Chapter 11
Jane looked out across the Boston skyline. She loved the city. She couldn't imagine living anywhere else. She actually would come up onto the roof every now and again just to get away from it all. She found the skyline oddly comforting. A reminder that no matter how crazy or chaotic life could get there were things in the world that were stable and could always be counted on.
Instead of just a retreat from the world, Jane was once again on the roof awaiting to meet with Cavanaugh. She didn't have to wait long as he opened the door and joined her.
"What do you know?" he asked.
"It's not Doyle," Jane said.
Sean looked at Jane and realized she wasn't guessing. "Do I even want to know how you managed to find him?" he asked.
Jane shook her head. "You really don't," she said. She was hoping he wouldn't push it any further. She'd like to not have to tell him about the cell phone.
He nodded. It wasn't something he absolutely had to know at this point so he was willing to let it go. "So now what?"
"Now we use Crowe and try to speed up the second attempt," Jane said.
She filled him on their plan to fake a fight in order to entice the source's second person. Cavanaugh was in agreement on the plan. He knew how the station rumor mill worked too. It wouldn't take much for them to have the whole station talking about the fact that Jane and Maura were fighting. He, too, thought that Crowe would report the development back to the source.
"In the meantime, Alex is still trying to pinpoint the masked IP address," Sean said. "He knows he can come up with something but it's going to take a little while."
Jane nodded. "There's a chance we might be able to give him a little help," Jane said.
"How?" Cavanaugh asked.
"Drew Beckett," Jane said.
Doyle had pointed out that Beckett could be the key to figuring out which family was behind the attempted hacking. Jane needed to speak with Beckett again to try to convince him to give them more information than he had during their first conversation.
Sean hadn't thought about that angle. The kid did sell out Colin Doyle for $250,000. He certainly knew more than he had given to the detectives to that point. "Alright, so you talk to the kid again," he said.
Jane nodded. "I need a little help setting it up," she said. She was still determined to keep Frost and Korsak out of the loop and that meant she would have to talk to Beckett when neither was in the station.
Cavanaugh understood. "I can arrange to have him brought up from lockup tomorrow morning," he said. Frost and Korsak never got to the station before 9 unless they were responding to a call. He would have Beckett brought in around 7 to give Jane a chance to speak with him.
"Thanks," Jane said. And she meant that for more than just the help with setting up an interview.
"Let's hope he's more willing to talk than the last time you tried," Sean said.
"Oh," she said, "He will be."
R&I
Jane entered the interview room to talk with Drew Beckett and she immediately knew that this conversation was going to go differently than their first conversation. It was clear that a few days in jail had turned Beckett from a cocky, confident computer whiz to a scared kid. She had watched him sitting in the room for a few minutes before going in and saw how nervous he was. She could definitely use that to her advantage.
"Drew," she said as she entered the room and took a seat across from him.
He didn't say anything. He wasn't sure what he was doing there but he wasn't exactly thrilled to see that it was the detective who wanted to speak with him.
"You look like hell," Jane pointed out. He looked like he hadn't slept since his arraignment.
"What am I doing here?" he asked with an annoyed tone.
"We are going to talk," she said looking him in the eye.
"We don't have anything to talk about," he said but this time his reaction to her wasn't as definitive as it had been the first time.
"That's where you are wrong," she said and leaned back in her chair. "We have lots of things to talk about."
"I already told you," Beckett started but Jane cut him off.
"You did," she admitted, "but I just don't think you really understand the position that you have found yourself in." She looked him over and then continued. "For starters, I assume your bravado from the other day had a lot to do with you thinking you were going to be able to post bond and get out of jail."
Beckett dropped his eyes and Jane knew she was right on that point.
"You see Drew," she said. "In all your thinking and planning, apparently you forgot to factor in how easy it was for us to convince the judge that someone with your skills as an identity thief poses a serious flight risk. So much so that the judge denied you bail. I'm pretty sure you hadn't planned on that.
"So those 'safe' feelings you claimed to have the other day weren't because you thought you'd be safe in jail it was because you thought you'd be able to simply disappear. Steal another identity and hide from the mob. Hide from us. But that didn't happen. Instead, you've spent the last three days in jail probably in whatever corner you could find for yourself afraid to even fall asleep."
If possible, Beckett sank even further into his chair. He was certain he would have been out of the country by now. He should have been granted bail for his offenses. Trespassing and possession of items with the intent to commit a felony. He should have walked away from that jail and into a new life.
But suddenly the judge was labeling him a flight risk and the prosecution labelled him a person of interest in the Colin Doyle murder case. He wasn't leaving jail he was being placed into it. As naïve as he was he knew jail was not a safe place for him to be.
