Liz stood in the autopsy room staring at Daren's lifeless body on the table. You could exactly see what she was thinking at that moment. That she was asking herself why so many people had to die because of her.
Maura emerged with a smile from her former office but it died instantly when she spotted her daughter standing in the autopsy room. She glanced long at the detective and took a deep breath. „It's not your fault, Elizabeth."
The young woman didn't blink and didn't look at her mother. „I'm trying to tell that myself all the time and every time I come to the same conclusion. That the boy only had to die because he wanted to do the right thing and warned me about Curtis Ortiz. That in recent times everyone who's even near me has to die."
Maura nodded slowly and swallowed hard. „It's not your fault Darren was murdered. He's chosen a lifestyle for himself that -"
„Yes," the younger woman cuts the former ME off. „I know. Because he has decided to chum up with Ortiz because his life experience was not high enough to know better. That's what I keep telling myself, too. But we checked his life out only to find out that Darren actually was a good kid, besides the fact that he hung out with the wrong people. He told Sam and me that he only hung out with Ortiz and his ... people to impress a few girls and he also told us that he wanted have nothing to do with cops being killed. And then he was the one who ended up in the morgue because he warned me. And that's what I have to tell his parents, that I am responsible for his death."
„Can't Adam and Sam talk to Darren's parents," Maura wanted to know with a frown. „Maybe you should take a break and have a video chat with Zane and Keira."
Liz nodded slowly and smiled weakly at her mother. „I'll do that after I had a talk with Darren's parents." She hesitated for a second before her eyes fell on the provisional autopsy report.
Maura's frown deepened and she licked her lips. „Darren was shot with a
Small caliber. The tongue was removed postmortem."
„You already suspected that this was meant as a warning to other snitches," Liz stated and accepted the clipboard when Maura handed it to her. „If I wouldn't know better, I'd think Darren was a victim of a robbery gone wrong. And if his tongue wouldn't be cut out." She looked up and blinked a couple of times. „Is the blood alcohol level correct?"
Maura pursed her lips and nodded slowly. „Yes, Darren was dead drunk when he was shot last night."
Liz handed Maura the clipboard back and took off without looking at the former ME. „Thank you."
Her daughter had left before Maura even could open her mouth and rolled her eyes because she knew such behavior from her wife. „You're welcome," she mumbled and a small smile played around her lips.
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Adam entered the bullpen and handed the attendants sandwiches. He glanced at Russo before he handed him his.
Liz was sitting at her desk and waved when her husband turned to her, rolling her eyes when he glared at her. „The area where Darren was found is normally very busy at night and with the alcohol, in his system, I hardly can imagine that nobody saw the boy being led into the alley and that nobody heard the shots."
Sam was already biting into his sandwich and frowned. „You shouldn't forget that the Red Serpents had had this neighbor firmly under control for several years."
Liz unwrapped her own lunch and frowned deeply.
„Sam's right," Jane agreed and sat down at the large table. „Those bastards ruled this neighbor for about three years. We'll hardly be able to convince anyone to reliable statements unless someone has the wish to end up like Darren."
„That's their scam," Russo added, sniffling his sandwich before taking a bite. „They spread fear and terror in a neighborhood until the people stop resisting the Red Serpents. And if someone decides to do the right thing, the person has bad luck, stumbles over their feet and falls down the stairs and ends up with a broken neck. Or has a fatal car accident or gets shot in a drive-by."
„Or they jump out of a window in the tenth floor or they hang themselves," Sam added and Russo nodded approvingly.
Liz glanced at the two men while chewing on her sandwich, frowning once again. „But I can't imagine Darren tumbling into an alley, shooting himself twice in the back of his head and then cutting out his own tongue. The Red Serpents can't sell this as a suicide."
„But as a robbery," Russo replied and lifted his brows.
She slowed her chewing and nodded thoughtfully. „Then we have to change our tactics. We'll ask Ortiz politely to come to the BPD and ask what he's heard about Darren's assassination."
Jane lowered her brows and tilted her head without saying a word.
Sam frowned deeply and glanced almost worried at Adam.
Russo furled his brows because he didn't know what was going on and scratched his chin. „Why?"
Liz wriggled her brows and smiled a little. „It'll make Ortiz believe that we're still in the dark and that he's the only one who can help us finding Darren's killer while we use that against him."
Adam dropped his food to his desk and stood up, rubbing his hands. „May I talk to you privately, Detective?"
Jane swallowed hard and licked her lips while avoiding her daughter's eyes.
Liz pulled the corners of her mouth down and followed him into the conference room. „What's the matter? You just fed me in front of the whole team and now you want to have a one-to-one?"
Adam placed his hands on his hips and paced up and down in the room. „Do you think that you're the first person who has the idea of involving Ortiz in our investigation?"
„Apparently not," the young woman murmured and lifted briefly her brows.
He ran his hand over his forehead and almost seemed to be upset. „I'd at least have appreciated if you'd let me know about your plan, Liz."
