Mother Teresa of Calcutta: "I have come to realize more and more that the greatest disease and the greatest suffering is to be unwanted, unloved, uncared for, to be shunned by everybody, to be just nobody."
Maura tries to shake off her feelings. This case has been an emotional roller coaster for her alone, not to mention how hard it's been on Jane. She's had to be there for Jane in ways she's never really had to before. She recognises she's exhausted and she knows she has to get these emotions under control before she sees her parents. The answer to Maura is simple; work! As she's done all her life, when the loneliness or worthlessness comes close to the surface, the solution has always been to get her big brain focused on something else.
Maura takes herself to the ladies room and freshens up. When she's satisfied the redness is gone, she goes and approaches Hope, "ah, your back" Hope smiles. Maura nods.
Hope swings around a computer monitor and moves to stand beside Maura so she can use images and computer records to help with the update. She explains the thirty-four deaths appear to span approximately thirty-five years. Hope also explains that the hotline started taking calls last night as soon as Anderson Cooper's show was finished. Suzie has set up a sampling area in one of the interview rooms upstairs. She's taken samples from thirty-six women and eighteen men. Their DNA has gone off for analysis and is expected back in the morning. Suzie has a full schedule of appointments for people giving their DNA samples tomorrow as well.
Hope goes on to explain that Dr Pike has managed to find six DNA matches in the system. Hope takes Maura through these victims one by one. In each case where there is a living parent, Hope has done the paperwork for legal clearances to review the original adoption papers. She hasn't sent them off yet. When Hope reaches the file on Sonia Rizzoli she hesitates.
"Has Jane ever told you she had a sister Maura" she asks.
Maura shakes her head and glances at Pike. Hope follows the look. "Not until last night."
"Sorry?" Hope asks with concern.
"Yes, Pike took it upon himself to offer his condolences to Jane, he made the assumption that her having difficulties with this case was because of her sister."
"He talked to Jane" Hope is horrified.
"Oh that's not all; he only gave her half the information. Jane nearly killed her mother last night."
Hope can't believe what she's hearing, "you mean he didn't tell her it was her father's child?"
Maura just shakes her head. "That's why I'm a bit off Hope; I spent nearly all last night trying to keep Jane and Angela together because of that… well that less than competent doctor."
Hope just looks at Maura in disbelief. Maura adds, "I just heard from Jane, everything's fine now."
"Oh good" Hope says with relief. There's a moment's hesitation and then Hope continues. She goes on to explain another victim before coming to the last of the six with DNA matches in the System. "This is William Darcy, he was fourteen and it is my opinion he was the last victim to die."
"William" Maura whispers, "Hmm."
"Do you know him Maura" Hope asks concerned.
"Oh no" Maura pulls out of her thoughts. "One of the little girls at the orphanage has gotten quite close to Jane. She said her best friend Billy was the last to run away. He was fourteen."
"The sad thing is his mother died only eight months before him" Hope explains. "She was a long-term drug user Maura; she died of an overdose."
"It is Billy" Maura offers Hope a sad smile. "Donna… the little girl from the orphanage… she said that he was upset when he didn't get a card from his mother this year. Apparently she always sent him one for his birthday."
The sadness of the moment isn't lost on Hope. This woman standing beside her never received a note or a card from her in her thirty-five years. Of course Hope had not known she was alive, but Maura didn't know that. "Maura I know things haven't been great between us… it's just… well, I wish I'd…"
Maura cuts her off. "Please Hope, it's OK… This is a difficult case in more ways then you'll ever know. But please… I really need for us…" Maura's struggling for the right words. "Our relationship to stay professional; I really need for us to do that."
"Of course, I'm sorry Maura." It's the first time Hope's really noticed that Maura displays the coping mechanisms of someone who's been alone a lot. It breaks her heart. When she's sure she can keep the emotion out of her voice Hope continues. "Well that's as much as I can tell you for now. I've tidied up in here Maura; I'll finish what I need to do today out there."
"Oh, thank you Hope; you didn't have to do that." Maura tries to smile.
"It's your office Maura; it's where you belong." Hope smiles and leaves Maura to her office.
Maura sits and starts to wade through information. When she's fully up to speed on everything that is going on in her department Maura goes upstairs to the Squad room. As she walks in, it's unusual for her not to spot Jane, Korsak, Frost or Cooper. Still the outcomes of the orphanage fire have been far-reaching and the police work still involved is every bit as intense as the medical efforts.
Maura knocks on Lieutenant Cavanaugh's door and enters. "Doctor Isles" Cavanaugh smiles at her. "I heard you'd been reinstated; I'm really glad to have you back."
Maura's taken a bit by surprise. "Oh, oh thank you Lieutenant. I wasn't sure you knew; I thought I would just pop up and fill you in."
