Innocence
Part 14
Dark forces lurk in this story from now on. Child abuse triggers, child molestation triggers. This work is not for the faint of heart. Tears, anger, sex and beatings will be referenced. Child abuse is a part of every society, it should not be, but it is.
I do not own Rizzoli or Isles; I just dress them up and send them over to chat up Barbie while Jane arrests Ken. Thank you for reading.
Maura Isles sat quietly in her seat aboard her family's private jet. She looked around the cabin again and was impressed by the comfort and class of the interior design. It was a new purchase of grandeur and station. At least the trip would only take around six hours now, compared to eight with the old jet. With nothing else to do but tidy away the snack Edgar had provided, Maura decided to nap.
Much too soon Edgar was politely waking her up. As she looked out across the airfield, she started to shake. She was not in France as she assumed she would be, but the country estate in the UK.
"Edgar, are we at Falconwood?"
Edgar turned and addressed her, "Yes, mi'Lady. Your mother requested that you meet her here rather than in France. She felt that a quiet respite in the country would help you gather your strength after experiencing such turmoil in recent events."
Maura turned away as Edgar left to buckle up as they went through final approach. She brought her hand up and covered her mouth and squeezed her eyes shut against her tears.
Oh God!
Her mother had tricked her. She knew Maura would never knowingly return to Falconwood.
Maura always knew that her mother kept tabs on her through her private sources, but never had she called her home because of any trouble. Maura always did her best to live below the radar, because living in the clutches of Mistress Constance Isles was something she never wanted to do again.
She was jarred back to reality by the Cessna Citation X touched down on the private airstrip.
Too many memories rushed up. Too much power one person had over another threatened to turn her inside out. Everything here was just…too much. The blackness clawed at her brain like an insidious parasite.
Her soul wished for wings to fly back to Boston and seek shelter from the one woman she trusted to keep her safe, Jane. It was not to be, she gathered herself and exited the plane.
The captain helped her as she stepped off onto the tarmac. Maura prayed to all the gods that her mother would not be there to confront her. Please, just not yet. Maura looked around and breathed just a little easier when she saw that Constance was nowhere to be seen.
Edgar stood sharp as another younger man loaded the 1934 Rolls Royce. It was a boxy car that was the pride of her father's antique collection. It also happened to be one of Maura's favorite out of the entire fleet. This only furthered her anxiety. Getting something she liked used to only serve to get her guar down, no more of that though. Now she was an adult. Maura still couldn't help but to admire the older car as she slid into the back.
They made their way to the manor after everything was loaded. It was beautiful and picturesque as the packed graveled road took them through the estates woodland that surrounded the Elizabethan style country home.
As they crested a rise, the home spread out before them in all its historical glory. Maura remembered how she carefully explored the sculpted grounds. The landscape was a wondrous place for a budding scientific mind. How she was so taken by the different floral species, learning about all them made her happy, but that was before.
"Edgar, is Mr. Ralph still the head gardener?" Maura asked as she remembered the kind older man who patiently answered every question she asked about all the plants.
"No Miss, I'm afraid Mr. Ralph took a turn for the worst during the last flu season and did not survive."
Maura was saddened by the news. Her childhood friend was gone.
"But if I may add, his missus still resides in house and is now head chef. I believe she has made a batch of chocolate nut bars since she heard your ladyship was coming home today." Edgar added.
Maura's taste buds stood up and saluted at the thought of the yummy deliciousness. Annabelle had introduced an eight year old Maura to the chocolate nut bars on a rainy day when the least little sound had set her mother off in a rage. Maura remembered it all too well.
Her mother was screaming at her for spilling a little water as she tried to water the potted seedling Mr. Ralph had given her. Annabelle came into Maura's bedroom and had quietly cleared away the spilled water. Afterwards, she scooped her up and held her close as the eight year old blond cried silent tears. Annabelle then stole Maura away to the warm kitchen where she sat her down on a stool and served up the tasty treat with a glass of milk.
If only she could focus on the good and forget the bad.
