Chapter Ten
"Charles please be reasonable," the lawyer implored. "As your lawyer I am telling you that you need to consider this deal."
Hoyt gave a dead stare at the man sitting across from him. He really didn't have much patience for the guy. He was angry that he even needed him. He had seriously debated representing himself in this matter. He still might in the end. But for now, the man across from him served a vital function so he couldn't summarily dismiss him.
"What they are offering is an insult," he said coldly. He couldn't even believe the DA had the nerve to label it an 'offer'.
"They can afford to be insulting. The evidence they have against you is overwhelming. It was bad enough that they survived the pre-trial motions to suppress but when he put their medical examiner on the stand...well you saw what she was capable of. At this point the DA's confidence in a full conviction is remarkably high."
He had, in fact, witnessed exactly what Dr. Maura Isles was capable of that day in court. He had in deed. "I will not accept a plea," Hoyt replied.
The lawyer shook his head in frustration. He had never had a client in his twenty two years of practicing law quite like Hoyt. He was guilty. It was the first thing the man had said to him when they had their initial consultation. Most of his previous clients at least had the decency to try to deny that they were cold blooded killers. Not Hoyt.
Hoyt's willingness to recount what he did and the almost pure joy he seemed to experience each time he told his tale unnerved the lawyer. He had spent a career defending guilty men. It was the system they lived in. He long ago made his peace with that. Hoyt was amongst a handful of clients he understood deserved to spend his life behind bars in order for the rest of the world to be safe. The man scared him.
But, he was being paid a very generous fee for the work he was being asked to do. He understood that if he could not get the forensic evidence suppressed against his client there was no way Hoyt was going to avoid going to jail. His efforts at that suppression had failed. His client was going away. It was now fact more than a possibility. So he just didn't understand why he wanted to go through the motions of a trial they had no chance of winning.
"The DA will drop the kidnapping and rape counts for a plea on the five first degree murder charges," the lawyer tried to explain again.
"Will I be eligible for parole?" Hoyt countered.
"No, the sentence would be life without parole," admitted the lawyer.
"So what would the advantage be of agreeing to a plea. Is this not what I'm sure to receive if we go to a jury trial?"
The lawyer now thought about that. "That is true. Massachusetts does not have the death penalty so you are facing life without parole with or without the kidnapping and rape charges."
"Which was exactly my point to you. This is not an 'offer' from the DA. This is the DA wanting to free up his calendar and move on. I will not agree to that. I'm going to end up with the same result with or without the trial. So, I want the trial."
He knew the lawyer just didn't understand it. A man of his intelligence just wasn't equipped to see the bigger picture. He should really feel sorry for the man. So arrogant. So vain. Hoyt was sure the man in front of him believed he was better than each one of his clients. Such a simple minded little man.
In the beginning Hoyt was hoping to toy with the police. He had started playing games with them. Somehow, though, he had been detected quicker than he anticipated. He hadn't had a chance to play half of his games with the Boston police department that he had wanted. He hadn't expected that raid on his house. But after his preliminary hearing, his attentions had moved away from the police and onto one person.
Dr. Maura Isles.
Hoyt prided himself on his intelligence. His superiority should be evident to all. He had never met anyone he felt compelled to label as an equal. His intellectual prowess had never been matched by a single person he had encountered until he was introduced to the beautiful medical examiner.
While he appreciated her beauty, what had captivated him was her mind. Her intelligence. He had found an equal. Someone to match his brilliance. Someone he felt could challenge him. Make him more than he was in that moment. For Hoyt, that day in the courtroom was a day of revelations. He had found his muse.
Now, he just needed to prove himself to her. Prove to her that he was in fact her equal. Worthy of her. This was now what he was going to do. It was no longer about the childish games he had planned for the police. Those were now utterly beneath him. Now, he was focused on the only person he felt could understand him and appreciate the gift that was his mind.
He looked at the lawyer again. Take a deal that avoided a trial? Deny himself the pleasure of getting to see the doctor again? Deny himself the privilege of seeing first hand her brilliance on display to the entire courtroom? That would never happen. The silly man in front of him just didn't understand that. He wouldn't be denied his time with Dr. Isles.
"End of discussion. No deal. We go to trial." He paused again giving the lawyer a cold, hard stare. He let his resolve settle on the lawyer who finally seemed willing to drop the subject. He then continued. "Now, did you do what I asked you to do?"
