"They'll hurt you and desert you and take your soul if you let them; so don't you let them…"
Angela is glad to have the boys company tonight. She knows they're there to support her and it makes her very proud. While they have a different way of dealing with things she knows they're just as worried about Janey and Maura as she is. Angela prepares them homemade pizzas while they watch a game of baseball. Tommy and Frankie are enjoying the game and the beers.
'We interrupt this program for a news update… New footage has been released by Islamiyah of Allah showing a hostage believed to be Doctor Maura Isles from Boston. We warn viewers this footage is graphic and may be distressful.' "Oh my God" Angela cries as she sees the footage of Maura in her desperate circumstances.
"Shush Ma" Frankie urges.
'The IOA have repeated their demands for the release of Guantanamo Bay prisoner Fawzi Al Ar-Haque. The Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has just held a press conference. Here is what she had to say…'
"I am as shocked and as saddened to see this footage as all my fellow American's. Doctor Isle's was a highly regarded public servant when she performed as the Chief Medical Examiner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I want to assure you all we are doing everything in our power to secure her release. Having said that we will not negotiate with Terrorists and we are confident that Doctor Isles would support us in this position. Both the President and I have been in regular contact with Doctor Isle's family. I ask that you all keep them and Doctor Isles in your thoughts and prayers."
'We will return you now to your regular program.'
"Holy crap" Tommy exclaims.
"Hang on Tommy it means she's alive" Frankie tries to reassure him. He looks at his mother "Ma; hang in there Maura's alive."
"I have to call Constance" Angela goes to her handbag and picks up her phone. "She must be a mess."
The phone hardly rings before Constance answers. She knows it's Angela that's calling. She doesn't even say hello, Constance opens by asking whether Angela has heard from Jane.
"Oh no Constance not since she arrived in Eritrea and she assured me she'd called you. I called because I just saw the footage. I won't ask if you're OK but I needed to… Well I needed to call you to let you know we're all praying for Maura."
Constance takes a little while to fill Angela in on everything she's knows. Which at this stage isn't much? When Angela gets off the phone she gives Tommy and Frankie an update.
Tommy is angry "damn it I should have gone with Janey" he says his anxiety getting the better of him.
"And what Tommy; what would you do" Frankie responds. He looks from Tommy to his mother and back at Tommy. "Look with Janey there I feel confident."
"Oh and she can pull off what the whole frickin US army have been trying to do over there for God knows how long." Tommy is struggling to contain his anger and frustration.
"Tommy wait a minute, they're both in Eritrea not Afghanistan" Frankie tries to explain.
"I don't care, they've got something to do with Al Qaeda and they're terrorists; what don't I understand Frankie; you tell me."
"Tommy, that's enough!" Angela breaks the conversation. "I'm scared for Jane and Maura too, I'm terrified but us fighting doesn't help either of them."
Ma, Tommy, I've seen Janey in circumstances I would never repeat to either of you, but I will tell you this, she's damned good at what she does; she's the best. Korsack and Frost will tell you the same. Right now if I was Maura, I wouldn't want anyone else to take the lead in finding me; no one!"
It's early evening when Jane gets back to Asmara. She checks into a cheap but decent motel. She showers and freshens up. She flicks on the TV as she cleans her teeth and sees the images of Maura. Her first reaction is nausea. She feels sick to her stomach but the second feeling is hope. Maura is still alive. She's called Riley's contact Halim. He's at the Asmara Hospital trying to interview survivors of the attack. He's asked Jane to meet him there.
With the exception of her ASP pistol Jane leaves all the weaponry she's acquired in the hotel room. She purchased the arsenal based on what Casey has suggested and information from Riley and Hope. The truth is she hopes and prays she never has to use any of it. Jane shrugs as she walks out to her car; she knows deep down if she needs it save Maura she'll use it.
When Jane gets to the hospital a young Arab man approaches her in the foyer. "You must be Jane Rizzoli" he says.
"Yeah I am, guess I'm not hard to pick in this part of the world?" Jane answers.
"No you are not Ms. Rizzoli." Halim acknowledges.
"Halim isn't it? Please call me Jane."
"So you are a Boston Detective and a friend of Doctor Isles, Jane?
"I'm from Boston, I'm no longer a detective and yes I am a close friend of Maura's. Do you have a problem with that?"
"I'm sorry if you misunderstood my question; please I have no problem with you. I am just concerned you may have come all this way for nothing."
"Halim… dead or alive I'm taking Doctor Isles home; I could use your help but with or without you I'm taking Maura home." Jane states this with absolute determination.
"I'm curious Jane, you have not mentioned her husband Doctor Ian Faulkner, and do you not wish to help him too?"
"If he's alive, sure I'll get him out but based on my last talk with Maura I've a suspicion he's involved and if I find that he is, I'll kill him myself."
