A/N - Thanks again for the reviews, follows and favourites. ~ 50sPUGirl

Chapter 11

Maura and Jane huddled together as the brittle autumn air whirled around them. Jane re-adjusted her collar of her jacket so it sat snuggly around her neck. She glanced up at the iconic "New Scotland Yard" sign as Maura embraced her hand in Jane's. They were waiting for Alex to arrive. Looking from the sign, Jane glanced at her hand entwined in Maura's. She gave Maura a quick wink.

Maura glanced over at St James's Park tube station; noticing Alex amongst the crowd of people exiting the station. Alex noticed the couple huddled together. She gave them a quick wave as she let a black cab pass. Stepping off the curb she crossed the street and joined Jane and Maura.

"Morning ladies.." Alex said with a smile.

"Morning.." Jane and Maura answered in unison.

They slowly strolled towards the entrance of New Scotland Yard. Maura and Jane walked hand in hand as Alex walked a few steps ahead of them. They noticed the police office standing at the security entrance.

"Morning Ladies, can I help you.." The police officer tipped his hat.

"We're here to see Detective Inspector Sarah Williams" Alex said as she turned to Jane and Maura who were standing closely behind her.

The officer nodded his head in salutation "Just see my colleague for a security check.." He indicated to the other officer who was standing on the other side of the glass door.

Alex pushed the revolving door; it slowly turned allowing all three to enter. They saw the other police officer who performed a security check on them before handing them a visitor's ID badge. All three women placed it around their necks; it hung low over their chests.

"Welcome to New Scotland Yard" The officer said dryly.

Jane and Maura gave a nod in acknowledgement.

"Who have you come to see.." He asked as he looked between the three women.

"Detective Inspector Sarah Williams" Alex responded.

The officer looked at his clipboard and found the detective's name "MIT – 15th Floor" he said looking back to the women. "Take the first elevator to the 15th Floor Lobby, someone there will direct you to her.."

The three nodded in agreement as they walked past the officer. They entered the building and took the first elevator as instructed. Reaching the 15th Floor they noticed the lobby through the glass doors. Jane opened the door for Maura and Alex who entered together. Jane followed close behind.

Alex spoke with the receptionist, they were asked to sit in the waiting area until the Detective would come and get them. A few minutes later Detective Sarah Williams came around the corner. She gave the ladies a warm inviting smile and welcomed them to MET.

A couple of minutes later they were sat in her office. It was a large corner office but didn't really have the best view. All they could see was the top of St James's Park Tube Station.

Sarah returned with a tray of drinks. She placed it on the small coffee table in front of three women who were sat in the modern armchairs. Sarah sat in the remaining empty one.

She looked to Maura " The Coroner who is dealing with this case has arranged for the bodies to be brought here...they haven't arrived as yet...but I will let you know once they do.."

"Thank you Detective Inspector Williams.." Maura answered professionally.

"Please call me Sarah.." She smiled to all the women.

All three nodded in agreement.

"So any new information you can share.." Jane asked.

Sarah shook her head "nothing new from what I told you last night.."

"I'd like to see the crime scene photos for both bodies Sarah "Jane asked as she picked up her cup of coffee and took a sip.

"Of course.." Sarah stood, retrieving the file from her desk, she handed it to Jane.

Jane opened the file and slowly thumbed through the photos. She placed them on the coffee table in view of all the women. As her eyes flicked to and from the photos she started to realise something "These have been staged.." She looked to Sarah.

Sarah looked from Jane to the photographs. Jane was pointing out the similar positions of the bodies and the similar items in both photos. Sarah picked up the photos and took a closer look "You're right.." She placed the photos back down on the table.

"Obviously they were poisoned somewhere else and transported here. I'd say…by looking at the faint marks on their faces…which looks like a zipper mark, I'd say a suitcase or sports bag… The suspect would of blended in because of the nature of the area.." Jane said looking up from the photos of the two girls.

"Leicester Square.. Many tourists walking around with suit cases there.." Sarah said looking to Jane.

"Obviously you've checked out the CCTV videos" Jane asked.

Sarah nodded "I think we need to take another look.."

Jane gave a slight smile as she turned to Maura. She loved being involved. Maura pattered Jane's arm a few times.

Detective Sarah Williams took out her mobile from her inside jacket pocket and dialled a number. "Go over the CCTV videos again. Look for anyone with a small suitcase or sports bag…I'm going to visit the crime scenes with Detective Rizzoli" She hung up and put the phone back in the pocket. She looked to Jane who gave a short nod.

