Maura arrives at the BPD mortuary at around 10:00am. She'd waited for Angela to arrive to stay with Jane. She'd checked on Korsack. She'd gone home and showered and changed. As she walks into her office with a black coffee in hand she realises she's tired. Maura sits at her desk and rests her forehead in her hands. She deliberately sets a breathing pattern to help her focus on what needs doing. She lifts her head, opens her eyes and looks at her desk. She's greeted with a number of files and a myriad of messages. First things first she tells herself. She scans the messages and decides they can all wait.
She looks at the files that are on her desk. All are reports and analysis on Lilly Romano and Maria Montenegro. Given there hasn't been another rape murder and given Korsack and Jane aren't here to work the case she decides these reports can wait for now. Her other two tasks involve examining the floater that came in this morning and examining the man who shot Jane and Korsack. She wants to do Shepherd first but her conscience gets the better of her. The poor woman found this morning shouldn't be made to wait because of the monster that shot two people she cares about.
Maura goes and changes into her scrubs. She signals to an assistant to come and help her remove the woman from the bag she'd been transported in. When he leaves Maura gets to work. She throws herself into the examination. She's concerned with a number of her findings. The woman's face is badly beaten; her nasal and zygomatic bones are fractured. The woman has been the victim of a violent rape. Her hands, feet and genitalia are burned. She'd been in the water less than three hours when she'd been found. Perhaps most disconcerting to Maura is the woman is mid thirties with long dark hair. She's tall and lean. She could easily have been a target for the rape murderer.
When Maura has done all she can with the floater she moves on to Lyle Shepherd. She's about start when Frost and Cooper enter. They both greet her. She acknowledges them.
"We know why he shot them, Doctor Isles" Cooper opens.
"Yeah, he was a pervert. He's not our rape murderer but he is a child pornographer and known sex offender. He didn't want to go back to prison Doc" Frost provides.
"What so he shot Korsack and Jane" Maura's surprised.
Riley jumps in "He would have shot which ever cops came to the door Dr. Isles. It happens from time to time when a criminal can't face going back to prison but doesn't have the guts to kill themselves. They fire at a cop hoping the cop shoots to kill."
"How awful, so Jane and Korsack were the first police to call on him after he returned home" Maura seeks further clarification.
"Yeah; his computer was full of child porn and he even left a video suicide note of sorts. Jane and Korsack were innocent victims of a wacko" Frost shakes his head.
Maura shakes her head at the randomness of the attack on Jane and Korsack. She could never be a police officer. She looks at Frost and Cooper "well I haven't started on Shepherd yet, but I have completed my examination of the floater that came into today."
"Anything of interest" Frost asks.
"It will be a little while before any of the analysis starts to come in but she was brutally raped before she was murdered. I would say the viciousness of the rape was not unlike the rapes of Romano and Montenegro. She also matches their descriptions."
"Your kidding, you think this is our rape murderer too" Frost is focused on what Dr. Isles is saying.
"I didn't say that Detective, but there are some disturbing similarities. However, this woman's face has been badly beaten and her hands, feet and genitals have been burned. I suspect to hide any evidence and to make identification more difficult. These acts are not consistent with the rape murderer's crimes."
"So no prints Dr. Isles" Cooper asks.
"I'm afraid not Detective Cooper. A number of her upper teeth are broken and missing but her lower teeth are intact so I'm hoping we'll pick something up through her dental records. I expect that report later today or first thing tomorrow" Maura explains.
Frost and Cooper leave and Maura starts her examination on Shepherd. His cause of death is not difficult. Maura's relieved given the other cases she's working on. Shepherd was killed by a single bullet through his heart. The shot came from probably no more than four or five feet away. It was probably the distance between him, Jane and Korsack when he opened the door. She recovers the bullet and bags it for further analysis. The rest of this autopsy is straight forward and she finishes it and her report that afternoon.
As she leaves for the hospital to see Korsack and Jane she drops her report into Cavanaugh. She knocks on his door and is invited in. "Here is the report on Lyle Shepherd Lieutenant."
"Thanks Doc, anything in it" he asks.
"He was killed by one shot through the heart from a distance of four or five feet. I recovered the bullet and sent it to ballistics; they should be able to tell us whether it was Jane or Korsack that killed him."
"If you ask me it was some amazing self-defense; he would have fired the first shot before Korsack and Jane had even drawn their weapons."
