A Great and Sudden Change
This is a crossover with Rizzoli & Isles, which I haven't watched since season three or so. I apologize for everything.
When a bizarre corpse is found in Toronto, Medical Examiner Holly Stewart calls in a favour from one of the most internationally renowned experts in the field, Dr. Maura Isles. Unbeknownst to Holly, Maura has a much closer connection to the case than anyone might wish.
—
Chapter One
"The different accidents of life are not so changeable as the feelings of human nature."
"I'm just saying the last trip you took me on was to Paris."
Maura shook her head and got her suitcase out of the overhead. "You didn't have to come."
To that, Jane just glared at her. "Seriously? Between Ma and Korsak, I didn't have a choice."
"Also I don't think I took you on that trip."
"They were your miles."
"And I didn't pay for this one."
"Po-tay-to, po-tah-to."
As they left the plane and went to customs, Maura smiled as Jane's comfortable, and not serious, rant continued. She knew Jane wasn't really mad, but the woman had to get through her complaints in order to get through the day.
Maura smiled. "Thank you for coming."
"Hey, I'm the FBI liaison for you," said Jane and gestured for Maura to precede her for the Customs check.
It had been an interesting two years for them. After Jane took a month off to 'hang out' with Maura in Paris, she'd gone to Quantico as an FBI instructor, which turned into actual FBI work. Jane insisted it was on a limited scale, but from what Maura had seen, it was a lot more than that.
They still had different classified levels. Three months after Jane had left, the former detective called Maura and mentioned there was a job for a forensic and pathology instructor. It was, Maura decided, a better idea than staying in San Francisco, so she took the job.
And it was Maura's job that brought them to Toronto.
One of Maura's friends, a Canadian she'd worked with before in San Francisco, had asked if Maura could recommend a specialist. It was a messy case and Toronto had run out of ideas. That surprised Maura, who knew and respected (as well as much liked) the younger pathologist.
But as she read the non-classified information, Maura had paled. Toronto had a Frankenstein's Monster, a body made of multiple bodies, sewn together with disturbing precision, all of which unclaimed thus far. The body had been filled with a fluid as of yet not fully understood. And just as they had started to research the entire situation, they'd found a second body. And that was when the pathologist in charge of the case called Maura.
Disturbed by the information, Maura had taken the case to her superiors who, after looking at the case, sent Maura and Jane. Together.
Rizzoli and Isles rode again, is what Jane had said.
They hadn't worked a case, or anything like it, since leaving Boston. Jane had fallen into teaching with gusto and it suited her. Maura too loved teaching at Quantico, which had come later. They had regular hours, regular work, and no middle of the night calls. They even lived together, out of convenience Jane had said. It made more sense to commute together and since they hung out all the time, why not split the rent?
It made sense, agreed Maura.
Not that Maura cared about the money part, of course. She just selfishly wanted to be with Jane more.
Sighing, she watched Jane talk to the Customs agent.
It was not sensible at all that Maura held a candle for her best friend, but there she did. Jane hadn't seriously dated anyone since Casey, and she didn't seem inclined to do so. Maura had dated a little, and after Jane left Paris to start work her life felt empty.
Having one's best friend be their perfect match and also so blindly heterosexual was ... depressing.
"Uh oh, what's got you up there?" Jane slung her gun bag over her shoulder.
"They didn't give you trouble? About the gun?"
Jane narrowed her eyes. She knew very well Maura couldn't lie. And that meant Jane knew what Maura was doing by avoiding the subject. "A little. But the FBI badge is wonderful. Can't imagine trying this without it."
"That's good. I don't want another international incident."
Jane laughed. "The one time."
"It was memorable."
They wheeled their bags through the exit where an easy to spot woman held up a sign that said "Isles."
Pointing, Jane laughed. "Found your friend."
Maura waved and so did the woman. As soon as Maura got past the gate, the woman held open her arms. "You made it!"
"Holly, it's been a long time." The hug was welcome and comfortable all at once. Holly did hug nearly as well as Angela Rizzoli.
"Too long since San Francisco. You look good!"
"You look better."
Holly blushed. "Working on it." She then stepped back to hold a hand out to Jane. "Hi, Holly Stewart. You must be Jane."
"Jane Rizzoli." Jane furrowed her brow. "Maura told you about me?"
"Oh yes," said Holly. "She knows I hate total strangers in my house. You are okay sharing a room?"
Jane shrugged. "We do all the time."
