You never expect that something this horrible could happen to you. There's the average expectation of heartbreak and sorrow throughout your time on this earth, but never anything like this. She has read the news and watched reports that spew different statistics of the vulnerable public, but they're not part of the vulnerable public. She's part of a dynamic duo, a twosome that puts monsters where they belong and close the curtains on all the inky black stains that make the world a troubling place for the innocent. She's part of a pair that is raising a small family to believe in right, wrong, never, and always - and she knows they're doing a pretty good job of it. It comes naturally to the two because up until this day they felt that they have lived through it all. Tragedy, loss, fear, struggle, happiness, and completion. It was easy to teach and pass on knowledge when you've had so much experience. None of that experience, not one of the most painful moments in their life managed to thicken their skin enough to be able to rationally deal with what was playing before them.
Bradley was gone. Gone. There wasn't a trace left behind or hint of where to look. Just an empty red race car bed the little, sandy-haired menace received for his fifth birthday. Sheets were crumpled and his pillow could still be warm for all you know. But you wouldn't know because you haven't moved from the spot on the hallway floor where you landed on your knees countless minutes ago.
Detective Jane Rizzoli was regarded as the toughest of the tough, the hardest of the hard, but those closest to her also knew she was the softest of the soft when it came to her family. As the hard wood started to penetrate and cause her knees to ache, she looked up to her wife standing next to her and just knew that the pained, colorless face mirrored her own. Doctor Maura Rizzoli placed a soft, shaking hand on Jane's shoulder that was at hip level. It was a comforting touch for the brunette but it served more as a steadying grip to balance the trembling medical examiner.
Crime scene techs started to flood their cozy yet large household. Not one tech dared to look at the women, they were all too uncomfortable to see one of their own in such a pained, vulnerable position. It wasn't until a tech slightly bumped the caramel blonde with their kit that Maura finally came back to reality.
"I have to get Angie." She moved to the baby's room as if on autopilot. Her words held no emotion, no fear, no tears threatening. Nothing. It was one of those few moments in her life where she didn't have anything to say, no analysis, and she didn't know how to feel. It was as if her brain was firing off more commands than her weak body could follow. It was an overwhelming feeling, but it was also comforting at the moment to feel so...numb.
Jane didn't move, her brown eyes just stayed on the empty bed before her. There were several sets of hands now exploring every nook and cranny of the little boy's room. After crime scene pictures were taken, each piece of furniture was overturned and inspected. Every surface was dusted for fingerprints and every surface was checked for alien fibers. Everything seemed normal, it was hard to believe that something so horrible had taken place in such a serene, happy place. The brightly colored walls gave a false sense of glee, and the toys sprawled across the room made it feel as if the little boy would pop out of hiding at any moment and yell "got ya!" at his weeping mothers. Jane watched with tears rolling down her stoic face, she observed as an impossible case unravelled, along with herself.
"Janie?" A familiar deep voice called from behind her and a large warm hand took its place on her shoulder. Until that moment she didn't even realize Maura had moved away. When brown, watery eyes finally turned to look at the figure above her crumpled body, her stomach clenched painfully when she recognized the look on the older man's face.
"Korsak, no!" Two words were all Jane could manage out of her tight throat.
"We have reason to believe it's him." Remorse painted his features.
"The cold cases? The kidnappings? The sick fuck who goes after cop's kids?" That was enough, she didn't have to add anymore details to let her fellow detective know she heard his unspoken words. But she didn't stop there, even after a gray head nodded in confirmation. "The guy we've been after for years because he likes to kill these kids and keep their teeth as trophies?" Vince Korsak lowered his head and closed his eyes, this was his family too. He may not be blood related but that didn't matter to him or any part of the Rizzoli clan.
Jane finally moved. The lanky detective jumped up from her spot on the floor and raced to the bathroom in enough time to heave into the toilet. It was early on a Sunday, the family just started to stir and get excited for Sunday breakfast. It was a small thing to be thankful for, but Jane found it easier to calm an empty stomach rather than a full one. Breakfast was now the last thing on her mind. She emerged from the bathroom to be met by her wife and four month old baby girl. Staring into those troubled, hazel eyes broke down the last barrier Jane had been clinging to. The dark haired woman closed the distance and began sobbing violently against the soft silk of Maura's pajamas.
Within the next few hours any and all evidence was collected by the techs and every detective available filled the house looking for further clues. Jane's partner, Barry Frost, was there shortly after he received the call from Korsak. Frankie Rizzoli arrived quickly and was now searching the perimeter of the home for any evidence of forced entry or the presence of anyone at all. Other detectives from across the several departments were assisting. The married couple were accompanied by an emotional Angela Rizzoli in the kitchen. The three women stood and watched as the home was turned upside down in a desperate attempt to turn up something, anything. Two sets of brown eyes and one set of hazel all held the same silent thought.
This can't be happening to us.
A/N: And so it begins, the third installment to this trilogy. I didn't expect it to come so quickly, but I couldn't help myself. I had the idea for the third story back when I started the second one. When I woke up this morning I couldn't wait to get started. Hopefully all the readers who enjoyed the first two stories are as pleased with this one. As you can tell it's a bit darker, a heavier story-line than the previous two, but I can promise lighter moments throughout the story. Stay tuned and please review!