To Hell and Only Halfway Back Chapter 11
I don't own R and I.
Jane rubbed her hands violently, wringing them together as she marched back and forth in front of the car they arrived in. McFadden was nothing if not confident and he was enjoying this more than any sane man should. That there was the problem, Duncan McFadden was crazy. Actually he was simply sick, crazy usually meant careless and he definitely wasn't careless about anything. The wind picked up and Jane felt her body stiffen against the harsh chill it brought with it. Her mind was on each of McFadden's victims and now the little girl he called number seven.
Jane let her body rest up against the car. She could feel the cold of the unforgiving steel as it stung her through her jeans. She absorbed the brutal cold and threatening wind as her mind stayed specifically with McFadden's threat against Maura. Jane was truly absorbing the guilt and responsibility for each of the six women harmed so far as well as the young seventh. She felt the ache and even the pain every time she lifted the clothing to see the expected signature carved into each of them.
Jane had tucked her hands into her pockets, they ached bad today. She hadn't brought a warm enough coat, she should've known better. Still she stood against the car, letting the cold, harsh, winter wind punish her for losing so miserably at this game against Duncan McFadden.
"Ready?" Jane hadn't even realized Korsak and Frost were surrounding her. Her partners blocked the wind, making Jane a little less willing to move right away.
"Is Maura on the way?" Jane surprisingly found it hard to look into Korsak's eyes when she spoke.
Korsak was very aware of the effects the case was having on Jane. He looked at Frost who took the cue and let himself into the car from the other side. Korsak carefully placed his fingers under Jane's chin to force her to look up at him. "None of this is your fault. None of it!"
Jane responded to the harsher tone. "He's threatening Maura now, Vince. What am I going to do? I won't be able to…what if he…shit, shit, shit!"
Korsak quickly grabbed Jane's arms to control her unexpected fit. "He won't. She's safe and she's coming with a full escort."
Jane slowly pulled from Korsak's hold and began to rub her temples. "I don't know if that was the right move. He's here, maybe she'd be safer back home."
"Is that what you think? Your gut said to bring her here, why are you second guessing now?" Korsak watched as the cold wind seem to actually hurt Jane as she turned against it.
"I just thought that if she was with me, he would be less likely to make her number eight or nine. We all know I'm ten and…" Jane stopped abruptly when Korsak held his hand up.
"That's if he stays with the game plan we assume he has. There are no rules in this, you know that, Jane." Korsak opened the door, encouraging Jane to get into the car and out of the cold.
"Where are we going?" Jane rested her head back against the seat. Korsak looked over at her wondering why she had to even ask. He realized she wasn't on her game at the moment, the phone call from McFadden throwing her instincts and confidence.
Frost already had the address punched into the GPS and sat quietly studying his partner. He admired Jane Rizzoli and he took their partnership seriously. He was not as familiar with the Duncan McFadden case as Korsak was, but he was very aware of the effects it had on the both of them. He worried about how defeated Jane's demeanor was now and found himself more and more concerned as the anticipated showdown neared. He, himself would not have chosen to have Maura brought here, but he was not Jane Rizzoli. He couldn't begin to understand how her mind worked, he could only hope to keep up.
"Christy Marks, age twelve. About twelve miles from here." Frost offered up the information quickly hoping Jane would be able to hold it together when she found out McFadden broke pattern.
"How? He was just here. Had to be… on the phone, he…what the hell!" Jane slammed her fist into the dashboard in front of her.
"She was left out in the open. Witnesses called immediately." Frost continued, checking Korsak's eyes in the rearview mirror for guidance.
"Okay." Jane worked to regroup and regain her composure. "At least he didn't leave her out in this cold with no hope of getting help."
Korsak pulled over to the side of the road and came to a complete stop. He waited until Jane angrily looked over at him, pissed at for him not hurrying to get to the scene. "He killed her, Jane. He broke pattern."
Jane stared at Korsak for a long few moments before turning to face the opposite window. She jumped slightly when he placed his hand on her shoulder. The car was silent as Jane struggled to accept that she was no match for McFadden. He would kill at will, all to retaliate for her stopping him years ago.
"Let's go." Jane's voice was weak and if either man heard the break in it, they had no intention of calling her on it.
