Till Death Do Us Part
Part Deux
Deanlu
Rizzoli and Isles are the property of TNT and Tess Gerritson. I am freely using them for a little mischief and fun. This is really pulling at me as I write. I know where I am going, but some of the detail is very difficult. As always please review.
"Jane? Jane, come on honey wake up." Maura's voice filtered down to Jane's subconscious.
"Too tired. Just let me go." Jane croaked out. She felt like there was an elephant sitting on her. She heard the faint sounds of beeping and what seemed to be an oxygen machine.
"No, Jane! You have to hang on for me. You have to hang on. Please Jane." The voice called out to her softly. Jane reached for the mask as she opened her eyes and blurred images grabbed at her hands. The detective started to fight the hands that were on her until she felt a pinprick and hot fire flooded through her veins. Her last words, "Maura," seeped out in a whisper.
"What happened?" Doctor Peterson came through the door to find Nurse Betty and Rebecca holding Jane down as an intern finished administering the sedative.
"She has been in and out of consciousness, badly hallucinating. I think we are going to have to keep her sedated until her lung heals some more," responded the intern. Doctor Peterson came to the bedside as Rebecca backed away.
"I was afraid of this. Rebecca you really know how to fuck up a doctor's life. She needs more help than I may be able to give. It has been a week now. She's recovering slower than she should." Rebecca looked at Peterson and shook her head. She moved toward the bed again.
"No, no way. She is recovering. I think this has to do with more the will to want to live." Rebecca ran her fingers over Jane's cheek and face. "I have already ascertained that the leak was from inside the FBI. Whether Agent Winez wants to admit it or not, he has an information problem. Jane's life is in danger only if she saw something. Right now, this person thinks she saw something because she has disappeared." Rebecca walked over to the window and looked out. The day had dawned clear with the sun shining across the red rock mesa. As far as the eye could see Rebecca controlled this land. She would protect her friend. She would find Jane's fiancée and get her here too. Hopefully, out of harm's way. "He is already looking for Maura. Someone else has been probing the computer information. The spider bots we set out for tracking inquiries are bringing back some interesting information." Rebecca shook her head. "No, doctor." Rebecca spun on her heal and faced the doctor. "Heal Jane, anything you need to do the job will be brought to you. Money is no object. Now I have business to attend too. Amman, don't leave her side." Rebecca took one last look at her friend and walked out. The Middle Eastern man watched his employer leave then turned to Doctor Peterson. The doctor threw up his hands and began to rant.
"Stupidity! This woman doesn't know the first thing about how serious this is." Amman held up his hand. Amman always seemed to be able to find a peaceful state even when all around was in chaos.
"No, doctor. She does know. She has been here before and lost everything Jane now has. If not for the detective here, she would have also lost her life." Peterson's curiosity was peaked now. He moved toward Amman, after quick glance toward the door.
"Will you tell me?" Amman looked toward the door where his employer and friend had exited. He sighed and nodded.
"I can tell you some. The rest she will have to choose to give you." Amman took a seat and the doctor followed after increasing the oxygen and checking Jane's pulse. He nodded when he found it was okay then sat and waited.
"Ms. Rebecca was at junior college with Jane. But she wasn't in the police program. She was in business management. Her father had wanted her to take over the ranch here and make it a profitable business. She lived in Boston with her mother, which you know had divorced her father and left Texas. Rebecca's senior year she was stalked by a serial rapist. Unfortunately, for Rebecca he decided to attempt to destroy her soul first. He raped, and then murdered her girlfriend. Jane was doing an internship with the Boston Police Department at the time. She was with the officer in charge when they answered the call. She had met Rebecca briefly before that, but just as passing acquaintances." Amman stopped when a low moan issued from the woman in the bed and she began to twitch. He got up and spoke in a very soft voice attempting to sooth the detective. She slowly relaxed and fell back into a healing sleep. Doctor Peterson checked her stats and found all fine.
"Nightmares, I can imagine she has some doozies." Both Amman and the doctor returned to their seats.
"Jane befriended Rebecca something the police are never told to do with victims. They became good friends. Jane was on duty about a month after the death of Rebecca's partner. A call came in that a rapist had struck once more. Jane responded once again with her partner." Amman stopped and took a deep breath. "I will never understand how someone can hurt the innocent. I do not wish to understand." Amman looked the doctor in the eye. "The rapist had gotten to Rebecca. But he had failed to kill her. Jane spent the next four months helping her friend recover when she wasn't looking for the rapist. Due to Rebecca surviving they had enough evidence to put him away for life. Jane helped Rebecca fly to Texas to her father's ranch after her graduation. Yes, Rebecca stayed and graduated. She said she would not let monsters or others pity stop her from achieving her destiny. Strangely, her destiny changed that night. She has only allowed Jane close since then. No, others are allowed to penetrate her icy shield. She has become the exact image her father wanted in a son. She can be ruthless when needed. " Amman watched the as Jane seemed to breath more freely. "Trust me, as a cattle rancher, oil tycoon, and electronics and computer CEO she needs it."
