Chapter ten.
There was a heavy knock at her door, startling Jane from her attempts of studying the case files which were spread across the living room floor. She sighed and lifted herself from the floor and moved towards the door, before stopping and making sure her gun was in reach on the dresser.
"Detective Rizzoli. My apologies for bothering you at your home but I have some information for you." Helser said apologetically, standing tall outside of Jane's apartment.
"Detect...Mr. Helser. Please come in. Can I get you anything?" Jane opened her door to him, knowing that the longer she spent with him, the more information she could find out about just what this man was hiding.
"No I'm fine. I just want to apologise for my lack of manners when you came to see me the other day. It's difficult to talk about the cases I used to be involved in, let alone think about them. I'm sure you understand. Especially when there are kids involved." The former detective feigned sadness. An act that Jane saw through easily.
"No of course, I understand completely." Jane played along, motioning for Mr. Helser to take a seat. Helser took out a thin folder and handed it to the detective.
"All of the information on the Baker case that we ever got until the case was closed. There's not much unfortunately. It took me a while to remember this case but it seemed pretty open and shut. The kids father dies and he goes awol. It's not unusual."
"Pretty unusual for him to leave his twin brother behind though." Jane retorted.
"Something we all seemed to think at the time too, according to the report. Anyways, this should have everything you need. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to call me." Helser said, standing up and handing a card with his number on it to Jane.
"Thanks so much. Every little bit helps, as you well know."
"Of course. Let me know how you go, Detective. It's always nice to have a case you thought to be hopeless turn into a happy ending." He said, a small smile across his aged face. Jane couldn't tell whether his concern was genuine. Helser stood and motioned to shake Jane's hand. Jane reciprocated the action and then opened the door for Helser.
"Thanks again for your help. I'll keep you posted on whether we need any other information." Jane smiled as Helser stepped from her apartment and back into the hall.
"Pleasure. Enjoy the rest of your day, Detective."
xxx
Jane bounced the basketball in front of her, lined up and took a shot on net. After sinking yet another three pointer, she picked up her towel from the small bench on beside the court and wiped her face of sweat. The afternoon off had done little to help settle her unease from the two unexpected visitors and what their presence in her home had meant. Normally, she'd be thankful for such a strange case - but her head just wasn't in the game. Not since the dreams started up again, anyway. Jane threw her bottle of water down in frustration and picked up her ball again, dribbling it up the court quickly.
"Been a while since you've done this hasn't it?" Franky said, leaning against the fence the surrounded the court to face Jane. Startled by her younger brothers sudden interuption, she lost control of the ball and it bounced away.
"Jesus, Franky. A bit of warning next time?" Jane said, scowling at her brother.
"Sorry. Mind if I join you?" Franky asked, already climbing the fence. Jane threw the ball to him once he was on the same side as her.
"So, whatcha thinking about?" Franky quizzed her, throwing the ball from hand to hand.
"Who says i'm thinking about anything?" Jane said, cocking an eyebrow at her brother.
"You're playing basketball by yourself. You only do that when something is up." Frank stated.
"Just a case. Now play the God-damned game."
All light had faded by the time the siblings collapsed next to each other on the small bench side court, as sweat dripped down their faces and soaked their clothing. The two sat in silence, breathing heavily and lost in their own thoughts. Eventually, Jane stood up and threw her towel at Franky.
"Care to tell me what it is you're thinking about now?" Franky pushed, knowing after a particularly rough game of ball with his sister that there was definitely something going on.
"As I said before, it's just a case."
"Right? 'Cos every case gets you this wound up." Franky retorted, standing up to be at Jane's level.
"Did Mum send you?" Jane asked sourly. Franky smirked and threw the now sweat soaked towel at his sister.
"Jesus Christ. I'm an adult for God's sake. Why does nobody in this family understand privacy!" Jane spat, kicking a rock with all of her might.
"That bad eh?" Franky said, sitting down again, motioning for Jane to join him again on the bench.
Jane's jaw clenched but she attempted to keep her face void of emotion. "Franky, I'm honestly fine."
"Righto. Well, you know where I am if you wanna talk or anything."
"Cheers." Jane said bluntly and began climbing the fence.
"Maura sent me." Franky said solemnly.
"What?" Jane turned her head towards her brother whilst she straddled the top of the fence.
"If wasn't Mum who sent me. It was Maura." Jane shook her head and jumped the rest of the distance off the fence, ignoring the pain that shot through her knees from the height that she just dropped from.
The pain felt good anyways.