"He still managed to fire two shots Lieutenant."
"Yeah he did Doc; this sort of action is a cop's worst nightmare. Nothing can prepare you for someone who's just plain crazy."
Maura shakes her head and turns to leave "I'll be at the hospital if you need me."
"Thanks again Doc."
When Maura arrives at the hospital she calls on Korsack. He's still heavily sedated and out of it but she's pleased to see Melody and Josh are with him. She greets them and has a quick chat before going to see Jane. When she gets to Jane's room Angela is sitting beside Jane reading a magazine. She looks up when Maura enters. "Hello Angela, any news" Maura asks.
Angela shakes her head and smiles at Maura.
Maura picks up the chart on the foot of Jane's bed and reads over it. "Hmm" is all she says.
"What; what is it" Angela becomes concerned.
Maura walks up the other side of Jane's bed and feels her forehead. She still has a fever. "They still haven't found any reason for her fever Angela. That surprises me," Maura responds.
"Oh hello Dr. Isles" Dr. Yeo greets Maura as he enters Jane's room. "Hello Mrs. Rizzoli" he smiles at Angela. They both acknowledge him. "Jane's swelling has come down, I think it's time we took her out of the induced coma ladies" he explains.
"Dr. Yeo I'm concerned you haven't found a reason for Jane's fever" Maura says.
"It is a puzzle Dr. Isles; we've done multiple blood tests and there is nothing in them to explain it. It may just be symptomatic of the head trauma."
"I would agree with you Dr. Yeo if she hadn't had it before she was shot" Maura explains.
"Now that is interesting Dr. Isles, let's see how she responds over the next day or so. It's a low-grade fever so I don't imagine it will pose any problems in the short-term. When I'm satisfied we have a clear picture of her brain function we can look at prescribing some antibiotics."
Maura's satisfied with Dr. Yeo's intended treatment for Jane.
"It will take a little while for the drugs to where off, I'll be back in half an hour" Dr. Yeo explains.
"Thank you" Angela says and Maura smiles at Dr. Yeo as he leaves. "Maura I need to use the rest room and I'm going to get a coffee can I get you anything" Angela looks at Maura.
"No thank you Angela, I'm fine. I'll wait here with Jane."
Should he abduct Rosie tonight or not? He's angry that his plan is faltering at this late stage. What is the point of putting another message out to the detective if she's not going to be the one investigating it? He is finding it very hard to keep his composure. Bursts of anger are breaking through his normally calm and perfect exterior.
Then it dawns on him, the Doctor will have to work it; yes she will have to try to find out what's killing his victims. That thought brings him some comfort. The Queen of the Dead; the arrogant doctor who thinks she's so smart will never discover his poisonous formula. Yes; it will be fun to give her another victim to struggle over. He feels a calm envelop him. He will proceed, dear sweet Rosie's destiny is about to be fulfilled. He rubs his hands together and is laughing as he leaves his abode for the hunt.
Jane stirs; Maura and Angela are immediately to their feet. "Sweetie, Janey; come on baby wake up." Angela has a hold of Jane's hand. As Jane's hand starts to twitch violently Angela becomes frightened and looks to Maura for an explanation.
Maura touches Jane shoulder and tries to comfort her "it's OK Jane, you're at the hospital. Everything is OK." The shaking in her hands starts to settle.
When Jane opens her eyes it takes a while for her to focus. When she does she can see her mother and Maura standing over her. It looks like they're both holding their breaths. "Baby, it's me, your mother" Angela says with a gentle but concerned voice.
Jane struggles but finds her voice. "Hey Ma, Maura... What happened... Why am I here" Jane's voice is husky and strained. Her eyes pan the room but as she goes to lift herself she's brought to a standstill by sharp pains in her head. They are so intense she thinks she's going to be sick.
Maura becomes concerned "don't move Jane; you've been shot. You have a fractured skull and some cranial bruising." She presses more firmly on Jane's shoulder and feels Jane relax.
"What... how?" are the only words Jane can find. She tries to think back but her mind is blank.
"Oh sweetie don't you remember" Angela becomes worried and gives Maura another frightened look.
Maura quickly moves to reassure both. "Jane it's OK, you've had a terrible shock it may take some time for your memory to return." She looks at Angela and nods reassuringly. She looks back at Jane. "Can you tell me the last thing you remember?"
