Dolcemente
A Rizzoli & Isles (J/M) Story
by Enginerd
Disclaimers:
Rizzoli & Isles were created by Tess Gerritsen and adapted for TV by Janet Tamaro. This story takes place prior to the Season Two finale (which does not exist in my R&I universe) and contains mature themes involving the love and its physical expression between two women.
Chapter 7 – Protégé
Jane and Korsak stood at the hotel door. "Wonder if she'll be pissed at you, Romeo," Korsak joked with amusement.
Jane shook her head with a sigh as she knocked on the door. As Korsak took a breath for another comment, Jane interjected with an angry groan "Korsak, I swear to GOD…!"
"Touchy touchy," Korsak said, holding his hands up innocently.
A muscular man in an ill-fitting blazer answered the door. Jane and Korsak flashed their badges, which didn't impress the security guard.
"Detectives Rizzoli and Korsak, Boston PD. Ms. Calderón is expecting us," Jane offered with an easy smile, one that was not returned Jane noted. Perhaps his tie is too tight, she considered with a slight frown.
The man stepped back and allowed them to enter. "Thanks," she said with a friendly smile, causing the guard to roll his eyes.
Korsak glanced around the large, impressive suite, and looked at Jane, silently mouthing "classy." Jane had to agree.
"Jane," Martha said, warmly greeting the Detective with kisses on both her cheeks. "I wasn't sure you'd return to me after having strayed. I'm not sure I should take you back," she teased.
Jane wasn't sure if she should respond and caught Korsak's smirk. She glared at him to behave as the pianist turned her attention to the other officer.
"Detective Korsak," Martha said cordially, offering only a polite nod, which both detectives noted.
"Ms. Calderón," he said respectfully.
"Nice place," Jane said, scratching her neck and looking around the large suite. "Nice big place," she added, spotting the grand piano with interest.
"It is adequate," Martha said, looping her arm in Jane's as they walked towards the Steinway. Korsak's smirk grew as he followed at a distance. He glanced back the guard who sat in a chair reading a newspaper. Tough work, he considered wryly, wondering how much this gig paid.
"Don't you keep the neighbors up with your playing?" Jane joked.
"I am told there is sound proofing, so they are spared the noise," she said wryly. "So, do you and Detective Korsak have any leads?" Martha asked and sat on the edge of the piano bench as Korsak continued to roam around the suite and listen.
"A few things to follow-up on. Did you know Kyle Gruhoffer was taking medication for anxiety?" Jane asked as she took a seat near the bench.
"Yes. He struggled with his anxiety since he started our tour to promote the album of duets. It is . . . was," Martha corrected herself with a wince "his first tour and album. Why?" Martha asked curiously.
"It appears he had ingested more than the normal dosage, which can lead to medical complications including heart attacks, which was determined to be the cause of death," Jane offered, studying her reaction.
Martha frowned. "Kyle was very careful about his medication," she said confidently, then hesitated, thinking. "Or he seemed to be. He said it affected his performances so he had certain times he would take it. I can't imagine him taking too much. His music meant too much to him," Martha offered earnestly.
"Do you know what foods he liked to eat?" Jane asked, getting a surprised look from the pianist.
"Rich foods. He wasn't one to pass up a French fry or potato chip," she offered, getting an understanding nod from Jane as she took notes. Martha recalled a memory with a wistful smile "He loved to celebrate after a performance – he was also not one to pass up wine or champagne, either."
Jane looked at her thoughtfully. "You had previously mentioned he had not been drunk, but did you see him drink any alcohol the night of his death?"
"A glass of champagne. We all had a toast for the successful performance."
"You had also mentioned he was your Protégé," Jane said and looked her in the eye as she gently asked "did you have an . . . intimate relationship?"
"Of course we did, Detective," Martha said honestly, noting what looked like disappointment cross Jane's face before her neutral mask returned. "When one shares music with another, one can not help but be intimate," Martha felt compelled to elaborate.
"Were you physically intimate?" Jane persisted.
"How so . . . exactly?" Martha innocently asked with a slight smile.
Jane frowned. "Were you sexually involved?"
Martha looked at her a long moment before answering. "No. As I think you are aware, I prefer the female form, Detective," Martha said, continuing to focus intently on Jane.
