Chapter 26
Back at headquarters in the conference room, Jane and Frost started going through the Shultz file. Judiciously she separated the papers into piles. There were financial transaction records along with personal banking statements. Two simple, identical ledgers, obviously the accounting books, were placed to the side. Frost happily snatched them up.
"Aw, man, this dates back three years, Jane!" He squeaked, the boy-geek in him salivating over endless columns of numbers.
Before Jane could reply her phone rang. Without looking at the caller id, she barked, "Rizzoli."
"If it's a bad-"
"No!-uh, no, Maura. What's up?" She turned away from a preoccupied Frost, then walked out of the room.
"Have you eaten dinner yet?"
"What's with you always wanting to feed me?" Jane joked, ducking into an empty waiting room.
"Proper nutrition is essential for the body, Jane. Someone in your position-"
"That's so sexy, Maur." Jane purred with a teasing cadence.
"I don't understand."
"You're worried about feeding and positioning and bodies-"
Her voice was a little breathless as she said, "Is everything an innuendo with you?"
Sincerely, huskily Jane answered, "When I talk to you…yeah."
Maura cleared her throat. "Are you still working?"
"Yup. My cases are breaking open. I'm not gonna get out of here any time soon."
"I have time before shopping with mother to pick up something to eat for everyone?"
Jane, remembering the 'Tofu Incident', winced. "We'll pick up something later-"
"I promise, no tofu, Jane."
Chuckling, she responded, "No, that's not it. I…"
"Yes?" Maura prompted.
"I'm…I need to focus on work and if I see you now-"
"We'll end up-"
"Yeah, so, um, I really, really want-"
Maura interjected, her voice soft, understanding, "Me, too. Call me tonight?"
"Yes."
Just as Jane stepped out of the room, Korsak met her in the hallway fairly bursting with energy. He grabbed her elbow and steered her toward Interrogation Room 2.
"Seriously, keep shovin' me Korsak and I'm gonna-"
He whirled her around to face the one-way mirror, pointing to a dowdy, overweight woman in her forties.
Jane shrugged. "Okay, thanks for…sharing?"
"You do this shit on purpose, don't you?" Jane's response was a slow blink. "I should go downstairs and have a little talk-"
"You don't need to bring my mother into this, Vince!"
"Well, then-"
"Who's the woman?" Jane jerked her head towards the room.
"Rosemary Austin, the parole officer of none other than two of our vics."
"How'd you get her down here without a union rep?"
Korsak looked at her solemnly. "My charm."
The laughter really wanted to be liberated from the tightly closed lips of the brunette. Instead she bit her lip hard enough to produce a sheen of tears, whether from the pain or the torture of forcing herself to remain silent, Jane wasn't certain. Simply nodding in agreement, she expelled the deep breath she was holding.
"Well, okay, Korsak. Carry on. Frost and I hit pay dirt with Rueben Shultz. We're going through it all now." Managing a relatively neutral expression, Jane continued, "Um, go easy on her, tiger."
"Oh, I will, don't worry."
Korsak walked into the interrogation room, jovial and informal, carrying a cup of coffee and can of soda.
"Here you go, Rosemary." He said, gallantly opening the drink for her.
"Oh, Vincent, thank you." Her voice was high, akin to nails being dragged across a chalkboard.
Korsak didn't flinch, his face a guise of charm and patience. "Don't mention it. I'm just real glad you decided to consult on my case."
"Well, we're all part of the same family, right?"
"We need each other, that's for sure." He stroked his goatee, as if in deep contemplation. "I've got two parolees without any connections. They didn't do time together, didn't commit the same type of crimes…just strangers really." Korsak snuck a peek at the woman, noticed how she suddenly started fidgeting. He decided to stand then began pacing. "Can parolees request a certain parole officer?"
"Not normally. No."
He hitched his hip up on the table beside her, for all appearances having an amicable conversation. "How do parolees get assigned to an officer?"