„I didn't know that I have to inform you about every single thought that I have."
Adam stopped and dropped his chin to his chest before he raised his eyes again. „Remember Lester Potts?"
Liz shifted her weight from one foot to the other and nodded slowly. „Yeah, he joined Homicide right after me. He's a good detective."
„He was a good detective," her husband shot back, gritting his teeth.
She furrowed her brows and glanced questioningly at him. „What's that supposed to mean?"
Adam inhaled deeply and dropped his hands again. „Potts was killed two years ago."
„What," the young woman breathed and her eyes grew big.
Adam pressed his lips together and nodded slowly. He knew that Lester Potts and Liz didn't always agree when it was about work, but at the end of the day, they made their peace with each other over a beer. „Potts had a similar idea as you and had called Ortiz's right hand in, shortly after that he was ambushed and stabbed to death by a couple of beatniks of Red Serpents. Sam and I were able to arrest those douchebags the same night, but these kids were so loyal to Ortiz that they didn't even have a chance to
drop a dime on their boss to save their own skin." He stopped and clenched his jaw. „We knew from the beginning that the kids only acted on Ortiz's order to earn their stripes. Of course, Curtis Ortiz vehemently denied that he had anything to do with Potts' murder. That's why we couldn't arrest the son of a bitch, because we could connect him with the murder. Ortiz always hides behind the members that he can use as fall guys."
Liz pressed her lips together and frowned. „What about his girlfriend and daughter?"
„May moved with Lisa to her parents in Colorado Springs."
She sighed loudly and nodded slowly. „I'm not Lester Potts, Adam. I know that it's really risky and that we have to be extremely careful afterwards, but I also know that we have to give Ortiz and his people a start so that he finally understands that his days as a free man are over once and for all."
Adam set his jaw and took a deep breath.
Maura entered the bullpen and sat down next to her wife while Jane was glancing to the conference room with a frown. „What's going on?"
„I think Adam's telling our daughter about Lester Potts right now."
„Oh," the former ME breathed and thanked Jane when she handed her a mixed salad. „Didn't you tell her about his death?"
„I didn't get the chance."
Maura stared in disbelief at her wife and rolled her eyes. „Liz has been back in Boston for more than six months, why didn't get you the chance to tell her?"
Jane turned her head and opened her mouth to answer the question, but stopped and closed it again because she couldn't come up with a good explanation.
Adam pointed at Liz and stepped closer. „We're using our power to get the damn cross off your back and you're sabotaging us. Do you have a death wish?"
Liz raised her brows and pushed his finger down. „It'll work, Ortiz will try to save his skin and will make mistakes. Trust me, Adam."
Adam glared at her and set his jaw once again, grumbling reluctantly, „Fine, let's summon Ortiz."
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Curtis Ortiz sat in an interrogation room and couldn't hide his smug grin while inspecting his nails.
Liz sat across from him and frowned. „You don't seem too surprised we found Darren's body in an alley."
Ortiz slowly raised his eyes and eyed her just like a predator eyed its prey. „Should I be surprised," the man asked back and pulled the corners of his mouth down. „He was hanging out with the wrong people."
„People like you," Liz hissed her question and leaned a little forward. „People he thought were his friends. People who killed him because he didn't want to be involved in a cop killing?"
„I don't know what you are talking about," he laughed and shook his head. „I never told Darren that we'd be friends."
„And yet he has been a part of your entourage."
„He indeed was ... but I was never his friend, his buddy, his bestie. I told that Darren more than once and yet this little loser kept showing up at the basketball court. Maybe one of my boys had had enough and wanted to teach him a lesson."
Liz opened her portfolio and put several crime scene photos on the metallic table. „And what was the lesson, Curtis? Stay away from the Red Serpents or we'll put two bullets in your head and cut out your tongue when you drop the dime on us?" She shook her head with a hard expression. „No," she growled. „No, his murder meant something different and we both know it. That it pissed you off that one of your people turned against you. So you decided to teach the rest of your crew a lesson so none of them would follow Darren's example."
„I think the members of the Red Serpents got the message loud and clear. No matter if you are at the West or the East coast, we'll figure out if you drop the dime on us and you'll pay for it. And if you're thinking that your son and Keira are save in Detroit? Then you are more stupid than I thought because my people are getting her back to me come what may. Even your father-in-law won't hold them back."
Liz had to swallow her growl and suppressed the urge to punch his face as soon as he uttered a threat. Now, it was her turn to grin. „Thank you for just telling me that your gang isn't only operating in Boston, but nationwide. So the investigation against your guys is no longer a matter of the BPD, now it's a federal matter." She now leaned forward and his smug smile died. „That means I'm no longer your problem anymore but the FBI. And you can call yourself lucky because right now there's a Federal Agent standing behind this one-way mirror who's just dying to arrest you. Thank you for making my job so easy, Curtis."
Jane pushed Adam back when he tried to get out of the surveillance room as soon as Ortiz threatened his family. „Let go of me," he growled dangerously low.
