A/N - Thank you so much for all the reviews, favourites and follows for this story so far. I am extremely humbled by the response. :)
CHAPTER TEN
Jane woke with a start, her heart was racing. She could feel the blood pumping through her veins as she sat up in the bed. Her fingers gripped the white sheets, twisting them as she tried in vain to calm her breathing. In through the nose and out through the mouth. That's what she kept telling herself as she stared at the double doors in front of her. Sweat trickled down her forehead, along her hair line and then her jawline until it finally dripped on the soft cotton pyjama top. The neck of her pyjama top was saturated in sweat.
As her breathing finally calmed, her fingers slowly released the now crumpled sheets. Her knuckles aches as it seemed her fists had been clenched for some time.
Casting the covers back, she launched herself out the bed and immediately went to the window. As she pushed the curtain back, she glanced up and down the street. The early morning sunrise peeped over the top of the various building across the street. Jane sighed to herself, letting her head rest on the glass. When were these nightmares going to end? Seven years now and most nights it was the same dream that tormented her thoughts.
Half an hour later Jane was dressed and ready to face the day. She held the photograph of Maura strongly in her hands. Her thoughts danced around possible scenarios of the honey blonde's whereabouts. Finally looking away from the photo, she realised it was no good sitting here wondering. She needed to find her.
Grabbing the backpack she slung it over her shoulder and retrieved the gun from the drawer. She tucked the weapon under the waist band of her jeans and rearranged her hoodie so as to hide it.
She was ready.
She had no idea where she was going to start, after all the last sighting of Maura was five years ago.
Walking the streets she came across a midtown diner, she was hungry. It dawned on her she hadn't ate anything in the last twenty-four hours. She entered and took a corner booth. A waitress ambled over. Note pad and pen at the ready.
"Hey Sugar" the waitress chirped. "What can I get ya, cup of Joe?"
Jane nodded "for starters.."
The waitress smiled in confirmation and quickly scribbled down the order. She wandered back to the counter.
Jane scanned the diner. Six men, most probably locals, occupied the stools at the counter. A couple occupied the booth in the opposite corner of the diner, devouring their breakfast. Two cops entered, giving the waitress a wave as they strolled over and took a booth near Jane. The same waitress made her journey to them.
"The usual Barbara.." Jane heard the burly cop say to the waitress as she sided up to the table. She didn't even bother to write the order down; she knew it off by heart. This was the cop's favourite haunt after a long nightshift.
Barbara nodded as she tapped the table a couple of times with her fingers; she walked back to the counter and nodded to the chef. Next minute the waitress appeared in front of Jane.
"So you want a breakfast, hun?"
"I'll have what the cops are having" Jane replied. If she knew anything, she'd know that the cops would be having the works. Standard "Cop" Breakfast had to be the same around the country, she thought.
Barbara looked at Jane a little bemused "You a cop sugar?"
Jane nodded; she didn't feel too bad about the little white lie. As the saying went 'once a cop, always a cop'
"Detective?" Barbara asked.
"Why'd you say that?" Jane asked as she reached for her coffee.
"Oh you get a feeling for people working in this job" Barbara smiled crookedly
"Well I'd say you've got good instincts" Jane replied as she took a sip from her coffee.
Barbara chuckled "One Blue Light Special. Coming right up" she walked back over to the counter to place the order.
Jane let her eyes roam around the diner as she took a long drawl of the velvet liquid. She opened her backpack and pulled out the file Korsak had compiled on Maura. She flipped it open and studied the photograph of Maura. She didn't notice Barbara's return. It was the gentle scrapping of the plate against the surface of the table that broke Jane from her thoughts.
"Working on a case?" Barbara asked trying to peak a look at the photo.
"Matter of speaking" Jane replied "Actually could you help me. I need to know where this photo was taken." Jane said as she spun the photo to Barbara, so she could see it better.
Picking up the photo, Barbara studied it intently. Looking to Jane "4th of July Celebrations here in Chicago" She simply said. "I recognize the floats in the distance."
Jane glanced at the photo. So 4th July 2008 Maura was seen alive. "Where is the route usually taken" Jane asked.
"It changes slightly every years, any idea when the photo was taken. Barbara asked.
"2008" Jane replied.
"Oh sugar that was a while ago, but looking at the buildings I'd say that's Michigan Avenue." She paused and glanced over at the cops "Hey Jerry.." He raised his head to the waitress' direction. She waved him over to her and Jane.
The burly cop stood, wiped his chin with the back of his hand and strolled over to Barbara and Jane.
"Jerry, Detective.." She looked to Jane.
"Rizzoli" Jane quipped.
"Rizzoli, she needs a little help." Barbara said to the burly cop.
He looked to Jane as Barbara handed him the photo. Jane studied the cop as he glanced over the photo. His brow knotted slightly as he looked back to Jane.
"Surveillance photo, huh?"
Jane simply nodded.
"You're not from around here, huh?" he replied.
"Boston"
"Boston you say, you're a long way from home" Jerry Replied.
"Chasing a lead on a cold case" was Jane's reply.
Jerry nodded as he glanced back at the photo this time something interesting caught his eye. He looked back at his partner. "Hey Steve, isn't this Dr Redbridge"
Jerry's partner Steve clambered out of the booth and strolled towards Jane's booth. Jerry pointed at the figure. Steve squinted.