"You have a problem, Drew," Jane pointed out. "You turned on the son of a mafia kingpin. A son who is now dead. Which means there's a father, a mobster of all things, who blames you for what happened to his son. He's blaming you because quite frankly he has no one else to blame at the moment.
"Your being in jail is the perfect situation for him. Doyle's reach is long. Very long. Just how long do you think it will take before someone wants to have Patrick Doyle owe them a favor? And what a favor it would be. To be the man who killed the boy who turned Doyle's son over to a rival family. Hell, I know at least three people in lock up right now that would do that for Paddy Doyle."
Drew squirmed in his seat. "What do you want?" he asked. He knew he was in trouble. He wouldn't last much longer in general population.
Jane knew she had him. "For starters, I need help."
He looked up at her and really made eye contact for the first time since she came into the room. That had surprised him. He figured she just wanted answers about who paid him the $250k. "And in return?" he asked.
"In return," Jane said. "I have a nice, long conversation with the DA's office about how helpful you were in our investigation into Colin's death. So helpful in fact that I don't believe you should be labeled a person of interest anymore and we see about dropping the charges against down to those misdemeanor issues." She let Drew think that over for just a moment. "You could reapply for bond," she added. She knew that would seal the deal.
"I don't know which family contacted me," he admitted assuming that was the help the detective needed. "All of our communication was done through email and the funds were sent electronically."
Jane nodded and figured as much. "That's fine," she said. "I will need access to those emails and the records for the wire transfer," she said.
After a moment Drew nodded his agreement. "What else?"
"Someone attempted to breach the department servers," Jane said. "Someone trying to gain access to information about Patrick and Colin Doyle. I need your help finding the person who made that attempt."
As good as Jane believed Alex McKenzie was she knew Drew Beckett was better. They needed to know who the external source was and Beckett was going to help them figure that out.
R&I
Dean and Jane had just been called to their table when Jane felt the vibration of the phone on her hip. Once they found the table and before Jane could that a seat she excused herself to use the restroom. Once in the restroom she pulled her phone away from her hip and read Sean's text.
Results were what we wanted
Jane couldn't help but both smile and breath a sigh of relief. That was the best possible news for her. If they hadn't been able to find the flash drive with the software meant to allow Dean access into the servers later in his hotel room, Jane was going to have to assume that he may have had it on his person and she would have been forced to potentially take the night further than she wanted to. But Sean had found the flash drive and Jane was off the hook on the evening.
She pulled her burner phone from her pocket and typed out a text to Maura who she knew was waiting to hear anything.
Sean got it. Plan on seeing me tonight. I'll try to end dinner by 10 so I should see you by 11
She didn't put the phone away as she knew she would get Maura's answer quickly. A few seconds later the phone buzzed with her reply.
Wonderful news. I'll send the room number. Text when you are heading out. I'll be waiting
Jane smiled and returned the burner cell to her pocket. The night was going to go so much better now. All she needed to do was to feed Dean the story about her and Maura's fight and step up his chance to have access to Maura's computer tomorrow and she could end her time with him.
She had the love of her life waiting for her and that was definitely a much better way to end her evening.
She sent one last text to Sean with final instructions before she needed to get back to Dean.
You can leave the labs on my desk
She knew the flash drive would be waiting for her in her apartment later. Things were definitely coming together.
R&I
Jane returned to the table and found that Dean had ordered a bottle of wine while she was gone. There was no way she was going to drink with the man so when the waiter came to take their orders she requested a glass of water to go with her meal. She saw the look Dean gave her but she really didn't care.
"I can order a different type," he said looking at her as if it was just the wrong type of wine.
"That's not necessary," Jane said. "I'm just not much of a wine drinker. Water is fine." She said it in a tone that left no room for argument.
Now that she knew Sean had found what they needed in Dean's hotel room she knew she wasn't going to have to put up with as much of Dean's attempt to flirt with her as she would have had they not found everything. She just needed to set up tomorrow with him and then bring her night to an end.
They engaged in a bit of small talk getting each other up on their general work lives but didn't get into anything really heavy. Jane knew Dean wanted to find about Maura but she wasn't going to be the one to bring it up. It took until they were about finished with their salads that Dean decided to ask.
"So," he said and looked over at Jane. "What's going on with you and Dr. Isles?"
Jane knew how to play out the conversation so she started the game. "Gabe," she said, "it's not something I really like to talk about."
"Something is going on there. You two used to be inseparable and now it seems like you don't even want to talk about her," he said. "I just want to help if I can."
