Chapter 3: Discovery and Questions
Maura's body lay on the cold table. Jane held her hand and cried.
"Maura. Wake up. Pl-please."
She kissed her hand and felt how cold Maura was. How silent her pulse was. Jane only heard her own pulse and the tears streaming down her face. The tile felt cold under her feet as the lone light shined on Maura.
"Miss?" she heard.
She turned to see the M.E. standing at the door. He was an older man who spoke in a British accent. Like Maura he was a walking dictionary.
"Sorry." Jane responded quickly.
"No. it's ok. Take your time."
The doctor moved closer.
"How'd you know Maura?" Jane asked the doctor.
"She was my apprentice."
"Really I didn't know M.E.'s needed one."
"They don't but she valued my opinion while in D.C. and asked me personally to teach her."
"Amazing."
The doctor forgot his manners and held onto Jane's hand.
"Dr. Donald Mallard. At your service."
"Donald Mallard, like a duck?" Jane chuckled a little.
"Yes. I also go by Ducky to my friends."
"Ducky huh?"
Ducky nodded.
"Well. Take good care of her." Jane said leaving. She had to begin the investigation.
"Detective, may I ask your name?"
"Rizzoli. Jane Rizzoli."
"Rizzoli, Italian?"
"Pure Southie. Can I have a moment?"
Ducky left to get the scalpel. When he came back he saw Jane kissing Maura. He also noticed the gold band on her finger.
"Married detective?" he asked.
"No." she said and he noticed Maura's hand had a silver band similar to the detectives.
"We were…" Jane couldn't finish.
"Engaged."
Jane nodded.
"We were supposed to get married in a week."
Ducky said nothing. He couldn't. He moved closer to Maura and put the scalpel next to her. Jane growled and hit him. He didn't react but noticed the detective trembling.
"Are you alright?"
"I won't let you hurt her. Not this time!" Jane screamed.
Ducky didn't know how to react. Luckily Korsak and Frost came by and saw the "fight." They brought Jane upstairs and apologized to the doctor.
Ducky looked down at his former apprentice. It was hard for him to do this, for the second time he was cutting open someone he knew. But he wasn't running, he wouldn't let another M.E. do this.
He didn't for Kate.
He wouldn't for Maura.
He apologized once before making the first incision.
"Dearest Maura. Please forgive your fiancé for hurting me. I don't blame her. I hope I can give you some dignity. I'm sorry for this."
3 hours later he had searched everything he could. He had to come to the sad conclusion. He knew his grief would be nothing compare to her fiancé's. He sighed and put Maura back.
"Why did you do it? Why did you have me do your autopsy?" For the first time in a long time he cried at autopsy. His tears landed on Maura's pale face.
"Ducky."
"Maura?" he said facing Maura's ghost.
"Thank you."
"Why?"
"You heard the story?"
He nodded sadly, he heard it on the news and could only imagine how terrifying it was for her.
"I..i had to escape."
"I understand."
"Break it to her gently. Please. For me."
Ducky nodded and hugged his former student. He willed up enough courage to tell her. He walked up the stairs to bide some time and then he saw it.
The team had assembled, clearly waiting for him to finish. The men were standing. Angela was sitting on the floor with Jane in case she passed out again.
"What is your ruling Dr. Mallard?" Cavanaugh asked.
He felt the team's pressure. It was the same, not the same outcome (a sadder one that be) but the same feeling he had with Kate. He had to once again deliver news that would destroy a team. Only this time they had no one to go after. He took a large breath and saw Maura standing next to the door.
"I'm…it's…"
"Well?" Jane yelled frustrated.
"The cause of death is gunshot wound to the temple."
The team sighed relieved. Now they can get the perp. Korsak looked at Ducky and they both knew what had happened. The team began to move and Ducky swallowed vomit before he spoke again. Korsak looked at him giving him some weird strength. The team didn't notice but he had to tell them.
"Mau…Maur"
The team began buzzing around him.
"Stop!"
The team stopped and stare at him.
"You have no perp."
"What?" Cavanaugh asked.
"This wasn't a homicide."
Jane gasped and the rest of them stared.
"It was a su-"
Jane slammed her fist into the doctor's face.
"Finish that sentence and I'll end you."
"RIZZOLI!" Cavanaugh barked.
The doctor looked at Jane and found strength. He hated denial as he couldn't understand it. He mumbled something.
"What?!" Jane growled as Korsak held her back.
"Dr. Isles' death wasn't a homicide." He said as all eyes turned to him.
"She killed herself."