Martin Richards' autopsy file appeared in Maura's inbox the next morning.
"I would like your expert opinion on this. Regards, S.A. Simon O'Neill".
Maura read the message out loud as she scanned the document. Martin Richards had been a relatively healthy middle-aged man, the wear on his bones indicated that he had- in his youth- been a sportsman of sorts. Maura surmised, using the logic of where and when he had been raised, that he had been a cricket player.
His fingers had been broken just before he died. The blood pooled in the large hematomas on his face, neck and back looked to have been caused by the same instrument. Without her crime lab techs, her machines and her reference database, Maura was left with very little concrete evidence to support her theories.
"I hate guessing" she mumbled out loud, picking up a pen and scribbling notes in a messy cursive.
A cup of coffee was placed on the table beside her. Looking up, Maura smiled politely.
"I thought you might need it. You looked… stressed."
Maura nodded, before reaching out and taking a sip from the mug. "I… I don't like to guess. Ever. I base everything I do on concrete scientific evidence. I provide the puzzle pieces, the clues. It's Jane's job to work out how they go together. She trusts her gut. I… I don't have such faith in the predictive power of my intestines."
Harriet's eyes creased at the corners.
"What?" Maura asked lightly.
"It's just nice to see you like this. I always knew you were brilliant, but it's amazing to see your mind at work."
"Well, my mind is usually backed up by a mass spectrometer, a DNA database and fifteen members of staff."
"But you're the chief for a reason, Maura. Don't doubt yourself. Come on, tell me what you've found."
Maura leaned back in her chair and pushed her glasses up to the bridge of her nose.
"The coroner had done a very good job, I have to say. It's all here. Well, mostly. Martin Richards was certainly tortured before he died. Lividity indicates he was tied to a chair for some time; the marks on his wrists are from rope. His fingers were broken with a small, metal instrument which seems to also match the circular bruises on his head and neck. Something heavy enough to break a bone with a minor amount of force applied."
"A hammer?" Harried inquired.
"That's what Dr Prendergast believes. Although the report is a little sketchy on the details of how he reached that conclusion. I would have to ask to make sure."
"Okay, and is there anything else?"
"Cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the temple. He would have died instantly."
"Oh God. That's what Rachel saw? No wonder she was distant. It's awful."
Maura reached out to run a reassuring hand across her friend's arm. "The best thing we can do now is find out who did this and catch them. I… I assure you, it does help. Rachel and Martin need closure."
Harriet took a couple of shaky breaths, closing her eyes and sighing deeply. "They do. I do."
Reaching for her phone, Maura tapped out a message. Catching Harriet's eye she explained. "I'm texting Jane and asking her to come by. We need her help to be able to do this. For Martin. For Rachel."
/
Jane rapped lightly on the painted door, for the first time taking in the quietness of the leafy, terraced street.
"Come in." Maura smiled at her friend as she opened the door. "But do take off your shoes."
Jane paused to pull off her boots, listening to the sounds of quiet conversation and laughter as Maura returned to the kitchen at the end of the hallway. She seemed contented here, and was obviously more than comfortable in Harriet's presence. Jane was the outsider.
Bracing herself, she walked slowly towards the kitchen and gently pushed the door open.
"Jane! It's lovely to see you. Can I get you a drink?" Harriet's smile was genuine as she greeted the tall, dark woman lingering in the corner of her kitchen. Jane nodded. "Coffee would be great, thanks."
As Harriet busied herself in the kitchen, Maura took over the conversation.
"Jane, we need your detective skills. Martin Richards' autopsy file indicates that he was tortured. Dr Prendergast has proposed that he was hit several times with a small hammer, and that this was used to break his fingers. He… he was killed by a gunshot wound to the temple".
Checking that Harriet was facing away from them, Maura pulled up the photograph on her computer to show Jane. "Looks professional" Jane commented. "Silencer?"
Maura nodded. "I'm almost certain. The bruising around the wound, the entry point… Dr Prendergast agreed."
"So he was tortured. And then was executed when he didn't give up whatever they were looking for. But what did he have?"
Maura looked across the kitchen, watching as Harriet approached the table with two mugs of coffee.
"Mercurius" Harriet spoke assuredly. "It has to be. That's why Rachel was there. That… that's probably what got her killed."
Jane thanked Harriet for the coffee, picking up the mug and holding it in her hands as she spoke. "But why? Why would they want some stuffy old machine from the war?"
Maura shrugged.
"I'll ask Dr Kaplowitz. I'm meeting him for dinner tonight." Harriet suggested.
"Great."
"And we" Maura gestured between herself and Jane, "will pay another visit to Bletchley. Jane, I think you need to see it to understand the background. I'll call Professor Mountford and see if he can arrange for us- well, you- to meet the Bletchley Park Historical Preservation Society. Rachel had met with them before she died; they might have some answers. And you are more astute than me when it comes to reading people."
Harriet nodded, looking between the two women. The change of pace was palpable; it excited her and terrified her in equal measure.
"Well, Jane. It was lovely to meet you… again. I… I have to go to the office before I meet with Dr Kaplowitz. I'll see you later, Maura."
Jane watched as Harriet left the room. She was polite, and smiled genuinely, but Jane had the feeling that she would fight dirty for what she believed was right.
She and Maura had that in common.
Returning her gaze to her friend, Jane took a sip of her coffee. "So, what do we do now?"
"We go to Bletchley."
AN: I don't like to use the word 'filler' because everything I put into this story has a purpose. The focus will continue to shift between the girls' relationship and the case, but believe me when I say there will be glimpses of both in the coming chapters. Thank you for the reviews and continued support (the kind words mean a lot). Posting schedule may be slightly different over the next couple of days as my 'real' life is rather busy, but I will try to keep updates regular!