„Stop it," Jane growled back and pushed him against a wall. „If you beat up Ortiz now it won't well for you."
„He just threatened my parents and my son!"
„And we'll make sure that nothing happens to them!"
„We're in Boston and my parents, Zane and Keira are in Detroit! How the hell do you wanna make sure that nothing happens to them?"
„Stop it now," the smaller but brawny agent and blocked Adam's way as he pushed past Jane. „Do you really want to risk your badge for this son of a bitch." He waited and Adam snorted. „Maybe you forgot it but I have ways and means to protect your family in Detroit. It won't help Liz, your son and yourself if you get in there and beat the living shit out of Ortiz. It only gets yourself in jail. Let Liz do her job. And then let me do mine."
Adam gritted his teeth and brushed Russo's hands off his chest. „Fine."
Russo patted his shoulder before he left the room.
Adam buried his face in his hands and swallowed hard. He dropped them when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
„It'll be alright," Jane stated reassuringly. „Nothing's gonna happen to your family."
Adam scoffed angrily and shook his head with his lips pressed together. „I never felt so helpless in my life before like right now."
„I know that feeling," she said calmly and rubbed his shoulder. „I know it very well. I felt many times that feeling when some scumbag had the idea to threaten Maura and Liz. And I moved heaven and hell to protect them. You should know that all of us are moving heaven and hell to protect your family, too."
He closed his eyes and nodded approvingly. He knew that Jane was right, he never doubted that they would do everything to keep his family safe. He closed his eyes for a second and looked down at Jane. „I ... I never thought that it would be so hard to be married to Liz. I never thought that she'd make it so hard to love her. That it would be so frustrating that she never step down even though she knows that she's -"
Jane raised her brows when he trailed off. „Even though she knows that she's pregnant?"
Adam blinked a few times. „She told you?"
„Yes," she sighed and nodded. „Liz told me when we went to Cody's parents. I don't know what drives people like Maura and Liz when it comes to a pregnancy." She raised a hand when he glanced confused at her. „Maura never slowed down either when she was pregnant with Liz. Maybe they think that they have to prove that they're still as good at their job even though they are mothers. Maybe they are afraid that people think that this circumstance makes them worse at their job. I know that motherhood made Maura even better at what she had done, and I know that motherhood makes Liz great at what she's doing because she can understand what it means when you lose a child."
„You're talking about her miscarriage?"
Jane needed a second to remember. To remember that her daughter had a miscarriage before she got pregnant with Zane. She took a deep breath and furrowed her brows. „And because she had to leave Zane behind. I think that it feels like she lost her child, too."
„Yeah," Adam sighed and swallowed hard. „maybe."
This time Ortiz swallowed had when the door to the interrogation room opened and Russo came in. „You can't do that."
„Watch me," Liz replied and gathered her belongings.
„You didn't read me my rights!"
Liz slowly raised her eyes and then furrowed her brows. „I didn't arrest you, did I? You and I were just sitting here, having a little chat." She glanced at Russo and smiled slightly. „Agent Russo, Mr. Ortiz is all yours."
Russo nodded slowly and eyed the other man. „Thank you, Detective Rizzoli."
She nodded as well and was about to leave the room. „And please do not forget to read him his rights."
„Wait," Ortiz all of a sudden blurted out.
Liz turned around again and raised her brows.
Ortiz closed his eyes briefly. „I can tell you who put me on you and Keira."
Liz glanced at Russo and went back to her chair."You're waiving your right to call your lawyer?"
Ortiz licked his lips and nodded. „Yeah, I waive my right to call him if I get a deal."
Russo sat down next to Liz and frowned. „I can talk with the United States attorney's office if you give us all the information you have."
Liz pinned the gang leader with her gaze. „Who put you on me and Keira?"
Ortiz hesitated and ran his hand over his short hair. „A woman. She was a little older than you."
„A woman who was a little older than me? That's not very helpful, Curtis. We need a little more than that."
Ortiz ran his tongue over his lips and shook his head. „I don't remember her exact name anymore. Spring, summer ... Something like that. Anyway, she came to me when I was still a lieutenant in the gang and told me that she and her boyfriend, who was in jail, would need my help."
„And you agreed to help them because you're a good Samaritan," Russo asked and the sarcasm dripped from his voice.
Ortiz rolled his eyes and heaved a sigh. „I'd told her I'd help her if she would get rid of my boss."
„So you could take over the Red Serpents," Liz stated and the young man nodded.
„I also told the chick to give me some room so I could start my business at the West Coast."
She furled her brows and looked long at him. „Why the West Coast?"
„To expend after I enthroned Ramos. I am a businessman in the first place, honey."
„Hey." Russo barked and glared at Ortiz. „Eyes on me!"