"Yeah I'd say that was him.."
Jane took the photo and pointed at the man that was leading Maura away. "Dr Redbridge, you say?" Jane tried to hide her excitement of finally having a name.
"Yeah, I mean, it's not the best photo but I'd stake my "Bulls" season tickets on it" Jerry replied.
Jane looked at Jerry "Doctor of what?" she asked.
Steve replied "Forensic Psychologist I think, I've only worked with him a handful of times, when I've helped out homicide with their investigations. But to be honest I haven't seen him for a while. I heard through the rumour mill he's looking after his sick wife full time now… Last time I saw him, he came in to instruct a case that homicide were puzzled with. But I think he's more of a consultant now."
"And that's his wife?" Jane asked as she pointed at Maura.
"Don't know Detective, never actually ever seen her" Jerry shook his head as he glanced to his partner, who shrugged his shoulder.
Jane took the photo and placed it in the file. Closing the file, she stuffed it back in her backpack.
"Hey listen Detective, we've got to get back to the station, our shift is over, if you want to come with us. Perhaps you'll have better luck there" Jerry said as he twirled the cruised keys around his finger.
"I'd love too.." Jane replied as she slung her backpack over her shoulder and followed the cops. Jane dug deep into her front pocket and pulled out some money, she handed it to Barbara.
"Oh sugar, breakfast is on the house for cops" she said handing the money back to Jane.
"No keep it, thanks for everything. You don't realised how much you've helped me." She said stuffing the money back in to Barbara's palm, with a double step she caught up with the cops who were waiting for her at the exit of the diner.
Jane sat in the back of the cruiser; she peered out the closed windows of the cruiser as it travelled through the streets of Chicago. Last time she was in a cruiser was seven years. This brought back a very uncomfortable memory for her.
Jane looked at her handcuffed wrists, the cold metal rubbed against her skin. Her black curly mass of hair covered her face. Her gaze fell upon her lap as the cruiser sped through the streets of Boston towards the Police Department. Only when they arrived in the underground car park did Jane lift her head, her eyes fell upon her brother Frankie who was standing with another officer by the elevators. The cruiser stopped and her door opened. A firm grip grasped on to her arm; she was hauled out of the cruiser. Her gaze fell back upon her feet. That's when she first saw the blood. She then lifted her head as her gaze fell upon Frankie who was standing in front of her.
Before too long they pulled up in the undercover car park of Chicago Police Department. From the outside it was an intimidating building. It was a lot bigger than the Boston PD. The cops exited the cruiser. Jerry opened Jane's door and stood back as Jane slipped out the car, closing the door behind her.
"This way" Jerry said over his shoulder to Jane, who followed silently. They entered the awaiting lift. Both Steve and Jerry gave a series of low yawns as they rode the lift in silence. The metal carriage jolted to a stop. Jerry looked to Jane "our stop, good luck with everything Detective" he said as stepped out the lift. He turned back to Jane "Go to the third floor, Homicide" he said as the lift doors slid shut. Jane pushed the '3rd' floor button and watched the digital numbers light up as she passed through the floors. With a 'ding' the lift doors opened. Stepping out, Jane looked around; she wasn't exactly sure where she should go. Wandered down the corridor she found herself standing outside the Homicide Department. Inwardly she gulped to herself as she pushed open the doors. Entering the large open planned office, it strangely reminded her of the Bullpen back in Boston. She watched with amazement as the room had a constant stream of plain clothed and uniformed officers busily going about their business.
It was nearly five minutes before anyone approached Jane. An elderly plain clothed Detective approached Jane. "You lost love?"
"Ahh, just wondering if Dr Redbridge is free for a chat.."
The elderly Detective looked Jane up and down "and who might you be?"
"Detective Rizzoli, Boston PD" Jane said with a sense of authority oozing from her lips. She went to automatically flash her badge but remembered that she no longer warranted one. She retracted her hand from her hip.
"Aha, follow me." He said sceptically.
Jane followed the man to the conference room. He directed her to a seat.
"Who is your lieutenant?" He asked as he held the door open.
Jane looked at the man, Oh shit the game was up. Thinking fast she said the one name that came to mind. 'Vince Korsak' she reached into her backpack and pulled out a pen. She scribbled down his mobile number and handed it to the man. "That's his personal number" she said with a smile.
The man looked at the number before closing the door behind him.
Jane nervously drummed her fingers against the arm of the chair. A few minutes later the door swung open and in walked the same gentleman accompanied with a slightly younger man of African American appearance. Closing the door behind him, they took the two other seats and sat down.
"Detective Rizzoli, I'm Detective Sargent Williams, can you tell us the nature of this visit" The African American man asked.
Jane didn't say anything at first. Should she lie or perhaps tell the truth. She opted for the latter but decided to omit a few details. "Ah, I'm following a lead on a cold case" Yes that would do, it wasn't a lie after all.
The men looked at one another. The elderly gentleman nodded in confirmation at his colleague.
"Okay and your leads have brought you to Chicago, why?" He asked again.
"The victim was last seen in Chicago five years ago"
"And why do you need to speak to Dr Redbridge"
"Following up on some information I was given" Jane replied.
The men looked to one another before Detective Sargent Williams spoke "I'm sorry to say this, but Doctor Redbridge sadly passed away."