It hadn't taken Vinnie long to track this Dr. Isles down. A quick search on his phone and he knew more than he wanted to about Maura Isles. Like the fact that she was the daughter of the mob boss, Patrick Doyle. That was a problem. It meant that she was off limits. Vinnie knew enough about gangs to know better than to hurt a mob boss's daughter. Even if that boss was theoretically in jail on the other side of the country. It was Vinnie's personal opinion that power, once held was hard to lose. Vinnie would guess that Doyle still had strings to pull. Strings that would earn him an ice pick to the chest.
It made Vinnie angry, knowing exactly who had challenged his power but being unable to do anything about it. Angry enough to drink. Of course, just because he couldn't hurt Maura Isles didn't mean he couldn't make her pay. Vinnie just needed to get creative. He thought about torching the clinic. It would be fitting, he supposed. They deserved it, letting women lead them but Vinnie feared the neighbourhood would tear him apart if they ever found out who did it. The MEND clinic was very popular. Besides, they would just rebuild and that didn't sit right with Vinnie. He wanted whatever he did to be permanent. He wanted it to tear Maura Isles apart. He wanted it to be a life long reminder that she was less than he was.
What Vinnie needed was more information and he knew just the person to get it. He would have his victory if he just took his time. And Vinnie could be very patient when he wanted to be.
Maura hummed softly as she brought in breakfast, delivered via room service. She had ordered them berry topped french toast, enough bacon to satisfy even Jane, and eggs. Their date the night before had been incredible and so completely… natural. It was like every other time they had gone out to eat together except it was a million times better with sparks of attraction flickering between them. Every touch felt electric, every smile secretive. Maura couldn't get over that Jane had flown all the way to New York just to surprise her. That was the second time in the last week Jane had managed to make her feel more deeply known and loved than any one else ever had.
Maura's ring tone interrupted her process. Maura answered with a frown, 'Dr. Isles.'
'Yes, Dr. Isles, this is Nia Williams. We worked together on a Jane Doe case the night before last, I received your voicemail requesting I call you back.'
'Oh yes!' Maura said, sitting on the couch, 'I just wanted to check in and see how Panda is doing.'
'I'm afraid I cannot tell you very much Dr. Isles, for your safety and hers.' Nia replied.
'I understand. I just want to ensure that she is safely placed in a home.'
'At the moment, she is in a safe location with vetted caregivers.'
'Caregivers who understand her previous trauma and have expertise in handling it?' Maura asked.
'They have been briefed on the applicable information.'
Maura huffed, 'any news about the parents?'
'As you know, their identities are unknown,' Nia responded, 'we've inquired to schools in the area to see if they have any missing students but from what we have heard, it's entirely possible the girl was not in the education system. Right now, our priority is getting her a more permanent placement.'
'So this man could just get away with it? With beating and raping that little girl and we aren't even going to try to find him?' Maura asked, feeling indignant. She knew, in theory, that most cases of abuse and rape went unreported and uncharged but it was an affront to the side of her that had worked in law enforcement for the better part of the last decade.
Nia sighed on the other side, 'as maddening as it sounds, yes. If the girl gives us a name, we'll send a patrol to pick him up but short of a miracle he will in all likelihood get away with it.'
'That's wrong!' Maura responded hotly.
'I know,' Nia replied sounding defeated, 'but we are just as under funded and over taxed as every one else. Every case worker I pull to work on identifying this man is one more case worker, not out there helping kids. It's not my job to find or to punish the people who hurt these kids. It's my job to get the kids to safety.'
Maura knew she was right. It was a type of triaging. A forced necessity to treat the worst of it. 'Well what if I found him?' Maura asked.
'I really would advise you against that Dr. Isles. Aside from it being nearly impossible, it would also be incredibly dangerous.' Nia replied.
'Well you can't expect me to sit here and do nothing!' Maura shot back, her voice more emotional than was strictly professional.
'I don't. I expect you to continue being a doctor at that clinic. Every kid you evaluate, you vaccinate, you help connect in to a program is another kid who you help. And when you find the Panda's of the world, you call me and we do it all over again. We all have our parts to play but none of us can do it all.'
'I don't know if that's enough,' Maura whispered, her heart breaking as she thought of Panda calling out for her.
Nia was silent a moment before responding. 'It never feels like it is Dr. Isles. For every kid we help, there's three more we miss.' Maura knew the numbers, knew the stats. Maura also knew they were doing the best they could. The next thing Nia said made Maura pause. 'If you want to do more Dr. Isles, perhaps you should consider becoming a foster parent.
'Oh,' Maura said, her mouth falling open in surprise. She glanced at the bedroom doorway where Jane was still asleep. Foster parents? It was a possibility she hadn't yet considered. Sure she had adoptive parents and she certainly would have adopted Jane's child if asked. 'Does the state of Virginia permit same sex couples to foster?' Maura couldn't believe she was having this conversation. That she was seriously entertaining the possibility. Then she thought about Panda crying out to her. What if Maura had been able to say yes, to take Panda home with her and to have everything she would need.
The social worker let out another sigh, though Maura couldn't tell whether it was directed at her or not. 'There is nothing in the law prohibiting it and in theory you would have the same rights. In practice, it would be up to the biases of individual people. There's nothing in place protecting your treatment under the law. So a judge or a social worker or some other individual could easily decide you were not fit based on sexual orientation and you would have little recourse.'
Maura nodded and chewed her lips, 'I see, well I will consider it and discuss with my…' Maura trailed off. What did she call Jane. This whole romantic relationship was in its infant stages. Were they partners? Girlfriends? Dates? Lovers?
'Sure Dr. Isles. You and your partner talk it over and if you want more information, feel free to email me. I have all the information you need to get started in a pamphlet.' Nia responded, 'if there's nothing else I can help you with?'
'No! Thank you so much for returning my call and do let me know if you find that man and need me to testify. I assure you, I am a very compelling witness.'
'Thank you Dr. Isles, we'll be in touch,' Nia replied.
Maura sat on the couch staring at her phone a moment longer, a million thoughts running through her mind. She didn't doubt her and Jane's ability to co-parent. She just… wasn't sure this was what she wanted it to look like.
'Is that bacon I smell?' Jane's voice came from behind her.
Maura smiled as she turned to look at Jane. She was wearing a soft shirt and shorts, her hair was messy and wild, her face had the white remnants of drool. She was perfect. 'Yes! I ordered us room service!'
'God I love you!' Jane replied sitting at the table. Maura stared at her, feeling particularly adoring. 'What do I have something on my face?'
Maura grinned, 'yes, the remnants of saliva but that's not why I'm smiling.'
'Maura!' Jane squeaked rubbing frantically at her face with a napkin, her cheeks turning bright red. 'Did I get it all?'
Maura chuckled, 'yes Jane, you did.'
'Great,' Jane said, relief evident in her voice, 'so what's got you so happy?'
Maura thought about it. There were the simple answers. Jane was here, in New York City, with Maura. They had, had their first date. Jane was beautiful in the morning. They were going to the Museum of Modern Art today. But mostly, it was that sense of everything falling in to place. Maura was teetering at edge of the rest of her life and with Jane the rest of her life felt like bliss. Maura gave the most honest and coherent answer she could before scooping up a berry laden bite of french toast.. 'It's you Jane, just you.'
