Chapter Twenty-Three
Maura sat at her desk, the summons spread out before her. She turned her chair and stared out the window, thinking. She had a phone call to make, one she knew was coming ever since she overheard Joey on the phone.
Maura didn't want to make this call; her father has been quite ill and she knows how much this will upset him. His anger will be on two fronts: one, that the Isles Family Foundation is getting hit by charges that are totally false and unrelated to any of the foundation's good works, and two, his daughter's upstanding reputation is about to become fodder for the gossip mill all over Boston and possibly outside Massachusetts. Maura didn't want that, she didn't want her father having to fight her battles for her, not now. Maura though she was old enough to take care of herself but this summons and Joey Grant's witch hunt proved otherwise.
Her mother was another matter entirely. Constance Isles was a force to be reckoned with all on her own. She was apt to see Maura's mess as nothing more than a mess and one the foundation didn't need. Constance could have her removed as head of the Isles Family Foundation with only a couple of phone calls. Maura would then be banished to the role of 'she lost control' and lost her place on the board. Maura would be humiliated to have her personal laundry washed for the world to see.
She recalled the conversation she had with the foundation's legal team just yesterday afternoon.
"The unfortunate thing, Maura, is that the foundation will take a hit anyway, just because you're linked to the Grant divorce," the lead attorney, Jerry Masters, told her. Four other heads bobbed in agreement.
"Legally the foundation doesn't have much to worry about, other than covering the legal bills this will entail. The foundation is not an emotional, live being, so it cannot be charged with loss of consortium or alienation of affection. The only substantiation to this charge, Maura, is if you used any of the foundation's offices or apartment homes for any of your trysts."
"No, nothing like that, Jerry. In fact, as far as romance goes, it really is nothing more than a friendship restarting. We haven't been intimate anywhere. Joey Grant is upset that his wife asked for a divorce and he's using me as an excuse."
"But you had a prior relationship with his wife?"
"Yes, long before she was his wife. Jane came to Australia when I was there on foundation business but nothing happened between us. Jane then came home and told Joey she wanted a divorce."
"Good. We'll file the appropriate paperwork then, asking for a dismissal from the charges."
"Jerry, please send me the bill for the legal expenses. I don't want the foundation to have to pay for my indiscretions."
The other attorneys filed out of Maura's office but Jerry remained behind. He hesitated for a moment, then spoke.
"Do you have a personal attorney in mind to help you through this, Maura?" she shook her head no.
"If I may, I'd like to represent you. I've always admired through these years I've worked for the foundation, Maura. I know when you say nothing happened I can trust that and you're the type of client I like to represent."
"Thank you, Jerry, that's most kind, given what I've had to bring to you today."
"Don't worry about anything, Maura, I've had clients tell me worse things than this, or try to conceal worse things. But I do have a word of caution and I'm betting Detective Rizzoli's attorney will tell her the same thing."
"What would that be, Jerry?"
"The two of you should stay away from each other until this matter is settled. Have no contact with each other." Maura felt a sadness settle on her shoulders at Jerry's words. She knew how important Jane was to her.
"I understand you have my best interests at heart, Jerry, but right now Jane needs all of her friends around her. I have nothing to hide. Yes, I'm in love with Jane, I always have been from the first day we met, but nothing has happened and we don't need to worry about some indiscretion coming to light."
"Joey Grant is trying to take her kids away from her."
"Yes, and his charges that she's an unfit mother are ludicrous. Even the other night, when the Sheriff's deputies came to haul the kids over to Joey's, she played it like it was an adventure, so the kids wouldn't see how upset she was and think badly of Joey."
"All of Jane's work in the Boston Police Department will be brought forth, including that episode years ago when she was hailed as a hero cop. I'm sure there are nothing but commendations for excellent service to the community are in her personnel file, but you must remember, Maura, some of the cops who have been through divorces were exemplary law enforcement personnel and monsters to their families. Jane's oldest child might be asked to testify if it comes down to a trial. Will Jane want that? Think of it, Maura. A six year old boy is going to be asked if he's seen his mother kiss another woman or if you two share a bed together."