Jane carefully approached the officers and detectives already on scene. She let her badge grant her access to the young victim who was covered, yet still lying on the ground where she was left by McFadden. She looked around at the officers talking with who she realized were many witnesses. She counted on them and her own team members to get the specifics, right now she needed to get a look at the victim. It wouldn't matter as far as stopping McFadden, but she had to at least acknowledge her. It was all she could do for the young girl now that she couldn't protect her.
Jane knelt on the hard, cold pavement and pulled back the sheet that covered the small form in front of her. She was initially startled as Christy's eyes were wide open and staring intently into hers. Jane quickly checked for a pulse, realizing instantly that she was hoping for a miracle, some relief. McFadden had strangled the child and she died staring into the eyes of the monster that claimed her. Jane stared back into the pretty little girl's bright blue eyes, wishing she could have done something to spare her any of the fear she felt before dying. Reluctantly she placed her hand over the girls face, forcing her eyes closed. The small gesture tore into the weary detective as if it were her that extinguished the life out of such a sweet child.
"Jane!" Frost called from a few yards away. "Possible sighting just a few blocks from here."
Jane stood to her full height and stared at Frost. "No, Frost. He won't be caught, not tonight."
"We have to try. Full description, it's him." Frost closed the distance quickly. "Come on, Jane. For her, we have to try." Frost pointed at the form Jane had just recovered.
"Dammit, Barry. Send the uniforms, local detectives. I chase him, he gets to Maura. I know it, I feel it." Jane pushed her finger into Frost's chest hard before realizing how scared she sounded.
Frost took a hold of Jane's hand, stopping her from ranting. "Maura's safe. We will all make sure."
"McFadden can't be stopped. Don't you see that?" Jane glanced toward Christy's form once again. "He threatened to kill her if I left Michigan. I didn't leave and he killed her. That means he knows Maura is coming here. He's telling me that he intends to make her a victim." Jane grabbed her head with both hands in an act of frustration. "I need to know where she is. Frost, please find out for me."
Jane listened to the sirens as the local police headed out to check the lead on McFadden. She closed her eyes, and let the wind rock her as she crossed her arms across her chest. She was doubting herself terribly now. Putting Maura on the move was definitely not the right thing to do. Jane cursed herself for risking Maura in this way. She just thought she would be able to protect her better this way, but was realizing she couldn't protect anybody against Duncan McFadden. If he wanted Maura, he won't most likely get her. Jane knelt back down next to the little girl. She thought about the girls parents and how it would feel to lose a child, especially this way. Jane slid her right hand into the waistband of her jeans. She knew exactly where to find the raised skin where McFadden had attempted to claim her. She was riding a very thin fence. One second she was defeated that she had been marked in much the same way as these women and girls. Then she felt empowered that not only had she survived, but she stopped the sick son of a bitch.
Korsak was soon standing in front of Jane, answering her unasked question with a simple shrug. No, the lead had not panned out, despite the physical description being accurate. It was definitely McFadden, hanging around just long enough to challenge Jane. "Let's get back to the precinct, let the locals wrap up here."
Jane accepted Korsak's hand as she found it difficult to stand fully erect. "What's going on with you? Are you hurt, Jane?"
"No." Jane's answer was quick causing Korsak's to stop her movements. "Just the weather, the case, you know. Come on, Korsak, cut me a break."
"Our boys have arrived at the precinct with Maura. Maybe you relax a bit now." Korsak knew there would be no relaxing until McFadden was caught, but he hoped seeing Maura would help Jane at least some.
Jane arrived at the precinct, quickly making her way into the captain's office. She immediately spotted Maura who had stood to greet her. The concerned look on Maura's face made Jane stop before reaching her best friend.
"You okay, Maur?" Jane looked from Maura, to Captain Crane before shooting her eyes back to Maura.
"I'm fine, Jane." Maura wondered how Jane was still standing. She was pale and looked beyond exhausted.
"Why don't you guys head back to the hotel. There will be security on every way in and out. Get some rest, Rizzoli or you will not be permitted to work this case." Captain Crane stood forcing Jane to remember just how tall he really was.
"I have to work this case…sir." Jane suddenly realized she was only here as a courtesy. Crane called the shots here in Hell.
"Don't make me…" Crane stopped when Maura quickly grabbed Jane's hand, leading her from the office.
"What are you doing. He needs me on this and he knows it. Everybody knows it. I don't need him telling me…" Jane was frustrated and needed to vent. Maura recognized this and knew Jane needed her here for a reason.
"Jane, come on. He just wants you to rest. It's late, lets try to get some sleep." Maura ran her hands up Jane's arms, the gesture not wasted despite the detective's preoccupation with the FBI agents that were closing in on them.