Ortiz licked his lips again and took a deep breath. „I was planning to move the gang to California because we could've dropped off there more easily if things would go down the pan. I already had my drug dealers there, I had my smugglers, I had my pimps and my people already my snitches in the law enforcement and the DA's office. California was ready for the Red Serpents, but then that weirdo who killed Ramos started to lose it. That's why I decided to stay in Boston while my people in California cleaned up his mess."
Liz pressed her lips together and swallowed hard. „In which department did you have your snitches in?"
„San Diego Police Department."
Liz expression darkened and she glanced briefly at the agent.
Russo knew that gaze all to well and set his jaw for a second. „What happened then?"
Ortiz scratched his chin and sighed. „One day the chick called me and said that my people in California had to start a diversionary maneuver and that I had to make some sacrifices. I didn't think she'd mean it literally back then. The lunatic who killed Ramos probably drove to San Diego and killed some of my pimps and snitches. It was supposed to look as if the cops of the department couldn't cope with the situation and as if a gang war would go on. With that, my dream of California had more or less vanished into thin air."
Russo looked long at him. „And why did you do all of this for a woman you didn't know?"
„Shit," the young man laughed and leaned back in his chair. „She was a cop who told me that I'd be in for killing Ramos if I wouldn't help her and her lover."
„That woman was a cop at SDPD," Liz wanted to know and furrowed her brows when Ortiz nodded vehemently. She got a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach, got her phone out and showed him a photo. „Is this the woman you're talking about?"
Ortiz studied long a photo of Winters and then nodded once more. „Yeah, man, that's the chick who has me over a barrel."
Liz sucked in her lower lip and showed Russo the picture.
He set his jaw and got up without a word.
Liz glared at Ortiz before she also got up and wanted to follow the agent.
„Hey, Rizzoli," Ortiz suddenly said and she turned to him again. „Maybe I should make a call and call my henchmen in Detroit off."
Liz stopped breathing and she felt the color draining from her face before she bolted out of the room.
The door was thrown open once again and Adam entered the interrogation room, but this time Russo didn't hold him back.
Instead, he disconnected the surveillance camera.
„And who the hell are you," the younger man laughed.
Adam grabbed Ortiz at the collar and growled deeply, „I'm your worst nightmare."
Ortiz's smile felt immediately when he saw the seriousness in Adam's eyes.
Liz stood in the hallway and needed a moment before she was able to dial her sister's number. She held her breath while it rang and asked herself what she had done to deserve this. For five years she had thought that Winters was her friend and now it turned out that she was also responsible that Liz had left her family behind, not for a noble reason but for revenge. „Damn it," she hissed and panic raised in her. „Pick up!"
„Hey, Liz," Keira said after she finally answered the call.
The detective heaved a sigh and closed her eyes while leaning against the nearest wall. „Thank goodness." She sighed and took a deep breath. „Are you okay?"
„Yes, we are. Why are you asking?"
Liz closed her eyes and licked her lips. „I just wanted ... I just wanted to make sure that you're not causing any trouble."
„Well, Zane keeps us on our toes," Keira laughed.
Liz smiled but furrowed her brows. „Are Susanna and Paul home?"
„They're running some errands for the weekend," the teenager answered and then there was a brief silence. „Why are you asking."
Liz raised her eyes and looked at Jane, who suddenly was standing next to her. „Just ... lock the doors and the windows and don't answer anyone who's knocking."
„I just ordered pizza, though."
„Don't open the door until Paul and Susanna get home. Do you understand me?"
„Liz, you're scaring me."
„Just do what I told you. Adam and I are on our way."
„To Detroit?"
„Yes." She closed her eyes and swallowed a bitter sob. „We'll be there in a couple of hours."
„Okay," Keira replied and was silent for a couple of seconds. „Liz?"
„Yes?"
„I love you."
„I love you, too," the detective croaked and hung up before she'd start to cry. She turned to Russo when he emerged from the interrogation room and frowned deeply. „How fast can you get us to Detroit?"
He didn't answer her question when he got his phone out without hesitation.
„I'm coming with you," Jane stated determinedly.
The younger woman heaved a sigh and shook her head. „Ma, no."
„Hell, yeah," Jane nearly growled.
„Ma, I need you here with Mom in case things turn out -" She trailed off and closed her eyes. „In case things turn out badly."
„Well, that means that I am coming with you," Sam stated now.
„Sam," Liz breathed and steadied herself at the wall.
„Don't Sammy me, Liz." He replies firmly. „This is about family and that's why I'm coming with you. Whether you like it or not."
She was about to reply something when the door opened once again and Adam emerged, taking a little space from the others.
Liz went to him and frowned deeply when he averted her eyes. She knew that he was aware of her presence and that she didn't have to say his name or anything at all. She swallowed heavily when he ran this thumb over his knuckles.
„I didn't beat him," Adam whispered without looking at her. „I didn't beat him even though I wanted to."
„Adam," the young detective whispered back. She wasn't quite sure what she wanted to tell him.