Jane had to fight not to react to that. He didn't have any interest in helping. She needed to make sure she watched what she said. "We just had a falling out is all," Jane offered.
"What happened?" he asked. If Jane hadn't known better she would have believed he was genuinely concerned.
She sighed and looked at him. She was about to answer but the waiter brought out their meals. Jane let everything get situated and they started in on their dinner before she spoke.
"We had a disagreement during a case," she answered.
"That seems unlike you two," Dean said. "You always seemed like you never fought about anything."
"We never used to," she admitted. "This time things were different."
"What made this different?" Dean asked.
Jane sighed and ate a little more of her food. She wasn't going to be deprived of a decent meal because she was talking. Also, she didn't want to be sitting with the man all night long. The faster she finished the meal the quicker she could get away from him.
After a few minutes Jane started talking again. "What makes this different is that we both said things we shouldn't have. Things I think we both are going to have a hard time forgiving each other for."
Dean nodded like he understood. "What about a case could possibly have sparked such a big disagreement?"
It was time to set tomorrow up for Dean. "Let's just say for the first time in our friendship Maura questioned my integrity," Jane said.
That took Dean by surprise. "How so?" he asked.
"I really don't want to talk about this" Jane said dangling the notion for him but not painting a complete picture.
"Ok," Dean said. "I'm sorry. Clearly this still upsets you. We can talk about something else."
He was clearly disappointed she wasn't going to give him answers but he really wasn't in any position to push her. They both ate of few bites of dinner in silence before Jane blurted out the next piece she needed to say.
"She had the nerve to question some of the evidence I turned in for analysis," she said trying to sound as incredulous as she could. "I mean seriously. She questioned my evidence collection methods. So much so she threw out tests that had already been run and re-did the tests herself. It was a slap in the face to me."
"Why would Maura question you on evidence?" Dean asked. He hadn't expected to hear the fight was over something that serious. And now he really wanted to know what the tests Maura deleted revealed. Had Jane planted evidence or something?
She shook her head. "The case was, is actually since it's still unsolved, complicated," Jane said. She wasn't going to name drop but she knew he was already aware of some what she was saying.
"That doesn't make any sense," Dean pointed out. Jane had never displayed any inclination towards questionable behavior.
"Thank you," Jane agreed strongly. "It didn't make any sense to me either. But suddenly we were having a disagreement about where I obtained some of the evidence like she thought I planted it. Things just spiraled from that point and we both said things we probably shouldn't have."
"When was this?" Dean asked trying to confirm Maura's questions were about the Doyle case.
"We haven't really spoken in a couple of weeks," she said. She would let him do the math.
"I'm sorry Jane," Dean said. "You two were pretty close. Maybe things will come around."
"I'm not sure," she said. "Neither one of us seems to want to be the first to break the silence. I know it won't be me. I didn't do anything wrong so I'm not going to be the one that reaches out to her." That should just about cover what she was going to say next to step up the last part of their plan.
They went back to eating for a bit. Jane had done just about everything she needed to do. She had set up that Maura and her were fighting and it was about work. She like him know Maura questioned Jane's evidence to explain why she re-ran a series of tests. Jane should have piqued Dean's curiosity about the results which was exactly what they needed. And, she had insisted she wasn't going to be the one who spoke to Maura first. Only one detail was left.
"Gabe?" Jane said looking up at him. They were done with their dinner and were just waiting for the bill as Jane declined coffee or dessert.
"Yeah," he replied.
"I arranged for those forensic files to be reviewed first thing in the morning," Jane said. "I'm not sure there is anything to be found but I do agree with you that it is worth a shot. The thing is," she said and paused. "The thing is that I am sure Maura will want to review the labs herself. I didn't ask for her to do it but this is the sort of thing she usually likes to oversee. Would you mind if…"
"You want me to review the results with Dr. Isles without you?" Dean asked. That would be just fine with him.
Jane nodded. "The two of us in the same room, it's just a bad idea right now. If it's alright with you, tomorrow after you come to the station we can go over any last questions and then you can see if Maura found anything. If she did, I'll work with you to pursue it but I don't think it's going to be a good idea with I join you down in the lab."
Dean reached over and took Jane's hand. She had to fight both not to flinch and pull her hand away. "I'm fine talking with Dr. Isles alone," Dean said. "I don't think she will find anything either but I'd like to at least say we tried."
Jane forced a smile. "Thanks," she said. "I know it's not the most professional thing to ask. But,"
"Hey," Dean said. "You don't need to explain any further. Until the two of you resolve your differences I'll do what I can to help. Even if that includes simply sending me to talk to the medical examiner without you."