Korsak looked between the two women with great interest, not having known Ms. Calderón's preferences except for what was written in the tabloids, which he took with a grain of salt.
"How does one become your protégé?" Jane asked, ignoring the subtle and not-so-subtle comments.
"There is no formula, Jane," Martha sighed, getting up from her bench and walking along the piano, allowing her fingers to trace over the instrument like a caress. "I meet someone who has a passion to learn and who I think I can teach. And of course, the person must truly have promise, not just . . . desire," she said, glancing at Jane intently again as she sensually leaned against the instrument.
Korsak fingered his collar, wondering how Jane was faring with those looks being directed at her.
"When I find someone with the right qualities, I will commit my time and energy to see that they learn what I know. And in return I get exposed to a fresh, unique perspective."
"Do you have more than one protégé? Someone who might be jealous of Kyle Gruhoffer's success?" Jane asked.
"I thought you said he died of a heart attack. Do you really think he was murdered?" Martha blurted with alarm.
"I don't know. The evidence is inclusive. He could have died from natural causes or an overdose of Adapin, accidentally or intentionally."
"He would never have killed himself," Martha said emphatically.
Jane nodded. "Any other students?"
Martha shook her head no. "I have precious little time to devote to my own music and guide Kyle's. And I can't imagine any of them being able to . . . kill."
"Unfortunately, people surprise us all the time," Jane offered softly, making Martha pause uneasily.
"As far as jealousy is concerned, there is no reason. Kyle's success has not yet been realized; we have not released the album – his first. I don't see how anyone I taught before would feel Kyle was garnering more attention or was more successful," she said, clearly perplexed at the potential for her former protégés to be murderers.
"For thoroughness, would you please give us a list of your protégés names?" Jane asked.
Martha sighed heavily, thinking it would not be very useful but relented. "Very well," she said and leaned forward, placing her hand on Jane's that held the notepad, which Jane relinquished. Holding her other hand out, Martha waited, getting a small smile from Jane who handed her the pen too. Martha jotted down a few names and handed back the pad to Jane.
"Thanks," Jane said softly.
A loud, insistent banging on the door startled everyone in the suite. Standing protectively in front of the pianist, Jane glanced at Korsak, who stepped closer to the door with his hand on his weapon, focusing on the noisy arrival with interest. The security guard answered the door and blocked the way of the irate man.
"Get the hell out of my way, you buffoon!" Roberto Trejo spat and tried to barge his way in, easily detained by the guard. "Get your filthy hands off of me!"
"Calm down," the guard said in a deep voice, which annoyed Ms. Calderón's manager more.
"You know I'm her goddamn manager and I need to see her!"
"Daniel, let him in," Martha said with a heavy sigh. The guard frowned and stepped back as directed, allowing the angry man to march into the suite. He stopped in his tracks, seeing the Boston police officers.
"I thought I told you NO interviews without my presence!" Roberto spat at Martha, who rolled her eyes.
"Are you her lawyer?" Korsak asked politely, earning a glare.
"We were about to finish up but . . . ," Jane said hesitantly, looking at Martha with concern.
Martha smiled slightly and walked towards her, stepping into Jane's personal space. "It's all right, Detective," she said in a quiet voice.
With the crisis apparently passed, Daniel sighed and sat back down, picking up his magazine. Both Korsak and Roberto watched the women, annoyed they couldn't hear their conversation.
"I grew up on the streets of Cordoba. I know how to handle an angry man," Martha offered with mild amusement. "Roberto is harmless."
"If you say so," Jane said with a sigh, making Martha smile warmly at her concern.
"I do and I have Daniel here. Though you know the arrangements I'd prefer . . . ," Martha said with a sly smile, not needing to finish as she glanced over to the two curious men staring at them. "You have my number. Please call if you wish to talk about the case or . . . ," she offered, slowly placing a kiss on both of Jane's cheeks.
Roberto rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest with a disapproving grunt. Korsak frowned slightly.
"Martha," Jane said uncomfortably, feeling a warm flush wash over her. "I'll be in touch," she said, getting a smile.
"I hope so. I have one more performance in Boston. I am hoping to go to Bar Harbor to finish the tour," she said.
