Maura gathers herself and goes back to the Lady's rest room she's found to wash her tear drenched face. When she's confident she can hold it all together she ventures back to the Emergency reception where Jane and Korsack's friends and family wait for news. As she enters the area she feels all their eyes fall on her and the weight of the stare nearly brings her undone. It's an eerie scene before her; they all stand and to Maura it's like they're moving in slow motion. What is more confronting is the deafening silence that engulfs her. Not one of her friends is game to ask.
Maura forces her facial muscles to structure a smile. It's a strain. It feels like she has to force each muscle to move one at a time. She reminds herself that the news is not as bad as it could be; they're both alive. When she'd called in to check on Korsack his colour was drained but he looked to be resting comfortably. Jane's breathing on her own and the bullet did not pierce her brain; this is all good news. While she'd been sitting with Jane Dr. Yeo had visited. He was quite optimistic. He's keeping Jane in an induced coma for now. It will allow the brain's swelling to reduce without anxiety.
Maura pulls her shoulders back and moves towards the group of people standing, waiting. These people are the closest friends she's ever had. Thanks to Jane she's been welcomed into the warmest and genuinely loving environment she's ever known. She realises at this moment there are some benefits to a lonely existence. You are never confronted with these types of feelings. It's only a fleeting thought as she remembers what her lonely life had felt like before she met these wonderful people.
When she stands in front of them Maura starts to explain in the only way she knows how; the honest scientific facts. "Sergeant Detective Korsack was shot in the upper right chest. The bullet broke a number of ribs on entry and punctured his right lung. He lost a lot of blood but was conscious and coherent when he was brought into surgery. He is now in the ICU and is heavily sedated. This is to allow him to breathe without pain until his lung is stronger. He will be kept heavily sedated for at least two days. Then he should be able to give you a statement Detective Frost."
It's only after she's finished the statement that she allows herself to take a breath. Before she re-gathers she hears a fragile whisper "and my baby?" Angela is looking at Maura; the pain in her expression almost breaks her.
Again Maura approaches the answer to Angela's plea the only way she knows how; the honest facts. "Jane suffered a shot to her head. The bullet pierced the skin of her forehead above the right eye. The bullet fractured her skull but did not puncture it. Therefore the bullet did not inflict any direct injuries on the brain. However, the impact of the blow has caused significant cranial swelling. She was unconscious when brought in. She did not at any time regain consciousness. Her Doctor has put Jane into an induced coma to allow the swelling in her brain to reduce without the anxiety of the trauma. He believes that will allow Jane's brain the best chances of a full recovery."
"My God Maura, are you saying Janey might have brain damage" Frankie looks at her in horror.
"Frankie it really is too soon to form any conclusions. I would tell you the truth if I knew that to be the case. The complication that has her doctor worried is that Jane is sick; her body is fighting a fever and he hasn't been able to find a reason for it. This is adding extra stress to her body and her brain."
"Can I see her" Angela asks.
"In the morning Angela; but not tonight I'm afraid."
"What about Korsack; can we see him" Frost asks.
Maura takes a deep breath before answering. "Not tonight Detective Frost." She looks at the worried faces. "I'll stay here tonight, I'll keep an eye on both of them and call you the minute there is any news good or bad; I promise. I think its best you all go home and get some rest Sergeant Detective Korsack and Jane are going to need you all at your best over the next couple of days."
Angela looks at Maura, "and you'll call the second there is any change; any news?"
"I promise Angela."
Angela takes Maura into a motherly hug "thank you sweet Maura, I'm so glad Janey has you as a friend."
Maura gets emotional and pulls away "oh please don't Angela; I'm not used to this kind of support. I feel stronger if I keep myself in an environment I'm familiar with and that's dealing with things like this on my own."
"Oh Maura honey you're not alone anymore, you're family." She looks at Frankie and Frost "we're all family."
"Thank you" Maura is grateful for the sentiment. "Please go home and I'll call you the minute there is any news."
