Jane strolled into the bullpen. She checked her phone, sighed heavily and frowned. She had spent the better part of the last hour trying to contact her wife to no avail. This was concerning to her. Maura had a schedule which she followed religiously. It was rare that she deviated from it without letting Jane know. It kept their lives ordered. She wasn't where she should be and no one seemed to know where she was. Jane wasn't comfortable with that fact. Something inside her was screaming that there was a problem. She felt it deeply. She needed to locate Maura sooner rather than later for her own peace of mind.

"Frankie, have you seen Maura?" she asked stopping at her brother's desk.

"No. Why would I have seen Maura?" he questioned wondering why she would even ask. Maura rarely made it to BPD anymore and when she did she was either with Jane or Kent or occasionally with Nina.

"It was just a question, Frankie," she answered annoyed with his response. "I can't seem to get in touch with her."

"Maybe she's working. Something you should try," he suggested teasing her. She glared at him. She wasn't in the mood. Not today.

"You want to know what I think about that, little brother?" she responded. He shook his head. He did not.

"I'm sure it isn't anything you can repeat in front of your children which means I would have to mention it to your wife. Don't think she'd be too happy."

"You're an ass." He shrugged grinning. He knew this.

"Can you track her phone?"

"Jane. Seriously?" he questioned. "There are laws against stalking in Massachusetts even if it is your wife and especially if you're a cop."

"Frankie, something's not right," she replied her voice expressing her concern for the first time. He could hear her worry. He furrowed his brow. It wasn't as if they didn't have history with one or the other of them going missing and nothing good coming from it. He clicked some keys on his keyboard and frowned.

"It last pinged near the courthouse. But it went silent about an hour ago," he said continuing to scowl. He typed something else.

"Nina was supposed to be at the courthouse," he said explaining what he was doing. "Her phone last ping there as well about an hour ago and is dead too." He looked at Jane. What the hell was going on?

Jane took her keys out and holstered her gun.

"Where you going?"

"The courthouse," she answered stating what she thought would be an obvious play in this situation.

"Jane, you can't."

"The hell I can't Frankie." Frankie recognized that his sister was determined to do what she wanted. He also understood she couldn't and come out on the other side without consequences.

"Cavanaugh told us we had to go to that meeting this morning with the Captain and Chief." Jane glared at him. This was Maura. Surely he understood what that meant. Maura's safety outweighed everything.

"Jane, I want to go too but he specifically said unless there was a warm body that was dead," he added reading her thoughts, "we had to be here."

"Frankie," she replied rubbing her forehead. He heard in that one word Frankie that this is Maura, this is my wife, the mother of my children, the love of my life.

"I know," he said grabbing her arm. "We'll both go after but Cavanaugh will kill us if we aren't there, Jane. Maura would be upset with you if you miss this for no reason."

"But we don't know there is no reason." He nodded. He understood. Nina wasn't answering either. He was worried also but maybe there was an explanation. Right now he needed to believe there was a reason and that reason meant everyone was fine.


Maura checked her watch. It had been an hour. She tried to provide some comfort to Nina without drawing attention from their captors who had said nothing about why they were here. They had yet to be given an explanation on why their lives had been disrupted so dramatically. She could theorize that it had something to do with a court case that originated in this courtroom with this judge, ADA and public defender and there was little or no interest in the rest of them other than as hostages.

Maura could tell Nina was uncomfortable although she was trying not to show it. She watched as she adjusted and readjusted trying to find a position in those awful chairs to take the pressure off of her low back. Pregnant women were definitely not the focus group for this furniture. Maura also knew from her own experience that Nina had most likely reached her limit on waiting to go to the restroom as well. She stood. She had to try to do something to help this situation for Nina and the baby.

"Sit down," the black mask said.

"Please may I have a word?" Maura asked.

"No," he responded harshly.

"Please," Maura pleaded. "You said you didn't want to hurt anyone." The gunman sighed heavily, pulled the mask slightly away from his face and wiped his forehead before he walked over to Maura.

"Thank you," she said as he approached.

"Don't thank me yet. What do you want?" he asked.