The lawyer looked into the eyes of the cold blooded killer sitting in front of him and merely nodded his head. "The package was delivered as you requested. I was told to tell you that the matter would be handled and he will follow-up with you once things have been started."
The lawyer had been asked to deliver an envelope to an acquaintance of Hoyt's. Hoyt insisted that the communication not go through the normal jail scrutiny and review. It was a favor he routinely fulfilled for his clients. In Hoyt's case, he didn't want to have any idea what the man was asked to get started.
This made Hoyt smile for the first time all day. Things could finally get started.
R&I
"I can't believe we have to go to trial for the Hoyt case," Jane complained to no one in general as she sat at her desk. She was reviewing her email and the DA's office had requested an initial schedule placeholder for potential testimony. She thought for sure the lawyers would plead out.
"I know," Korsak said over the top of his computer. "It surprised me too. Dr. Isles did such a good job at the preliminary hearing you would think the last thing the defense would want is her taking the stand again in front of a jury."
Jane couldn't help the prideful grin that swept across her face. Maura's testimony had been amazing to watch. As mad as she was about the possible disruption in her schedule she suddenly realized that if there was a jury trial she would be able to watch Maura give testimony again. Suddenly Hoyt going to trial wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
"Some people just never learn I guess," Jane offered up.
"Hey Jane? Can we have lunch either today or tomorrow?" Vince asked looking over at his partner. She had been making it a habit to spend her lunch breaks with Dr. Isles recently and there was something he wanted to discuss with her.
Jane looked up from the report she had started reviewing. "Sure. We can have lunch today if you want," she replied with a smile. She looked at her partner and couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Ever since she had started getting close with Maura she had managed to neglect her partner a little.
Vince smiled. They hadn't had lunch together in a few weeks. "Good. I should be through my reports in about an hour. You?"
"About the same. Just holler when you are ready," she said returning to her report. She waited until she noticed Korsak had returned his attention to his reports before she grabbed her phone to send Maura a text.
I have to cancel on lunch :( J
She knew Maura wouldn't mind but she didn't want her waiting around if she had to a chance to get an earlier lunch now.
That's alright. New case? M
Jane read the text as soon as it appeared on her screen.
No. Looks like Korsak QT is needed J
It didn't take long for Maura's response.
QT? M
Jane stifled a snicker. For a genius she sometimes forgot how much Maura really didn't know.
Quality Time. I think Vince misses me J
She glanced back up at her partner who was fully engrossed in his reports.
Certainly can't blame him ;) Dinner? M
I'm having dinner with Frankie but you are welcome to join us J
I don't want to intrude on brother/sister time M
How many times do I have to tell you that you can't intrude when you are invited J
But he's your family M
Yeah and you're family too. Join us. J
She waited for a response. The sudden interruption in the flow of texts was noticeable. It suddenly made Jane worried she said something wrong. She re-read her last text and hoped she hadn't crossed a line. Looking at her phone she realized she had called Maura family.
She now wondered if she should have. It just came out. As much as what a person types can 'just' come out. She hadn't really thought about what she was typing. But now she was wondering if she had made a mistake. She stared at her phone trying to magically will a response from Maura.
They had been dating each other now for almost a month. They hadn't exactly worked out the definition was what that really made them. They were dating in the sense that they were spending all their free time together. It was a mutually agreed upon exclusivity. They would both agree that they were more than friends at this point but each was now referring to the other as their best friend. They kissed. Often. There was definite passion behind the kisses. But they had not yet slept together although that had not been due to a lack of physical desire. They both wanted to. Each wanted the other. But neither seemed to have a timetable for that to occur.
They weren't advertising their relationship. But they weren't necessarily hiding it either. Both had always kept their private lives private even before theirs intertwined. So neither had any urge to run and tell anyone the details of what they did when they were together. As far as either knew, the station either thought they were just friends or that they were sleeping together. Both versions were making the rounds through the rumor mill. Truth be told neither Jane nor Maura seemed to care what outsiders thought was or wasn't going on between them. It really wasn't anyone else's business.