"I can't promise you anything," Jane said with a wince.
"I'm not looking for promises, Detective," Martha noted with a slight smile, giving Jane pause.
R&I
"Would you mind telling me what the hell was all that in there?" Korsak said in a hushed tone as they left the pianist's hotel room.
"What? Are you buying into the Tabloid crap too?" Jane snapped as she entered the elevator.
"What I saw in there was real. She's attracted to you," Korsak said quietly, not that it mattered. They were alone in the elevator.
Jane glared at him.
"And . . . ," he said and paused, debating whether to mention his other observation.
"Do you have a point, Korsak?" Jane said tersely, crossing her arms across her chest.
Korsak shook his head, knowing Jane was stubborn and unreceptive to his attempted cautionary words. He sighed heavily and pulled out a handkerchief. He handed it to her, causing her to eye it in confusion.
"You've got lipstick on your cheeks."
R&I
"Maura, did you process the….," Jane asked as she blew into Maura's lab. "Oh. Hey Frost," she said and smiled at Maura.
"Hey, Jane. Any breaks on the Symphony Hall cases?" He asked curiously.
"Not yet. Just got back from interviewing Martha. Her manager is a piece of work; Korsak is looking into his background. Whatchya got there?" Jane asked, seeing a swab in the evidence bag that Frost held.
"DNA sample of Anita Riser," he said with a big grin.
Jane looked at Maura with concern. Maura nodded in understanding.
"I know I can't process it personally. My assistant will do it," Maura said and looked at Frost. "If you'll please place it in the basket on the counter, I won't even need to touch it," Maura offered, causing Frost to shift uncomfortably
He had never been banned from working a case; like the whole department, he thought it was ridiculous for people of Jane and Maura's caliber to be tainted by the messy politics of public perception. Well, except for Crowe, he considered with a cringe.
"Good," Jane said with a small smile. "I was wondering if your team had processed the Adapin bottle for fingerprints yet."
"Not yet," Maura said with an apologetic wince. "But it'll get done today," she promised.
"Thanks."
"You think someone tampered with his meds?" Frost asked with interest.
"I'm not ruling anything out at this point," Jane said with a sigh, causing Frost to nod.
"Gotta get back to Crowe," he said with a groan and started to leave.
"Sorry about that," Jane called out with amusement.
"Uh huh. Tell me again why you got Korsak?" Frost asked at the door.
"Cavanaugh knew I'd be more likely to shoot Crowe before the end of the day?" She joked.
"After today, I'm not sure that will be true," Frost frowned. "Oh, I thought you might want to know - we've got the Inspector General's Office involved in auditing Child Protective Services. They've found other gaps in personnel records," Frost offered.
Jane frowned and shook her head in disgust. "Did they even once think about the kids?"
"Well, they are thinking about them now," Frost said, lightly tapping on the doorjamb with a fist before leaving the women alone.
"Are you free for dinner tonight?" Maura blurted with a smile. "I thought we could also catch a movie."
Jane winced. "Sorry, I've got plans."
"Oh," Maura said with surprise. "Anything interesting?" Maura asked curiously, forcing a smile to hide her disappointment.
"I think so," Jane said with a smirk. "You'll let me know about the Adapin bottle?"
"Of course," Maura said.
"Thanks," Jane said with a smile and left the lab.
Maura watched the Detective until she was out of sight with a dissatisfied frown.
R&I
Jane sat at her desk, sifting through a folder on the Brian Carter case, reviewing the sketchy facts. A popping sound, cables cut except for one - which had explosive residue on it – but no traces of detonator. It looked like an intentional act to have the light fall. From a background check of Brian Carter, he did not appear to be a target. He was never arrested, had an excellent work record with Symphony Hall, an all around, squeaky-clean guy. Not to mention Martha said he had pushed her out of the way, which would mean she was the likely target. But who would like to kill off a famous pianist? And was that intended murder connected to the death of Kyle Gruhoffer an up-and-coming pianist and protégé to Martha Calderón?
"Anything on Trejo, yet?" Jane asked Korsak with a heavy sigh.
"Nope. But I found something else interesting," Korsak said as Jane came to his desk.