"This lady is nine months pregnant," she said pointing to Nina, "her blood pressure is elevated and her heart rate is faster than it should be. She is uncomfortable and she needs to go to the restroom. I am asking you to please let her go."

"No one is leaving," he answered.

Maura continued undaunted, "I don't know why you have taken us hostage but I do know this woman needs care. I believe you don't want to hurt anyone but if you keep her here you will hurt her and possibly her baby and whatever you are hoping to accomplish will be lost behind that fact. All anyone will ever remember is that you killed an unborn child." The man looked at Nina who appeared to be in extreme discomfort.

"Sit down," he replied to Maura. She refused.

"Lady, I'm warning you," he cautioned.

"No."

"Why do you care?" he asked.

"Because I am a doctor and she needs medical care. If you let her go, you will show the authorities that you don't mean to hurt anyone," Maura offered not willing to give up on Nina's release.

"I don't care what the authorities think. They didn't care what I thought when I needed them too."

"Your eyes would indicate otherwise," she answered.

"Really?" he questioned intrigued by this woman who refused to be afraid. He hadn't anticipated anyone questioning him. She was brave or stupid. Brave he decided quickly. She didn't strike him as stupid.

"I have been watching you."

"That isn't wise."

"Perhaps."

"Who are you?" he asked.

"You have in me the best hostage you can have. You don't need this woman."

"Really? Someone thinks highly of themselves," he replied amused by what he attributed as her arrogance.

"I am Dr. Maura Isles, the Chief Medical Examiner of the Commonwealth. I have direct access to the governor of this state and other resources that I will use to assist you in whatever it is you are trying to accomplish." Maura handed him her badge. He looked at her then the ID.

"You have my word that I will help you but please let her go." The man considered what Maura said and weighed the possibilities.

"Man, you can't let her go," the orange mask said stepping forward.

"That wasn't the plan. It will show weakness before we even make contact with anyone," the green mask who was the tallest of the crew added.

"It will show compassion," Maura interjected.

"I'll think about it," he said walking away.

"Thank you," Maura replied before sitting at least that was something. Nina mouthed thank you. Maura shook her head. She hadn't succeeded.

Maura noticed movement around the room when she took her seat. The leader checked his watch and changed into the court officer's uniform and left through the prisoner entry door. Whatever this was it must be happening now. Everyone was moved into positions that made it appear as if court was in session.

Nina remained in the jury box. Maura was seated at the defendant's table with the public defender. The judge was moved back to the bench and the ADA was placed into his position. They were warned to be quiet. They were warned that they would die if anyone cried out. They were warned and they all believed.

Two corrections officer entered with a prisoner followed by the leader. By the time it registered that something was wrong, the corrections officers were surrounded and relieved of their weapons. They joined the other hostages – zip tied and outfitted with explosives – while the leader embraced the prisoner.

"I didn't say anything," the prisoner told the leader.

"You did great," he answered smiling.

"You came," the young man said.

"I told you I would."

"Why did you leave your mask off?" the green mask accomplice asked.

"It would have scared him," he replied. He turned to Nina.

"Let her go," the leader said. Maura noticed from his voice that he was tired and in pain.

"We need to stick with the plan," the blue mask who was the only female in the group stated upset.

"You heard her. She has direct access to the governor. That is better than any plan we have."

"We have her access even if we don't let anyone go. She will still be here. Someone will want her back and will do anything we want if she is so fucking important," the green mask countered.

The leader looked at Maura. His accomplice was right. Maura needed to get Nina out of here. She motioned for the man to come closer which he did. She had a pull on him that he didn't understand.

"You are not well," Maura whispered to him. "You are suffering from something that has made you think this is your only option but I don't see you as a someone who would purposely cause the death of a child. If you don't release this woman, you will. That woman is in stress which is putting stress on her unborn child." The man sighed deeply and motioned for Nina to rise and come to him. As she passed Maura, she squeezed her hand. Maura gave her a slight smile and nodded.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Nina," she said almost following it with Rizzoli before catching herself, "Nina Holiday."

"Well Nina Holiday this is your lucky day. Sit down over here." Nina did as she was instructed.