But as Jane stared at her phone panic was starting to set in. She couldn't help but wonder if calling Maura family been the wrong to say. They had yet to use the word 'girlfriend' and Jane wasn't sure that fit them. She hated the phrase 'significant other' and in the back of her mind 'partner' seemed to be for more established couples. There just didn't seem to be a word for what they were to each other and as she thought about it she wasn't sure there needed to be one.
When still no response came from Maura, Jane couldn't help it. She stood up and looked at Vince. "I'll be ready for lunch in about 15 minutes. I need to run down to the lab for a minute. Meet me in the garage in 20?"
Korsak looked up to nod his agreement and was surprised to see the perplexed look on Jane's face. "Sure. 20 minutes." He paused. "Hey, you ok?"
Jane looked down at her phone again hoping maybe she just missed a text but she hadn't. "Yeah, I think I just said something stupid," she said.
Vince had to fight not to smile. "Go tell her you're just an idiot and she needs to get used to that. 20 minutes." Jane smiled at his understanding and headed for the elevator.
R&I
Jane slowly approached Maura's office. The entire ride down the elevator she stared at her phone. Maybe Maura had just gotten interrupted and couldn't type an answer back. But Jane needed to know for sure that she hadn't upset Maura. She had a bad feeling she had done just that.
When she approached Maura's office she saw her sitting at her desk. From a distance she couldn't tell if Maura was upset. Taking a deep breath she knocked on the door completely prepared to announce that she was in fact an idiot. "Maura?" she asked as she knocked.
Maura snapped to attention as she heard her name. Looking up she was confused. Jane was the last person she expected to see. "Jane?"
Jane stood in the doorway not sure if she should wait for an invitation in or continue to stand at the doorway.
"Jane what are you doing down here? I thought you were having lunch with Vince."
Taking a chance Jane entered Maura's office and slowly approached her. Maura stayed seated at her desk not really understanding what Jane was doing or the look she had on her face. Jane approached Maura and squatted down in front of her so she was looking up at the ME.
"You stopped texting," she got out softly.
Maura looked at her hand which was still holding her cell phone. She hadn't responded to Jane's last text because she just didn't know how to respond. She still didn't know how to respond so she remained silent.
The silence was killing Jane. "Maura, please. Did I say something wrong?" She didn't want to apologize for calling her family. Because she felt it. But she didn't want Maura upset either.
"Wrong?" Maura said turning her attention away from her phone towards Jane. "Is that what you think?"
"I really don't know what to think right now," Jane admitted.
Maura reached her free hand out and caressed the face in front of her. "It's never been more right," she said barely above a whisper. Had Jane not been as close to Maura as she was she wouldn't have heard what she said.
Jane just looked at Maura now utterly confused.
"No one has ever done that," Maura said trying to explain what she was feeling.
"Done what?" Jane asked desperately wanting to understand what was going on.
"No one has ever called me family before," came Maura's answer and a single tear trickled down her cheek.
The meaning behind what Maura had just said broke Jane's heart. For as long as she lived Jane would never understand how those in Maura's life charged with caring for her could have ever missed just how wonderful she was. It hurt Jane to think of how lonely Maura's life had been and she wanted nothing more in that moment but ensure that Maura would never feel alone ever again.
"Maura," Jane said in a sad but loving tone. She reached up and wiped away the remnants of the tear that escape with her thumb.
"Am I really family Jane?" she asked needing to be sure it was true.
"You are to me," Jane answered with her hand still resting on Maura's cheek. The look shared between the two made both their hearts soar.
Fearing that they both were going to get pulled into a moment that wouldn't be appropriate given their current location Jane knew she needed to lighten the mood a little. "You realize of course that by family I do mean the kind that it's still ok to do the things I dream about doing to you and it won't be breaking any laws or religious edicts or going against any principles of nature or science or such."
That did the trick. Maura immediately blushed and laughed. From Jane's standpoint she had never seen such a beautiful sight in her life. A blushing, laughing Maura Isles was something she could spend a lifetime experiencing.
They took each other in for a minute and then Maura stood up pulling Jane up as she stood. She walked Jane to her office door but before she released Jane's hand she spoke. "I have no words," and she paused. "Go have lunch with Vince. I'll see you for dinner with your brother. Just text me the details."
Jane nodded and squeezed Maura's hand. The hold was released and Jane headed for the elevator and Maura went back to her desk. They had promised not to kiss while at work and for the first time since they made that rule they both deeply regretted it.
