Innocence

Part 6

Jane hurried from Cavanaugh's office. After dropping the case file on her already over-crowded desk, she made a beeline for the ladies restroom. One of the added benefits of being the only woman in homicide, it came with her own personal washroom; at least until another woman was transferred to the unit. For now, it was hers and she needed the privacy. She didn't know how much longer she could hold back the tears. One thing was for sure, she had to get through this emotional shit double time.

Jane locked the door behind her and went to the sink. She clasped the cool, slick porcelain sides and held on. Not being one to give in and cry; Jane gave herself no choice, but to fight through the emotions of heart break and the turmoil of having to once again investigate Maura for allegedly fucking her female high school students. Jane knew she was innocent until proven guilty. How many times though, must her love go through this? No, Maura was innocent. This time, she was innocent. With a look of determination, Jane stared herself down. Maura was innocent. Jane turned and left the restroom and went back to the bullpen.

As Jane walked down the hall back to the homicide unit's room, she brought her Detective Rizzoli persona forward and wrapped it around herself like a shield. This was who she needed to be to save the woman she loves.

Frost and Korsak looked up at Jane as she headed over toward them.

"Guys, we have a suspect to pick up." Jane quietly stated.

"Okay, let's get this done. I didn't even realize you had a lead on the case, good job!" Korsak said with pride.

Jane didn't say anything. She just grabbed her kit and left, leaving her team to follow.

Jane drove through midmorning traffic with ease. Frost looked around in confusion. Unless Jane had discovered something that was not detailed in the case file, they were headed in the wrong direction.

"Hey partner, not busting your balls or nothing, but we are headed in the wrong direction."

Jane briefly glanced at him, then at Vince in the backseat. Jane sighed and pulled over to the side and parked.

"Guys, we are not headed to any place that has anything to do with our cold case."

"Mind clueing us in Jane?" Korsak's command voice didn't get used often, but she and Frost both knew that when he did use it, it was time to lay all your cards on the table.

"Do you remember that U/C job I worked at the local high school, Korsak?"

"Yeah, something about illegal betting or a sex scandal, it was right before you transferred into homicide, right?" Now Korsak really wanted answers.

Jane nodded and looked out the windshield. Suddenly she was verklempt, struck by the overwhelming emotions that had grown over the last year. Although she and Maura had only been seriously dating for the last two months, their love ran deep.

"Jane, you okay?" Frost was getting worried. Never had he seen Jane emote so much emotion, very sad emotion.

"Guys," Jane cleared her throat, "Maura Isles was the one under investigation. She was cleared. I've been seeing her since then. Romantically."

"Rizzoli, please tell me that you did not let your mark go, because you fell for her!" Korsak was beside himself.

"What, no Vince, no. I can honestly swear I did not ever have any proof or witness her in any compromising positions with any student of Sandy Creek High School. Hell, she even recognized that I was showing signs of severe dehydration and saved me from passing out!"

Korsak caught Jane's eye in the review mirror. She knew that he knew she had skirted the truth, but what truth that was, he didn't know. His guts said trust her, so he did.

"Okay, Detective Rizzoli, this is your show. Make damn sure it doesn't end in disaster for your career…or ours."

Jane was relieved. She had nothing to add, so she nodded and pulled back out into traffic and headed to Maura's.

Frost had a feeling that something was not entirely out in the open, but he didn't get to where he was by not having his partner's back. He just prayed that if it all ended up a shit storm, he could help negate the fall out, for all of them.

Maura was grading her papers when she heard the door bell. Checking the video feed, she smiled. Jane was here, nine hours early, but that was okay by her. She closed her lesson planner and left her study.

As she passed her hallway mirror, she checked her hair and finger combed it into a bit more of a stylish flop. It didn't really matter; they had no plans until later. All they were doing then was eating in and watching a history program about the Vikings.

Maura smiled as she pulled the door open and her eyes welcomed the sight of her Jane.

"Oh Jane, aren't you just a sight for sore eyes." Maura said happily.

As she opened up her door further, however; the smile dropped from her face as she saw the other two detectives behind Jane.

Jane, stoic as ever, stepped through the door.

"Jane? What's going on Jane?" Maura asked, fearfully.

"Maura Isles, I am here to place you under arrest for criminal sexual misconduct with a minor."

"You have the right to remain silent."

"Anything you say can and will be held against you in a court of law."

"You have the right to an attorney and have him present while you are being questioned."

"If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you before any questioning if you wish."

"You can decide at any time to exercise these rights and not answer any questions or make any statements."

"Do you understand each of these rights as I have explained them to you?" Jane stated.

"Jane…what…" Maura's world was crashing and beginning to burn.

"Ms. Isles, do you understand!?" Jane was breaking.

Maura felt tears begin to roll down her face.

Misery was ripping the two women a part, but Jane had done her job.

Korsak and Frost could physically feel the pain that this caused the two women as it filled the spacious home, suffocating them all.

"Detective Rizzoli, make sure the area is all clear before Detective Frost and I escort the prisoner out." Korsak said taking pity on the two.

Without a word, Jane spun around and left.

Maura started to go after her, but Frost and Korsak stepped in front of her.

"Ms. Isles, I am Detective Vince Korsak. Please, let her go. We have to do this by the book, crossing the t's and dotting the i's. That woman is someone you want running the investigation if you are innocent and Jane believes you are, because of her belief, so do we. Best thing you could do for us all is get a lawyer and stay quiet."

Frost stood emotionless, but inside he was blown away by Vince's candor.

"Do you understand, ? Just let us do our jobs by the book and everything will be okay."

Maura studied the two men.

"Detective Korsak, may I call my lawyer now?"

"Yes, but please be quick." Korsak was tired already and their day ha just started.

As Maura contacted her lawyer, Frost glanced over his shoulder and saw Jane hunched over against the passenger side door. He recognized a shattered heart when he saw one and Jane's was tenfold.

"Detectives, I am ready. You understand that from this moment on I will be exercising my right to silence?"

"Of course, this way , please." Frost pulled out his handcuffs, but Vince waived him off.

Together they escorted the heiress to the cruiser and ducked her into the backseat and pulled away, headed back to BPD.