"Are we making any progress on identifying the victims" he asks.
Maura explains they have six firm identifications. She adds they are hoping for that number to rise when the DNA samples from today start to come back.
"Good, good work Dr Isles. It's really good to have you back." Cavanaugh says warmly. Maura smiles at him as she turns to leave.
As she walks back through the squad room Korsak walks in. "Oh hey Doc; boy is it good to see you" Korsak smiles.
Again Maura is surprised by the warmth of the greeting. Jane's always telling her that these people really like her, but Maura's never really believed it. Maura is well aware that people don't generally like her.
"Hello Sargent Detective Korsak. Thank you, its… it's good to be back" she smiles. "Where is everybody?"
"Taking statements Dr Isles; it seems a lot of people want to report abuse within the church. We're working the orphanage complaints but Cavanaugh's had to put another team on for people who are making complaints for other reasons. The ADA's pushing for a full inquiry; it's getting bigger than Ben Hur," Korsak shakes his head. "Oh, how's Jane" he asks.
"She's fine Korsak, I'm certain she'll be in tomorrow."
"Good Doc, we need as many hands on this as we have. I have to get back; great to have you back Dr Isles." Maura smiles her gratitude and walks out with him.
Maura knocks on the penthouse suite door of the Boston Harbour Hotel at exactly 7:30pm. When Constance opens the door Maura is greeted with a warm smile and a kiss on both cheeks. "Hello darling, come in." Maura enters.
Her father walks out from their bedroom to greet her. Maura looks at her father. He's tall and fit and handsome for his age. He carries himself with such confidence. He's always taken Maura's breath away and yet she's always wondered what it would be like to be close to him. "My dear child; how very nice to see you." He too offers Maura a warm smile and kisses her on both cheeks.
"Hello mother, hello father; it's lovely to see you both, thank you for making time for me."
"Not at all darling, come and sit; Harrison would you fix the drinks please?" Constance sits at the table with Maura.
"Of course darling; what would you like Maura?" Her father strides to the suites bar which has every imaginable drink option available.
"A white wine would be lovely father" Maura smiles nervously.
"Did the Governor mention we had dinner with him and his wife and Cardinal Medina last night" he asks.
"Yes he did" Maura acknowledges.
"Oh George and Leila Patrick are such lovely people" Constance offers. "And I think Cardinal Medina is far too handsome a man to have gone into the priesthood" she laughs, Maura smiles. Harrison brings the drinks and joins the women at the table.
As dinner is served and they enjoy their meal, Maura finds she's glancing out the window at the amazing view quite often. Boats passing with lights flickering off the water are beautiful to watch. At one stage Constance notices her. "We love the view too darling. It's one of the reasons Harrison and I choose to stay here when we visit." Maura smiles, she'd hoped when she bought her new home with the guest house that they would stay with her. It had not happened and to be honest she's relieved to have Angela there now, the house is a big place for her to occupy on her own.
"Yes it is lovely mother," Maura has a sip of her wine.
"So you know then of course that Cardinal Medina is hosting a memorial service for the children that died in the fire on Sunday," Harrison offers proudly.
Maura puts her knife and fork down and pats her mouth with her napkin. She's bracing herself for the conversation she here to have but terrified of it just the same.
"Father about that, I really wish you would have discussed this with me first. I am the legal guardian of those children."
Harrison is surprised. He puts his knife and fork down and pats his mouth with his napkin before speaking. Constance also stops; surprised by where the discussion has gone. "Maura, your mother said you'd like to give the children a service; I thought you would be pleased with this news."
"Father, please don't take my comment as a sign that I'm not grateful; I know you meant well. It's just…" Maura hesitates.
"Maura, if you have something to say; please say it" Harrison sounds offended.
"Father, those children died as a result of the church's negligence. I don't want that reality lost in some grand gesture by the church to hide their role in these deaths."
"Maura darling" Constance joins the conversation. "I didn't get the sense that's Cardinal Medina's intention."
"I know mother, I've met Cardinal Medina and he seems like a good man" Maura offers.
"Then I don't understand this conversation Maura" her father says.
"Father my request to you was to hold a private memorial service for those children and to put them to rest in the private garden of your Parkland Estate" Maura tries to explain.
"Maura, I'm sorry but I don't want our garden turned into a cemetery for every dead child that comes into your morgue" Harrison's words lack any compassion. It's like he's slapped her.
Constance notices the pain that's flashed through Maura's eyes. "Darling, it's not that we don't try to understand; it just seems odd to us that you get so attached to every orphaned child that has no one. We're worried that the garden will turn into your own private cemetery. We don't think it's healthy."
