Innocence
Part 19
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 declare no rights or ownership to Rizzoli and Isles. I do, however; I do claim that the end is near.
Maura looked out over the landscape while she waited for her father to finish up with the police and emergency personnel. At Jane's urging, Maura retreated to her rooms, which really did make her feel better physically. Emotionally she was still struggling.
Her mother was dead.
She had killed her own mother.
The grief her father must feel, she couldn't even begin to imagine.
The opening of her door was the only heads up she had before she heard the soft deep tones of her father's voice.
"Hello love." Richard Isles greeted his startled daughter.
At once, Maura was on her feet and rushed over to her father who embraced her with as much love as he could.
"I'm so sorry father. She died because of me." Maura sobbed.
"No my darling, no; it was an accident. You did not harm her." Richard stated emphatically.
"But…"
"Maura, no."Richard tugged gently on her chin to get Maura to meet his eyes.
"Now listen to me my angel, I need you and Jane to head back to the states and await me there after services for Constance. Things are about to change in a big way for you."
Maura turned from her father and sighed. "I don't want my life to change, I just want to teach science and open minds to the world around them. Learn how to love Jane better and partake in the adventure of being in love for the first time."
"I know, but you know that you are now the head of the Isles family. It is inevitable that your life will change. There are too many people who rely on the name for their livelihoods."
Maura returned to her seat and looked out the window once again.
After a bit of silence she faced her father again.
"How long do I have?"
Resignation colored her tone.
"Maura, if I had my say, which I do not, I would give you all the time you need. However as it stands, the burial must take place in three days." Maura's father answered sadly.
Maura visibly squared her shoulders and turned back to Richard.
"Father, are you sure you cannot take over the title?" The younger Isles almost pled.
"Darling, if I could I would spare you from all of this, I would, but as I said; you are now the face of Isles…well Isles everything. With your Grandmamma and your mom now gone, you will inherit and be in charge of everything the Isles name touches."
The last bit of information stalled on the tip of Richard's tongue. The next part is one he hated to pass along, but she needed to know.
"Maura, as for your job, I'm afraid you will have to leave and move back to France full time as that is where the main offices of Isles Industries are."
Maura closed her eyes and pinch the bridge of her nose to try and ward off the migraine that was surely trying to rear up. If she was now head of everything then she was going to shake up all that was in her domain.
"Maura…"
"Father please, I understand; but as the new head I will be making changes starting after we bury mother." Maura stated with growing confidence.
Having nothing more to say, Maura turned back to the window; effectively dismissing the subject.
The older man stood quietly, studying his daughter. He knew her, but he did not really know her as a good father should. He had lost out on the chance of watching this beautiful girl grow into a beautiful woman all in the name of protecting her. Sure he would have done a few things different, but he would never regret sending Maura away to boarding school. Her safety and protection were at the forefront of his every thought and behind every decision.
Richard quietly walked up behind his daughter and placed a gentle kiss on the crown of his daughters head. He hugged her from behind and left to make burial arrangements.
After softly bidding Maura goodnight, Richard turned and left the room.
Jane studied the middle aged woman that was totally at home in front of the industrial size cook stove.
So far she had been exceptionally welcoming to the dark haired American detective.
"Detective Jane, how do you take your jitter juice?" Annabelle asked with a smile.
Jane had to catch the giggle that almost erupted from her mouth. She gently cleared her throat to reply.
"I take it black until I decide that it needs a little extra to get it down." Jane raised an eye brow at the huge cup that was placed before her. The scent, however that wafted to her nose was heaven.
Jane wrapped her fingers around the mug and took a sip of the best tasting coffee that had ever passed her lips.
Annabelle smiled at the moan that escaped the American's throat.
"Lady, I want to marry your coffee pot and live happily ever after!" Jane stated with emphatic honesty.
"Well dear, no sense in a woeful coupling such as that, I'll just make sure to send some home to the states with you. " Annabelle had to laugh at the over the top enthusiastic coffee drinker.
Both women turned towards the door at the sound of footsteps coming down the hall towards the kitchen.
Maura paused at the door and took in the site of her Jane.
Annabelle quickly and quietly gathered items for a snack and plated it. The young cook placed that along with another mug of coffee on the kitchen island then she left to give Maura her privacy.
The two women studied each other. One thing was abundantly clear; they needed to have a chat.
With a slight shake, the blond covered the distance between them. After seating herself beside Jane, Maura grabbed the mug Annabelle had poured for her and began to add cream. While she was doing that, Jane picked up a piece of cheese and nibbled on it.
Jane swallowed and took a breath, "Are we going to talk about whatever it is that has you on edge?"
Maura hung her right arm across the back of the stool and gathered her thoughts.
"Well, it seems that even though my mother took her last breath only hours ago, the mantle of Isles Industries and subsidiaries that fall under that umbrella is now under my command."
Jane was plainly gob smacked; she knew just from the holdings in Boston what an enormous undertaking that position would be.
"Uh…." Jane snapped her mouth shut when she realized she didn't have any grasp on her erratic thoughts.
Maura grinned slightly, "Kind of overwhelming, right?"
Jane quietly chuckled at Maura's understatement.
One thing both ladies were sure of, it was time to return to Boston. One for her job, the other because she had a job to do.