"Why did I agree to this?"
That thought crossed Maura's mind at least ten times in the last 20 minutes as she walked towards the pier. Ever since she found out who her birth father was her life had been turned upside down. It was by accident; it was just supposed to be a hands on lesson in how to run DNA.
FLASHBACK
"Ok everyone have their partners for the day? We are going to do a full lab on running DNA from proper collection, processing and reading results. Whether you end up working as a doctor in a hospital or go into forensics these are good skills to have."
"But I want to work in pediatrics why do I need to know DNA processing," a student asked wondering why they whole class was made to do this lab that seemed limited in scope.
"Even in pediatrics there is need for proper collection of DNA. What if there is a paternity issue? Or god forbid an abuse situation where you have to collect any evidence upon first seeing the child."
That quickly got the class quiet and thinking about their own career paths and what situations might come up. Maura was particularly interested in this lesson as she was going into pathology once she graduated. Everyone got to work on the assignment and almost two hours later results were starting to come in.
"Umm Dr. Welsh I think I did something wrong. The results aren't coming up," Jake, Maura's partner, stated as he tried to access the results in the computer.
"Let me take a look," the professor said as Maura watched on. "That looks good….and that is correct….and….oh….um just use Jake's DNA result that Maura collected. There was a glitch with the other results."
Maura didn't like the stiff body language or worried expression.
"See me after class," the professor whispered to Maura.
END FLASHBACK
It was almost two years ago when her professor told her, her DNA analysis triggered an FBI flag. The professor didn't know anything more than that but he recommended follow up as it might hinder her from becoming a doctor. Maura didn't want anything to stand in her way of becoming a doctor…now she was rethinking that.
After many inquiries and meetings, it was discovered that Patty Doyle, famous Boston Mob Boss, was her biological father. Her DNA was on file in case anything happened the agents bought by Patty would inform him. Now here she was walking to meet him after being summoned by his lackeys. She had every intention to tell him she never wanted to see him…not by private meetings or lurking in dark corners like he did at her graduation a few months ago.
Maura slowed her pace when she heard two guys arguing. In hindsight coming to the Pier at night alone wasn't the best choice but she figured her father's men would be looking out for her.
"I'm short 5 kilos Hawk."
"I don't know how Double T. I took the handoff and I brought it here. If anything is missing it must be from the other end."
"You see Hawk that is what I thought too, because no one that really knows me would fuck with me and my money."
"Yeah they would be really stupid," the guy said clearly getting a little nervous.
"So when a kilo went missing a couple time I took it up with my distributor and after a couple bodies I was convinced it wasn't my distributor. Did you know I personally weighed this delivery before you picked it up?"
Maura was smart enough to know nothing good was happening. As quietly as possible she hid herself away behind a tower of pallets and trash.
"Double T let me explain please….I can get you your money."
"Oh trust me I've already collected."
"So we are straight."
"Yeah…."
Gun shots rang out and Maura covered her mouth to prevent any noise from coming out.
"We are straight. Heavy get rid of this trash," Double T ordered his right hand man to remove the lifeless body.
Heavy was about to get the body when more shots split through the silence. Maura prayed she was safe laying on the ground behind metal trash bins. It was probably only seconds but it felt like hours before the shots stopped and a car was heard speeding off.
"Maura? Maura are you here? It is safe now."
Maura carefully peaked from her hiding place to see the man she came to know as he father standing there.
"I'm here," she said quietly before making her presence known.
"Maura are you ok," Patty said rushing to her side?
"Are you kidding me? I just witnessed a murder and was basically in the middle of a shootout….no this is definitely not the definition of ok."
"Maura I need you to listen very carefully to me ok…you need to go to the Boston Police Department right now and ask for Sean Cavanaugh…do you understand me….Sean Cavanaugh and give him this card. Tell him you just witnessed a murder, the location, what you saw and who committed it….anything he wants to know ok. You are going to go into protective custody."
"Excuse me? How do you know this?"
"Boston Police, Cavanaugh, protective custody …Maura you have to do this. I am going to track him down from my end but I want you safe in the meantime."