"A car accident three years ago?" She said, sitting on the corner of his desk as she read the article on his screen. "Promising pianist…," Jane read and paused, glancing to Korsak. "Francesca Arrau, died in a tragic car accident in Buenos Aires following the final, sold-out performance of the wildly successful Argentinian tour of celebrated pianist . . . Martha Calderón," she said looking at him with a raised brow.
"Keep reading," Korsak said, motioning to his screen.
"Arrau, who survived a large . . . apartment fire," Jane said with a wince. "…earlier in the month, said she still had her health and her music, for which she thanked God every day," Jane said with amazement, looking curiously at a picture of Francesca and Martha on stage, receiving a standing ovation.
Jane read on. "Martha Calderón, too distraught for an interview, released a statement about her protégé. 'It is rare to find a soul whose music transcends our physical limitations. When Francesca played, we knew no limitations and heard what was in her heart. The country has lost a treasure, I have lost a friend," Jane said softly, looking at another picture – one of Martha with Lidia's arm around her, consoling her.
"Interesting, huh? You know, Janie, bad things seem to happen to people around her. You'd better be careful," Korsak teased, prompting Jane to roll her eyes with an annoyed groan.
"Why must Jane be careful?" Maura asked as she approached them. "Well, other than the obvious."
"The people around Jane's girlfriend have really bad luck," Korsak snickered.
"Would you give it a rest, Korsak!" Jane snapped and returned to her desk.
"Jane's . . . girlfriend?" Maura said curiously, looking between the two in confusion.
Jane shook her head with a heavy sigh and sat in her chair.
"Martha Calderón," Korsak supplied helpfully. "The woman Romeo here cheated on with you and the other woman," Korsak added with a chuckle.
"Ah," Maura said with understanding. "Actually, the more apt term in this scenario would be Casanova. He was known for his seduction and sexual conquests of several women whereas Romeo was known for only romancing Juliet . . . and as you know, that ended badly."
"One should always try to be apt," Jane said flatly.
"Casanova Rizzoli? Nah, Romeo Rizzoli has a nicer ring to it," Korsak said as he printed out the article on Francesca Arrau.
"I suppose that is one reason for the inaccurate sobriquet," Maura allowed with a slight frown.
"Jane?" Angela called out as she entered the bullpen.
"Oh look, Mama Montague herself," Jane muttered, causing Maura to smile with delight; Jane always had a way of surprising her with her knowledge. "Hi, Ma. What's up?" Jane asked.
"I know it's not Sunday but . . . ," she said with a wince. "What do you say you and Maura come by the guest house for dinner? Connie and I thought it might be fun to have another mother daughter dinner. What do you say?" Angela looked hopefully between the two women.
"Ah, darn Ma. I already made plans. But I'm sure Maura would love to," Jane said with a thin smile as she batted her eyelashes at her friend.
"No! I mean . . . uh, that sounds lovely Angela but . . . I have plans with Charles. Sorry," Maura said with a wince. Jane looked at Maura with amusement. Seeing Jane's amused smirk, Maura shifted uncomfortably.
"So what are your plans, Jane?" Angela asked bluntly with a frown. Maura looked at Jane with a pointed look and now batted her eyelashes at Jane, pleased Angela had asked the question.
Jane's eyes narrowed at Maura slightly before glaring at her intrusive mother.
"Plans that don't involve me coming to the guest house and having dinner with you and," Jane said with irritation then stopped and winced ". . . oh please don't tell me you are calling Constance Isles Connie to her face; she must think we're grade-A dorks!"
"Connie is a friend, Jane. You know the only one worried about her name is you!" Angela protested. "Right Maura?"
"I . . . ."
"Would you not drag Maura into this? The fact is neither Maura and I are free so perhaps we should try another time? OK?" Jane said, getting a heavy sigh from her mother.
"Fine," Angela said tersely, disappointed the dinner plans fell through.
"That would be lovely," Maura offered with a smile for Angela.
"You area sweet girl, Maura," Angela said with a warm smile, then glared pointedly at Jane, who chuckled and rubbed her eyes. "I'll tell Connie we'll need to try another time. See ya later girls," she said and turned to leave. "Vince," she said on the way out, offering a shy smile for the Detective who weakly waved with a small smile.