"Rebecca said she would not let the Fed's do to Jane what they had done to her. What did she mean?" Peterson asked as he glanced toward Jane.
"Agent Winez held back key information that would have led to the serial rapists arrest before Rebecca's partner was killed. If the agent had given the information to the Boston Police Department the rapist would not have killed five more girls including Rebecca's partner or raped Rebecca." Amman shook his head thinking about what he had revealed. "To say that she hates the Fed's is understating it. She has one friend on the inside, but she does not even trust him fully. Some say she is strong and vibrant young woman. Which she is, but it has come at a terrible price and inside exists a great deal of pain. Pain she understands like no other."
Elsewhere on the Ranch…
"Welcome Mr. Gonzalez. I have been looking forward to our meeting." Rebecca extended her hand which the older Hispanic man took and laid a soft kiss on it.
"It is an honor Ms. Anderson. Your father was always a good friend. "Rebecca smiled and then gestured to the nearby chairs in her study. "How can I be of service?" Rebecca's study was decorated in early Texas history. Reproductions of the Come and take it Flag and The Texas Constitution decorated the walls. On the piano near the window were pictures of her family, friends, and close acquaintances. A longhorn cowhide covered the center of the floor in front of a fireplace. Several leather chairs and a leather couch surrounded the cowhide rug.
"May I offer you refreshment coffee, ice tea, or water?" Rebecca waited while Mr. Gonzalez selected his refreshment.
"Coffee, please. You have always been a woman who has observed the courtesies." Rebecca handed Mr. Gonzalez his coffee offering sugar and cream which was declined. After they were both situated with their drinks Rebecca began her slow dance of words with Mr. Gonzalez.
"I noticed recently some activity on the western border of my land that may not be…shall we say welcome. I just wanted to make sure that there were no misunderstandings in the future with my boys out and about checking the fence lines." Rebecca looked directly into Mr. Gonzalez's eyes. "I would hate for there to be a misunderstanding that resulted in an altercation that could not be readily repaired if you get my meaning." She waited as Mr. Gonzalez drank his coffee. He was not a stupid man. He knew that Rebecca would soon observe the movement of trucks and people. He just needed to keep her assured it was not going to harm her.
"I have recently had some friends who are working out that way. I will speak with them Ms. Rebecca. I would not want any altercations. I am aware of your keen interest that you take for individuals who cause you misunderstandings." He winked at her and placed his cup and saucer down figuring the conversation was at an end. Old goat he knows exactly what is going on to the western land line. Let's see how he likes this little salvo, Rebecca thought.
"Good, good. However, I have given permission to the Border Patrol to do training exercises in that region of my ranch for the few months. If it works out it could become a permanent arrangement. You do understand." Rebecca's eyes had darkened to a stormy blue. Mr. Gonzalez understood in no uncertain terms. This would not do well for him.
"Perhaps, I can get them to move their work to a different part of my ranch." Rebecca clapped her hands together and leaned forward hugging the old man.
"Wonderful, wonderful! Can I offer you dinner? We are having Brisket tonight with all the fixings." Mr. Gonzalez rose and shook his head. He knew not to hedge his bets with the lady tonight.
"No Ms. Rebecca. I still have several head to brand and ready for market." Mr. Gonzalez donned his cowboy hat. Rebecca looped her arm in the older man's and walked him out. "Thank you for your courtesies." He then tipped the hat and left. Rebecca watched as he drove down the winding ranch road. Two rough looking men walked up next to her dressed in blue jeans, work shirts, and chaps. Leather gloves were held in their hands. One dark haired, medium build with a slight limp to his walk the other with sandy blonde hair, tall and lanky.
"Did he take the warning?" Jacob, the sandy blonde asked watching the retreating truck as it kicked up red clay dust.
"No, I don't think he did. He may have acted as if he would acquiesce, but I think this is going to be a problem. Jacob, have the border patrol start their runs. Let them know that I believe it could be either coyotes or drug runners." He nodded his head and walked inside to make the call.
