*knock knock*
"Get in here Rizzoli."
Jane opened the door and walked into Cavanaugh's office.
"Any leads yet?" he got right to the point.
"We're still working on it sir. That's why I'm here."
"What is it?"
"I've gone over the pathology reports from Dr. Pike and it seems like they are either incomplete or missing some important information. I have a friend who is a renowned doctor in her field and thought that she might come in to do a consult to see if she can be of any assistance."
"Why are you talking to me and not Pike?"
Jane gave the man an incredulous look. "Sir, Pike is an ass. He will not allow it; he is too arrogant."
"I'm not his superior Rizzoli."
"I understand that sir, but I thought that maybe if you went above him…"
"If I were to do that then I'd have to talk to the governor, because that's who he answers to. I'm not about to do that for a simple consult."
"But sir…"
"Find another way," he said as he turned his attention back to his work.
Jane left Cavanaugh's office madder than when she'd entered it. She knew getting Cavanaugh involved would be a long shot but figured it had been worth a try. She'd already tried sweet talking the medical examiner before and that tactic seemed to have run its course. Thinking of another idea, she went to her computer.
Senior Criminalist Greene,
There are some reports for the case we are currently working on that are unclear. I thought about bringing in another doctor for a consult but Dr. Pike will not allow it. All I need the x-rays that were taken of the victim. Can you please get them to me so that I may get further assistance with this case?
Thank you,
Det. Rizzoli
Luckily, Jane didn't have to wait long for a response.
Good afternoon detective,
Unfortunately, there were not many x-rays taken of the victim. I'm attaching what we have. Let me know if you require further assistance.
P. Greene
Jane looked over the files that had been attached and groaned in annoyance. They were vague and not enough to get an opinion from Maura since the majority of what she had pointed out the night before had not even been x-rayed. She went back to her e-mail.
Patricia,
I'm asking this as a huge favor. Is there any possible way you can take some x-rays of the victim for me? I need to be able to see x-rays of the legs and arms, particularly around the wrists and ankles. The more you can send, the better. I know this is asking for a lot and I don't want you to get in trouble, but this could really be of huge help for the case.
Jane
She waited another couple of minutes,
Detective Rizzoli,
I would love to be able to assist you; there is just no way I'm able to do that with Dr. Pike around.
Patricia.
"Damnit!"
Patricia,
Don't worry about Pike; I'll get him out of the office for at least an hour.
Jane
Jane waited for another couple of minutes.
I'll get you what you need detective.
Jane smiled, triumphant.
Thanks Patricia. I owe you one!
"Korsak, I think we may finally get somewhere," Jane said as she picked up the phone.
"Oh yeah? What do you got?" Korsak asked, intrigued.
"I'm about to get a consult from Maura on our victim," Jane replied. She turned her attention back to the phone. "Dispatch? Hey Henry, I need a favor…"
An hour later, Maura was making her way through the front entrance of BPD and towards the elevators up to homicide. She had been somewhat amused at the fact that Jane had sent the medical examiner on a wild goose chase just to get him out of the way and she had allowed herself a quick chuckle before snapping back into professional mode and driving over to headquarters. Jane had informed her that one of the lab techs had managed to get the x-rays she needed in order to make a more accurate inspection of the case at hand and had asked that she please come as soon as she was able. Having a break in her surgical schedule, she decided to head over straight away.
"Hey Maur," Jane greeted her at the entrance to homicide by giving her a quick peck. "Thanks for coming so quickly."
"I just hope I can help in some way, Jane," Maura replied as she followed Jane to her desk.
"Hello Maura," Korsak greeted cheerfully. "What a nice surprise to have you here."
"Hello Vince; thank you. It's good to see you," Maura said with a smile and a shake of the older man's hand.
"Frost is already working on getting the images ready. He should only be another minute."
The three made their way into another room where Frost was working away on another computer.
"They're up," Frost called out as soon as the screens before him filled with images. "Hey Maura,"
"Hello Barry," Maura replied with a smile.
Maura took a few steps and got closer to the monitors. She observed each x-ray very closely, zeroing in on certain areas. After a few minutes of observation, she turned back to the detectives who were waiting with bated breath for her analysis.
"After looking at the bone structure and deterioration, I can conclude that this person definitely went through some kind of torture or restraining in the past. This area here," she said as she pointed around the ankles "that deformity is due to binding of the limbs for long periods of time."
"Is there any way to determine just how long it's been?" Jane questioned almost immediately.
Maura studied the x-rays some more. "These abnormalities in the skeletal frame are at least one year old, possibly more. There really is no way of me giving you a more specific timeframe by just looking at the x-ray. I'd have to see the bone itself to give you a more definitive answer."
"One year…" Jane replied, deep in thought. She locked eyes with Korsak, and the thought she was fearing popped in her head. "Hoyt was free a year ago. Maybe we're not dealing with a copycat; maybe we're dealing with an apprentice. I think it's time we pay that son of a bitch a visit."