Rosemary Austin licked her lips then sipped from her drink. "The city is divided into districts and each officer has their territory."
"What happens if a convict moves? He gets a different parole officer?"
"Mostly, depends on how many cases an officer has already, whether he can handle more or not."
"How many cases you got, Rosemary?"
She hesitated for a minute, stalling by taking another sip. "About 300, I guess."
Korsak sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You ever lose some? Pick some up?"
"Parolees?" When he nodded, she continued, "Yes. Everyone does."
"Any recently?"
Rosemary, despite being distantly bovine in expression, she knew enough to be suspicious of the detective's line of questioning. "Mine? My cases? I don't see how that-"
"Oh, Rosemary, you can give me a unique perspective. I could really use your expertise."
Indecisive, the parole officer squirmed in her seat. "I-um…yeah."
"Would that be Mitch Rafton and Jeremy Casey?"
Her head swung in his direction, eyes wide with panic. "H-How did you know?"
Korsak stood and took a seat at the table across from her. He pulled out a pen from his breast pocket and set it down next to a legal-sized yellow notepad. Maintaining eye contact the entire time, he watched the play of emotions wash over the woman's face. After a few minutes of silence, he pushed the notepad over the table in front of her.
"Just tell me the truth, Rosemary."
Tears welled in her eyes. She opened and closed her mouth, clearly struggling to understand how the turn of events came to be.
"He…he just wanted a list of names."
"Who?" When she didn't answer, Korsak's voice hardened. "You need to give me a name."
Rosemary Austin burst into tears, complete with hysterical sobs. The detective closed his eyes. The criers were the worst.
Frost was nose-deep in the ledgers, occasionally humming what sounded like affirmations to Jane. She started organizing the paperwork, tacking it up under the relevant picture of each victim on the murder board.
"Seriously, how long are you gonna drool over that shit, Frost?"
"Mathematical poetry."
"Uh, okay, whatever."
Korsak swept into the room, grinning from ear to ear. "She gave up Markowitz!"
"Holy shit!" Jane blurted.
Frost grunted, halfheartedly pumping his fist in the air.
"It's time to bring this to the Assistant DA." She announced, clapping Korsak over the shoulder. The clock on the wall showed the time to be close to seven o'clock. "Let's finish this up then go get a drink!"
The bar wasn't packed but was busy enough that they had to wait to be seated at their regular booth. Jane went to the bar, telling the guys the first round was on her. She took out her phone and called Maura after giving the bartender her order.
"Hello, Jane."
"Maur, I can't really talk right now. We're at the bar celebrating…"
"You solved the murders!"
"Yeah, I think so. I just wanted to…uh, call before it got too late."
Maura's throaty laughter danced along Jane's nerve-endings. "You miss me."
Jane wanted to object, wanted to downplay the slightly veiled reedy quality to her voice. Something rearranged itself inside of her chest at the realization that there was more to her attraction to Maura then simple, straightforward lust. The idea, bulky and ambitious, was pushed from the forefront of her mind.
Her voice low, raspy, Jane teased, "I haven't thought about you at all today."
"Mmm…is that so? I suppose you wouldn't be interested in knowing what I thought about today?"
Jane briefly closed her eyes, sending out a silent prayer for strength. "Uh, yeah…sure."
"I spent twenty minutes staring at the same sentence thinking about…what's…going to happen…tomorrow night."
The groan erupted from Jane before she could even think to stop it. Impossibly low, the brunette asked, "What's going to happen, Maura?"
"Sex, Jane. Lots of sex."
"Damnit, Maura!"
"Do you curse during sex, Jane?"
"Whaaat?" Jane shook her head, jogging the cobwebs loose. "All this teasing is going to land you in a lot of trouble, Ms. Isles."
"God, I hope so."
Jane rejoined the other detectives, a wide and happy smile on her face. Without so much as spilling a drop, she placed a frosted mug of beer in front of each them. Korsak and Frost had taken off their coats, loosened their ties.
As she slid into the booth a familiar voice called out, "Hey, don't I rate a beer?"