He motioned for his group to huddle in the corner. These were his closest friends – the people who always had his back – Roger the one in the orange mask, Tanya had chosen blue to match her eyes, Henderson was green and Matty who was the reason they were here. They had grown up together in the foster care system. Their paths crossed from home to home – some good, some bad. Together they had created their own family. He would do anything for them as they would for him, which is how they found themselves here now.

"What are you doing man?" Roger asked once they all gathered near the door.

"Letting her go."

"Troy, we can't let her go," Tanya whispered. "If she leaves she can provide our descriptions before we get out of here."

"And say what? Four people in different colored hockey mask?"

"She's seen your face, man," Roger interjected.

"Yeah mine and only mine."

"We had a plan," Henderson said concerned Troy was losing his focus.

"Nothing has changed."

"It has," Tanya said. "This compromises us all."

"Do you think I would do that?" Troy asked offended.

"Not intentionally," Roger replied.

"She can help me."

"You? We had a plan. You are fucking it up. We are here for Matty," Tanya stated angrily under her breath.

"This is about Matty," he stated.

"Don't hang us out there, man," Henderson warned.

"I'm not. You guys are leaving."

"What do you mean?" Roger asked.

"I mean that I appreciate your help but I'll finish this on my own. We didn't get into this to hurt anyone and this lady says she can help."

"You believe her?" Tanya questioned surprised. This lady wasn't like them. She was one of those. One of the people they talked about. Hated even. One of those people who looked down on them, who didn't expect them to accomplish anything in life, who thought they were worthless, who never gave a damn.

"Yeah, I do," he answered honestly though he wasn't sure why. She was annoying but different. "You guys need to go."

"Troy. Man. We had a plan. I can't say that enough. If you don't leave with us, you may not get out," Roger said worried.

"You know I'm not getting out," Troy replied. He had never said it. They had never asked for him to do so. He smiled. If they had thought hard about this, they would have realized this really wasn't a well thought out plan anyway. There were too many unknown variables but he needed them and like always they were there. For the escape to work, there had to be someone left behind. He was always going to be that someone. It was just happening sooner than he thought.

"We'll let her go first so she'll believe you are all still in here. You guys will leave out the back. She will give our descriptions, which won't amount to much. We have the cars set up and disguises. Use them and follow the escape plan. All right?"

"What about Matty?" Henderson asked.

"You know he won't last on the run. He needs routine. She is offering to help. For Matty, I think I should try this because it's better than the alternative." Their silence was their agreement.

"Are you sure?" Roger asked. Troy nodded.

"What about…" Tanya didn't finish the question.

"Cora," Troy answered. Cora was one of the good homes they had been in. She had truly loved them. "If this woman can help, Cora will take good care of him."

Troy walked over to Nina and helped her up. He gave her a tentative smile and let her out. He turned to his friends – his brothers and sister.

"Go," he commanded. Maura watched as the group hugged one last time. She witnessed the tears that her captor wiped from the girl's face. She knew when they slipped through the door she wouldn't see them again at least not here.


Frankie motioned for her to come as he raced towards the elevator. Jane followed without questioning why. Cavanaugh called after her but she didn't stop to acknowledge him. Frankie was driving before either was securely in the vehicle – lights and sirens blaring.

"What the hell, Frankie?" she asked annoyed as she attempted to get situated in the car and put on her seatbelt. He was going to get them killed.

"Nina called," he answered concentrating on maneuvering through the streets of Boston.

"You found her? Is Maura with her? Is it the baby?" Jane rapidly fired questions at him.

"There was a hostage situation at the courthouse."

"Damn it. I knew something was wrong."

"Nina's out," he continued.

"Maura?"

"They still have her."

The words hit Jane hard. They still have her. She sank into the seat. How sobering was that thought in this moment. Any annoyance with her brother dissipated. They still have her. Jane swore no one would ever have Maura again. She had failed.

"What was she doing at the courthouse?" she wondered aloud. "It wasn't on the schedule."

"I don't know," he answered teeth clenched.

The car was barely in park when Frankie took off rushing to find his wife. Jane was right on his six. They were directed to a room where they found Nina. The tears that Jane knew she was holding back flowed freely when Nina saw her husband. Frankie gathered her in his arms. Jane couldn't hear what was being said but whatever it was calmed his wife. Frankie kissed Nina on the side of her head. Jane saw the tears in his eyes before he closed them.