"Edward, let the boys know to carry fully loaded out there all the time and to stay partnered up. I don't want them happening on anything without backup. If things get better here, I will ride out in a week or so. But I trust you all. Be careful though, we have limited fire power. I don't want any of ours to take a hit." Edward came up behind her and pulled her into a hug. Rebecca closed her eyes and let the heat of this loving man's body soak into her. It would be so easy to just trust, but then there was a flash of a broken body, covered in blood. Blonde long hair twisted and knotted with blood and vacant eyes the color of green staring back at her. Rebecca started and withdrew from Edwards arms.
"It's alright Rebecca. I told you before I can wait a lifetime and just exist in the shadow if needed." Rebecca looked down at the red clay ground and shook her head. "How is your friend?"
"Holding on I have other work to complete." She turned to go, but her hand was caught by the man.
"Be careful. The boys are always at the ready." Rebecca retreated to her study and made some phone calls.
"Have you found them Waterhouse? Really? I didn't think he would take that risk again? Alright. I want you to make Maura disappear and reappear here. Can you manage that without letting them know she has disappeared? Good, give me the number." Rebecca wrote down the number relayed by her attorney. "I will talk with you later." Rebecca sat down in the high leather back chair. She quickly dialed the number and waited.
"Patty Doyle, I have a problem and it involves your daughter."
Boston Safe house in an undisclosed neighborhood…
An older, slightly overweight man with a well-kept beard is holding a set of cards. Across the table a women in her mid-thirties to late thirties with very light brown-blonde hair, hazel eyes, and exquisite taste in clothing picks up a card and discards another. Two other men of who are most definitely federal agents sit in the other places. She then lays down her cards. "Gin"
"How is she doing that? She already took me for five hundred dollars." One of the agents responded. There was a knock on the door and the agents rose with guns drawn. They looked through the peep hole and then opened the door. Agent Winez waltzed into the room.
"I'm releasing you to go back to work and return to your homes. I am asking you to say nothing to the press or your families until further notice." He looked at Doctor Isles for a moment. "Frankie Isles is here to pick you and Korsak up, Dr. Isles. I am sorry for any inconvenience this has caused, but we had to make sure you were safe." He motioned the agents to wait outside.
"Yeah, right. Bloody bastard enjoyed keeping us here all that time." Korsak said as he gathered his items.
"Not now Korsak. We need to see Jane and find out what is going on." Maura quickly packed her stuff as Korsak did the same and walked out with the agents to Frankie's car. After they got inside the agents quickly left as Frankie drove away.
"Where is Jane? Why isn't she here? She did get my message right? Frankie, why aren't you answering?" Frankie pulled over at a nearby park. He gripped the steering wheel and then took a deep breath. Frankie had been dreading this since he had found his sister missing.
"Maura, Jane is missing. She isn't here because she thinks you're dead. She resigned her commission to the force over a week and a half ago. No one knows where she is right now. I have been trying to find her since she went missing but there is nothing." Maura fell back against the seat.
"What do you mean she just disappeared? " Korsak shouted.
"She was hurt real bad in the explosion. She checked herself out of the hospital, wouldn't listen to mom or anyone. She was desperate to find you, Maura. She walked into the precinct and then was ordered to report to the lieutenant's office. Inside was Agent Winez, he placed her on medical leave until further notice. He wouldn't let her know whether you were dead or alive. He wouldn't let her participate in the case. He basically implied this was all her fault. She left the precinct and went home. After that, we only know she spoke to Marissa briefly and had her bandage changed. Nothing has been seen or heard from her since then. No credit card activity, her cell phone, badge, and gun were left at the house. I just don't know." Maura starting softly crying. Frankie reached over and pulled her into his arms. "I'm so sorry. I tried to get to her and let her know you were alive. I am sorry Maura. I failed." Maura hugged him. Korsak could not believe what he heard.
"Shh, it's okay Frankie. We will find her. One way or the other we will find her. Please, take me home." Frankie nodded, wiped his eyes. He then began driving them home. Upon arriving at Maura's Frankie walked her to the door.
"Listen, I will let Korsak off and come back. Okay?" Maura nodded and waited while Frankie let her into her house. Then he was gone. The solitary click as the door shut released the pent up grief Maura had been feeling to cascade down upon her. She fell to the floor just inside the doorway and began to sob uncontrollably. Where was Jane? Was she dead? How badly was she hurt? Did the people who had blown up the warehouse have her? What was going on? Why didn't they tell her that I was alive? It was a full five minutes before she realized she wasn't alone.
"She's not dead Maura." Maura looked up into the face of Patty Doyle. "She's not dead, but she needs you. Come with me." Doyle reached out his hand. "We don't have much time." Maura grabbed it and never looked back.