Holly arched an eyebrow at Maura, but just smiled. "Well okay. Come on, I'll get you someplace less airporty."
"And more foody I hope," said Jane. Holly just laughed.
They bundled to the parking lot and into the car, a crossover SUV. As Holly drove, she caught Maura up on what had happened since that morning. "We did the test you suggested, and the skin patch is absolutely from at least five separate people."
"That's besides the limbs you found sewn in?"
"Limbs?" Jane spoke up, surprised. She had not had reason to read the reports yet.
"Correct. Each limb is from a separate person. Plus we have an odd patch of skin on the chest, with multiple grafts."
From the backseat, Jane muttered, "Nasty."
"Can I read the unredacted report at your place?"
"Of course."
"Can we not talk about super gross things in the car? Or over dinner?" Jane lamented.
Holly laughed. "You sound like everyone I've ever dated."
"Oh! Yes," Maura clapped. "How is that going?" She turned to the back and explained to Jane. "Holly and I met in San Francisco, but she ran away to Toronto last year to be with the love of her life."
Beside her, Holly flushed. "God, I sound shallow when you put it that way. I'm actually from Toronto, so technically I ran back."
Jane chuckled. "Love of your life, huh. How's that working out?"
Holly sighed a little. "It's ... awkward. We just started dating again, but I have this feeling like we're not on the same page."
"That sucks," said Jane. "You came all the way back and this guy is stringing you on?"
Arching an eyebrow, Holly eyed Maura. "You didn't..."
"Well no," confessed Maura. "Should I have?"
"I don't know." Holly laughed ruefully. "She, Jane, my ex girlfriend and I broke up when I moved to San Francisco, and ... Ah. Well there's been a lotta damage. Some of that is my fault. Most of it, in the relationship arena at least. Her family is a trip. This time, we agreed to go slow, which is the polar opposite of last time. And I get it, but I just wish ... I wish the universe wasn't so keen on craping over this."
When Maura glanced back she saw Jane's expression hadn't changed much. With a sigh, Jane replied, "As the poster child for damaged goods, Holly, I gotta tell you. We know when people care about us, we just don't know what the hell to do with it. Run up trees and shit to get away."
Holly actually snorted a laugh. "I think you two will get along."
"Is she coming by tonight?" Maura wondered, and privately marveled at how gracefully Holly could sidestep the use of pronouns. It was like magic. And rather odd, since Holly was a self described 'out and proud' lesbian.
"No, she'll be over for dinner tomorrow. Had to go visit her parents today, and she's always moody."
"Parents set everyone off," said Jane, knowingly.
"Oh, you have no idea," muttered Holly.
That night was a quiet affair. While Jane unpacked and called in to make sure everything was fine, Maura read the new case notes. She and Holly talked quietly about this being a serial killer, and then they had Thai food from Holly's favourite restaurant. Jane went to bed first, leaving Holly and Maura with a bottle of wine and some catching up.
"So DC, huh?"
"Don't you start," complained Maura.
"I'm just saying, Maura. After seven years? Nine now! She's not."
They both looked at the stairs. "I know, but that doesn't change how I feel. I love her like family, and she loves me like that. Sometimes that's enough."
Holly didn't look like she believed a word. "Does she even know?"
Maura frowned and sipped her wine. Thankfully Holly didn't know she couldn't lie. "Does Gail know you love her that much?"
To her surprise, Holly nodded. "I told her. She ... she has totally valid reasons for taking it slow. Her family situation is pretty awful right now." Holly gnawed on her lower lip. "Okay, you know how that story about Jane was all over the news?"
By 'that story' Holly clearly meant the one about The Surgeon. Instinctively, Maura clenched her hands. "Sadly."
"Look up Gail. And try to imagine emotionally abusive parents who belittle at every turn."
Maura winced. Much of the reason Jane was able to get back out there had been her family. As much as Maura would like to say she helped, she'd not known Jane back then. Officer Rizzoli wasn't someone Maura was familiar with, and neither was rookie Detective Rizzoli, who sometimes felt worthless because she only had her job becuase she was nearly taken out by a serial killer.
"They couldn't be that bad," said Maura, demurring.
Holly waved a hand. "Gail Peck. Mother Elaine."
Taking the hint, Maura pulled out her phone and tapped in 'Gail Peck serial killer.' The first page had a glam shot from almost a decade ago, Officer Peck, undercover. The other half of the picture was Gail in uniform, short hair and baby-faced. Her rookie graduation photo, no doubt. The headline was "Undercover Officer Found Alive" — Seeing found alive was never good.
