Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Rizzoli & Isles. The characters belong to Tess Gerritsen, Jan Nash, Janet Tamaro, and TNT. I am in no way profiting from this. It's just for fun.
Wow, got a ton of feedback about that cliffhanger last chapter. You guys rock! :D
Loving how everyone is wanting Ian to get beat up. Let's see if that happens. ;)
Detectives Without Borders Ch. 7
'Shit.' Jane shouted internally but kept a straight face to hide her fear.
Ian is obviously very angry to see her there and demands to know why. "What the hell is she doing here?"
The boss stares at him quizzically, he told Ian several times that Jane and Frost would be there. "You two know each other?"
"She's the one who broke my damn wrist!" He practically snarls and steps towards Jane trying to be intimidating, his dark eyes filled with an unbridled rage.
Jane and Frost instantly tense up, ready for a fight. The boss intervenes and steps in between the three them, extending his arms to create a safe distance in the small group.
"Better be careful who you're raising your voice to, Faulkner. I don't know or care what the issue is, but you better put it aside for now and deal with it later. We don't have time for this crap."
Ian remained in the same stance but relaxed his shoulders. With his jaw clenched tight and through gritted teeth, he begrudgingly agrees. "Fine."
The truce, however temporary it may be, satisfies the boss. One of the dozen men calls him over to supervise last minute plans and details before they go. The three continue to glare at one another in silence until Ian finally says in a threatening tone "I will get you back for what you did."
She refuses to be scared and replies in the same fierce tone while Frost stands next to her, still ready to take out Ian if need be. "Go ahead and try it, I dare you. If you didn't harass Maura, I wouldn't have hurt you."
He growls in response, but a loud whistle from the boss stops him from doing anything else. Everyone in the warehouse brings their attention to him.
"We're leaving now. All of you get finish what you're doing."
Ian lets it go for now and walks over to the boss. "I'm going back to work now, I'll get the things you asked for while I'm there."
He nods and lets him leave, Jane and Frost watching his every move before they have to go themselves. They're brought outside by the boss where several cars and trucks are lined up, then to one with its trunk open.
"You're getting an upgrade in weapons. Take one and go the red Impala over there. You're riding with Scott and Taylor."
Jane and Frost each take a desert eagle and go to the car where two burly men wait for them. The shorter one puts out his cigar and flicks it away, then introduces himself.
"I'm Taylor... That moron is Scott." He says, to which Scott gives him a friendly punch to the arm.
"Torres." She cocks her head to the side towards Frost. "That's Jackson."
"Heard you guys are good shooters. We might need that. Marco may be stupid for what he did, but he's still good with a gun."
"We'll get him." Frost declares with unwavering determination.
"The drive is about an hour long, unfortunately the air doesn't work." Scott informs them as they pile inside the car, all groaning and hissing at the scalding hot leather their bodies touched.
'Maybe wearing shorts wasn't such a good idea...' Jane thought to herself, lifting her thigh away from her seat to alleviate some of the burning sensation.
By the time they got there, the 114 degree heat had made everyone's wet hair cling to their foreheads and necks. Just outside of town, they all parked next to one other to get their assignments before going in.
"I've got better things to do than dealing with Marco myself. The four of you are going to take care of it for me. Our guy says he's on the east end of town, on the corner of Church Street. Old hotel, it's still open but is rarely used. There might be a couple people in there, so watch your backs." The boss finished his orders, then motions for his driver to go.
"You heard the man." Taylor turns to Frost and says "You and Torres will go around back while we go though the front and corner him. If he's really in there, he won't have any place to go. The place is pretty big so we'll have to spread out and do this fast before he has a chance to get away."
They make their way over to Church Street and park the car out of sight of the hotel. Jane, Frost, and the guys cross the dirt covered street on foot and part ways when they get to the alley behind the building Marco is supposed to be in. Jane is grateful for the separation so she has the chance to talk to her partner.
"We have to find him first. I want to avoid him getting killed if possible. There's been enough bloodshed during this operation already, let's try to prevent any more. Plus, he might come in handy. He could know a lot of things that'll help the case more."