Jerry left the office with his words ringing in Maura's ears. She was afraid of everything Jerry said coming true.
Is it for the best if Jane and I cease all contact for awhile? Maura thought. She didn't want this, she wanted to be there for Jane, but she also didn't want to be the reason Jane lost her children to Joey Grant.
Jane sat outside of Allen Mason's office and jiggled her leg impatiently. The attorney was running late from an impromptu meeting after his court date and had called his secretary to tell Jane to please wait for him.
She had no interest in the celebrity gossip magazines lining the waiting room table. Most of them were full of articles about two celebrity women staring in a high rated cable crime drama and the speculation running through Hollywood that the women were more than friends and Jane wasn't interested in reading about that. She had her own drama regarding her divorce and enough speculation about her and Maura to worry about two celebrities she didn't know.
"Jane, come in, please, I'm sorry to keep you waiting," Allen Mason opened the door and blew through the waiting area like his own personal hurricane was following him. Jane stood.
"I don't know why you called me, Allen, nothing's changed," Jane protested.
"I know. I wanted to give you an update and I decided to do this in person instead of over the phone," Allen replied. An uneasy feeling settled over Jane.
"Is there something wrong? I want my kids back Allen."
"I know you do, Jane. First, I know you're aware of Joey's recent filings against you, Maura Isles and the Isles Family Foundation. He's accusing Maura and the foundation of alienation of affection. Your filing has been amended to include loss of consortium."
"Yeah I saw that. What is that?"
"It's when one partner in a marriage is no longer able to consummate the marriage, or continue the marriage bed, for either mental or physical reasons."
"Joey's suing me, Maura and the foundation because I won't have sex with him?" Jane was incredulous.
"As ridiculous as that sounds, Jane, it's true. Family court takes marriage relations seriously. Joey is saying Maura influenced you to stop sleeping with him."
"But nothing happened between Maura and me! And if it did, how would Joey know?"
"Unless he has evidence we don't know about, he doesn't know. He is guessing. But what he's telling the court is that you're completely under the influence of another woman and unable to make good decisions for yourself or your children. It's an effective obstacle to keep your children from you."
"Come on, Allen, I want to see my children. I need to see them," Jane whispered. Allen grabbed a box of Kleenex and slid it over to Jane. He could see tears about to fall.
"I've arranged a supervised visit, Jane. Without going to court it's the best I could do. You have your children from four to six p.m. this evening. You can take them to the part, to dinner or to a movie, your choice, but the social worker assigned to your case will be present at all times." Jane nodded while Allen talked. It sucked to have a babysitter but at least she'd see her children today.
"There is something else, Jane. This is the main reason I called you into the office today. You need to cease all contact with Maura, at least for now."
Jane jumped out of her chair. "Allen that's bullshit! Nothing has happened! Maura and I are just friends, and it's a tenuous friendship at best. I can't lose her now." Her heart sank as she thought of having to tell Maura goodbye, even if it was temporary.
"I understand, Jane. But the court will look at your previous relationship with Maura and friendship is not what they'll term it. Please understand your future with your children is at stake."
Jane continued to stand, this time shaking from head to toe. What else was that bastard Joey going to take from her? She wondered.
After Jane left his office Allen picked up the phone to make a call.
"She's devastated," he told the voice on the other end.
"I thought she might be. Did you tell her about our meeting?"
"No, I decided it was premature to tell her. Has anyone said anything to Maura?"
"Not yet. Jerry took her case, as we knew he would. I too, thought it was too soon to say anything to Maura."
"They'll need to be told soon."
"I agree. Let's wait a couple of days, see what happens and go from there."
"Agreed," Allen said and ended the call. He made notes in Jane's file and went on to his other cases.
TBC ;)