After they leave Maura goes back into the hospital. She checks on Korsack. She scans his charts and the nurses have made a few notes since she last looked. She squeezes his hand before leaving to check on Jane. When she gets to Jane's room she's greeted with the sound of machines monitoring her brain activity. Her forehead is swollen and beneath the bandage covering the wound the purple, yellow and green tinges of bruising are growing. Amidst the chaos of wires and Jane's wild hair Maura notices the fresh dressing on Jane's chin.
Maura feels engulfed in guilt when she thinks about Jane's chin. She knew Jane was sick; she should have reported her. She should not have been allowed to work the case they were all so focused on. Maura knows she's kidding herself. Reporting Jane would not have stopped her. On the books or not, sick or well, Jane would have worked this case. She tries to use the last thought to ease her feelings of regret.
Maura pulls the chair in the room closer to Jane's bed. She sits and gets comfortable. She can reach and touch Jane's arm which she does from time to time. Every now and then she notices Jane's hands twitch. This action worries Maura and she makes a mental note to mention this to Dr. Yeo in the morning. At some point during the night Maura falls asleep.
When he enters the padded cell Shannon's face rests in a pool of blood that has oozed around her from her bleeding nose. The meal that he placed their hours ago remains untouched. He kicks it across the room in anger. Even in her daze Shannon shudders at his action. She whimpers in fear. He turns and stares at her; rage is pulsing through his veins.
He rips her clothes off. Even in her wounded state she cowers and tries to cover up her nudity. He laughs. "You think I care what you look like bitch! You revolt me clothed or naked, you stupid whore!" He rapes her savagely and brutally. Her cries are muted by her head injuries, she sounds like a child with a head cold. It urges him on.
When he's done he sits back. Far from satisfied he is full of a deeper rage and anger. He clenches and unclenches his fists. He fights to gain control. He tells himself he must keep his composure if he is to complete his master piece. When his breathing is stable he notices the blank eyes of Shannon are watching him. "What are you staring at woman" he screams. He moves in for the kill.
Maura wakes to the sound of someone entering Jane's room. "Oh I'm sorry Dr. Isles; I didn't know anyone was here."
Maura notices someone has put a blanket over her at some stage during the evening. She looks at the person who has spoken; she was expecting it to be Dr. Yeo. As she stands from her uncomfortable position she realises its Dr. Hughes that's in front of her. "Dr. Hughes, excuse my state I was told Jane wouldn't be allowed any visitors." Maura stands and folds the blanket. She tries to tidy herself up and straightens her dress. His look makes Maura feel uncomfortable.
"I'm hardly a visitor Dr. Isles, Jane is one of my patients." He's tall and using his height to look down on Maura. At least that's how she feels.
"Of course, I'm sorry Dr. Hughes, it's just… I'm sorry… I was startled when you walked in."
"Don't worry Dr. Isles, how is she?" He's moved to pick up the chart on the foot of Jane's bed.
"She's in an induced coma Dr. Dr. Yeo is intending to reassess her situation at lunch time today." Maura looks at her watch; she notices it's very early. "You're here early Dr. Hughes?"
"Oh, I take an early run each day. I only heard the news about Jane and the other detective when my alarm went off this morning. I came as soon as I heard."
Maura looks at him, "you must have been on the moon not to have heard it in the news coverage yesterday."
He smiles at her, "almost. I was treating patients until very late last night; I confess I was completely distracted. I fell into bed without even a thought for the news." He smiles at Maura. "So her prognosis" he asks.
"The bullet has fractured her skull but it did not enter her brain. There has been no direct damage to Jane's brain."
"That's good news" Hughes interrupts Maura.
"Yes it is; the cranial swelling and the fever are what have the Neurosurgeon's most concerned."
"Fever" Hughes looks at Maura surprised.