"Right... Good luck, partner."
They enter the old hotel together, back to back then split up. Jane goes to clear the first room and sees a man in a metal folding chair facing away from her. She silently approaches him only to discover that it's just a janitor, passed out with an empty bottle of scotch in his hand.
She slowly moves to the second floor, her movements careful on the creaking wooden steps. Jane swiftly but quietly searches the 4 rooms on that floor, seeing no sign of Marco yet.
The brunette detective sees Taylor coming up the steps, and she knows there's little time to find him. Luckily for her, he doesn't notice Jane. If he had, he'd know that floor was clear and would've made it much more difficult for Jane to find Marco first. She hurries to the third floor and looks through an adjoining room.
The beds in them are unmade, the floors filthy and littered with trash.
'No wonder no one stays here anymore. I'm surprised this place is still open.'
In the very last room Jane checks, she sees a bunch of bloody bandages on the floor, they appear to be very dry. Moving further into the room, the brunette is shoved to the wall causing her to drop her gun.
Marco wrestles her to the floor, delivering a heavy blow to Jane's face with his fist. She ignored the pain and knees him in the ribs. He rolls off her and groans, Jane grabs her gun and gets on top of him. She covers his mouth and puts the cold steel against his head.
"If you want to live, you better listen to every single word I say. Do you hear me?" She asks in a raspy whisper.
The wounded drug dealer's eyes widen in panic as sweat practically pours down his face, he seems to comprehend her words and nods yes.
"I promise I will get you out of this alive, but you have to trust me. I'm gonna knock you out, but when you wake up... Go in that closet and wait for someone to come for you. I'm taking my hand away, if you yell I won't hesitate to shoot you."
"Who are you?" He whispers once his mouth is free, taking a deep breath.
"Someone willing to help keep you alive, that's all you need to know about me."
"How do I know for sure you won't just kill me anyway?"
"You don't. You'll just have to take my word for it. You're lucky it was me that found you and not the two men downstairs looking for you. Screwing over Nico was a big mistake." Jane hears someone coming up the steps, so she hurries it up. "Remember, hide in the closet when you wake up and I promise help will come for you. Stay in there and wait for them. You have my word on this, ok?"
Marco gives a sharp nod of understanding then closes his eyes in preparation of the incoming strike against his head. Jane knocks him unconscious with a swift and powerful blow with her gun. To make the fake death more believable, she pops off two rounds. Footsteps and shouting are heard coming towards her.
"Jane, you ok?" Frost asks from the doorway, noticing the already darkening welt on the side of her face.
"Yeah. He put up a fight but I got him." She winks and rises from her kneeling position over Marco and walks over to Frost. The others arrive just as she does.
"Is he dead?" Taylor asks.
"He's not gonna be a problem for us anymore. We should go before the cops show up."
Frost, Taylor, and Scott peer over her shoulder and see Marco's prone body from where they stood, Jane hoping her plan works.
"Nice job, Torres. One less thing to worry about." Scott looks down at his watch and says "C'mon, we're out of here."
On the way out, they pass the still out cold janitor.
'Didn't even wake up to the sound of gunshots. Damn... Did he down the entire bottle? He's gonna have one hell of a headache when he finally gets up.' Jane chuckles under her breath.
Together, the team exit the building and get back to their Chevy across the street. They speed off in a hurry, leaving a large cloud of dust behind them.
Scott takes out his phone and makes a call. "Sir... Yeah. He's dead. Torres shot him. Ok. Good... Yes, sir. I have to stop for gas first, but we'll be there." He hangs up and informs the others. "Our orders are to head back to the warehouse and wait for the boss."
Taking an exit that led to a shopping center, he parks next to a pump at a gas station.
"You guys coming in?"
"No... Just gonna relax in here." Jane responds, stretching out her arms and sinking back into the seat that had long cooled off at that point.
They shrug their shoulders and get out of the car to go inside the station. Frost sees Jane take out her cell phone and asks "What are you doing?"
"Texting Ballard. Be my lookout."
She keeps the phone low in her lap while Frost watches out for Taylor and Scott to return from inside the gas station.
