Maura dropped her luggage at the front door of her Boston home. In a completely uncharacteristic move, she left them in a pile at the door and headed straight for the kitchen. It had been two very long weeks without a single conversation of substance with Jane. Maura had tried, she really had, to be patient. To get on with her work. She prided herself on not being defined by her previous partnerships. She was her own person, thank you very much, with her own objectives and goals to accomplish. In her mind, it was her own feminist manifesto to have a life and career outside of her previous significant others. Maura knew that was still technically true. She had worked hard on her novel. She was proud of it. She wanted it to sell. But Jane. That was the root of it. But Jane. Jane meant more than that. Jane meant everything.
Unfortunately, Maura wasn't sure what she was supposed to do in regards to Jane. All her offers to quit the tour had been wholly rejected by Jane. Maura had considered doing so anyways, if only to handcuff Jane to their kitchen table to force into talking about her feelings. She might very well handcuff Jane in Baltimore. As far as anyone could tell, Maura wasn't under direct threat. As far as anyone could tell, Maura was no less safe on tour than at home in Virginia. Maura poured herself a sizeable glass of wine and took a sip. She wandered back towards her bedroom, perhaps some wine and meditation would help her to accept that which she could not change, namely Jane's fear.
Maura set her wine glass down and began to strip. What she needed was yoga. Wine, yoga, and after a hot bath. Maybe being home, even if it was home in Boston not Virginia, would help her to find a solution. Maybe, like a thought carving a familiar path through the neurones in the brain, time spent here solving so many cases before would guide her to the answer. Having changed, Maura crossed to the yoga room. She turned the lights on low and started her meditation soundtrack. She started in swastikasan pose.
Maura wasn't sure how long she had been stretching and drinking. Long enough for the knots in her back had begun to melt away and her head to have that pleasant buzzy sensation. A knock at her yoga door broke her from her pattern. 'Come in, Angela,' Maura called. That it was Angela, Maura took for granted. She supposed it could be Cailin. She sometimes came over when she needed a quiet space to study. The person Maura wanted it to be was several states over and wilfully ignoring her at the moment.
'Maura, honey,' Angela opened the door, her eyebrows knitted in worry, 'are you alright? Your luggage is still downstairs.'
Maura finished child's pose and began to sit up in a slow steadying manner, 'it's been a long few weeks.' It wasn't an explanation but it wasn't a lie either. Maura didn't particularly feel like trying to explain. 'I will get my luggage later.'
Angela nodded, chewing on her cheek, 'I don't care about your luggage honey, I care about you.'
Maura let out a deep breath, 'thank you Angela.' She didn't try to say she was fine, she wasn't, and the last thing Maura wanted was to deal with hives tonight. 'I appreciate your checking on me.'
'But you'd like me to go now?' Angela asked, a reserved sigh leaving her lips.
Maura thought about it for a moment. Was that what she wanted? It was what Jane would want. Perhaps that was why she was shaking her head. It was petty to feel she was spiting Jane. Trying to achieve some small form of payback but in truth Maura hadn't had a real conversation in weeks. 'Actually, Angela, if you'd let me take a quick shower, I'd love to join you for dinner.'
Angela turned back and smiled at her, 'sure sweetie. I'll whip us something up. Take your time. I'll help you with your luggage after, hmm?'
Maura nodded and offered what felt like her first real smile in two weeks. 'Thank you, Angela.'
Maura felt better after her shower. Enough to cringe at her bags sitting in a haphazard pile at the door as she came down her stairs.
'Maura!' a voice called. Maura looked up to find Cailin at her kitchen island.
'Cailin, hello, what a pleasant surprise,' Maura said with a smile for her younger sister. Cailin bounced up from her seat to sweep her in a hug. For a moment, just a moment, Maura feels uncomfortable. Then she yields, leans in to the hug, the first true comfort she's had since Philadelphia.
'I hope you don't mind my just stopping in,' Cailin said pulling away, 'I knew I wouldn't get to see you otherwise.'
'Of course not,' Maura replied with a smile, 'you're always welcome.'
Cailin grinned at her, 'good. I see you're all unpacked.' Cailin gestured teasingly at the luggage.
Maura blushed but was saved by Angela. 'Leave her be, she's been all over the country.'
Cailin winked at Maura, 'yeah how goes the celebrity tour sis?'
Cailin was confounding to Maura. 'I'm hardly a celebrity Cailin,' Maura stated.
'No?' Cailin asked, 'wealthy, famous author, trending online? Tell me do you have someone who manages your social media?'
Maura blushed, 'yes, well my publicist…'
'Celebrity.' Cailin interrupted teasingly.
'Oh, you,' Angela said, swatting at Cailin with a towel, 'leave your sister be.' Cailin laughed, trying to outrun the towel. Maura laughed too. It felt good. Better than yoga and wine. The only thing that could make it better was - no. Maura wasn't going to let herself go there.
Dinner was delightful. Talking to people she actually cared about, talking about anything besides her book, laughing. It was exactly what Maura needed. Cailin kept her laughing with her college stories. She even asked Maura for some advice on a boy. Maura had to admit she had a tendency of chasing her dates away by diagnosing them on sight. That made Cailin laugh. Angela made them fresh brownies and hot chocolate. It was sweet, domestic. Almost perfect. Almost.
Shortly before midnight, Maura offered Cailin the use of her spare bedroom. She was glad when Cailin accepted. It meant breakfast together. Maura wished Cailin a good night, and after a moments hesitation, Maura pressed a kiss to her sister's cheek. 'Goodnight Cailin, thank you for coming over tonight. I didn't know how badly I needed it.'
'You're welcome Maura,' Cailin smiled, 'if you want to talk about whatever is bothering you, I'm here. Okay?'
Maura felt her eyes dampen, 'thank you Cailin. I appreciate that.' In her own bedroom, Maura glanced at her phone. A pile of emails were waiting for her but her messages were woefully empty. Maura opened a new message and typed in Jane's name. She wrote, then rewrote her message. Maura read it over again, her phone lingering over the send button. She closed her eyes and tapped the button. A soft swoosh sound let her know it had been sent.
'I'm headed to bed. I had a wonderful dinner with Angela and Cailin. It was almost perfect. Except for the fact that you weren't here. I miss you. I hate that you're avoiding me and I'm trying to give you the space you need. I just miss you. Terribly. I love you. Good night Jane.'
Vinnie flicked his lighter. How easy would it be to set Maura Isle's home on fire? A bit of accelerant and one tiny spark. That was it. Vinnie was tempted. He had the opportunity. Who would know? He flicked his lighter again. It was tempting but Maura Isles had money. She could rebuild. What Vinnie didn't want was for Maura Isles to be able to pick up the pieces of her life. A fire wouldn't cut it. He watched the dark haired woman through the window. A fire risked the possibility of her escape. He couldn't have that. Vinnie flicked his lighter one last time before turning and walking away. Self-restraint was a virtue and Vinnie prided himself on being a virtuous man but even he could only endure so much temptation. Dogs barking echoed in the distance as Vinnie faded in to the darkness.