He nodded to himself and lifted his eyes. He saw her deep frown and the tears in her eyes and that she was sorry for what she put all of them through. She didn't have to say it, it was written all over her face and evident in her eyes. It was evident that she felt responsible, that she was feeling guilty. He took a deep breath and pulled her in his arms.
Liz clung to him and started shaking, turning her head away from the others.
Jane set her jaw and furrowed her brows. She knew that Adam and Liz didn't show much affection for each other when they were at work, at least not physically. She cleared her throat and nodded in the direction of the bullpen. „We should ... give them a moment."
„Good idea," Sam agreed and followed his aunt.
Russo looked at Adam and Liz and realized that he never had a real chance. „Yeah," he whispered more to himself. „good idea."
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„Does Liz really think that the whole thing's not gonna end well," Maura asked and sipped her white wine.
Jane sat down next to her wife with a beer in her hand and stared at her phone. „For what we know about the Red Serpents, we can only hope that Keira did as Liz told her and didn't open the door for anyone." She paused and shook her head. „You should have seen Liz's face, Maura. She's blaming herself for all what happened."
„Though she now knows that she's been tricked by Winters and Cody?"
Jane lifted her brows and nodded slowly. „I don't think that she understands that she has been tricked by someone she considered as a friend, an alley in difficult times. And all this time Liz was just a puppet in a perfidious game. I can't imagine being betrayed by a friend like that."
„Neither can I," Maura sighed and placed her head on the Italian's shoulder. „We've also had our difficulties, but I've never felt like you took advantage of me or betrayed me."
„Same here," Jane replied, still staring at her phone. „Liz shouldn't be on any plane right now."
„It's because of her child and her sister, and Adam's parents, Jane," the blonde stated and lifted her eyes. „You'd also fly to Detroit if it would be because of me, Liz or one of your brothers."
„Yeah," Jane agreed and rolled her eyes. „but I'm not -"
„Oh," Maura said with lifted brows and nodded understandingly. „You think she shouldn't be on a plane because she's pregnant."
„How -" Jane gasped and furled her brows. „I didn't tell you that our daughter is pregnant, did I?"
„I am still a physician, Jane," Maura replied with a faint smile. „And besides, I've been in the same situation, too."
„You traveled on a plane pregnant," the former lieutenant asked skeptically. „Did I miss something?"
Maura rolled her eyes and pinched her wife's side. „No, but I was pregnant too ages ago. I recognize the signs."
„Right," Jane grumbled and smiled when her wife rolled her eyes once again. „I almost forgot."
„You're impossible," the smaller woman laughed.
The Italian pulled Maura closer and sighed. „Even though you and Liz kept me up all night, I wouldn't want to miss a single moment. The two of you enriched my life in every way."
„Maybe you should tell that our daughter, too," Maura stated and kissed Jane's chin.
Jane nodded with a sigh and frowned. „I will when the situation calmed down." She paused and furrowed her brows. „You know, Maura, sometimes I wonder if I should have supported you more."
Maura got up from the couch and glanced confused at her wife. „What are you talking about?"
Jane ran a hand through her hair and furrowed her brows. „When Liz told us that she wanted to join the law enforcement just like me and Frankie. That day you were horrified that she didn't want to start an academic career, but I was totally thrilled that she wanted to become a cop. I know that the job as a cop is life-threatening and that it means that you may be put your family in danger, too. Every day we're spat upon, insulted and attacked. People shoot at us just because we wear the uniform of the police. Doctoral students aren't shot just because they're doctoral students. I should've supported you in the idea that Liz would go to BCU. Perhaps ... perhaps Liz's wouldn't be so chaotic with her falling in love with a psychopath who worked for BPD."
„And perhaps then she would have never met Adam, who loves her more than his own life and with who she has a beautiful son," Maura stated and frowned now. „We both know that life isn't perfect and that someone always makes the wrong decision, falls in love with the wrong person once or twice."
Jane looked long at her and took a deep breath. „Have you ever fallen in love with the wrong person?"
„You mean besides the man who wanted to turn me into a statue and the man I married?"
„Right, you've been married before," Jane stated and flinched when Maura pinched her once again.
„Yes, I was. And you watched me getting married to Ben silently although you already knew how you were feeling about me."
„I had no idea that those feelings were mutual," Jane sighed with a sad smile.
„I've indicated several times that I love you, Jane. I even told you the day of my wedding that I wouldn't marry Ben if you'd give me a good reason not to. I couldn't have been more obvious."
„Yeah, I think at that day I turned a blind eye on the fact that someone like you could love someone like me."
„Spuriously."
„Obviously," the Italian whispered and kissed Maura's hand.
„Have you never fallen in love with the wrong person," the blonde wanted to know.
Jane frowned and held Maura's gaze. „I never really fell in love until I met you, Maura."
The former ME rolled her eyes. „I'm serious, Jane."