Sarah's office line rang. Turning slowly, she rose from her chair and walked the couple of steps to her desk, she picked up the phone. Her tone upon answering the phone was very professional. "Detective Inspector Williams…aha..ok…thank you.." She hung up the phone.

Turning back to the three women she said "The bodies are down in our morgue; Dr Isles and Thornton if you'd like to see the bodies I'll get someone to take you down there.."

Maura and Alex stood; gathering up their jackets they held them in their hands. A young PC entered the office and stood just inside the door. Alex joined the PC and waited for Maura who was standing next to Jane.

"Pursue the truth.." Jane whispered to Maura.

Maura smiled and gave Jane a wink. She walked over to the Alex and the PC. Jane's gaze never left Maura. Her eyes followed the honey blonde as she walked out the door and disappeared down the long corridor.

"Ready.." Sarah said as she gathered her Black Woollen Jacket.

Jane slipped on her jacket and gathered the crime scene photographs together and tucked them into the manila folder as she handed it to Sarah. "Aha..lets go.."

Twenty minutes later the black Audi pulled in to the narrow alley way. Jane glanced out the passenger side window momentarily before gripping the door handle, giving it a quick pull the door sprung open. Her long slender frame climbed out the car. As she shut the door softly her gaze fell up the environment in front of her. Tourists everywhere and many pulling suitcases. She turned slightly and looked to the franchised coffee chain in front of her. She noticed the small CCTV camera which hung off the side of the building, the lens pointing down the alley.

"Any footage from that camera…it seems to have the best view." Jane asked the other detective.

Sarah looked up at the camera and shook her head "No it was out of action.."

Jane sighed to herself "Shame" she said as she joined Sarah at the front of the car.

They sauntered slowly up the narrow alley way and stopped in front of a large dumpster. Jane's gaze scanned the surroundings. She opened the manila folder and looked at the first crime scene photo. The body of the six year old showed the general location of the body. She was lying to the left of the said dumpster. Jane crouched down and glided her hand over the cold cobbled stone pavement. This was where the small girl laid only two weeks ago. Jane looked over her shoulder and noticed the iron gated doorway. Sarah looked towards the same doorway before turning back to Jane. As Jane stood she glanced at the other detective.

"Where does that lead too?" Jane asked.

Sarah shrugged as they walked towards the doorway. Jane pulled the Iron Gate towards her and pulled it open wide. The archway was dark but they could see light in the distance. Jane entered first with Sarah in toe. As they walked through the long archway they stopped just on the other side. It was a small court yard. Jane looked up and noticed the several apartment doors.

"This isn't mentioned on the police report…I got the impression that this was a commercial area…this changes everything.." Jane bluntly said turning to Sarah.

"It's not uncommon for apartments to be above shops Detective Rizzoli" Sarah was a little put out by Jane's tone.

Jane looked back to the doors. "I take it no one here was interviewed.."

Sarah shook her head "no.."

"Potential witnesses.." Jane said as she walked towards the centre of the courtyard. She turned and looked back towards the arch where Sarah was still standing. "Shall we…" Jane said as she walked towards the narrow stairwell that disappeared into the side of the building. Sarah joined Jane at the bottom on the stairs.

Reaching the first floor they two detectives walked along the concrete balcony. They stopped by the first door. Sarah knocked a few times on the heavy wooden door. Taking a step back, she glanced at Jane whose eyes were fixated on the door. As the door opened a young boy stood on the other side, he's eyes followed the length of Detective Sarah Williams who gave a curt smile. She bent down a little and in a cheery tone asked.

"Is your Mum or Dad home sweetheart.."

The boy nodded quickly before backing away from the door. Jane's eyes followed the boy as he disappeared up the hallway and out of sight. Sarah looked towards Jane who raised her eyebrows.

A slightly overweight woman appeared and walked towards the officers "Yeah..if you're from the church I ain't interested, if you're from the Council…I paid me rent last week. The woman stood firmly by the door.

"D.I. Williams and this is Detective Rizzoli" Sarah said showing her MET Warrant Card "Just want to ask you a couple of questions.."

"hmmmm old bill huh.." The woman looked both detectives up and down in disgust.

"About two weeks ago a body of small girl was found in the alley way behind you're apartment.." Sarah said as she placed her warrant card back in her inside pocket of jacket.

"Didn't see nut-ting" The overweight woman said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Jane rolled her eyes as she looked away from the woman standing in front of her.

"I saw that…you fucking dyke.." The woman gritted her teeth.

Jane's eyes shot wide as she looked towards Sarah whose gaze fell back upon the woman. Sarah cleared her throat.