"Yes, Jane's been quite sick Doctor Hughes. She's been fighting a low-range fever for a couple of days now. She obviously didn't have it when she consulted you the other day."
"No, I would have said she was in perfect physical health."
"Jane told me why she was seeing you Dr. I know she told you her symptoms but she said your examinations showed no sign of any dysfunction or weakening of her hands."
"Dr. Isles you know I can't discuss this with you, even if Jane has spoken to you."
"I just hope it doesn't come back that Jane should have been assigned to desk duties. She'll never forgive herself if Korsack's injuries are the result of her hands failing her."
Jackson Hughes frowns; his eyes darken. "Dr. Isles you knew she had a fever and you say you knew about her hands; you could have had her assigned to desk duties."
Maura finds herself annoyed at Hughes. "I'm not making accusations Dr. Hughes; if you're feeling guilt don't direct your inaction on me. I'm not Jane's Doctor I'm her friend. Her low-grade fever was not enough to have her assigned to desk duties."
"That doesn't exonerate you Dr. Isles; if she told you about her hands then to be quite frank you had as much information to report her as I did. She doesn't have to be your patient for to take action you know."
"Dr. Hughes I don't find you a very nice person. Why on earth Jane sought you out to treat her hands I'll never know. I do however know your reputation as a Dr. and as a man. So I would like you to leave please."
Hughes is agitated and indignant. "You can't ask me to leave; who the hell do you think you are?"
Maura straightens to stand taller. "I'm the Chief Medical Examiner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; this woman is the victim of crime and her information as it relates to said crime cannot be tampered with. Given that you're a Dr. treating the victims hands; hands that may have had an impact on what happened, it could be determined that you may have played a role in the circumstances of said crime. I have every right to not only ask you to leave; I'm obliged to insist upon it. Now get out!"
Hughes steps towards Maura in an intimidating fashion "if you think you're going to hang any of this on me, you've got another thing coming Dr. Isles."
Maura's not intimidated, she takes a step towards Hughes. "If I find you've got anything to do with any of this situation Dr. Hughes, I will come down on you with the full force of the law. Do you hear me! Now get out!"
Hughes stares at Maura, when she doesn't give, he reluctantly turns and leaves. Maura is shaking as she picks up the blanket on her chair and then sits. Without thinking she unfolds the blanket and wraps it around herself. She hugs herself firmly as she tries to regain her composure.
She's not sure how long it is when her phone starts to vibrate. She looks at it before answering. "Good morning Detective Frost"
"Hey Doc, how are they?"
"Korsack was resting comfortably last time I checked and there is no change with Jane. How are you?"
"I've been better. Doc we've got another murder."
"OMG, another by our rape murderer" Maura asks.
"No this one's a floater. CSI pulled her from the water and have bagged her. She's on her way to the morgue."
"Detective Frost I need to call Angela and then go home and change. I'll be there as soon as I can; I want to examine Lyle Shepherd as well."
"I am so pleased to hear you say that Maura; they wanted to call in Pike but I wouldn't let them."
"It's OK Frost" that's as informal as Maura feels comfortable with the young detective. "I wouldn't let Pike touch any of this; Jane would never forgive me. Tell my team I'm on my way."
Back in the safety of his sound proof padded cell he is on the brink. He'd safely dumped the whore. There is nothing that ties her to his master plan or to him. He was feeling satisfied with his work until he heard the news. Could it be that someone has usurped his vision. Could it be that someone who is not part of his masterpiece has brought his years of planning to a shuddering and fruitless halt. He screams with rage. He screams until his voice is hoarse. When the pain in his throat brings tears to his eyes he stops. The pain is an outlet to his anger; he feels himself start to calm.
When he's in a settled state he thinks. He needs more information. She's not dead, that he knows. Perhaps all is not lost. He's waited this long; he can wait a little longer. If the bitch detective dies on him he'll just move straight to the second piece of his puzzle. It was always his intention that the Queen of the Dead follows the bitch detective to her grave.