Renata Jenkins, the SWAT commander entered looking for Nina.

"We need to talk," she said abruptly.

"Whoa," Jane said stepping between Nina and Jenkins, "give her a minute. We just got here."

"Sergeant Rizzoli, I need to do my job. She has answers and the hardware on my shoulder outranks the hardware on yours." Jane smirked. They all like to pull rank.

"True. But she is nine months into a difficult pregnancy and her doctor on speed dial outranks the hardware on your shoulder. One call to her will put Nina off limits to you. So give her the minute I am asking for right now so she can collect herself."

The commander eyed Jane. She knew her reputation. She knew she didn't say or do anything she couldn't back up. Jane held her stare. She wasn't bluffing. Jenkins stepped back.

Jane touched Frankie's shoulder. "Bud, we need to know what she knows. You need to let her go." Nina pulled back and wiped her eyes as the commander stepped forward.

"If you'll excuse us, I will talk to her alone."

"No," Jane said firmly.

"Sergeant do we need to go through this again?" the commander asked.

"Do we?"

"Rizzoli, let me do my job."

"Lieutenant, what you need to understand is that is her husband," she explained pointing to Frankie, "so he is staying and my wife is still in that room so I'm staying." The commander turned back to Nina. She knew she wouldn't win a stand off with Jane.

"What can you tell me?"

"There are three in addition to the leader. They have secured the doors to the courtroom, judge's chamber and jury room with what appeared to be explosives. They drilled holes in the entry doors and inserted USB scopes to see the hallway which should run on WIFI."

"We should be able to tap into that," Frankie interjected. Nina nodded.

"They never called each other by name. The leader said they weren't there to hurt anyone."

"Why did he let you go?" Jenkins asked. "You're a cop."

"He didn't know that. Maura and I were both reviewing our cases and talking so we didn't notice them until it was too late. When we did, Maura made me give her my badge and department ID which she hid in her purse. She then offered herself up as the perfect hostage by telling him who she was and that she had direct access to the governor."

"That wasn't smart," Jenkins said writing in her notepad.

"It was Maura smart," Jane interjected defending her wife. "She knew Nina wouldn't be safe if they found out she was a cop and she also knew it wasn't best for the baby."

"Still. Having a cop inside would have been beneficial."

"Having Dr. Isles inside is more beneficial than having me there," Nina stated unhappy with the commander's attitude. Her tone reflected her displeasure.

"Dr. Isles was able to get me released so I could tell you of the four people – three were male, one female. The leader is approximately 28 years old. I saw his face. His was the only one. I can provide details for a sketch. He has short brown hair. Brown eyes. Five feet, eight inches, weight 125, thin. Maura mentioned that he wasn't well."

"How did she know that?"

"It is something she can do," Jane offered without looking at the commander who had turned towards her. "She can diagnose people by looking at them."

"Oh," Jenkins replied unsure of how to digest that knowledge.

Nina continued, "I didn't see the faces of the others. The all kept their masks on. The other two male accomplices I would guess were in their early twenties. One is about five, eight. White. Blonde, long hair pulled back into a ponytail. He wore what looked to be part of a uniform similar to those worn by the custodial staff at the courthouse. He wasn't happy. He didn't want me released.

The other guy was six, one. African-American, dreads with a black beard and earrings in both ears. The female was white, approximately five feet, four inches. Black hair. Pixie cut and a heart tattoo on her left hand between her index finger and thumb and her ring finger on the left hand had a heartbeat tattoo."

"Weapons?"

"Between them there was a lot of firepower for people who don't intend on hurting anyone. They each had semi-automatic handguns and rifles."

Jenkins was impressed with the report from Nina. That much firepower also meant it was an inside job. Jenkins turned to her team leader who had come in with her and said nothing. "Pull all the personnel records for the courthouse employees. Find out who is unaccounted for."

"Start with those hired within the last six months."

"Why six months?" Jenkins questioned.

"Hunch," Jane answered. Jenkins nodded and left them.

"I'm sorry Jane," Nina said taking her hand. "She gave herself up for me."

"She did the right thing, Nina. Don't worry. We'll get her out."