"Did you hear anything suspicious…" Sarah asked.

The woman shrugged "didn't see or hear nut-ting"

Sarah looked towards Jane who was increasingly growing tired of this woman. "well..thank you for your time...sorry to disturb you.." Sarah said as she walked off towards the next door.

"Fucking dyke pigs.." The woman mumbled as she slammed the door shut.

Jane looked back towards the door. If only she was in Boston she would have really let that woman have it. Obviously here in London the cops worked differently.

Sarah knocked at the door; again she took a step back and looked to Jane who was slowly shaking her head. She couldn't get over what she'd just heard.

"Jane don't take offense….the amount of time's I've been called something in my career…I let it go over my head now.." Sarah said with a smile.

Jane nodded as the door slowly opened and an elderly gentlemen stood just inside the door his gaze feel suspiciously upon the two detectives. "ahh..can I help you.." he said slowly.

"D.I Williams and this is Detective Rizzoli.." Sarah said as she flashed her MET Warrant Card to the elderly gentleman.

He looked between the two women "is this about the small girl found a couple of weeks ago.."

Sarah nodded "may we come in and ask a few questions.."

The elderly man nodded and stepped aside to allow the officers to pass. Sarah walked in first with Jane stepping just inside the apartment, her fingers curled around the door handle as she closed the door behind her. The elderly man led the two detectives down the hallway to a moderately sized living room. An elderly woman sat in one of the armchairs, her focus was upon a television. She looked up to see Jane and Sarah standing in the door way.

"Love…these two ladies are from the MET...want to ask a few questions about the small girl...put the kettle on will you.."

The woman smiled slightly, she awkwardly rose from the armchair. Grabbing her walking stick she hobbled past the detectives and disappeared into the kitchen. Jane took a step back and watched as the elderly woman prepared a small tray of tea.

"Please sit Detectives.." The elderly man gestured to the faded couch which sat upon the back wall of the room. Jane and Sarah did as they were told.

Perched upon the edge of the couch Jane glanced around the living room. Typical dated flat. Eighties floral wallpaper adorned every wall. A few family photographs hung crookedly on the walls. A distinct smell of musk in the air. She smiled back at the man who was eying the detectives.

"We're just following up on our investigation…Did you happen to see anything suspicious at the time.." Sarah was interrupted by the presence of the elderly woman standing in the door way holding a small silver tray. Jane stood and took hold of the tray; she placed it on small glass coffee table that sat prominently in the middle of the room. The woman hobbled back to her armchair, she lowered herself slowly and looked towards her husband.

"We've got everything taped on the surveillance camera.." The elderly woman said as she looked towards the two detectives.

Sarah and Jane's eyes darted to the elderly woman. Both women leaned forward and listened with intrigue.

The elderly man nodded as he looked from his wife to the detectives " We have a camera on our balcony, stops the criminals...we've been burgled 3 times since we've been here..rough area.."

"And how do you know that you've got evidence of the murdered girl on the tape.." Jane asked.

The elderly couple looked at Jane as if she was an alien "Oh you're a Yank..what you doing this side of the pond.." The man asked with a smile.

"Holiday.." Jane smiled warmly.

"Funny sort of holiday.." The woman said as she looked towards Detective Williams.

"Detective Rizzoli has kindly offered her services to help with the investigation" Sarah said as she glanced at Jane who was nodding in agreement "Can we look at the tape?"

The elderly man stood and walked over to a small cabinet, he pulled out a video tape. He immediately pushed it into the VCR machine and fumbled over the 'play' button. He heavily handily pushed the button. Standing back he moved so Jane and Sarah would have a clear view of the television screen.

The screen went from black to blue and then the typical snowy effect started playing for a second. Suddenly the screen was filled with colour. It showed the alley, there was nothing just a picture of the dumpster in the back right of the screen. A figured appeared on the screen. From the grainy picture the figure was wearing a red hoodie it was pulled up over their head covering their face. The figure was holding a large sports bag. The bag was placed on the ground and the figure scanned the alley way obviously making sure that no one was about. They crouched down by the bag and pulled at the zipper on the bag. Giving it a few tugs the zip finally slid through the hooks and opened. The figure stood and bent down over the bag carefully retrieving the contents. The limp body of the small young girl. The grainy figure then arranged the body in such a fashion by the dumpster; carefully and meticulously arranging her legs and arms in a natural sleeping position.

