Questions

When I got to the squad room partners were gathered around, talking to Cavanagh. Frost noticed me enter, I gave him a nod letting him know everything was fine. It wasn't fine, but I wasn't going to let my little confrontation with Jack take my attention away from what I needed to focus on. This case was starting to hit dead ends, and we didn't want it to turn into a cold case.

"Rizzoli, What do you have?" Cavanaugh asked.

"We don't have much sir. Jenna Barkey went missing 5 months ago and was burned to death while being 3 months pregnant. She would have been missing before she got pregnant, and she also had a secret relationship with a girl named Alyssa. She was quiet, kept to herself, and never partied. Her parents said she use to be that party girl, but after the passing of her sister, she became an introvert. Her parents reported her missing after not hearing from her, her girlfriend last saw her at her dorm before she left for her parents for the week. She assumed that Jenna was going to stay in her dorm until she returned."

"Why didn't the girlfriend report her missing?"

"She wasn't aware. They hid the relationship from Alyssa's parents, they never talked while she was away. Too scared that her parents were to find out."

"Who knew about the relationship?"

"As far as we know, the only ones who knew were the two girls themselves. The roommate called Alyssa the best friend."

"What do we have on the roommate?" I took a seat, watching Korsak bring up his notes and the missing report on Jenna.

"She told the detectives 5 months ago that they weren't close, Jenna kept to herself. She figured Alyssa was the best friend since she was the only one to ever come to the room for Jenna. It's also noted that when the parents came to find Jenna, the roommate directed them to Alyssa's room."

"The roommate and the girlfriend are the last ones to know where Jenna was?. I think we are missing something here." Cavanaugh asked.

"I think we overlooked the roommate, maybe we need to go back to the beginning. Starting from the day she left her dorm. Starting with the roommate." I said, grabbing my keys.

"Are we sure this case is connected with the case from last year?" Cavanaugh asked, pointing to the cases we had taped onto the board.

"The wounds on Jenna are the same as the others from being pulled or dragged. They were confirmed by Dr. Isles. The rope came back as Kernmantle rope. Used by fire and rescue services." Frost replied.

"Okay, but if that's all we are going off of it's not good enough. We need a solid connection between the two. Work this case as a single murder case, and if we find a connection even better." He spoke, and we nodded in agreement.


The day was quiet, not very busy. Paperwork mostly. I decided to take a break and grab some lunch upstairs. I sent a text to Jane, but she was on her way out following a lead. I stepped into the cafe, taking a seat at the counter. I smiled at Angela.

"Hey Maura, what can I get you?"

"I'll have a water, with one of your veggie wraps please."

"Whole wheat wrap, light on dressing?" I nodded.

"Yes please."

I watched her return to the kitchen, and I took that moment to take out my phone. I haven't heard from Jack since last night, I wasn't sure if I should text or call him. I know this situation is hard on him, and I wouldn't want to be in his shoes. He loved me, wanted a life with me, and here I was still fighting my feelings for someone who doesn't want me. I looked through my phone for any missed calls, or texts. Nothing, not even from Jane.

Jack's words kept running through my thoughts, and they started to make sense the more I thought about them. Jane kept me at a distance, then she pulled me back in. It was just for a moment, then I pushed away. Her emotions seemed to be based on the cases she would work on. She would check in more when cases got more dangerous. Her touches became more when cases became emotional, especially when it came to families. Then there were the cases that would make her livid, angry, and frustrated. I couldn't keep up with all her morning runs, and gym workouts. I lost count of how many times I would have to bandage her scrap, bruised, and sore hands. All to release the anger she felt while working on some of these awful cases.

"Here you go. Veggie wrap, with a glass of water. Anything else I can get you?"

"I'm good Thank you" I placed my phone back into my purse, grabbing my wrap.

"Maura are you okay, you seem stuck in that big brain of yours?" I took a minute to think about how to answer. I wasn't okay, but I wasn't about to discuss all my business out in the open.

"Just sorting through some difficult questions that seem to be on my mind."

"Is this about the love you have for my daughter and the pending marriage to Jack?" I probably looked like a fish out of water.

"Maura it's not a secret. I know you love my daughter, anyone can see that. I also know that she is stuck in her ways, and doesn't think she wants what you want. Jack is also a nice gentleman, I think he will give you the life you want, but you will never be able to give him the love he deserves. That love is already taken by my stubborn daughter, I apologize for that. I don't know what happen that made her so closed off to the possibilities of marriage, and family, but I think it comes from being in the force. She has had to go to a couple of funerals since being a cop, and Cavanaugh has told me it takes a part of you when burying your fellow officers."

"You've been talking to my mother I assume."

"We talk, and we both want you happy. Even if that means you need to start fresh. I love you Maura like your my own child, but I know your happiness may never come alive if you stay in this circle my daughter has pulled you in." I watched as she wiped away a tear from her cheek.

"I don't think I want to get married or have kids Angela. I use to want that, but somewhere I just stop wanting that life. It's confusing to me, I don't know where my thoughts changed."

"It's okay to take a step back and reexamine what you want in life. Jack might not be okay with that part, but it's your life, Maura. You get to decide what you need and want. Don't let someone decide for you."

"Thanks, Angela, I think some time away would be good. Everything has just become a mess, and I don't want to keep hurting Jack."

"Where will you go?"

"Who knows, but I will let you know." I smiled, hugging her.

As I walked back down to my office, I took out my phone to text Jack.