„Me too," the brunette replied, shrugging. „I cared about my girlfriends, but ... I never truly loved them. When I first met you, you triggered something within me. You weren't just some bimbo that laughed about every stupid jokes I told just to please me. You were, and you still are, a challenge. You stand head and shoulders above my understanding and yet you have never acted arrogantly towards me, Ma, Frankie, Tommy, Korsak or Frost. You're ... you're extraordinary, Maura. You're beautiful and incredibly smart. And I didn't get the chance not to fall in love with you. You are the very first person I've fallen head over heels in love with and back then I hadn't had the balls to tell you how I feel about you. So I silently watched you falling in love with a man who didn't deserve you. Shit, even I don't deserve you."
Maura couldn't stop grinning like a Cheshire cat and Jane tugged in her chin skeptically. „Can you say that again while I record this with my phone so I can show it to Liz when she gets back?"
Jane's mouth dropped open and she blinked several times. She hadn't expected this kind of reaction and snorted when she got up. „No," she chuckled and went to the kitchen island while her wife snickered. „Besides, Liz is just like you. She's beautiful, she's smart, she's extraordinary. And also had a terrible taste in men. I always thought that there would be no man in this world who deserves her."
Maura got up too and followed the former lieutenant. „What's changed?"
Jane hesitated and braced herself on the surface of the kitchen island. „She has met Adam." She chuckled and shook her head like she wouldn't understand herself what had changed in time. „I know it sounds crazy, but Adam reminded me so much of myself, unlike Hanley who had forced himself on Liz, in the truest sense of the word. Adam is the complete opposite of Hanley. Remember when Hanley and Liz had sex in our house even though we were at home?"
„They had sex in Liz's room when they thought that we were asleep, Jane," the former ME replied with a small smile.
„Doesn't matter," Jane growled through gritted teeth. „Unlike Hanley, Adam never treated our daughter like a showpiece and that's when I realized that Liz finally met the right man."
„And if it wouldn't have worked out between them?"
„Then I would have known that they at least seriously tried."
Maura smiled once again and nodded. „At least you finally accept the fact that our daughter is no child anymore."
„Do I have another choice?"
„No," Maura laughed and shook her head. „No, not really."
Jane wiggled her brows and chuckled.
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Liz starred out of the window and slipped her hand into Adam, squeezing it until her knuckles turned white.
Adam turned his head and frowned deeply when she still didn't look at him. „You look exhausted."
„I never wanted to put your parents in danger," she whispered, turning her head, glancing up and setting her jaw. „I could never forgive myself if ... I could understand if you'd never forgive me if -"
„They're fine," he cut her off and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. „Neither Mom nor Dad will be harmed, nor Keira or Zane."
She glanced long at him and inhaled shakily. „How can you be so sure? Look at all the bodies that are paving my way in the last few years."
„It is not your fault," he whispered emphatically. „I cursed you so many times in those five years and tried to convince myself that I hate you for leaving me without any explanation. But today we both know that you were lured into a trap."
Liz nodded slowly and licked her lips. „I think I'll quit after we closed this damn case."
Adam looked surprised at her and frowned deeply. „What do you mean?"
She hesitated for a moment and placed her free hand on her belly. „That I'll resign from police service after we closed this case."
He glanced long at her. He knew that his wife loved being a cop as much as he loved it, that's why he would never ask her to leave BPD. „Don't make this decision so easily, Liz. We'll get through this."
„You've made enough sacrifices the last five year," she whispered harshly. „Now it's time for me to make sacrifices, too."
„And being separated from your son and husband for five years was not a big enough sacrifice," he hissed and bent his head down and her expression hardened. „I know that I am good in what I do, and Sam's good, too, but you are great at what you're doing."
„But I don't just want to be great as a detective, Adam," Liz hissed back and chuckled bitterly, licking her lips. „I finally want to be a mother. I mean, we have a six-year-old son and our second child is on the way. I just ... want to be a mother and wife."
„So we got married but never really had a wife," Adam growled and furled his brows.
„You know what I mean," the younger detective hissed and looked over her shoulder to see if either Sam or Russo eavesdropped on their conversation.
„No," he barked and pulled his hand from hers. „No, I don't know what you mean. „It almost sounds like you're being forced to do this job."
Sam was about to lift his Coke to his mouth but stopped dead when he heard Adam barking.
Liz buried her face in her hands and shook her head. „I'm tired, Adam," she sighed and exhaled shakily. „I'm so so tired."
Russo sat down next to Sam and eyes skeptically the couple. „Are they always like this?"
„No," the younger man answered and pressed his lips together. „But they've been through a lot lately and it seems like they have to work a couple of things out. I remember when Liz was promoted to a detective. The celebration was anything but joyful."
The agent looked questioningly at him. „Why, if I may ask."
Sam shrugged and scratched the back of his head. „Shortly after Liz learned that she was going to take the detective's exam, her partner and a close friend were shot by her ex-boyfriend with a sniper rifle. Back then, William Hanley thought in a psychic episode that he has to get rid of those cops who were against his relationship with Liz."
Russo's eyebrows shot up. „William Hanley is Liz's ex-boyfriend?"
