Chapter7
"Let's go Jane." Korsak demanded.
"Where are we going?" Jane asked her sergeant.
"To tell Cavanaugh what we have" Korsak explained. "You know if he finds out we didn't tell him, we will never hear the end of it. This is way to high profile for him not to know from the beginning."
Jane sighed and followed Sergeant Korsak into their lieutenant's office.
The door slammed behind Jane and Korsak, startling Lieutenant Cavanaugh. "Sergeant Korsak. Detective Rizzoli. Is there something that I can help you with?" Cavanaugh asked.
Sergeant Korsak filled in Cavanaugh on the case so far. "All victims are Irish Mob related. This can't be a coincidence sir."
"We need more evidence that this is a hit on the old mobsters' offspring. We're jumping to conclusions." Cavanaugh started.
"Sir, with all due respect, we have four cases. All connected to Irish Mobs. I don't know what other evidence you need." Jane said.
"And your judgment is clouded" Cavanaugh shot back at Jane. "You are too close to this Jane."
"In what way?"
"You and the medical examiner are best friends. Whose father happens to be one of the biggest mobsters in South Boston" Cavanaugh argued.
"Fine, you wont provide a detail to protect her, then I will do it myself." Jane shouted as she stormed out of the office. Sergeant Korsak and Lieutenant Cavanaugh finished the conversation without the detective.
"Are you ok Jane?" Frost asked his colleague as he watched her stomp away. "Where are you going?"
"I will be with Maura. The only way she is going to be safe is with me. If you need me, call me." Jane growled as she walked towards autopsy. Jane contemplated all the excuses she could use to explain to the doctor why she was shadowing her for the next few days or weeks, depending on how fast they could solve the case. She had no legitimate excuse other than the truth and she could not tell Maura the truth. Every time that Jane's life had been in danger, Jane was unable to sleep. She was used to the threat. Maura would not be. She probably would have trouble sleeping and eating or anything really. However, over the years, Maura had learned how to compartmentalize. Something Jane was extremely envious of.
Maura had just finished the autopsy as she slipped off the latex gloves. She swung around as soon as she heard autopsy's door open. "I don't have anything yet, Jane," she said catching a glimpse of the detective. "We barely identified the victims a few hours ago. There were trace particulates, which Susie is running now."
"I know Maur'" the detective said. "I'm just here to hang out."
Jane's words caught her best friend off guard. "You do not usually 'hang out' in autopsy unless you need something Jane." The medical examiner pointed out. "So spill it. What do you want?"
Jane faked being offended. "That's ridiculous, I want nothing." Maura continued to scrutinize her friend. "Ok you know what? You're right. I want coffee. Let's go."
"Now?" Maura asked.
"Yes, now."
Maura followed Jane's moves. Jane did not say a thing to her colleagues when she left BPD, but if they needed her, they knew where to reach her. As the two walked down the street, Maura's eyes never left Jane's face. Something was different. "Is there something on my face Maura? Jane asked.
"No. Yes, scientifically. But in regards of our conversation, no."
"Maura. Is there something you want to ask me?" Jane asked slowly.
Maura chewed on her cheek. She weighed the conversation in her head and then replied. "I guess not."
Jane stopped and turned to her best friend. As her mouth opened to speak, her words were muffled by loud bangs that echoed through the still air. Jane grabbed Maura and pulled her down, covering her body with her own. She looked at Maura. Then popped back to her feet, searching for the direction in which the noise had come. A black sedan sped off before Jane had a chance to grab her gun and fire back. She had nothing on the car, no license plate, no make or model, nothing. The detective's cop instinct failed her. Her first reaction was to check on her best friend, not apprehend the shooter. Jane ran back towards Maura. She was fine other than minor cuts on her hands and knees from being pulled to the ground. The medical examiner looked up at her in terror. "What the hell is going on Jane?"
BPD crime scene techs and Detective Frost were at the scene within minutes. Paramedics arrived moments later. There were no serious injuries, but Jane and Maura were still checked out by the EMTs per protocol. Jane hadn't really had a chance to answer the doctor's question. They had been pulled in opposite directions when police showed up. Jane had to give her statement to Frost, while Maura had been examined.