R&I
Vince was patiently waiting for Jane by his car. The change in her mood was readily apparent even from halfway across the parking garage. He smiled. "Looks like you are out of the doghouse," he said.
Jane smiled. "I apparently was never in it. Guess I wasn't as stupid as I thought. Come on. I'm starving."
Vince knew Jane enough to understand that there was something going on between Maura and her. He didn't ask what that something was. He respected Jane's, and Maura's, privacy. All he knew was what he saw. And what he saw was his partner happier than he had ever seen her. His history with the ME wasn't long so he couldn't really judge her behavior like he could Jane's. But he liked everything he saw from Jane's side of things. So whatever it was between the two of them he hoped it continued.
They made their way to the Robber for lunch but ended up taking separate cars. Jane needed to run a few errands after their lunch so it was better that they drove separately. Once they placed their lunch orders they chatted about anything and everything. The two had always been close. Vince had been assigned to be Jane's partner when she was first promoted to Homicide mainly because Cavanaugh felt he wouldn't have an issue being partnered with a female. As it turned out, theirs was the best pairing in the department.
They complimented each other perfectly. Both had pretty even temperaments. Jane was just bold and daring enough to challenge Vince when it was needed. Vince was just experienced and wise enough to dial in Jane when it was needed. Together, they were great at the investigation role of their job. Both had impeccable gut instincts about people and situations. While Vince was an excellent interrogator even he had to admit that no one was better in the box than Jane. It was really an impressive sight to watch her break down a suspect during an interview.
If either had a weakness it would be on the electronics side. Vince was old school police. Reports, papers and phones. Jane was average at best with technology. Neither was much for using the Internet or technology to help in their investigations. Jane understood this made their work more difficult but there really wasn't a solution to that for the moment. Neither had any time to try to spend with the IT techs to learn about searches and queries but it was at least on her to-do list.
About halfway through lunch Vince decided to bring up what he wanted to talk about with Jane. "So, there is something I need to talk to you about," he started.
Jane blinked. In the history of the world that sentence was never followed up with anything good. She was immediately on edge. "Ok," she said putting down her food and giving Vince her entire attention.
"I'm putting in for retirement at the end of the year," he said looking at her.
She was happy she swallowed that last bite otherwise she would have choked on it. "What?" That was the last thing she expected to hear from him.
"It's time Jane. I'm an old man. I've done my years," he said sitting back in his chair. He was comfortable with his decision. It really was time. But he had a feeling that she wasn't going to be happy about it.
"You are not old Vince," she said defensively.
"Jane, I'm old enough. I've been on the force for thirty three years. I've done enough and seen enough. It's time. I told Cavanaugh I would finish out the rest of the year. But I'm done."
Jane just looked at him and she could see he was at peace with his decision. "Wow," she stuttered. She was conflicted. She was happy for him as this was clearly something that he wanted but she was sad too. Sad even thinking about losing him as a partner. "I'm sorry Vince. I know I should be happy for you. And I am. I really am. But I'm having kind of a selfish moment here. I'm going to miss you," she said.
Korsak smiled. "Hey, I'll miss you too kid. But we'll always be friends. I'm not leaving Boston. Boston's my home. I'm just ready to be carefree."
"You've earned it Vince. You have. And I am happy for you. This was just unexpected," Jane said. She slide out of the booth and he did the same. They embraced and allowed the moment to linger. Finally breaking apart she again found herself needing to lighten the mood. "You're not done until the end of the year though right? We still have time together."
"Yeah Jane. We still have time together," he said with a smile. Their time together as partners was not quite coming to an end.
R&I
Vince headed to the station while Jane headed into the city. She needed to get a few things both for herself and for her mother and with having dinner with Frankie she wasn't going to have a chance to do it later. The errands weren't going to take very long. She knew what she needed and she would able to get in and out of the stores relatively quickly.
She was in the last store she had needed to stop at, had found what she needed and was making her way up towards the checkout lanes when she suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. She almost dropped the items in her hands. She stood standing in the middle of a store aisle staring that the sight in front of her. She couldn't believe what she was seeing.
Halfway across the store was Frank. Jane stood motionless watching as her father leaned in to kiss the woman he was walking with. Holding hands and kissing. Passionately kissing. And the woman he was passionately kissing was not her mother.