„Didn't she tell you? I thought you two were ... close."
„Yeah, we were close," the agent replied. „But apparently not close enough."
Adam closed briefly his eyes and took a deep breath while pinching the bridge of his nose. „Let's talk about this when we get back to Boston."
„I'm not going to change my mind," Liz growled resolutely.
„Let's just -" Adam barked and clenched his fists. „Let's just focus on our next steps."
„Fine," Liz barked back and looked out of the window again, being on the verge of tears. „Let's focus on our next steps!"
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Jane paced nervously up and down and stared once again at her phone.
Maura sighed loudly and leaned forward. „Jane, you're making me nervous."
„They should have called hours ago," the former lieutenant growled and ran a hand through her hair. „Something's wrong, I can feel it."
Maura rolled her eyes and suppressed a frustrated groan. „Jane, they touched down two hours ago. You know yourself that it takes longer to get an operation like this going."
„An arrest doesn't last all day," Jane shot back and pointed at her wife. „And I always gave you a call when I had time." She paused when Maura quirked a brow and huffed. „Sometimes I gave you a call when I was free."
Maura chuckled and shook her head because it once again showed how impatient her wife was by nature. „Sit down. Now!"
The Italian stopped immediately and sat down next to the former ME. „Yes, Ma'am."
Maura sighed loudly and slipped her hand into Jane's with a broad smile. „Everything's gonna be fine."
„I just hate the thought that our pregnant daughter is deliberately putting her life in danger while I'm forced to sit around idly."
„You do know that you are no part of the law enforcement anymore, don't you," Maura asked and knew that she would strike a chord with the question. She still remembered how hard it was for her wife not to go to the BPD day in, day out. „Sam, Adam and Liz are very capable detectives."
Jane turned her head and furrowed her brows. She knew exactly what Maura was trying to say. That they were good detectives but not as good as her team. Frost, Korsak and Frankie, and of course Maura.
She took a deep breath and nodded slowly. „Yes, I know. And they know what they're doing. They had excellent mentors."
„I hope that means you and me."
Jane blinked a few times and frowned. „Um, sure."
„You're a lousy liar," Maura laughed and the Italian grinned broadly."
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Adam glanced at his parents' house that looked quite peaceful even though several utility vehicles of the police and fire department were standing in front of it. Then his eyes fell on his wife who was talking to Sam and Russo while closing the Velcro fasteners of her bulletproof vest.
He inhaled deeply and went to the three, licking his lips. „Maybe we should just go to the front door and knock before we go in."
Sam eyed him and frowned deeply.
„Don't you have a key," Russo asked and Sam pressed his lips together so he wouldn't chuckle.
Liz glared at Russo and swatted his chest.
The last three hours neither she nor Adam were able to get in touch with Paul, Susanna or Keira.
„We're not gonna kick the door in," she stated warningly before she went with her husband behind an SUV to have a word.
He closed briefly his eyes and took another deep breath. „Russo's right. Why knocking? I have a key."
„I know," she said calmly. „I know that you are afraid of what we might find in there. It's okay to be afraid."
„I never felt so helpless like right now," he whispered and swallowed hard. „Neither you nor I could get in touch with my parents. I don't know -" He trailed off and ran a hand over his beard.
„They are alright," she assured him and took his hand in hers. „Everything's gonna be alright."
„And you," he continued when he looked down at her. „You're not supposed to be here."
Liz scrutinized him and furrowed her brows. „Excuse me?"
He ran his hands through her hair and sighed heavily. „You're not supposed to be here because -"
„I was also working when I was pregnant with Zane," she stated and glared at him. „And he turned out pretty well, didn't he?"
„Yeah," Adam agreed and smiled slyly. „he's alright."
„He's pretty amazing."
„You're welcome."
„It still takes two," Liz said and punched his shoulder before she walked around the vehicle again. „At least, that's what I always thought."
„You sure?"
„Are you implying that I got myself pregnant while you were having drinks with your friends?
Adam slowed his steps and frowned deeply while thinking about her question. „Um -"
„Really," she laughed because she knew what he was thinking.
„Are you good to go or do you need some time to exchange some nice words," Russo asked and frowned.
Liz took a deep breath and glanced at her husband. „Adam?"
The sergeant took a deep breath and set his jaw. „Let's do this."
„I got your back," Liz said while she and the others drew their guns while Adam walked towards his parents' house.
He briefly glanced over his shoulder before he carefully opened the front door. „Yeah, I know. And I got yours."
The three detectives, the agent, and the rapid response team entered the much too quiet house and Adam glanced at his wife, pointing to the stairs which led to the upper story.
Liz nodded and pointed at two RRT officers, telling them without words that they would split from the group and head upstairs.
Her heart almost jumped out of her chest while she climbed up the stairs even though there were no signs of forced entry or that there had a fight taken place.
She knew Paul. He wouldn't go down without a fight if intruders would be in his house. He wouldn't go down without a fight if someone would threaten his wife. That he and Adam had in common.