After Angela left, Jane leaned back in her chair and looked at Maura. "You so totally lied to her!" Jane said with an amused snort.
"I did not," Maura said defensively, shifting uncomfortably.
"So does Charles know of these plans of yours this evening?" Jane said with a knowing smile.
"Uh . . . not yet," Maura said with a wince, biting her lip.
Jane's smile widened. "So being alone with the two of them spooks you, doesn't it? Admit it," Jane said with a smirk.
Maura wanted to deny it but she couldn't. "It does seem that they are communicating on a different plane. I'm not sure how to describe it; but it is quite…uncomfortable."
"Ah Grasshopper, you are learning," Jane said in a poor accent, bowing her head.
Maura looked at her, her head tilting slightly in confusion, not understanding the reference.
"Oh come on, you've must have watched Kung Fu!" Jane said.
"I have seen a very impressive Kung Fu weapons demonstration when our fencing team hosted Chinese students during their stay in Boston," Maura said enthusiastically.
"Kung Fu was a TV show Pop really loved . . . , you know what? You need to see it to understand. We'll have to have a Kung Fu night – with Chinese, of course."
Maura smiled at the thought of spending more time with Jane. "I look forward to it!"
Jane smiled at her enthusiasm. Maura and she shared a smile for an unusually long moment that caused Jane's smile to fade as she looked at Maura curiously.
"Oh," Maura said, her appreciation of Jane's expressive eyes interrupted. "I have the results on the Adapin bottle, if you're interested," Maura offered with a pleased smile at the spark of anticipation in Jane's eyes.
"Tell me you have something good," Jane pleaded.
"I have something good," Maura dutifully repeated back.
"Yes!" Jane said with a fist pump. "What did you find?"
"Uh . . . well, I'm afraid it's not THAT good," Maura winced.
"What is it?"
"We retrieved two partial fingerprints off the bottle that are not Kyle Gruhoffer's. There are no matches in AFIS," Maura said.
"Does AFIS access passport biometrics for other countries?" Jane asked pointedly, looking at Maura.
"Unfortunately, there is no master world database, yet," Maura offered, interested by Jane's question. Jane had an uncanny ability to unravel complex cases into fundamental principles of human behavior. Her deductive reasoning was truly fascinating, Maura considered with appreciation.
"You're thinking Argentinian suspects?" Korsak asked, getting Jane to nod. "Doc, can you forward me the prints? I'll see if I can get some help accessing the biometrics."
"Of course," Maura offered, interested in where Jane's hunch might lead.
"Let me know what you find?" Jane asked Korsak, who nodded as she got up and looked at her watch and grabbed her coat.
"Hot date?" Maura joked with an uneasy smile.
"Of course I am," Jane joked. "Just look at the tabloids," she added, shaking her head at the irony. "See you tomorrow, assuming it's quiet," Jane said and walked out.
Maura frowned in frustration. "Is she deliberately obfuscating?"
Korsak looked at Maura. "I think she thinks the less she says, the less we can tease her," he said with a shrug.
"She has been through a lot lately with the tabloids," Maura said sympathetically.
Korsak snorted.
"What?" Maura asked curiously.
"She may have been through a lot lately, but it can get worse if she's not careful," Korsak warned.
"Careful? Vince, what are you talking about?" Maura said with concern.
Vince sighed. "I know Jane wouldn't compromise an investigation because of … emotional attachments," he said uncomfortably. "But I think Ms. Calderón and Jane have one. And while Ms. Calderón has been more overt in her interest with Jane . . . "
"Overt?" Maura said with surprise and a tinge of another feeling that was new to her - a feeling she did not particularly like.
Korsak cringed. "Uh, just trust me, she is."
Maura frowned, though she could understand the pianist's interest in Jane, who was noble, intelligent, kind, and of course, physically attractive. Exceptionally so….
"I don't think it's one way," he offered, startling Maura. "And as you know with the Potter case, it doesn't matter if there is anything there it's the perception that there is that counts. Jane just needs to be careful," he finished uncomfortably.
Maura looked at him with a weak nod of agreement, feeling a growing unease.
Continued...