Jane looked to Sarah who was focused intently on the screen. Jane's eyes drew back to the screen. The figure stood over the body for a split second. Their arms crossed against their chest as it stared upon the lifeless body. They then appeared to move slightly, looking at the body from a different angle. They again re-arranged the body slightly. Obviously not happy with the position that they had put the small child in. They crouched down to the body and touched the forehead slightly before glancing over their shoulder.

It appeared to Jane that someone was else nearby. Perhaps the figure had been disturbed. The figure stood, their face still hidden by the hood of the jumper. They picked up the bag and reached inside. Pulling something out. Jane couldn't tell what it was because the quality of the surveillance footage wasn't great. The figure looked at the object then crouched down by dumpster. They placed the item under it. Their hand lingering against the underneath for a second. Before the figure stood one last time momentarily glancing at the body before turning 180 degrees and disappearing out of the screen.

The elderly man pushed the pause button the screen froze with the image of the small child lying beside the dumpster. Jane looked away from the screen as she stood up. Moving towards the window she pushed the net curtain out of her line of sight. She glanced down at the dumpster. She didn't notice where the CCTV camera was. She glanced back at the screen and then out the window again. She was confused as where had the image come from.

"You won't find it love…it's one of those spy camera's ...it's in the geraniums.." The elderly man said.

Jane looked from the elderly man; she glanced down at the window box. Noticing the thick black cord poking out of the dirt. She pushed open the window and stuck her head out into the fresh air. Her fingers slightly tugged at the cord as she pushed back the flowers and saw the small lens of the camera poking through stems of the flowers.

Sarah stood and walked towards Jane, she looked at the screen on the television and then out the window towards the dumpster.

"The perp appeared from the left of the screen, they must of entered and exited through the archway we came down.." Jane said turning to Sarah who nodded in agreement.

Sarah turned to the elderly man "Is there another entrance to the court yard?"

The man nodded his head "It's in the far right of the yard…small stable door...leads through to the next street."

"I will need to take the tape.." Sarah said.

The man pushed the eject button and handed it to Sarah.

"Is this going to help with your investigation.." The elderly woman asked

Jane turned from the window and looked towards the elderly couple "More than you'll ever know.." She simply said as she nodded to Sarah.

"Thank you again... for all your help.. We'll show ourselves out.." Sarah smiled as she looked to Jane.

Jane gave the couple a warm smile as she followed Sarah out of the small apartment.

Jane and Sarah stood in the court yard discussing what they had just seen on the tape.

"Although the footage isn't the best, I'm sure we can get the crime lab guys to sort that out" Sarah said as she tapped the video tape in the palm of her hand a couple of times.

Jane didn't say anything; she was intrigued to find out where the stable door led to "Should we investigate where that door leads us too?"

Sarah nodded as she clutched the tape tighter in her hand. Jane started to walk to the door, looking back over her shoulder Sarah was a few steps behind her, she gave Jane an encouraging smile.

Jane pushed open the stable door; her instinct was to put one hand on her holster that always hung low on her hip. As her hand rose to her hip she remembered she didn't have her gun or even her badge. She was just a civilian assisting the MET police with their inquiries. She lowered her hand.

The light that entered from the open door was just enough to guide them down the narrow arched alley way. Jane looked towards Sarah as if to say should I continue. Sarah gave a curt nod as she followed Jane further down alley way. They reached the other side. The alley way took a sharp turn to the left. They continued tentatively down the cobbled paving. Jane looked up to the sky it was clouding over again.

"Don't you get sick of the weather?" Jane said over her shoulder.

Sarah shrugged "You get used to it after a while.."

Jane sighed "Give me the sunshine and heat of Boston any day"

"I've been to Boston….long time ago with my ex-girlfriend.." Sarah said as she brushed past Jane and took the lead.

Jane raised her eye brows and gave a curt smile "ex-girlfriend…so no girlfriend at the moment.."

Sarah shook her head "Nup..though Dr Thornton is well…" Sarah blushed "..She's nice…"

"Alex?" Jane asked.

Sarah nodded "aha...is she single?"

"Don't know…"

"She's worth investigating though…" Sarah laughed as she looked to Jane.

Sarah suddenly stopped and extended her right arm across Jane's chest. Jane abruptly stopped. Sarah's eyes darted to Jane's and then to what lay in front of them. They both took a hesitant step forward. They crouched down and both sighed.

"I'll ring Maura…she needs to get a look at this…" Jane said as she turned to Sarah.

A/N (2) I'd love to hear how i'm doing with this story, so please review. Also i almost forgot to say a big thank you to Octobersky69 for curing my writer's block..now i just need to find the time to put those idea's into practice lol.