Jane pulled away from Dean's touch as the waiter brought back his credit card. She had let his hand linger as long as she could take it. "Thank you for dinner," she said. "It was nice."
"Any time Jane," Dean said. He looked at his watch and back up at Jane. It was still early. "Would you like to get a drink somewhere or…"
"Actually," Jane said, "I'd just like to get home."
Dean's shoulders hunched in a bit of defeat. "Sure," he said and they both got up to head out.
R&I
Their drive back to Jane's was filled with small talk. Jane wouldn't let the conversation go back towards Maura or anything else about Jane's personal life. She knew Dean had wanted to consider the night a date but she just wasn't going to have this happen.
Dean pulled up in front of Jane's apartment. She wasn't surprised when he put the car in park but the move would be unnecessary. He turned to her and started to speak. "So," he started.
"Good night Gabe," Jane said and put her hand on the door handle.
"Jane wait," he said. "I was hoping," he paused. "Well I was hoping that maybe we could give us another try."
Jane looked at Dean. "First, we have never been an 'us' so there isn't 'another' anything to try. And Gabe I told you this was just a dinner. Nothing more."
"I know but the last time we spent time together," he said fumbling his delivery, "I mean I know you were blending me in with your experiences with Hoyt but I was hoping this time that I'd have a chance to perhaps take you out. On a date. Without the extra baggage this time."
Jane shook her head. "I'm sorry but no."
"Is it still because of Hoyt?" he asked.
Jane shook her head. God how could some men be so arrogant and so stupid at the same time? "No. It has nothing to do with that. Gabe, I'm seeing someone," Jane said.
"Oh," he said not hiding his disappointment. "I didn't know."
"How could you," Jane said pointedly. "I don't exactly advertise my private life."
Dean realized he almost slipped and recovered. "Right. I know, I just thought maybe you'd have said something sooner."
"This was always just a dinner," Jane pointed out. "I didn't think I owed you an explanation."
"You don't," he admitted. "I guess I was just hoping. So this someone….is it serious?"
Jane smiled. "Very," she answered. She was pretty sure that between the smile the question elicited and the confidence behind her answer Dean could tell she was telling the truth.
"Whoever he is," he said, "He's a very lucky man."
"I'm the lucky one in the relationship," Jane answered. She looked at her apartment and then back to Dean. "I did have a nice night. Thank you for the dinner."
"You're welcome," Dean said. "Tomorrow?"
"10 am," Jane said. "I doubt the review will be done before then."
"10 am it is then," he said.
Jane nodded and opened his car door stepping out onto the curb. She didn't have anything else to say to the agent she hoped would cease being an issue after tomorrow. She only watched him drive off just to ensure that he didn't stay camped outside her apartment. Especially since she was leaving a little later.
Jane run up the stairs to her place and opened the door. Jo greeted her with her normal enthusiasm. Jane looked around and found the flash drive Sean left for her on the kitchen counter. "Did Sean spend any time with you?" she asked Jo wondering if Cavanaugh played with Jo at all. Jo barked once and Jane decided to take that as a yes.
She secured the flash drive in her pocket and went to her gun safe to grab the cell phone. She took Jo's leash from the drawer and went to the living room. "Come on," she said. "Let's get you your walk."
Jane took Jo for a walk down the street. Again she waited until she was a few blocks away before hitting the send button on the phone. Like always Doyle answered on the first ring.
"Well?" was his greeting.
Jane tapped her pocket. "I've got it. We need to meet. This all goes down tomorrow."
"You know the place," he said and disconnected the call.
Always short and to the point. Jane put the cellphone back in her pocket and pulled out the one from her hip. She dialed a number and waited for Frost to answer.
"I need your help," Jane said as soon as Frost answered the phone.
"Name it," he said without a second of hesitation.
"Meet me at the station at 7 am tomorrow and I will explain everything," she said.
"I'll be there," he said. To his credit he didn't even complain about the early morning.
She hung up and dialed another number and waited for Korsak to answer.
"Jane?" he said.
"I need your help," she said.
Similar to her conversation with Frost, Jane got the same response. "What do you need?"
"Meet me at the station at 7 am tomorrow," she said.
"Anything else?" he asked.
"Not at the moment," she said. "But thanks," she said.
She had two partners she always knew she could count on.
"I'll be there," Korsak said and he disconnected the call.
That just about covered everything on the night except one more thing. She looked down at Jo and decided it was time to make their way back to her apartment. "Come on," she said. "I need to see Maura still tonight."