Jane smacked her brother on the back of the head as he sat next to her. "Get your own, beat cop."
In response, Frankie grabbed her beer and chugged it down. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he let out a satisfied groan. "Ah, thanks, sis!"
"Ass!" She sputtered, elbowing him roughly. "You're buying."
Laughing, he pulled out his wallet and handed it over. Jane shoved her way out, ignoring their laughter.
"Hey, get some chicken wings or somethin'. I'm starvin'." Frankie called after her.
As she waited at the bar, she pulled out her phone but hesitated. Maura was with her mother and Jane was with her friends. It wasn't as if they weren't going to see one another soon. She was feeling anxious and amped, the adrenaline fueling her. Jane sucked in her bottom lip but decided to push her phone into her pocket without making a call or text. We have plenty of time. No need to rush.
When she returned to the booth, her brother was regaling them with one tall-tale or another. Frost had taken off his tie, arms resting on the table and leaning forward. Korsak was draining the last of his mug, a twinkle in his eyes. Jane felt a warmth in her chest at the sight of them.
The next hour they ate, drank, and mercilessly bullied each other. Far from drunk, Jane coasted on the mellow sensations consuming beer provided. My life is perfect. She was content in a way she hadn't experienced in a long time. Usually she was a tightly coiled ball of energy, bulldozing her way through life. Tonight, however, she was…happy.
"Wow."
Jane's attention caught on Frankie's exclamation and she turned her head in the direction his was riveted. Then her mouth opened as a gentle expletive tumbled out.
"Oh, hell yeah!" Frost excitedly said, nearly girlish in his eagerness.
Jane's eyes peeked at Korsak to gauge his reaction as two very well dressed woman made their way to the booth.
"Dibs!" Frankie stated as he smoothed back his hair, his eyes never leaving the approaching females.
Impulsively Jane punched him but it had little force. "What the hell's wrong with you?"
"Whaaat?"
"Man, that's your sister's wom-"
"Shut up!" Jane kicked Frost under the table.
Korsak laughed into his beer.
Frankie had a puzzled look on his face. "Say again?"
Before anyone could enlighten him, Maura and Constance had arrived. Frankie jumped up, Jane on his heels, quickly blocking him with her body, hissing, "No, you jackass."
The situation was unraveling, badly. Frost was outwardly laughing. Jane and Frankie were jostling for position. Maura and her mother were watching the Rizzoli's odd behavior. Korsak rose as well, beer in hand, expertly out-maneuvering the siblings.
"Hello, Dr. Isles." He turned to the older woman, a pleasant smile on his face. "My name's Vincent Korsak."
"Vincent, this is my mother, Constance Isles."
"I'm Frankie!" He stuck out his hand to Maura, a lop-sided grin spreading across his mouth.
Jane sighed. "My brother."
"How do you do, Mr. Kor-"Constance began but the older detective cut her off, insisting she call him Vincent.
Maura uncertainly shook Frankie's hand, her eyes looking at Jane, filled with question marks. Jane merely expelled a heavy breath.
Finally Frost shimmied from the booth, took Frankie by the arm and led him away. Jane tried not to cringe when, seconds later, everyone heard his disbelieving exclamation "Get the fuck out, dude!"
"I'll go get some chairs." Jane muttered, defeated and humiliated.
"I'll help." Maura chimed in as Korsak graciously entertained her mother.
When they were a safe distance away, Maura gently ran her fingers down Jane's arm. "I thought I'd surprise you."
"Instead you and your mother got the surprise. I'm guessin' right about now you're wishin'-"
Maura motioned for the brunette to be silent. A charmed expression was cast upon the medical examiner's face. "Should my mother and I leave?"
"No, Maur!" She was a shade disgruntled, from her brother's inane behavior or from Maura's apparent willingness to leave, Jane didn't know. "I'm willing to risk it, if you are." She quipped, one brow hiked teasingly.
