Chapter 4
Maura thought about Jane's offer over a long bath, but she had no ulterior motives by helping Jane the night before or even the lie she told to protect her. But... why wasn't she afraid of Jane? Despite the day's events and Jane's attitude, Maura was oddly comfortable having the brunette in her home for a second night in a row. She imagined what it would be like to be Jane's friend. Did she even have any friends? Was Jane an introvert like herself? Maura couldn't care less if Jane was a run away , poor or upper class or even a man disguised as a woman. She was unable to explain her feelings towards Jane regardless of the warnings the Widow guard had given her earlier. Maura felt she needed to see the evidence for herself before passing judgment.
"I'd like to know who my biological parents are." Maura declared her wish to Jane the following morning after thorough consideration. She had an opportunity to use Jane to uncover decades old family secrets and maybe, just maybe, get a chance to know the real Italian Thief behind the mask Jane held onto so dearly.
Jane did not turn Maura down nor did she express her true feelings on the matter. She calmly asked Maura to write down everything she knew about her biological parents and anything she might have heard from Madam Isles over the years. Jane's expressionless face caught the doctor off guard but Maura obeyed and handed her a piece of paper.
"I'll look into it. You have my word." Jane said dryly and stuffed the piece of paper in her front pocket, never breaking the intense eye contact with Maura.
"Ermm.."
"Yeah?"
"Could you keep it discreet. I'm afraid my mother would find out someone is looking into my life and.."
Jane bit her tongue. If Maura found out how much she despised Madam Isles, and for good reason too, it could jeopardize the mission. "I understand." Jane said coyly.
"You do?"
"Yeah.. My mother is a nosy one too. I have no privacy whatsoever." It was true; Angela snooped into Jane's business too often. It only got out of hand after Jane's involvement with the Widow guards and Frankie's death. Angela mourned losing a son, but she also mourned losing Jane, in spirit. She was sure of Jane's innocence, but she couldn't bury her son without knowing what had really happened to him. Thus, Angela began her own investigation behind Jane's back.
"Oh. At least she cares and wants to be part of your life unlike.." Maura felt a sudden rush. So far she knew two little details about Jane's life.
"I need a horse." Jane interrupted again by changing the subject before Maura had a chance to speak.
Frustrated by Jane's rude behaviour, Maura turned on her heel and walked over to her room. I wonder if she's so uptight with her family too.
Jane slammed her hand on the table top and cursed her fate. How could she pretend to be interested in the honey blonde's life when all she could think about was the malicious mother of hers. Jane let out a sigh and reminded herself of the task in hand.
She's the key. Get close to Maura, one step closer to Madam Isles.
Maura was sitting on her bed with a book in hand titled 'Unexplained Death, A Forensic Investigation'. Jane's eyebrows furrowed. Why would a simple healer be interested in pathology? She asked herself.
Jane stood tall over the honey blond's crisscrossed figure. "Are.. Are you okay?" Jane asked pretending like she couldn't tell how hard Maura was trying to make small talk but was pushed back with Jane's bitterness every time.
"Yes. I am reading." Maura replied without looking away from the book.
"I can see that. I thought you were a healer?"
"I am a doctor of forensic pathology but I also treat patients. Simple surgeries and such."
"I see." Jane continued. "About before.. and the past few days. I AM sorry. You were just trying to help. I am not a good patient. I.. I don't like doctors." Jane had to take a deep breath to center herself.
"Yes, I can see that." Maura said and gave Jane a meaningful look. "I personally feel more comfortable around the dead, so I can relate a little. Dead humans are great listeners and I love speaking for them you know, to search for their cause of death. I feel like I can bring them peace by finding out how they departed the physical world." Jane sat on the edge of the bed while thinking about Maura's words. They weren't so different from each other. Jane used to be a criminal investigator. She too worked hard to bring the dead's loved ones peace. But that wasn't who she was today. She had to change to become a Widow guard.
"Jane?" Maura called out while positioning herself beside the brunette. Maura then cautiously made contact with Jane's injured hand causing Jane's heartbeat to elevate for a moment at the touch. "May I have a look?"
Maura proceeded to open the bandages when Jane opened her fist and allowed Maura to reevaluate the wound. "It's healing nicely. Good news is I stopped the infection. You'll be just fine. Now I'll just have to change the bandage. Is that alright with you Jane?"
Wow, why does she say my name like that. .. Gah..
Later in the afternoon Maura woke Jane up from a nap to let her know she was going to her office in Township. She already missed a day of work and Korsak wasn't capable of tending all patients by himself. "Jane?" Maura called out her name before closing the door.
"Hmm?" Jane mumbled and looked up to see Maura brooding, as if she had a feeling she might never see Jane ever again.
"Take care of yourself." A sad smile appeared on Maura's face, but this time, before Jane had a chance to reply, she found herself alone in the doctor's home.
Maura Isles entered her office in the middle of Townships and went straight to the file cabinet, ignoring Korsak and the few farm men in the waiting area. The name Rizzoli rang a bell to Maura. She must have heard it before, and the only way to find out was to look through the files in hopes of finding a patient sharing the name, Rizzoli.
Nope. No. Nothing. I was so sure.
"Doctor Isles?" Korsak knocked on Maura's door.
"Yes?"
"Doc we are behind today. I've done my best but there is someone here who really wants to see you."
"I need a few minutes. Any chance you can take care of it?"
"I would but she insists she wants to talk to you; alone. A little sketchy if you ask me."
Jane! Can it be Jane? Why would she come here? "Jane?"
"Pardon? Who's Jane?"
"Oh. No one. Did she give you her name?"
"Rizzoli. She says you have met her son."
Maura froze in place upon hearing the name.
Son? She has a son?!
Maura pushed aside the pile of files she was surrounded with and stood from her chair. The honey blond joined her assistant in the hallway and peeked into the waiting room from behind the curtains; the familiar stranger was not there.
"Doc; she's waiting downstairs in the morgue."
"Oh. Of course she is." Maura snapped her fingers and changed direction towards the morgue.
"You seem on edge today. Is everything alright?" Korsak asked out of concern as he opened the door to morgue for Maura.
"Vince. I'm fine but we will talk about it later okay?"
"Sure doctor. Just ring the bell if you need anything." Korsak closed the door behind Maura. The familiar scent of the dead brought an odd calmness to Maura. It's where she belonged.
"Are you Doctor Isles?"
"Yes and you are?" Maura politely replied.
The mysterious woman stepped away from the examination table and removed her hood to reveal her face. "My name is Angela Rizzoli and I'm here because you examined my son's body."
Maura arrived to her home in the early hours of morning. Meeting with Angela that evening kept her distracted for the most of the night as she tried her best to finish up work. Besides the sole autopsy that required Maura's supervision that night, a few hefty reports needed to be written as well. If that wasn't enough Maura had to come to a decision on Angela's request.
When she opened the door to an empty home, Maura nodded in disappointment to herself knowing Jane had already left. Having no appetite whatsoever Maura went straight to her room and changed into something more appropriate for sleep. She was startled by a basket on her bed filled with freshly picked strawberries, tomatoes and grapes. Puzzled by the fruit basket Maura took a closer look and found a note besides it.
" I hope your pet likes fruits. Thank you for everything.
I will find your parents Maura, dead or alive.
Ps. I'm borrowing a horse!
-Jane"
The smile on Maura's face after reading Jane's short note over and over again washed away the day's exhaustion from her body. Ultimately she was happy the brunette didn't leave without a proper goodbye.
Coming up next : What is Angela's request? Will Jane return Maura's horse and give her a chance? .. Ty for reading and let me know what you think!