"That's very interesting; very interesting." Halim looks at Jane with growing interest.
Halim explains to Jane his role with the Eritrean Government. He gives her an insight into the local drug cartels and he tells her his theories on what has happened to Maura.
"So that sounds feasible to me Halim; let's go. Take me to her!" Jane's pumped at the information Halim has shared.
"There is a reason I asked you to meet me here Jane. Firstly, I met Doctor Isles recently. She treated a gunshot wound I received from the people who I believe are now holding her hostage" Halim explains.
Jane stands and glares at Halim "Oh my God, you're the intruder she told me about. You hit her; you hit Maura with your gun!"
"Guilty Jane but please there were extenuating circumstances. Doctor Isles treated me despite my having hit her and without fear or favour. I intend to help you rescue her; even if it ends my career. I am indebted to her."
"Alright; for now I forgive you, so let's go."
"First I need you to meet someone." Halim insists.
"What; who?" Jane is getting frustrated; they're wasting precious time.
"Jane when we find Maura she will ask about two people. She will want to know the fate of her husband Ian. However, she was wounded and captured trying to protect another young man. His name is Ermias."
"And I need to know this because…" Jane is clearly agitated.
"Come and see" Halim leads her into the ward. They travel past a number of women and children. Jane's hardened to death and murder but in this magnitude even she finds this scene hard to cope with. They come to a bed and stop. In the bed is a little African boy. He couldn't be more than six or seven. He has tubes and a ventilators coming out of him and he looks very frail.
"This is Ermias. This little boy was with Doctor Isles when I broke into her home. She was getting him some water and introduced him to me as her little friend. The people I have interviewed say Maura raced to help Ermias when she was shot. They say she screamed with such terror she was sure Ermias was dead. The truth is all the medical resources on the scene also thought he was dead. I have seen that footage of Maura and she is not in good condition. When you speak to her and she asks of Ermias and she will. You can tell her he's alive and like her he is fighting for his life."
Jane looks at this beautiful little boy and can see Maura falling in love with him. Jane looks at Halim "Can I talk to him?"
"Of course" Halim encourages. "He called Doctor Isles Doc Mo."
Jane takes his hand "Ermias I am from America and Doc Mo is my best friend. She is sick and hurt like you but she is also alive. I'm going to get her for you; I promise. So you get better for her, please Ermias, you get better for Doc Mo." Jane leans in and kisses him ever so gently. She feels him squeeze her hand.
Jane fights to contain the onset of tears. When she's under control she looks at Halim, "thank you... OK let's go!"'
Halim smiles, he likes this woman as much as he liked Doctor Isles. He can feel the same integrity and values. He can see why these women are so close. Halim explains to Jane that he has to go and get some important papers. Jane gives him her hotel details and he promises to meet her in an hour.
When Jane gets back to the hotel she calls Constance. Jane assures Constance that she is close and she is hopeful to have good news by tomorrow. She goes over with Constance again what she needs to be ready to carry out the next time Jane calls. As they finish up the conversation Constance surprises Jane.
"When I first met you Jane; I didn't think much of you but your honesty and kindness and your friendship with Maura have brought Maura and I closer than I could have ever hoped. I am more grateful to you then you will ever know and Harrison and I cannot thank you enough for what you're doing now."
Jane is silent for a moment; she hates these types of conversations even with Maura. "Thank you Constance" is all she says. "I'll be in touch tomorrow." With that she hangs up the phone. Jane then calls her mother.
"Hello" is the answer Jane hears when her mother picks up.
"Hey Ma its me."
Angela shouts over to Tommy and Frankie "It's your sister; it's Janey." She concentrates back on the call "Janey are you OK? Did you see the terrible video of Maura?"
"Hey Ma, yeah I'm Ok and yeah I did see the footage. It's OK though Ma it means she's alive. I've met with my contact at the Eritrean Government and we're hoping to have more news tomorrow."
"I'm so scared for Maura, she looked so sick and frail" Angela expresses.
"I know; me too. I'll get her out. I promise I'll bring her home; OK?"
"Be careful baby; I love you." Angela fights her emotions.
I will Ma and I love you too; give the boys a hug from me and I'll see you soon." Jane hangs up as Halim knocks on her door.
Halim pulls out maps and notes and all sort of other paper work. He takes Jane through the bunker he believes she's being held. He tells her all he can about the Drug Cartels; about Islamiyah of Allah. He explains how he believes Ian's involved. Jane is angry when she hears Halim's thoughts on Ian. For now though she decides to give him the benefit of the doubt. Halim has no proof and Maura adores Ian. Jane's reminded of how Maura reacted when she shot her biological father. Jane sure as hell doesn't want to go through a scenario like that again.
