Brenda meets Maura
Brenda's viewpoint
It was shaping up to be an interesting morning and that was before my new Medical Examiner walked into the room.
I had been sitting in my office, watching our new detective, Jane Rizzoli, chatting to my detectives after I had introduced her. I had noticed the squad's attention level spike when I walked her up from HR, she was tall, slender and quite striking in a very Italian way, something her entirely practical grey top, dark slacks and jacket didn't really do much to hide. There was a nervous energy about her, plus a 'don't mess with me' attitude that I felt was covering something deeper.
She had come to us on loan from Boston PD accompanied by some impressive recommendations and an even more impressive track record. I had no doubt she also brought a few scars, some visible, others less so. You didn't deal with serial killers like Charles Hoyt, who had got to her several times before she had killed him, without them leaving you scarred in return.
After I handled the introductions and made my way back to the office, the squad chatted with her for half an hour or so before David Gabriel took her on the squad's morning coffee run. She would learn where the best coffee was found so that she could make the run herself, plus David would fill her in on some of the 'interesting' personalities in the team. I was very fond of them all but they could be a bit daunting to be dropped amongst cold.
I heard the distinctive sound of high heels approaching and looked up quickly, happily wondering what had brought Sharon upstairs, when I realised that the sound came from a petite honey-blonde with what I could tell was very good taste in clothes. She wore a fitted white dress with matching heels and a blue blazer and wore them well indeed.
I saw both Sanchez and Flynn stand up and move towards our very attractive visitor, who was obviously asking for someone. Sanchez pointed to my office where they saw me watching. She thanked them with a winning smile and walked up to my door. I also noticed that the eyes of everyone in the office were following her as she walked.
"Good morning, Chief Johnson, I am Maura Isles" I smiled and walked around the desk to shake her hand.
"Why good morning to you Doctor Isles, please come in and have a seat" She walked over and carefully sat down as I took the chair next to her. "I'm very pleased that you'll be replacing Doctor Morales while he's on his six month's sabbatical. Your reputation has preceded you" She smiled gratefully.
Thank you Chief Johnson, I was looking for an opportunity to expand my experience and the opportunity to come to Los Angeles was far too good to pass up. I was not sure that my application would be accepted"
"Your Superintendent Strong did make it clear that he wanted both yourself and Detective Rizzoli back on time and, as he put it when I spoke to him, in one piece. He also stated that your work was outstanding and I wouldn't be disappointed" The Doctor smiled as she smoothed down the material covering her legs, she seemed a little embarrassed, perhaps not used to compliments on her work.
"He was very kind to sign off on both of our absences, and I am grateful to both him and you" She looked out at the team which had calmed down and was working through paperwork. Perhaps she was looking for our new addition. Turning back to me she spoke.
"I am looking forward to working with you and your team. Doctor Morales was kind enough to leave some excellent notes, including comments on the various teams I would be working with. I must say that he rated Major Crimes highly and I am aware that your success rate is quite enviable" I nodded as I spoke.
"Why, I must remember to thank Dr Morales if.., when he gets back" I smiled to cover the slip but Doctor Isles picked it up straight away and dug a little bit, politely but firmly.
"Is Dr Morales alright? He seems to have been very methodical and precise in his work, based on the state of the morgue he left and his case notes" I paused before replying, noting that our new M.E. was both alert and inquisitive, not bad traits for someone in her role.
"Dr Morales has taken leave to care for his partner who is ill. I understand that they have travelled to Hawaii to help in the recovery" I said, hoping she would let the matter drop, to my relief she did. I had no desire to tell her that Morales had left to care for his partner who was dying of complications brought on by HIV infection and that Morales had tested positive to the antibodies.
"Well, I hope they have a speedy recovery and a pleasant sojourn in Hawaii. On to work for a moment if I may" She looked up with a question on her face and I nodded for her to continue. "I normally make it a habit to come to the scene of important cases, to examine the victims in situ before they are transported to the morgue. I hope you will be comfortable with me doing that here as well?"
"Why ever would you want to do that Doctor Isles? That means that you will get called out at all manner of times, morning, noon and night, often into some not very pleasant locations" She frowned, rather prettily I noticed as she replied.
"Well, the sooner I can start my examination the sooner the victims can start telling me their story. The locations do not bother me; I have seen more than my fair share in Boston I can assure you. I also am used to being called when required. Do you object to me being there?" I shook my head, rather surprised at the positive attitude of our new coroner.