R&I R&I R&I R&I R&I R&I R&I R&I
Jane cautiously opened Maura's front door. Jo Friday squirmed to get down once the home's different smells reached her nose. The distinct scent of Bass puzzled the little canine. Jane watched as her little dog scampered around the living room, checking things out.
She waited a moment just to make sure Jo Friday was going to settle in okay. Only when her fur baby popped up on the couch and settle did she head upstairs to get herself settled.
Jane knew she could have slept in any of the rooms, but she chose the guest room nearest to the stairs. It just felt right not to sleep in Maura's room with her being there. On the plus side, this was the only room that had an entertainment center in it. The full bathroom with both tub and shower didn't hurt either.
The bedspread, in this room, was a tightly woven Egyptian fabric with what looked like tiny hieroglyphics running though the striped pattern. Knowing Maura, she could probably read them. The faint red and golds were beautiful.
Jane quickly tucked away her clothes and unloaded her kit into the top drawer of the nightstand. Just for ambiance, she clicked on the lamp and then headed back down stairs to check on the 'kids'.
The evening sun was setting and that reminded Jane that she had to eat as well as Bass and Jo Friday. Not taking a chance on disturbing anything, Jane pulled the Chinese menu from the kitchen island's drawer. After quickly settling her food and the bill over the phone, Jane pulled out Jo's dish and filled it with food. After that she rummaged through the fridge and squared away Bass' supper also.
Now, there was nothing to do, but wait.
Jane grabbed a beer and settled on the couch to wait for delivery. As she clicked on the tv, her cell phone chimed with a text notification. She smile and quickly opened the ap to read what Maura had wrote.
Maura: Jane, I am at my family's country estate in Falconwood UK instead of France. All is well so far.
JRiz: That's good. How are your Parents?
Maura: Neither Mother nor Father has arrived yet.
JRiz: What? Have they called you?
Maura: No, but I am nervous as to what desire to speak with me about. Surely, if it is about the trial they know that I have been exonerated.
JRiz: They should have been there to support you.
Maura: They are not like that. Only with you have I felt supported.
JRiz: Oh Maur, I miss you.
Maura: I miss and love you; please I hope you are making yourself at home.
JRiz: I am, I just ordered Chinese and if you were here we could share.
Maura: I wish I were there to share, please just watch how much sodium you eat. I miss, so very much. I must go now.
JRiz: Okay, sleep well. We all miss you, me, Jo and Bass wish you were at home with us.
Maura: Soon, Jane soon. It's late here so I will bid you goodnight.
JRiz: Goodnight Maur. I promise to watch my salt intake.
Maura:
Jane sat back and watched the end of the sports broadcast. She missed Maura. It was going to a lonely time while she was gone.
Jane flinched as Jo Friday jumped up on the couch and hopped on Jane's lap to give her human a lick. Jane had to smile; at least she had the animals.
Jane gave Jo a scratch as the door bell rang; it was about time because this detective was starving.
When she opened the door, she was taken aback. Instead of Bobby the delivery guy, there stood in his place, holding her Chinese food, was a handsome older man dashingly dressed.
"Hello, I am Richard Isles, is Maura Isles, my daughter, home?"
Jane was flummoxed and it must have shown.
"Is everything alright dear…Miss?" Mr. Isles asked.
Jane finally found her voice. "Yes, I mean no, Maura is not home. She went to your family's country home in Falconwood. Oh and I'm Jane Rizzoli, Maura's…um…friend."
"Falconwood you say?" Mr. Isles intoned worriedly.
"Yes, look is everything alright? I chatted with Maura earlier…"
"Well Ms. Jane I'm afraid it may not be."
"Not be what, okay?" Jane changed her stance.
Mr. Isles remained quiet.
"Listen buddy, how about I share my Chinese food with you and you share what's going on with me."
Mr. Isles stepped through the door as Jane stepped back.
"You may call me Richard, if I may call you Jane?"
"Sure, now tell me what's wrong with Maura."
"It's a long story, do you have a beer?"
Jane opened a beer for Maura's father and they settled the food between them.
At his opening statement, all Jane could do was hold her temper and silently pray for her love.