"Black sedan. That's all I saw. I really can't say much more than that. Maybe early 2000's model. I just didn't get a good look at it." Jane told Frost.
"Don't worry Jane, we will find it." Frost tried to sound reassuring. "What does Maura know?"
"Nothing."
"What did you tell her?" Frost persisted.
"Nothing. I don't know what to tell her." Jane said defensively.
"Well you better think of something Jane. She looks pissed off." Frost said as he motioned at the medical examiner that was headed straight towards them. "Take her home, make sure she is safe. We don't need you today. Sergeant Korsak and I will work on it."
"And Cavanaugh?" Jane asked.
"I will take care of that also." Frost replied. "He isn't going to like this."
Detective Frost dropped Jane and Maura off at Jane's blue cruiser that had been parked outside of BPD. The two women had not said a thing to each other or even looked at each other. "I'm taking you home, Maura." Jane verbalized.
"I can drive myself," she declared harshly.
"Like hell" Jane started. "You aren't going anywhere without me. And as of right now, your car is in BPD garage. The techs are going through it, making sure there are no bombs."
"How do you know those shots were aimed at me." Maura asked as she climbed into Jane's cruiser.
"Because Maur' the kid in your lab is the son of an Irish mobster. There are two more cold cases that are also linked to this one. All victims are the offspring of Irish mobsters."
Maura looked at Jane in disbelief. "Why didn't you tell me?" She probed.
"I wanted to protect you Maura, I am sorry." Jane clarified.
Maura looked out her window for several seconds before she finally spoke. "You did protect me Jane."
Jane led Maura into her own house, checking every room before she let Maura out of her sight. "I think we're safe now Jane." Maura mocked. Satisfied, Jane let her gun down on the counter. "Are you hungry?" Maura asked.
"No, but I will take a beer if you have one?"
"Good, because I definitely need a drink." Maura laughed. The doctor gave her best friend a beer and poured herself a glass of wine as she leaned on the counter across from her. "Tell me about the case."
Jane groaned as she led Maura to the couch. She began to tell Maura everything they had so far. She left out the detail of her biological brother's death being related, because as far as Maura knew, that case was closed. "What does Cavanaugh think?" Maura questioned.
"Cavanaugh doesn't want to do anything that could interfere with our case against Paddy." Jane sighed as she noticed the medical examiner yawning. "Let's go to bed." Maura gave Jane a questionable look. "Look you are tired, I am tired and I am not letting you out of my sight. So get over it."
"Fine, but you aren't sleeping in your clothes and boots Jane." Maura insisted.
"Would you like me to sleep in a negligee?" Jane teased.
"If you want Jane." Maura provoked. "But if you would like I have a pair of shorts. You could sleep in that and your tank top that you usually wear under your blouse."
"Oh darn." Jane said kiddingly.
Jane changed as Maura disappeared in her closet. She reappeared several minutes later in a white camisole and red silk pajama shorts. Jane laid on the bed as Maura crawled in beside her. They had shared a bed together several times. Mostly it was not planned. They just fell asleep talking. It felt different tonight somehow. With the lights out, Maura turned towards Jane. "Were you scared?" she asked.
"When?"
"You know, when Hoyt … " Maura's voice trailed off, feeling stupid for even mentioning his name.
"You mean when Hoyt tried to kill me?" Maura nodded. "Yes. I was terrified. I was scared after he was in prison. I wasn't ever at peace until he was dead" Jane revealed.
"How did you cope with it?" Maura pried.
"I came here. I felt safe here." The room became quiet with Jane's confession. Maura shifted in bed, restless.
"Jane, could I lay closer to you?" Maura asked.
Jane smiled in the darkness as she reached out her right arm, allowing Maura to nestle next to her body. She then took her left arm and wrapped it around Maura's frame, holding her. Maura's face was almost buried in Jane's chest, as the rest of her body was completely surrounded in Jane's embrace. Heavy silence filled the room, as Jane held onto Maura tighter. "I think I am falling in love with you Maura." Jane confessed. Jane grew with anxiety as seconds passed with no answer from Maura. Jane began panicking. Did I cross the line? She thought. Did I mistake all the innocent flirting for something more. Jane relaxed as she felt Maura sigh and she realized that she had already fallen asleep.