Maura looks at both her adoptive parents. "I was very lucky to have been adopted by two very good and decent people. I am so grateful to you both. Were it not for you; anyone of those children could have been me. Had I not stepped in and taken legal custody of them they would have been given state funerals. They'd be put in a box, cremated and left in a pauper's grave, with only a computer record to show they ever existed. If I could save every orphaned child in the world from that fate; I would try."
"There is no point to this discussion; I have made a commitment to the Governor and the Cardinal" Harrison points out.
"Yes father you have and I won't embarrass you, but I could and I'd rather not be put in this position again. Father I'm asking that you consult with me before making decisions on my behalf in future."
"This is ridiculous." Harrison looks to Constance for support.
"Maura we're sorry if we've upset you, we'll try to be more aware next time" Constance offers.
"Thank you," Maura smiles. "There's one more thing I'd like to ask. There are two deceased children, not part of the eight that I would like to give a private service and have them buried in the garden. I will make sure they are placed discreetly. It is the last time I will ever ask, you have my word."
"For heaven's sake Maura, did you just hear what I just said" Harrison is exasperated.
Constance reaches for Harrison's hand. "Darling let Maura do this; she has given her word it will be the last time and that she'll be discreet. Why don't you tell Maura your surprise for her."
"Alright Maura you may use the Garden one last time. As for the surprise, it feels rather anticlimactic given the nature of this discussion." Harrison hesitates then goes on. "Maura, Cardinal Medina has consented to you giving the eulogy at the memorial service."
"I beg your pardon" Maura heart has gone into her mouth; she cannot believe what she's hearing. The very last thing Maura wants to do is stand before a cathedral of people to speak about something that is so emotionally challenging to her.
"Here we go; am I in trouble for this now?" Harrison takes a sip from his drink; trying to hide his annoyance.
"No… I'm sorry father. I didn't mean anything by that… it's a great honour, thank you for asking for that for me" Maura manages to get out with a modicum of sincerity.
As dinner concludes Maura learns that the announcement about the memorial service will be made tomorrow and the service will be at 3:00pm on Sunday. Maura promises to advise the funeral home and to join her parents at the service.
When Maura drives away from the Boston Harbour Hotel her emotions are very raw. As she thinks through her having to give this eulogy her heart starts to race and she begins to hyperventilate. She pulls over. Maura leans her head on the steering wheel as she tries to calm herself and slow her breathing. When she's settled a little, she notices the time; it's only 9:30. She decides to call on Jane.
Jane's sitting eating a bowl of cocoa puffs watching the baseball when there is an unexpected knock on her door. When she checks and sees that it's Maura she swings the door open. "Hey, I wasn't expecting to see you til tomorrow."
Maura's voice falters as she speaks. "I'm sorry to bother you Jane; I know you've been through a lot the last couple of days but can I just sit… As she enters she notices Jane is watching the baseball. "And watch the game with you for a while."
"Oh Maura, of course, you don't have to ask." Jane goes and grabs a box of tissues and hands them to Maura. "Dinner didn't go so well" Jane surmises. "I don't have much to offer you Maura; would you like a beer" Jane asks.
"Thanks" Maura says, which makes Jane more concerned. Maura doesn't drink beer very often. Maura's voice breaks and the tears start to flow. "You will not believe what my parents have done." Jane hands Maura a beer and sits beside her.
Jane doesn't speak. Maura has a sip of her beer and then wipes her eyes and blows her nose with a tissue. Eventually she looks at Jane. Maura recounts her dinner with her parents for Jane, all the while Jane keeps Maura in supply of tissues. Jane watches her with sympathy, she can see how emotionally raw Maura is. She hasn't seen her like this since the night she told Hope who she was.
When Maura explains that she has to do the eulogy, Jane can't help but smile.
"Jane it's not funny," Maura sobs through a tissue. "I can't stand up in front of a cathedral full of people and talk; I mean look at me."
"I'm sorry Maura, I wasn't laughing; it's just I can't think of a better person to speak for these kids."
"Are you crazy Jane; look at me" Maura becomes animated.
Jane takes her hands, "Maura calm down. I know this case has been tough on you; you've been having nightmares and you've had far too much Rizzoli family madness to handle. You're tired and you're stressed; but you know what; you can do this. I really want you to do this; make sure those kids are honoured properly. Make sure the church doesn't get away with hiding its role in these deaths."
"Really" Maura sniffles, "you think I can do that?"
"You've got nearly three days, just prepare Maura. You are great at talking to the media when you're prepared."
"No I'm not; you always say I'm too clinical, that I sound like a robot." Maura blows her nose and has a sip of her beer.
"Maura, normally when you speak publically you are speaking science. That big brain of yours is repeating scientific information in much the same way as it processes it. Somehow I have a feeling when you stand up there and speak about these kids; you know, speak from the heart; Boston is going to see the Maura I know and love."
"Really" Maura asks meekly.
"Yeah, come here." Jane gives Maura a much-needed hug.