Chapter 21

"I don't know," was all Maura offered up.

"You don't know?" Jane was confused. How could Maura not know? "Maura?"

"I haven't spoken with her since my father started all of this. I tried calling her several times but she didn't answer her phone. And she hasn't returned any of my messages. So, I don't know if she knows what he is doing and agrees or if she doesn't know anything yet. He told me not to speak to her and that he would handle that conversation, but for right now I don't know what she knows."

As if on cue, Jane's cell phone buzzed its vibration once and then twice. It had been sitting on a patio table next to Maura. Maura picked it up and handed it to Jane. Jane, however, made no move to check the message.

"Aren't you going to check that?"

"Whatever it is, it can wait. You know I tried calling Constance last week too and I didn't get an answer."

"You called?"

"Yes. Right after I got your note and the Sox tickets I was trying to figure everything out. The parts of your note about family made me think it was either something with Doyle or one of your mothers. I checked on all of the files and visit logs for Doyle and didn't see anything that made me believe something new had occurred so I ruled him out. I wasn't sure about trying to contact Hope given all that had happened with you two so I tried getting in touch with Constance to see if she had any insight.

"I couldn't remember if she had been released from that rehab facility in Florida yet. I got her number from Ma and tried it but it went straight to voicemail. I left a message but she never called me back. And when I figured out where you were from your cell phone records I stopped trying to look for her. And honestly it had never occurred to me to try your father."

Jane's phone buzzed and vibrated again. "Jane, you should really check those. That's three messages now. It could be important. Why don't you look at those and I'm going to call Angela." With that Maura walked into the suite and towards her bedroom.

Jane nodded and pulled up the messages. The first two were from Frost. The third was from Frankie.

Constance in NY- Isles residence 944 5th Ave near Central Park

The second read:

Phillip in same location. Has a flight for San Francisco booked for Monday 9 am

She then scrolled to read Frankie's text:

U ok sis? How's Maura?

Jane sent back a thank you text to Frost for both pieces of information. She then typed out a response for Frankie.

I'm ok. Maura is better. Probably home by Monday

She sat down. So both Maura's parents are in New York. Interesting. Jane stared out over the park as she waited for Maura to rejoin her.

Maura went into her room and pulled out her cell phone. She scrolled through her contacts, found Angela's number and highlighted it. She settled herself into a chair in the corner of room and released to deep breath. She hit send on the phone and waited for the matriarch of the Rizzoli clan to pick up her phone. It wasn't a long wait. Angela answered on the first ring making Maura believe the phone had been in her hand when it rang.

"Maura! Oh honey, are you ok?"

The compassion and concern in Angela's tone was undeniable and Maura immediately felt both lucky for her concerns and guilty for making her worry. "Angela, please calm down. I'm sorry I've caused you to worry."

"I worry about all my kids. And that includes you. But are you ok? Jane won't tell me anything. I don't even know where you both are or what's going on. I've been imagining the worst here. At least tell me you aren't sick."

"Angela, hold on. I'm not sick. Jane and I are both ok. And don't be mad at Jane for not telling you anything. She is just trying to protect me."

"I know, I know. But you both just disappeared. And I should have known something was wrong when we stopped having coffee in the morning. I didn't pick up on it. Jane did but I didn't. I just thought you were busy. I should have realized something was wrong much sooner and found you or told Jane sooner. I mean it was a whole week before anyone pieced together that you were in trouble. I'm so sorry."

In that moment, Maura finally understood what Jane had meant by the term Hurricane Angela. She had seen this side of Angela before but it had been focused on Jane or Frankie. This was the first time she was the focus of the hurricane and she now could truly appreciate what Jane meant by the term. There was such love behind what Angela was saying that Maura was overwhelmed and she started to cry. She tried to hold back the tears but it was no use.

Angela heard the low sob and a whimper from Maura. It frightened her. "Maura? Honey? Please don't cry."

Maura sniffed and tried to say something but got choked up in the words. Then she heard Angela quietly start to hum. She wasn't sure what she was humming but it was incredibly soothing. As she strained to listen, her sobs slowed down and her breathing returned to normal. Angela possessed the magical touch even over a phone.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to break down and cry," Maura said after she finally pulled her emotions in check. "I was calling to help make you not worry so much but I don't think I've managed to do that."

"Do you want to talk about it at all?"

"It's all so complicated. I really can't get into all the details right now. But, it's…there's…it's just an issue with my parents."

"Is Constance ok? Did something happen with her health?"

"No, it's not that. It's my father actually. We sort of had a falling out."

"What on Earth could anyone fight about with you? You are like the perfect daughter." Angela had meant that to be a compliment. However, it made Maura start crying again. "Oh, I'm sorry Maura. I should just stop talking. I'm not helping you right now. Please, don't cry."

"No, don't feel bad Angela. I've been crying at the drop of a hat lately. I'm sorry. You are just trying to help and I love you for that. But, are you ok if I don't get into a lot of details right now? I don't think I can go through it all right now."

"Sure, honey, sure. I don't need details. I just need to know you are being taken care of. Is Jane helping you out?"

"Yes, she's been amazing. You really should be proud of how you raised her you know. I know she acts all tough and badass but underneath that exterior is a woman with a huge heart. I really don't know what I'd do right now if I didn't have her."

"To be honest with you Maura, you are the first person outside her family I have ever seen get through all the barriers she has created. I've never seen anyone get as close to her as she lets you get. Part of me stopped worrying a bit when I knew she was with you because I know she will do anything to protect you."

"I'm blessed to have her as my best friend."

There was a pause and then Angela said something to Maura that Maura could hardly believe. Something she could not even respond to.

"I need to go Angela. Please don't worry about us. We both should be home by Sunday. I'll make sure Jane calls you again in the morning."

"Maura, if there is anything you need I'm just a phone call away."

"Thank you. I do know that and I'm grateful for it."

Maura ended the call but couldn't bring herself to leave her room quite yet. She had been rattled by what Angela had said and needed a minute to recover.

She wasn't sure how much time has passed when there was a knock on the bedroom door. "Maura? Are you ok?"

"You can come in Jane," she answered.

Jane slowly opened the door and looked in. Maura was sitting in the chair in the corner. Jane stepped into the room and asked again, "Are you ok?" She could tell Maura had been crying. Nice job, Ma!

"I think I finally have a full appreciation for why you label your mother Hurricane."

That comment made Jane smile. "She is a handful. You'd better not ever get physically injured because that takes it to a whole new level. But it comes from love so what can you do?" Jane paused and inched a bit closer. "She got to you, huh?"

"A little. But like you said, it comes from love."

"Hey, let's get out of here for a bit. Let's take a walk. Get something for lunch maybe?"

"That sounds like a good idea."

They headed out and took a walk through the park. Neither said much of anything and neither seemed to mind that the conversation was at a minimum. Neither felt like a big lunch so they settled on a hot dog from a street vendor. They continued to wander around the park.

At some point Maura became vaguely aware that Jane was steering the direction they were walking. She really didn't think much about it until Jane suddenly stopped and looked at Maura.

"What?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes."

"Do you trust that I wouldn't deliberately hurt you and that I only want what's best for you?"

"Yes Jane, why are you asking me this."

In response, Jane just pointed to something. Maura followed the direction of Jane's arm and immediately knew where they had ended up. She found herself standing across the street from her parent's home.