The world was spinning at this point for the young blond. She as just supposed to come here, tell her mob boss father to get the hell out of her life and go home to her newly purchased brownstone and job at Boston Mass. General. Nowhere in the plan was witness a crime and go into protective custody.
"Maura this is serious….you have to go now. My guy is going to follow you to the station to make sure you get there without any trouble."
The gravity of the situation was really starting to hit her. She witnessed a murder over drugs…these were bad guys and her life was now in danger.
As if on autopilot and in a total fog Maura managed to get herself to the steps on the Boston Police Department. She walked inside and looked around the semi busy lobby. Off to the right she noticed a small café with a steady stream of officers and suits walking in and out. To her left was a check in desk with a young officer manning it.
"Excuse me," Maura said barely getting out the words.
"How can I help you miss?"
"I need to speak to an officer Cavanaugh."
"Well, there is a Detective Cavanaugh….actually I guess technically it is Lieutenant today as he just got a promotion."
"Oh well I need to speak to him right away."
"Ok, I will see if I can get ahold of him."
"Thank you officer…
"Frost…Barry Frost."
"Thank you officer Frost…I am Maura Isles."
"Have a seat over there and I will try and get in touch with him."
Meanwhile upstairs
"Man this is going to take some time getting used to," Vince said looking around his friend's new office.
"You and me both Vince," Sean said sitting behind his desk for the first time that day.
"Just don't forget where you came from. I have seen to many good detectives turn into brass kissers."
"I will try my hardest Vince," Sean said laughing. "Besides I have a feeling if I start drifting you will be right there to remind me."
The ringing phone interrupted them.
"Cavanaugh….right ok well send her up and I will get her at the elevator," Sean said before hanging up
"Boss time already?"
"Yeah, there is a young lady downstairs requesting to speak to me."
"Uh-huh," Vince said raising a questioning eyebrow.
"Not like that….her name is Maura Isles."
"Should that mean something to me?"
"When you get to brass kissing levels yes….her parents donate a lot of money to the city and this department."
"Well, then have fun on your knees begging for money," Vince joked. "I will be at my desk."
Vince and Sean walked out of the office one heading into the bullpen the other walking towards the elevator. Vince glanced over at the elevators when he heard the ding and sure enough a well put together, although slightly distraught looking young women exited.
"Oh to be young and have money," Vince thought with a smile before getting back to work.
Vince was just about to open a cold case folder when he heard the conference room door rip open.
"VINCE IN THE OFFICE NOW."
The older detective was slightly startled with the outburst from his usually calm friend.
"Jesus Lt. what has your panties in a twist."
"Vince I am going to tell you something but it cannot leave this office," Sean said walking over to a stereo system and turning it on.
Vince looked confused. He knew turning on background noise was an old trick used in case a room was bugged before classified information was discussed.
"This has to do with Patty Doyle."
Vince had been around long enough to know nothing good ever involved Patty Doyle. Lt. Cavanaugh went on to explain his history with Doyle and who Maura Isles really was. Vince had heard rumors Doyle had a couple kids but he believed both to be dead.
"She witnessed a murder tonight Vince."
"Her old man?"
"No, almost worse….Double T."
"Double T," Vince said in almost disbelief. "Old mob meet new Thugs….this could send our city into turf wars the likes we haven't seen since the Irish Mob wars."
"We aren't going to let that happen. Our first priority is keeping Maura alive to testify….our lives pretty much depend on it."
"Protective custody?"
"Super protective custody. Vince no one knows who her father is….her name is never to appear on any piece of paper…I want no trail…no one is to know we have her. I know Doyle has some guys bought in here….I have no doubt some other guys are on the take for who knows who….you need to find 2 people you trust…with your life."
"Any division?"
"I don't care if its Stanley from Division 1 Café….but you better know without a doubt they are clean and can get the job done. You are lead on this case and I will be closely supervising it….the other two men will rotate in on protection details and help you with the evidence. Doyle is watching the body now…I have dispatched a unit to secure the scene but we have to get out there."
"Hell of a first day huh."