"Well, here's our chaperones now. Just what we need, friggin' babysitters." Jane didn't bother to even try to mask her frustrated temper as she cursed her way out of the precinct.
"She can be a bit intense at times." Maura offered an unnecessary apology to the agents who then escorted her out to meet Jane in the dark, cold Michigan night.
Maura lied still in the bed across from Jane. She was truly worried about Jane but knew she wouldn't be able to fully express how much; at least not right now. She listened to the uneven breathing that was coming from a few feet away in the otherwise quiet room. Maura hated that Jane was so consumed with guilt that she was forgetting to take care of herself. She doubted she had eaten anything in days now and it was obvious she hadn't slept much if at all. Maura listened as Jane wrestled with the bed sheets, trying to get comfortable.
"Maura?"
"I'm here, Jane." Maura wondered if Jane had even fallen asleep at all.
"I lied to you. I didn't want you back home in Boston with McFadden son out and about." Jane really just needed to see for herself that Maura was safe.
"I know. It's okay, whatever you need." Maura needed to see for herself that Jane was okay was well.
"I'm afraid he will try to take you. There are two more left before he tries for me." Jane corrected herself. "If he sticks to the pattern."
"I think they got it covered, Jane. There are officers outside right now." Maura could hear how scared and nervous Jane really was.
"No, if that's his plan, he will." Jane took a deep breath before spitting out what was on her mind. "I won't let that happen, Maura. I will kill him, or die trying."
Maura got out of bed quickly making her way over to Jane's bed. "Jane you have to realize there are other officers here. Other detectives. Korsak, Frost. None of them will let anything happen to either of us."
"He will not stop Maura until he gets me. I accept that, but I can't handle any more deaths. Any more women because of me. I can't handle…him hurting you." Jane's voice trailed off as the tears started.
Maura climbed under the covers next to Jane. She didn't push, didn't talk. Just let Jane cry softly until she heard her breathing even out. Jane was finally sleeping, but Maura could tell as she studied the sleeping detective, that this was no where near a peaceful sleep.
"It sure is cold here in Hell, isn't it Doctor?" McFadden's voice was haunting as she stared down into the eyes of the Jackson city medical examiner. He knew she wouldn't answer, he made it so she couldn't.
He let his hands run over the attractive woman's body as she shivered against the harsh cold air. McFadden laughed as the terror in the woman's eyes excited him. "I told Rizzoli and she protected the wrong one. I win again."
Maura shifted at the ringing of Jane's phone. She glanced at Jane who had not even stirred until it had rung almost five times. "Rizzoli."
"Hello, beautiful. I apologize for waking you. You must be so exhausted." McFadden waited until Jane responded with a groan as she forced herself into a sitting position.
"It would serve you better if you listened just a bit better to what I tell you. You have Dr. Isles with you, yes?" McFadden's small chuckle forced a quick heat to run through Jane's body.
"You know I do." Jane looked briefly at Maura before closing her eyes against McFadden's announcement.
"Well, I now have the one I told you I would get next. Well…had the one." McFadden laughed loudly enough for Maura to hear through Jane's phone.
"Fuck! Fuck! Why?" Jane was beyond angry.
"Jane, now now. Calm down and listen to me." Jane found it hard to get a deep breath in as she feared hyperventilating. Maura's hand on her back seemed to help. "There is only one more to go before you and I will reunite. I am so looking forward to it."
Jane continued to listen after she was sure McFadden had hung up. He didn't tell her anything. Did he? Did he and she just didn't catch it? Jane snapped her phone shut before slinging it across the room. It smashed against the wall causing Jane to swear about that as well.
It was as if Jane had forgotten Maura was in the room with her as she carried on a one sided conversation with herself. She cursed, she cried, she yelled. She grabbed her head with her hands in an attempt to calm down. Her eyes met Maura, who had tears in her own as she watched Jane lose control.
"He killed number eight. He killed the Jackson city M.E. I protected the wrong one. He told me, Maura. On the phone, he told me and I thought he meant you." Jane knew in her head that McFadden would have taken whichever one she didn't protect.
Jane sat back down on the bed next to Maura. She let Dr. Isles wrap her arms around her and let her hold her until it was Maura's phone that rang. "They probably will want you to help, now that they are short one M.E. here in Hell." Jane left Maura to her call as she limped her way into the bathroom.