Maura read quickly, the story of serial rapist and killer, Ross Perik. Her stomach roiled. "Was she ..." Maura trailed off, unwilling to voice it.
"No," replied Holly. Clearly on the same page. "And all that was before I met her."
"It's the same with me and Jane." She'd met Jane before but she hadn't really known Jane until a few years after. Maura clicked back and glanced at the other headlines. Most were about Gail nearly dying, but one was about how her parents hadn't been in the country. And that led to one about her father being arraigned on corruption and her mother...
She had to scroll back and re read. "Holly, her mother planned the arrest of the Police Commissioner?"
"It's hard to call it a set up if it's one evil throwing the other under the bus," said Holly dryly.
"Where is her mother now?"
"House arrest still. Elaine was trying to frame Santana, that's the old police chief, for everything and keep Bill, that's Gail's dad, out of jail."
"Which didn't work."
"Well. Gail and her brother turned evidence. Steve was already in jail, so it was mostly Gail's testimony that helped."
"Everyone in her life has betrayed her."
"Which is why," said Holly, "I don't want to pressure her."
"And when you say you're dating..."
"I mean we went out on a couple dates, where both of us knew it was a date. We've kissed. But. It's ... " Holly sighed explosively. "Patient. I can be patient."
Oh yes, Maura understood that feeling. The absolute frustration. But at least Holly knew it was mutual and had a possible happy ending. A probably happy ending. Unlike Maura and her unrequited (and unrealistic) longing for Jane, Holly knew that Gail was no only a lesbian, but loved her. "And she's coming for dinner tomorrow," was all Maura said.
"Yeah." Holly dug her phone out. "You reminded me to text her."
"In that case, I'll leave you to your dirty sexting."
Holly narrowed her eyes. "Jane is a terrible influence on you."
"Agent Rizzoli, welcome to Fifteen." The balding, Dad Bod sergeant, resplendent in his starched white shirt, all but had his arms out. His name tag said 'Shaw, O.' and Jane realized he was the man she'd been talking to. "Sgt. Oliver Shaw. We talked on the phone?"
"Yep, you look like I thought you would."
Down to the congenial and authentic smile, Sgt. Shaw was a stereotypical Canadian. "You're Boston to the core," said Oliver, with a laugh. "I can hear your As as Ahs."
"Just 'cause you're embarrassed about your Os being Ooohs, Ollie," said a remarkably egalitarian, and deeply sarcastic, voice from behind Jane.
"Hey! You're back early!" Excited, Shaw reached behind Jane and hauled the voice forward.
Jane saw a woman in uniform, sipping coffee from a mug that said "World's Greatest Dad." Clearly not her mug, decided Jane. The woman was about her own height, pale skin, reddish blonde hair in some stage of growing out. The face was young but incredibly cold. Unlike Shaw, she had no name-tag. "Hi," said Jane, cautiously.
"Agent Rizzoli, this is Officer Gail Peck. She's assigned to help you out while you're here."
"Aren't I supposed to have a Mountie?"
"Peck's the next best thing," insisted Shaw. "Also she's our liaison with the Mounties."
"How do you get to be a Mountie liaison?"
"Cela aide que je parle français comme un parisien," Gail replied, the textbook example of nonplused. And probably textbook French too.
Oh crap, realized Jane. Some bitchy, entitled police princess was not anyone she wanted to work with. "So," said Oliver Shaw, like a proud parent. "Anything you need, Peck'll get you. Right?"
Gail just saluted with her coffee. Non regulation.
It was as uncomfortable as Jane had expected. Oh, Gail was incredibly responsive. In fact, she nearly read Jane's mind, getting her access to the system on a dedicated user account (it was just good security, muttered Gail) and sending rookies to fetch evidence and photos (all the rookies seemed terrified by or in awe of her).
But Gail wasn't personable. She didn't talk about herself or make any kind of small talk actually. Perfectly content with terrorizing rookies, Gail could command them with a look. Some of the older officers seemed tolerant and wary of her, like there was some history.
None of it made sense. Was Gail a TO? Was she somehow in charge of rookies? She didn't seem to report to anyone but Oliver Shaw, and even then was casual with him. Gail called him Ollie, and didn't abide by any of the usual rules of comportment.
It was possible Jane herself was too well heeled, being at the FBI, she realized.
At lunch, which Gail went to get herself, Jane found herself sitting with a young man named Fox. And she asked him, absently, if he knew Peck well.