Jane closes her eyes for a moment and then she opens them and tries to move. "Is he... OK; Maura where's... Korsack?" Her voice is filled with alarm while her head experiences stabbing pain.
"Don't move Jane" Maura holds her still. It takes some force. "Jane he's fine but you need to keep still, you have a head trauma Jane, don't move." When Maura again feels Jane start to relax she asks Jane again what she remembers.
"Korsack and I were talking... about what a good Detective Frost has become... We were approaching the house of someone... we wanted to question about a crime... we're investigating." Angela squeezes Jane hand for reassurance.
Maura pushes a little more "do you remember the case Jane?"
"I wish... I didn't" Jane forces a weak but genuine smile at Maura. "Have you figured out... how he's killing them yet?" Her voice is tired and strained but it's definitely Jane.
Maura smiles back and wipes away a tear that's started to trickle down her cheek.
"Ah I see our patient is awake" Dr. Yeo says in a bright way as he walks into Jane's room. Maura and Angela smile at him. "Excuse me ladies, let me get in here for a closer look." Angela and Maura step back. Dr. Yeo does a number of tests on Jane. As he finishes up he smiles at her "well Ms. Rizzoli you are a very lucky young woman. You'll have a head ache for a couple of days but I expect you'll make a full recovery. I'm going to keep you here for a little while yet and I'm going to start you on a treatment of antibiotics for your fever."
"Thanks... Doc" Jane mumbles. Angela and Maura also thank Dr. Yeo as he leaves.
When he's gone Jane wants to know the time. Maura explains its early evening. "I guess that means... he won't be letting me out of here... tonight" Jane grumbles. She looks at her mother and realises how tired and haggard she looks. "Ma... have you been here... all day?"
"Yes sweetheart and Maura stayed with you all last night, I wasn't allowed" Angela smiles at Maura then looks back at Jane.
"You... should go home now Ma... get some rest... You look terrible." Jane is struggling to talk, she is clearly in a lot of pain.
"What no baby I'm going to stay with you" Angela sounds insistent.
"Please Ma... I need to talk... to Maura" Jane spells it out.
Maura jumps in "Jane I'm not discussing work with you; I'm sorry you need to rest and get well."
The strain of getting her message out is taking its toll on Jane. "Please Maura; it's not work... but I really need to talk to you alone." Jane's eyes pan to her mother. "Will you come back... in the morning please Ma... after you've had a good nights sleep? Can you bring... some clothes and... a tooth-brush for me."
Angela gives in and kisses Jane before leaving. Maura reassures Angela and says she'll see her at home. When Angela is gone Maura sits on Jane's bed so Jane doesn't have to strain to look at her. "What's the matter Jane" she asks.
"What happened... Maura, tell me... everything?"
"No, I won't Jane I'm sorry." As Jane gets tense with her response Maura picks up her hand and holds it firmly. Jane tries to pull her hand away.
"Did they fail me Maura... did my hands... work?" Tears have started to fall from Jane's eyes. It always hurts Maura to see Jane cry, it is such a rare occurrence. She grabs a tissue from the bedside table and wipes them away.
"We don't really know what happened yet Jane, so try not to worry" Maura tries to reassure her friend.
"Korsack... must know... has he said... anything" Jane looks at Maura pleading for the truth.
Maura leans forward and brushes some of Jane's wild hair off her forehead. She really doesn't want to have this conversation but she can see Jane is not going to let it go. She puts her other hand on the hand that is already holding Jane's. "Jane, Sergeant Detective Korsack was shot too." Just as she expected she feels Jane's body go taught. "Hey, hey he's alright Jane; he's going to be fine. I promise you know I wouldn't lie to you."
"What about…" Jane's frustrated she can't remember the guy's name they were going to interview.
"Shepherd" Maura helps out. "He's dead Jane, one of you killed him but we don't know who yet."
"My God Maura... what if I dropped the ball... what if my hands didn't work... Hell... what if I'm the reason... Korsack was... shot" tears are spilling down Jane's cheeks now. Maura feels her own tears start to swell. She fights them back; she knows she needs to be strong for Jane. Jane wipes the tears away with the hand Maura isn't holding.
"Oh Jane, please try not to worry. We don't know what happened yet. The doctors say Detective Frost can interview Sergeant Detective Korsack in the morning. Ballistics will also be back then and will tell us which of you fired the shot that killed Shepherd."
Jane closes her eyes but the tears continue to escape and cascade down her cheeks.