'2410 Church Street, West Creek. 3rd floor, last room on the left. Marco is hiding in the closet. Proceed with caution and keep him on lockdown, no one is to know he is still alive until we're ready.'
Jane impatiently bounces her leg, waiting for a response from the Lieutenant. It was only 15 seconds, but it was still long enough to wait when she finally gets a reply back.
'Already out the door.'
She barely has time to read the short message before Frost alerts her that they're both coming back to the truck. Jane shuts off the phone and shoves it back in her pocket just as Taylor puts his fingers on the door handle.
"They didn't have my damn chips." Taylor complains as he settles into the leather seat and slams the door shut in frustration.
Scott pumps the gas and speaks through the open window to his slightly chubby friend. "Maybe it's a sign you should lay off that stuff. With that growing gut of yours people are gonna start thinkin' you're pregnant."
Jane and Frost join his laughter while the man in front grunts and adjusts his jacket in lieu of a verbal response.
With the tank completely filled again, the long and excruciatingly hot drive back to the warehouse resumes.
No one else is there when they get back, so the four lounge around while they wait for the boss and the others to return.
Frost suggests they make use of the dart board to help pass the time, which they all think is a good idea. The teams were Jane and Taylor vs Frost and Scott.
Between rounds and turns, they used the sink to cool off. Soaking themselves with the sweet and perfectly ice cold water, preventing their bodies from becoming too hot.
The game and resting came to an end when boss finally got back two hours later, with good news in tow.
"The deal went down without any problems, we have our money. Marco is dead. Everyone is happy." He says to them all.
One of the crew members snorted and said "Except for Marco."
The boss walked over to Jane and Frost, patting them each on the back. "Exceptional work by you both. Jason did good hiring you. Not once did you fail to meet my expectations, and in fact exceeded them each time. I'm in a such a damn good mood..." He drapes his arm over Jane's shoulder, blatantly staring at her chest. He licks his lips at the sight of her neck all wet and then looks back up to finish speaking. "I'm giving everyone the rest of the day off. You've earned it. And... You've earned your pay. Go pick it up on that table over there on your way out."
"Thanks, boss." Jane felt as if she could vomit through her fake smile. He takes his arm away, much too slow for Jane's liking.
The two detectives go to said table and get their pay of $10,000 each, then step outside once again under the hot sun.
Back in their grey Camaro at last, Jane groans loudly in disgust and relief. "Oh my god, that guy is beyond creepy. He would not stop checking me out the entire time. I don't know how I didn't squirm out from under his arm. Did you smell how bad he is? Can't wait to slap the cuffs on him. Might need a hazmat suit though."
"Too bad you're already taken, he seems like such a decent guy." Frost jokes while Jane turns the car on and starts driving again. Both were very grateful the air conditioner worked in their car.
"Oh yeah, been waiting for him all my life." She sarcastically replies, then checks her phone and sees a text from Lieutenant Ballard.
'Package is secure.'
"Ballard says Marco is safe."
"Good. Like you said, he'll definitely be useful. Plenty of testimony to provide for who knows how many crimes. We could put a lot more than just this organization away."
"One of us has to be the brains of the operation."
"If you're the brains, then I'm definitely the looks. Better get some ice on that bruise if you want me to worry about competition."
Jane rolls her eyes, both laughing at the playful jabs they shoot at each other.
There's a brief lull in conversation while they're stopped at a red light. After a few seconds, Frost asks "You gonna go see Maura now?"
"Yeah. After seeing Ian earlier I wanna make sure she's safe."
"Are you going to tell her about him?"
"Probably. Our mission is basically done. All we have to do is make the arrests. I'll bring Maura over your place and we'll keep an eye on her for the night. I'll text Ballard later and let him know we're gonna move in on them tomorrow. Right now I need to get Maura."
"Want me to go with you in case Ian is there?"
"Nah... I doubt he's even there. If he is, he's nothing I can't handle. Besides, you look beat. I'll drop you off at your place so you can sleep for a bit."
"You sure? I don't know..." He's slightly skeptical about the decision, but Jane seems like she's not worried at all.