Liz pushed the thought to the side and told herself that she had to focus, that the smallest mistake would be unforgivable.
She resisted the urge to call out Keira's name so she wouldn't reveal their location even though the nagging voice in the back of her head told her to throw caution to the wind and run into every single room to find her family, her children.
She listened to the whispered 'Clear' in her ear and knew that there was only the basement and the attic left where Paul, Keira, Zane, and Susanna could hide. She knew this house like the back of her hand.
Liz slowly turned the doorknob of Adam's old room in which Zane was sleeping when he spent some time with his grandparents. She glanced at an officer and pointed at a walk-in closet
The young man nodded and went to the said closed while she thrust her chin to the door that led into a small bathroom.
The second officer nodded as well.
Liz paused for a second and licked her lips. There was only one place she knew where Zane would hide in this room and knelt down in front of his bed, lifting the bedspread. She released her breath when she saw that there was no one hiding underneath the bed.
The officer emerged from the bathroom and shook his head. „Nothing," he whispered.
The other officer also shook his head.
Liz swallowed hard and raised her eyes to the ceiling. „The attic," she whispered with furrowed brows, knowing that there was only the parents' bedroom left to check out.
She swirled around when she heard a very terrified 'What the hell' and she rushed out of the room, and down the stairs.
Susanna turned to the stairs and glanced questioningly at her daughter-in-law. „Liz, what the hell is going on?"
Liz didn't answer the question, holstered her gun and rushed down the stairs, hugging the older woman tightly. „Susanna," she breathed in relief.
„Oh," gasped the other woman surprised. „okay."
Liz examined her closely to make sure that Susanna was alright. „You're okay, aren't you?"
„Yes, of course, kid," Susanna answered and frowned deeply. „What's wrong?"
Adam hurried up the stairs that led to the basement and stopped dead when his eyes landed on his mother. „Mom?"
„I am glad to see you too," Susanna laughed when he buried her in his arms and made a face. „But right now you are crushing me, Adam."
„I'm just glad that you're alright," he mumbled into her hair.
„Why shouldn't I," Susanna asked gently and rubbed his back.
Adam didn't answer her question and looked over her head. „Where are Dad and the kids?"
„He's outside and tries to figure out why there's a massive force of police in front of our house," the older woman answered. „Care to tell me what the hell is going on?"
„Why is the police in front of my house," Paul grumbled angrily when he entered the house and froze when he looked into the relieved faces of Liz and his son. „Ow," he groaned when he found himself in Adam's arms. „okay. I'm old and fragile, you're breaking every single bone on my body, son." He glanced at his daughter-in-law and frowned deeply when she rubbed his arm. „Are you guys okay?"
„That's what we should ask you," Liz laughed in relief. „We tried to get in touch with you for the last couple of hours."
„I always forget my damn phone every time I leave the house," Susanna scoffed and took off her jacket. „And Paul's died briefly after we left the house."
„Liz told you not to leave the house," Adam barked when he became aware of the situation.
„Actually," Liz said when she saw the baffled expression of Susanna. „I told Keira to keep the doors closed and not that they weren't allowed to leave the house."
„Mama?"
Liz swirled around when she heard the voice of her own son but didn't move in the first place, but then she crouched down when he started to run towards her, catching him. „Hey, Baby," she mumbled into his hair and held him close.
„Keira told me that you come," Zane whispered like they were sharing some kind of secret. „But I didn't believe it."
Liz had to swallow hard and frowned deeply. „What did you not believe, honey?"
Zane traced her face with his fingertips and frowned as well. „That you would come here. Dad always told me that you come back, but you didn't."
She hugged him even tighter and closed her eyes. „I am here now. I am here for you, Zane. And I won't leave you alone anymore." She looked up when someone stepped closer.
Keira was keeping her distance but somehow she was drawn to Liz as soon as she spotted her, chewing on the nail of her thumb.
Liz inhaled deeply and reached out for her hand.
The teenager hesitated but took her sister's hand and stepped even closer. „I told them that we have to leave the house right after Paul and Susanna came home."
„You did good," Liz assured her and squeezed the girl's hand and meant it.
„It doesn't explain why you didn't answer your phone, though," Adam stated with a serious expression and the color drained from Keira's face.
„Adam," Liz hissed and glared at him.
„I left my phone in my room after Liz called," Keira answered abashed and frowned deeply. „I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you."
„Is anyone going to tell us what is going on?" Paul suddenly demanded to know when his son was about to bawl Keira out.
Liz glanced at her husband and took a deep breath
Adam nodded approvingly and pointed in the direction of the kitchen. „Yeah, of course. If you tell us where the hell you had been."
„Agreed," Paul grumbled and walked towards the kitchen, followed by Susanna and Adam.
„Are they always like that," Keira whispered skeptically.
Liz lifted Zane off the floor and furrowed her brows, nodding. „Most of the time, yes."