Life at Boston Police Department was never dull.
The homicide department was, as always, humming with activity as teams of detectives swarmed around the office space. Murder was, unfortunately, one of the most consistent crimes on Boston's streets and, for Nina Holliday; it was one of the only things in her life that hadn't changed.
In just short of two months she had moved in with Frankie, got engaged and had watched as three key players of the Homicide team had left the building; two of them for the final time. The shift in atmosphere had been a lot to get used to and Nina knew it would take time for things to begin to feel normal again.
As the department's tech analyst, her job meant that she spent a minimal amount of time in the field. While other colleagues were out shooting bad guys, Nina knew her best chance at solving any mystery was to sit herself in front of her computer. A few of the guys still took her for granted, barking orders at her whenever they needed something. Others had taken the time to make her feel welcome. Especially after they found out why she had taken the job in Boston and moved from Chicago.
To start any new job is difficult, but beginning a new career- a new journey- after watching a bullet take the life of the man she loved was grim. Jane, Maura, Frankie and Vince had been so kind. Each of them had taken time out of their day to check in on her, to keep her up to date with cases she was involved in, and to make her feel comfortable. It warmed her heart and, after everything they had been through together, they were family.
Seeing Maura's name scroll across her screen had made her smile. Even on vacation, they hadn't forgotten her.
Maura's message had stopped her in her tracks.
The pristine doctor wasn't usually one to seek out danger, especially not alone, but Nina knew from experience that nobody was ever safe.
She had to tell Jane. Maura had asked her not to, but Jane needed to know.
Her phone buzzed with a new message. Nina leaned back in her chair and read.
About to go into class so can't call. When you have time- who is Rachel Maloney? You are a star xxxx
Nina smiled at the kisses on the end of Jane's message. Grown men were terrified of her and, at times, they were right to be, but Jane Rizzoli was a soft-centred sweetheart and one of the most loyal and caring friends Nina had ever met.
At work, Jane's fierce sense of justice was fought with a shield of ruthless loyalty and a sharp sword of honesty and intelligent wit. But, out of the office, Nina was lucky enough to witness the Jane who cried at her friends' happiness, who would sacrifice anything for those around her and who lived to care for her family. The transformation from Detective Jane to just-Jane was something only her closest friends ever got to witness and, from speaking to Frankie, Nina knew that Maura had had a lot to do with making Jane the person she was.
When she first arrived at BPD, Nina had just supposed that there was something more than friendship between the two women. When she learned that Jane was dating an army captain and that Maura had a history with a number of society bachelors, she was stunned. The two women were more than compatible: they were completely in tune with one another, but still maintained their individuality. It was a perfect marriage, but one that neither Maura nor Jane seemed to have any idea they were living in.
Re-reading the message in front of her, Nina knew she had to do whatever it took to keep Maura safe. Maura was, although not officially, family. Jane, Frankie and their mother were all fiercely protective of the blonde doctor and- as Nina was soon to be a Rizzoli herself- she knew it was also her duty to make sure that their friend was safe.
Rachel Maloney.
Nina typed the name into the search bar of her database and hit enter.
Within moments, the screen in front of her was black, aside from a large white box of text which read: This system has been suspended.
"Shit". Nina stood up, walking towards the wall of equally black screens at the opposite end of the room. "Shit, shit shit."
On her desk, the black office telephone began to ring. Quickly, she ran back and picked it up.
"Nina Holliday" she answered, trying to hide the nervous shake in her voice.
"Ms Holliday. This is Special Agent O'Neill with the FBI. I'm sorry to be so dramatic, but I can't risk leaking any information. Your computer system will remain suspended until you tell me your exact interest in the name you just searched."
"Shit."