"I'm sure it'll be fine, Frost. Go eat and rest. You'll need it. We'll be there as soon as we can."
Just as she says this, they stop in front of Frost's apartment. He gets out of the car and tells her "I'll see you and Maura later, you know to call if you need me."
Jane nods and watches him until he gets inside safely before she leaves for Maura's house.
Arriving just a few minutes later, Jane sees Ian and Maura standing out front, talking heatedly. Jane gets out of the car in a flash and rushes to Maura's side, bracing herself for a possible fight with Ian.
"You alright, Maur? Did he hurt you?" Jane asks, worriedly glancing back and forth between them.
"No, he didn't. Ian came to apologize for his actions the other week, and to show me this." Maura gestures to the folder in her hand. "It's your friend Mr. Capello's file... Are you aware of the horrible things that man has done? He's a criminal, Jane. What does that make you? You were with him the day he was shot... Was that really an accident? Are you even in security?"
"Maura, I can explain. Just, please... Don't listen to whatever Staulkner over there told you."
"Can you also explain why I was just called and told that your friend was viciously murdered in his hospital bed? His throat was cut. The kind of people you're involved with..." She trails off, scared and unsure of what to think or do.
Jane is silent for a moment, completely stunned by the news. She knows she heard her clearly, but in a near breathless whisper she asks anyway. "Nico... Nico's dead?"
"Yes. He was killed a few hours ago."
Jane glares at Ian then looks back at Maura, her anger softening when she does. She begs her again "If you give me a chance I will tell you everything, please."
"I can't do this now. I'm needed at the hospital. When I think things through I will call you, I just need some time to process this."
Seeing Maura walk away like that nearly broke Jane's heart. Her fury erupts and she lashes out at the smug man next to her. "You fucking stupid son of a bitch. Just because Maura doesn't want a pathetic piece of shit like you, no one can have her. Is that right?"
"You're no different than me."
"I am nothing like you." She lets out an angry huff and decides he isn't worth any more of her time and chases after Maura, who's nearing her Wrangler down the end of the street. "Maura! Wait up!"
Out of nowhere, a beat up black sedan screeches to a stop next to Jane. Three hooded figures get out and grab her before she has a chance to put up a fight. Jane tries to scream, but a gloved hand is clamped over her mouth. She kicks a leg free and pushes against the already dented vehicle with all her might, sending the four of them crashing to the ground.
"Get the damn chloroform!" One shouts while trying to restrain her, they still have a tight grip on Jane so she can't escape.
The scuffle is loud enough for Maura to hear in the distance. Just as she turns to see what the commotion is, the men subdue Jane's thrashing about long enough to get the cloth doused with the chemical over her face. Maura is frozen in terror as Jane's eyes roll to the back of her head and eyelids close.
The men carry Jane's limp body into the car, and Maura bolts after it without a second thought. She drops her purse and Nico's file, the contents of each spilling all over the pavement. She doesn't know how she can save Jane, but will do whatever it takes.
Maura doesn't see the crack in the sidewalk in time, her heel gets caught in it and snaps off, and she falls to the ground. She looks up to see the car speeding off before she even had a chance of getting close to it.
And then it's gone.
"Jane!" Maura desperately yells, feeling completely helpless. She picks herself up, ignoring the large scrape on her knee that blood is dripping out of, and frantically searches for Ian, but he is nowhere to be found.
'No... No! Jane! What do I do? Think!' Her thoughts are a jumbled mess of fear and confusion before the light bulb goes off. Her only hope in trying to save Jane.
"Barry... I have to get Barry." Maura speaks to herself out loud, then runs back to her purse on the ground to retrieve her keys, fumbling with them as she unlocks the Jeep.
Shakily putting the keys in the ignition while fighting tears, Maura slams her foot down on the gas pedal. Tires screeched loudly on the street and leave tread marks.
Another made up city name too.
Staulkner was not a typo, just a funny name Jane gives that stalker Ian.
I know, I know... You can say it. I won't blame you. I'm a bitch for leaving you with another cliffhanger. Haha ;)
Twitter ~ ProZombieKillr