"Oh yeah, cut my tie." When that didn't seem to mean anything to Jane, he elaborated. "She was my TO. We cut ties, literally, when you move out of rookie land."
Interesting. "And she cut yours?"
"Yeah, me and Xander are the only ones. She's picky." Fox puffed up a little. "I mean, I get it. She's legacy."
"You get a lot of Pecks in policing?"
"Her godfather was the old Comish. The one before the last one. Her mom was head of IA, and her old man was our Staff. But that was a couple years ago. We only have a few Pecks now."
Before Jane could ask for details on that, Gail walked in. "You've got a strong stomach, right, Rizzoli? The lab sent some photos by." Gail waved a folder.
Fox looked confused. "Doesn't the courier do that?"
Jane looked out to the front where someone vaguely familiar was exiting. "The courier was sick," said Gail. And she slapped Fox's head with the folder. Curiously, Jane was pretty sure Gail was blushing. What did the courier have to do with anything? Well, maybe he was cute. "After we eat, or before?"
"What'd you get?"
"Burgers from The Habit. And no, Fox. Go check with Nash if she needs anything." As the rookie slunk off, Gail added, "Like I said, if you have a strong stomach, I would eat before."
"Cold fries are an abomination."
That got a faint smile from Gail, who sat down and immediately started looking at her phone while eating.
A weird cop. Unlike the others, Gail's uniform seemed both more and less precise. It fit her like a custom suit, and she had the poise to look like she stepped out of a movie. But there was an odd negligence to how Gail presented herself. She seemed to take for granted her place and her looks.
After lunch, they used the detective area to put up the photos on a board. An incredibly chirpy uniformed officer named Price came by to help, and to catch Gail up on what at first sounded like gossip. About halfway through, Jane realized that Price's rambling was a sitrep and she was keeping Gail up to date on a number of cases, including the one they were working on.
Finally Price ran herself down. "Should I go get the latest reports from Dr. Stewart?"
"That's what this is," said Gail. "Are you on me today?"
"Ollie said to fill in."
Gail nodded. "Okay, then cover the Tabernacle case?"
"You got it." But Price stayed where she was. "How's ... you know?"
The police officers glanced at Jane. Gail rolled her eyes. "No, Chloe." The little woman nodded, bounced on her feet, and hugged Gail before shooting off. "I hate when she does that," said Gail under her breath.
"I'd ask why you let her get away with it," said Jane, trailing off.
"But?"
"But she's clearly a force of nature."
Gail half smiled at Jane and pinned the last photo up. They both stared at the photos, each from various body parts.
It was gruesome, frankly. Jane had never thought people would be quite that sick, and yet there was the evidence. Multiple bodies, mutilated, sliced and diced and sewn together.
"What are the odds it's just some crazy Dr. Frankenstein?"
"Low," said Gail. And nothing more.
Jane was starting to wonder if Gail just didn't like anyone. Besides that one partial smile, there's been nothing. "DNA is running through the system," said Jane aloud. "Maura and Holly are trying to figure out what the non blood fluid is. And date the body parts. Plus there's extra skin..."
The local police officer sat down on the desk to look at the photos. "Methodical," she said quietly. "That's some hella precise work."
Taking a second look, Jane realized Gail was right. "Surgical level," she agreed, and shuddered involuntarily.
Would Charles Hoyt ever not haunt her, she wondered? It was almost fifteen years now, give or take, and there were nights Jane woke up in a cold sweat. She looked at the backs of her hands, the scars glistening in the harsh light of the detective bullpen.
Beside her, Gail made a noise. Jane crossed her arms, hiding her hands, and looked over. "Think of something?" she asked of Gail.
Gail seemingly absently rubbed her forehead. "Nothing helpful." And she pulled her phone out and proceeded to read from it. "You good on your own?"
"Sorry, what?"
"I need to make a call. We're waiting on forensics anyway." And without waiting for an answer, Gail walked off tapping on her phone.
Jane scowled. "Yeah sure, whatever."
What a weird woman. She wasn't wrong, that they were waiting on forensics, but normally detectives at least tried to spitball ideas. Well. It wouldn't be the first time Jane had worked with an uncooperative
Welcome to the crossover! Let me know what you think. I know my Jane and Maura are a little different, but it's been a couple years since their show ended, and it's been a few more since Gail and Holly were together. This is an awkward new world.
Oh and you're not wrong, Holly and Gail are dating (more or less) but haven't had sex since that started. Holly is a bit frustrated.