The blonde looked over her shoulder at the odd group assembled not too far off. Frost and Frankie had reverted to their previous positions in the booth while Korsak and Constance remained upright, chatting. The scene must have satisfied her because when she once again faced Jane, Maura was suppressing a smile.
Her hands curled around the back of a wooden chair. "I think it's worth it."
Jane swallowed, completely stunned by the impact of such an artless statement. She was ill-equipped to deal with the intricacy and depth of emotion rapidly expanding in her chest. No, no, no…please, no! Three words, impetuous and alien, circled her thoughts, singing a most impossible song, mocking the skepticism. Jane lived in the shadows of reality, a witness to the darker side of humanity. Fragile, finer emotions were often just dreams she had given up. Maura's effect on the detective was like a caress when Jane was expecting a slap.
"We should…we should get back, Maur." Unsettled and weakened, Jane's defenses for her heart crumbled a little more when green eyes calmly regarded her.
"Can I get you anything from the bar, Maura?" Korsak asked.
"A red wine?" When he nodded, she thanked him.
"Jane, you wanna 'nother one?"
She shook her head but reached into her front pocket.
"I got this one. You two go sit down."
As Maura pulled up the chair to the booth, her mother remarked, "Darling, let me sit on the chair. Here, "She motioned, already standing, indicating her now empty place by Frost.
Repressing a sigh, Maura slipped in beside Frost and consequently across from Jane who was seated at the end of the booth. Their eyes held overly long. Maura was the first to break off when her mother asked her a question.
Frost glanced over at Jane, his long eye lashes blinking as he leaned back and rested his arm on the seat behind Maura. Jane's annoyed expression did nothing to combat her partner's playful antics.
"You shoulda told me." Frankie whispered in her ear. In answer, Jane kicked him under the table. "Ooww that hurt!"
"So, Constance, Jane mentioned you're some type of artist?" Korsak said, sitting in the other chair next to Maura's mother.
The strong urge to kick him as well shook through Jane like a freight train. Had it not been so very obvious, she would have.
Constance's coolly assessed the brunette's flushed face. "Really?" It was only one word, but Constance drew it out so long, it was almost rude.
Jane's eyes narrowed. "I was under the impression you retired years ago."
Maura's eyes raised heavenward, her lips marginally moving.
"I just opened a show in Milan last month. There was a feature written about me in the fall issue last year in Aperture."
Jane took a long pull from her beer then wiped her mouth with the palm of her hand. Frowning she said, "What's an artist doin' bein' featured in some Eastern homeopathic journal?"
Constance's eyes flared, her nose looked as if it had inhaled the most repugnant of smells.
Maura covered a laugh but hurried to explain, "Jane, Aperture isn't about acupuncture. It's being considered by the National Magazine Awards for its promotion of creative photography which has helped launch the careers of Ansel Adams and Barbara Morgan."
"Beg your pardon." Jane said. "Hey, Connie, do you know the photographer who shoots pictures of all those little babies dressed in matchin' costumes?"
"Oh, you mean the ones where all these babies are lined up-"Frost expounded but was interrupted by Korsak.
"In cute little bunny suits? My favorite is the ones where they're in sunflower costumes!"
The discussion derailed from there. It went from babies in matching outfits to Weimaraners lounging on furniture. Constance's face looked like it should have been carved in the Mt. Rushmore. Warmth and enjoyment had went south for the winter. Jane noticed, then looked at Maura who was an unbelievably shade of red. Whatever fun she had at Constance's expense died a painful death.
"Okay, okay, guys, we're forgettin' our manners!" Jane told Korsak to buy another round.
"That's quite alright, Officer Rozoni-"
"It's Detective Rizzoli." Jane corrected, a warning bite in her tone.
Constance's smile was frosty. "Spanish isn't my forte."
Maura soothed, "Rizzoli's actually Italian, mother."
"Forgive me, dear?"
Jane finished off her beer. "Oh, Connie, no sweat." Winking, Jane stated, "Who knows, one day you might have a little Italian in your family."