"Oh for heaven's sakes no! I just found it unusual but I would appreciate your input on the scene" Dr Isles smiled and leaned back in the chair, obviously pleased to get my agreement.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for accepting Jane, Detective Rizzoli, into your Division. She was a bit unsure about relocating to Los Angeles however when she heard about being assigned to Major Crimes she became quite excited about the opportunity" I leant back, looking out at the squad but the subject of our discussion wasn't back yet.
"Really? Detective Rizzoli has quite the track record back in Boston. Your Captain Marquette also spoke highly of her skills and experience when I spoke with him about the transfer, as well as pointing out she could be very… driven". Maura smiled softly.
"Yes that would be Jane" I waited but she said no more, leaving it up to me.
"I also did some research when her name came up and her career has been a very successful one, dealing with a number of high profile major cases. I might add your name pops up in a number of those stories as well" She smiled again, a bit sadly this time.
"You are referring to Charles Hoyt I presume?" I smiled politely as I nodded and spoke.
"He was the subject of some of the reports, yes" I saw her hazel eyes narrow slightly, I realised I was taking her back to an unpleasant place.
"Fortunately he is no longer able to ruin any further lives; he certainly destroyed or tried to destroy enough. We still do not know exactly how many deaths he was responsible for" I realised that Doctor Isles still wasn't completely over what had happened. As I recalled from the media reports Jane Rizzoli had killed Hoyt with a knife to save Maura Isles and both had been injured during the encounter. I reached over and laid my hand on hers where it sat on the arm of the chair.
"I'm sorry Doctor, please forgive me for being tactless" She smiled warmly and made no move to withdraw her hand from under mine.
"No apology necessary Chief Johnson, it is now history and I have moved on" 'Like hell you have' I thought as I smiled back at her as she continued. "As I was saying, thank you for accepting Jane into your squad; if she had not been able to come I would have had to decline the opportunity"
"You're close" I stated, not asked. She nodded once.
"Jane is my best friend; we have worked closely together for several years, even before she saved my life. I was very glad she could come to LA."
I leaned back, removing my hand and pushing the hair out of my face, as I bought time to process what I was thinking. Maura Isles had featured in more than news articles. She often appeared in the society pages; her family was apparently old Boston money and was well known for supporting charities in Boston. A number of those society articles mentioned her being accompanied by one Detective Jane Rizzoli. I had also seen several gossip columns that suggested that they were more than just good friends.
Well if they were, so be it, at least their relationship seems to be working out I thought sadly. I looked up as I caught Gabriel and the subject of our discussion walk back into the Murder Room.
"Well, I'm very pleased to have you both here, Doctor Isles, please let me introduce you to the squad" I went to stand when she smiled up at me.
"Please call me Maura, having a superior calling me Doctor Isles makes me feel like I am back at Johns Hopkins and the Dean is unhappy with me" I smiled as she stood up as gracefully as she had sat down.
"Maura it is then and please, feel free to call me Brenda, at least when we're not out on a scene"
"Of course, thank you" We shared smiles before I nodded back out into the Murder Room.
"Why think nothing of it. I see Sergeant Gabriel has returned from the morning coffee run with Detective Rizzoli in tow, so let's get you introduced". I led Maura out into the Murder Room, where the coffees and donuts were being distributed, noting that most of the squad were casting appraising glances at her as we walked towards them.
"If I can have everyone's attention for a moment, I'd like to introduce our new Medical Examiner, Doctor Maura Isles. She is taking over for Doctor Morales for the next six months"
As I introduced her to each of the team, I noticed Jane watching carefully from one side, taking note of how each person dealt with Maura. She was trying to hide it but she was very protective of her friend. Finally I waved towards the last member of the team.
"And of course you know Detective Rizzoli" Maura smiled warmly at Jane and Jane smiled back, but I could see that they were both holding back, aware they were being watched.
"Hi Maura"
"Good morning Jane"
"Wait, you know each other?" It was Flynn who asked, I thought it would be him. Jane turned to Flynn.
"Yeah, we work together back in Boston"
"Oh, OK" I could practically hear the wheels turning around the room. Maura turned to me and smiled.
"Well, I have to be going; I have a few other people to catch up with and I am sure we will meet again soon enough. Thank you Chief Johnson".
"Thank you Doctor Isles, we'll catch up again real soon" I turned back to the squad, noting a quick but meaningful glance shared as Maura passed Jane on the way to the door. I put their relationship to one side as I focused everyone back on the job.
"So tell me gentlemen, well gentlemen and lady, have we turned up anything further on the Kennett family shooting…?"
