots to the heart, one to the head," Shaw noted. "This was a professional hit."

"Dr. Isles must be looking into the case still," Finch said as he sat back. "And someone wants to know what she's found out."

"Our guy had no ID on him," Reese said. "But he had some rather elaborate tattoos under his shirt."

"Russian mafia," Shaw added. "I recognize the style."

Finch nodded slowly. "I believe you two need to keep Detective Rizzoli and Dr. Isles under closer observation." He looked to the camera showing the duo leaving their hotel room. "Because someone is out to ensure these two don't get closer to the truth than they already have."

"And the Russians aren't known for playing nicely," Shaw stated.

"That's all right." Reese offered a half-smile. "Neither are we."

A quick start as I want to capture the flavor of a POI episode with Jane and Maura along as next chapter will open up more of the dangers the two face. All comments welcomed.