A/N: Hello out there dear readers…. Wow, I cannot believe am now on an "Act III" and this story universe has just grown bigger and bigger. I seriously play it (writing) by ear… have no real definite ending or plan going on! Not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing… but it's all of your reviews and follows that are keeping me going.
All seriousness here: "You. Are. Important!" Each and every one of you is important and even inspires me! All of your reviews… I seriously read each and every single one of them and some will likely never leave me. Readers make it all worth doing! Readers and fans of any genre in any form hold writers, TV show producers, and film makers "accountable." If no one read what I wrote, then what would "Lupus Amicitia" be worth?
So, thanks (I'll never truly be able to adequate convey my true feelings) for each and every one of you out there reading my attempts in story writing- both the known and unknown (those who haven't posted reviews) readers out there! I'm one of the "silent fans" in which I highly enjoy and follow certain things, yet never "vocalize" in fan mail, conventions, etc.
So… hope the launch of "Act III" is a successful one.
Again, no copyright infringement intended towards Tess Gerritsen, Janet Tamero, Nash, Warner Bros. or anyone else associated with "Rizzoli and Isles." Simply having fun with established characters
Prologue
Dr. Maura Isles took a long swallow of her wine as she sank into her top-of-the-line ergonomic desk chair. She reached out for the necklace resting beside her laptop and leaned back, contemplating the crystal wolf claw trimmed with yellow and white gold. It was a gorgeous piece of jewelry, even if it didn't also double as a flash drive. Perhaps she could have an actual piece made by a custom jeweler. Maura felt a strange connection to this crystalline claw and deep down wanted to wear it, but rationally knew it was risky. That and she didn't also want to lose any potential information that was certainly to be deemed invaluable.
Her fingers gently twisted the beveled end and separated the crystal away. Gently she inserted the USB portion of the crystal into a slot along the computer's side.
"Oh no!" Maura suddenly leaned forward, quickly moving the mouse cursor when the screen turned completely greenish and then blue. She had heard of computer screens turning blue just prior to the hard drive crashing. The "blue screen of death" they called it.
"Don't be worried, Dr. Isles." The screen suddenly changed, revealing the video input of the person's voice. "The drive is specially programed to play this video whenever being introduced to a new computer drive.
"I'm sure you were concerned about your computer. It's just a security measure in case it ever winds up in the wrong hands. Also there's an imbedded program within the drive that makes it look like the computer's going to crash. Don't worry, it's actually making both your computer and internet connection among the most secure out there. So, your computer is not only more secure now, it also just got an extreme 'health makeover.'"
Maura could not hold back the chuckle escaping and almost at the precise moment, Al's image smiled broadly. "It's amazing how things can appear more amusing when we're being extremely serious!" Al shared a chuckle for a few moments before her face became stone cold and any visible emotional indicators completely vanished. "Dr. Isles, I know you have a great number of questions, including some that do not include your wolf friend. Some that are aimed directly at me, I'm sure. Had the opportunity arose at the hospital, I've not doubt you would've asked them right there. However, the authorities I have submitted myself too only permitted an extremely limited amount of time to be in the City of Boston."
Authorities? Maura wondered. Is Alison a prisoner or in some sort of witness protection and cannot have any contact with her former life such as Jane and Vuk?
"No, Dr. Isles…" Al's video image continued to speak, "I'm not a prisoner or convicted person as you might be wondering."
Maura found herself sighing in relief regarding that particular thought and swallowed a generous gulp of wine remaining in the goblet. She pulled the open bottle closer to refill the glass.
Al leaned closer towards the camera, massively sighing and running her hand over her longish hair. "Please bear with me," her voice was nearly indistinct and finally looking back towards the camera, taking a deep breath. "This is extremely difficult for me to disclose, despite all of the rehearsing. Like Jane Rizzoli, I too carry a major secret… or in my case, tons of secrets because I have been involved in a great many of not just classified operations, but also events that will never even be confirmed. But rest assured, I have intentionally kept Jane Rizzoli in the dark… not just her, but also from them. It's essential that Jane Rizzoli to NOT know and to her credit and wisdom, has kept her wolf nature secret. If they knew of Jane Rizzoli, then she wouldn't be free to live the life that she currently has and desires to lead. Believe me, Jane Rizzoli is not meant to tread the path that I have, and I will do ANYTHING to make sure this life isn't forced upon her. However, it's my fault causing Jane to be caught up in the consequences of my failing to do what should have been done some years ago, but didn't. Also, changes are occurring… even within this country that I help protect. These 'changes' are beyond my, hell, everybody who delusions themselves to think they have any control have been transpiring very slowly and recently started picking up in pace. Eventually, everything is going to come out and I can only hope to prevent any ensuing chaos that might arise."
Al took a few more deep breaths and resolutely focused towards the camera. "I'm not only as Jane and Macioh, but I'm also…"
A/N: Got anybody's attention? This is actually the other half of the "Act II" epilogue. It seemed to detract from the emotional moment of Maura sitting on the floor interacting with Bass… making or diminishing the emotional moments for Maura. Believed Maura Isles needed that time to "decompress" and "unwind" from the moments of that day and simply be with Bass. So, decided to literally "tear in half" the epilogue and use the 2nd half here as "Act III" prologue.
So, there will be a "jump forward" from here… I know it's a cliffhanger, but please (eyeing my "riot gear" and "bunker") bear with it. Even though I'm "playing by ear" with this writing, I plan to tie up all of the loose ends (or spinning plates?) that I got fraying here!
