Nina and Clara arrived at Maura's home at the same time. Maura felt like a terrible host being unable to invite the two women inside, however, they understood Maura's priority was to keep Angela and the boys safe during the pandemic. Maura introduced the two women, while they worked to pack her Mercedes SUV for the trip to the airport. "Nina, this is my friend Clara Messier, we met many years ago in Africa when we were both with Médecins Sans Frontières. She will be joining us in case I need another physician to care for Jane's medical needs. Clara, this is Nina Holiday. Nina is a detective with the Boston Police department and is engaged to Jane's brother Frankie."
Clara and Nina acknowledged each other. Both women smiled with their eyes as the rest of their faces were covered with masks for the journey. Once the car was packed the three women settled into the car and Maura drove them to Logan airport. She parked in the lot reserved for the private jet terminal and greeted a man who was waiting to assist them with their bags.
Once all three were onboard the jet and the luggage was settled. Maura began explaining the plan for the next several hours. "This flight will last approximately 1 hour 45 min. When we arrive at Dulles airport, Nina, you will go to Jane's apartment to collect Frosty and his belongings along with whatever you think Jane might need. I don't anticipate her returning anytime soon so please throw out any perishables and bring Jane's dirty laundry with you. Here is a key to Jane's apartment. I have written directions and the security code on this piece of paper. There should be a comfortable SUV waiting for you when we arrive at Dulles. Do you have any questions?"
"No, Maura," Nina replied. "I think you covered everything. I will work as quickly as possible and then meet you back here at the plane. If you think of anything specific you want me to get for Jane just call or text it to me."
Just then Maura heard a ping on her phone and looked to notice an email from Jane's doctor. It contained a copy of the medical report as well as results from CT scan, X-rays, and MRI. Maura spoke with Clara next, "Clara I am going to forward you this email from Jane's doctor so that we may both read it and then can discuss a plan for traveling home with Jane."
Clara nodded in agreement and all three women took their seats for take-off, each one lost in her own thoughts and plans for this brief trip out of Boston. Maura pulled out her laptop and placed it on the table in front of her. She took a deep breath to steady herself and then opened the email from Dr. Woods. She gave a shocked gasp as the first thing she was confronted with were the photos of the injuries Jane sustained. It looked as though most of her body was covered in bruising and stitches. She knew the photos were necessary because Jane's injuries were caused by criminal acts and the photos may one day need to be used as evidence. Maura struggled to tamp down the flash of anger she felt towards whomever had hurt Jane. Didn't they know Jane was special, she was important and loved. Jane shouldn't have been treated so carelessly. Quickly dismissing those thoughts as irrational and unproductive, Maura returned to the email. She read about the right distal radius fracture, the concussion that resulted in a loss of consciousness, the broken nose, and the extensive bruising including ribs and a kidney which were caused by the impact of bullets on Jane's vest. Maura stopped reading and considered the implications of the information she had just gleaned. She began quietly crying as she realized just how close they had come to losing Jane. Between the bullets that had been thankfully stopped by her vest, and the significant head injury, this day could easily have had a very different outcome. Instead of heading to Bethesda to bring Jane home, Maura easily could be home making arrangements for a funeral.
Maura felt Nina place a hand comfortingly on her shoulder. "Jane's tough," she said to Maura. "She might be hurt but she will recover, especially with you in her corner."
Nodding to Nina in thanks, Maura returned to reading the reports in front of her. She mentally catalogued the lacerations that required stitches or staples in Jane's left shoulder, bicep, scalp, lip, and eyebrow. She then read about the puncture wound in Jane's thigh along with significant bruising and swelling of the right hip and knee. She finished by reading the overview of painkillers, antibiotics, and vaccines Jane received. A final statement regarding Jane's height, 5 foot 9 inches and weight, 122 lbs with a calculation of a BMI of 18.01 caught her off guard. She didn't realize just how underweight Jane had become over the last several months.
Maura closed the laptop in front of her, leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes in quiet contemplation. Her mind immediately jumped to planning about the best way to get Jane home, the numerous follow up medical appointments that would be necessary, and the types of accommodations Jane would need once they were home. Maura looked over at Clara and saw that the older woman had finished reading the medical reports. "Maura , what do you think will be the best way for Jane to travel home with us?" Clara asked of her friend.
"I think the best way would be to have Jane remain strapped to the gurney for the duration of the flight," Maura responded before being cut off by a pointed look and an amused snort from Nina. However, in the past Jane has exhibited a great deal of resistance with complying with directions from medical professionals. Also, due to some past emotional trauma I don't know if it would be wise to ask her to remain restrained on the gurney for the duration of the flight. I think the best we can do for Jane will be to fully recline one of the airplane seats and to use the overhead bin to hang the IV bag. I would like to keep a mild painkiller flowing for the duration of the flight. I do hope that Jane does not have to use the bathroom in flight. I am afraid I will have to insist she use a wheelchair to move around and I know she will be resistant. If she is feeling up to it I would like to try to encourage Jane to consume some nutritional and calorically dense food during our travels. I have to warn you Jane can be very stubborn and difficult at times, I hope you are prepared for it."
Once this course of action was agreed upon Maura emailed Dr. Woods in regards to their plans as well as a request to leave the IV in so that Jane could continue to receive necessary medications on the flight home. Maura informed the doctor that a private ambulance would be picking Jane up from the hospital and bringing her to the airport. She requested that someone ensure that Jane left with all of her belongings.
Feeling a sense of accomplishment, Maura relaxed and enjoyed conversing with Clara and Nina for the rest of the flight.
As soon as they arrived at Dulles, Nina left to head over to Jane's apartment. Maura called a personal concierge company and made arrangements for them to purchase and drop off a wheelchair and dog crate at the airport. Then she and Clara set about making one of the already luxurious seats, more comfortable for Jane. The seat was reclined and padded with extra pillows and blankets. Maura took out a soft and fuzzy Red Sox blanket and placed it next to the seat ready to cover Jane with. She then collected several emesis bags and placed them strategically in case Jane felt sick due to the concussion or medication. Maura then spoke to the pilot about Jane's service weapon and made accommodations to store it in the hold of the plane along with some of Jane's belongings from her apartment.
Finally, the time came for Jane to arrive at the airport. The ambulance company called and let her know they were only a few minutes away. Maura found her green winter coat and buttoned it up before walking out of the plane, down the stairs and approached the ambulance. She greeted the two young men and they nodded to give her permission to enter the ambulance. Maura opened the doors and felt her eyes fill up with tears as she finally saw Jane for the first time in over a year. "Jane," she said smiling, "let's go home."