Okay, here's a short one to set some things up. I think it's time to wrap up this Paddy dilemma and give our girls a chance at a happy ending. No worries though, there is still a lot of story left. Thanks to each and every one of you who review and like this story. I appreciate it more than you know. I always try to respond to messages so if you have a question or just want to chat…I'm here. To those guest reviewers that I can't respond to, thanks so much. I wish I could personally thank you all. Anyway…hope you enjoy and have a happy and safe July 4th.
Decisions, Decisions
"Okay Ma, you've got me here. Care to explain what's going on?" Jane fidgeted in her seat across from Angela. They sat in Carly's bakery surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the late afternoon crowd and Jane could thing of ten other places she rather be then where she was at that moment.
"Do I have to have a reason to want to spend time with my daughter?" Angela frowned at Jane and crossed her arms in defiance.
"Well…," Jane hesitated briefly. "Yeah." She gave a quick nod as she watched people coming and going past their small table by the window.
"Alright, I do have a reason but just to be clear. I don't have to have a reason to want to spend time with you." Angela conceded but still frowned.
"Okay then, out with it." Jane huffed impatiently. "I gave up my afternoon with Maura to be here."
"You know it wouldn't kill you to spend an afternoon apart." Angela huffed in the same impatient way that Jane had.
"It just might." Jane scowled at the thought.
"Alright, alright. I'll cut to the chase." Angela said waving her hands around. "Here." She held her hand out with a ring for Jane to take.
"What is it?" Jane took the delicate ring from her mother. Holding it up, she smiled at the way the diamonds and emeralds shimmered in the late afternoon sun that leaked through the window, bathing them in its light and warmth.
"It's Maura's grandmothers ring. I thought we could use it design a new setting. Constance explained to me that Maura can't wear jewelry on her fingers due to her job but we both think that a simple wide band with an inlay of the stones wouldn't get in the way."
Jane contemplated what her mother had said. She hadn't thought about Maura wearing or not wearing a ring. It was true that Maura couldn't wear anything that might snag or get caught on things as she worked and she couldn't help but smile at her mother's thoughtfulness. "Okay…um…," she twirled the ring around with her fingers and studied it. "Yeah, that's a good idea. I think I may have the same dilemma though."
"We figured that so Constance has your Nona's ring. She and Maura will do the same thing." Angela smiled a confidant smile.
"But shouldn't I give Maura Nona's ring?" Jane looked up from the ring to see Angela smiling at her.
"Maybe…traditionally…but…no. We both thought it would be nice to redesign each ring but for you keep the one that came from your grandmothers. Doesn't Nona's ring mean something to you?" Angela tilted her head to regard Jane with a curious expression.
"Of course it does." Jane sat up straighter.
"I am sure just as much as Maura's does to her so we thought this idea would be something you could each be a part of. You can surprise Maura and she can surprise you with something new made from something old." Angela's grin filled her face and Jane couldn't help but grin back.
"Okay, I can get on board with that." Jane slipped the ring on her pinky and admired it again. "I suppose your right about a different setting but this is beautiful." She couldn't help but equate the shimmering green to the same green that shimmered in Maura's eyes, especially when she was happy.
"I've made you an appointment with a jeweler that Constance recommends. He will be doing both rings so you don't overlap with your ideas." Angela looked proud of herself for having thought of everything. "I will only make one suggestion though. White gold."
Raising an eyebrow, Jane gave Angela a skeptical look. "Only one suggestion? Is that a promise?"
"Don't be so insolent." Angela threw a wadded-up napkin at Jane, laughing when it bounced off her elbow and into her cup of water. "I guess you aren't the only Rizzoli with basketball skills."
"Touché…," Jane laughed as she pulled the wet mess from her cup. "Ew…," she dropped it down on the table and looked back at Angela. "Okay, I'll concede. I agree with you on the white gold thing. When's the appointment?"
Angela looked over shoulder at the clock hanging behind the counter. "In thirty minutes. Here's the address. Take Frost…, he had good taste."
"Are you insinuating that I don't have good taste?" Jane sounded affronted.
"No my dear, not insinuating…just stating a fact." Angela stood up from the table and gave Jane's cheek a pat. "Take Frost." And with those last words, she turned to leave Jane mumbling under breath at the table to get back to work behind the counter before the after-work rush started.
"I do not have bad taste!" Jane growled at Angela's back and growled again when she got a flip of the hand in response.
"Who says you have bad taste?" Frost slipped into Angela's empty seat across from Jane.
"What the fuck man? What are you doing here?" Jane waved her hands in the air carefully, mindful of the ring that was still on her pinky finger.
"Angela called and said she needed my help at the bakery…so…here I am." He leaned forward in a gallant mock bow. "So?" He looked over his shoulder to see if Angela was close by.
"Apparently, I am the one who needs help." Jane stood up and handed him the card with the address of the jeweler on it. "Come on…program that into the GPS. We've got an appointment to design a wedding ring."
Looking up with a puzzled expression, Frost took the card and then grinned when Jane told him where and what they were going to do. "Oh yeah…," he clapped his hands together. "This is gonna be fun."
"Hey…," Jane stopped him from standing up by putting her index finger into his chest. "This is Maura's grandmother's ring. No funny business." She said and let him see the ring.
"Wow…that's beautiful. The green matches her eyes." He said without thinking. His words got a raised eyebrow from Jane as she waited for him to continue. "Um…okay…let me get that address in my phone so we can get going. Wouldn't want to be late." Standing up, he clicked away on his cellphone but then stopped at the door and looked over his shoulder at Jane who was standing at the table with her hands on her hips. "And you have great taste by the way…, look at Maura." He grinned and dashed out the door.
"You are so dead." She growled as she followed him out the door but in the back of her mind she was thinking the same thing.
"Okay, so I have an idea." Maura bounced around in her seat across from Constance like she did when she was a little girl and it brought a raised eyebrow in response.
"Well?" Constance asked.
"Oh, yes…I want to get married at Fenway Park at Homeplate." The excitement in Maura's voice rang true as she smiled at her mother.
"Now that is something I would never have expected." Constance leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. "Is that something you want or something Jane wants?" She couldn't help but ask the question even though she already knew the answer.
"Of course, it's what Jane wants." Maura's smile didn't falter. "And I want to give her the perfect day. One she can remember forever."
"What about what you want Maura?" Constance couldn't help but tilt her head to regard Maura with a confused look on her face.
"Above all else…," Maura reached across the table to place a reassuring hand on Constance's. "I want to make Jane happy. It's the wedding she's dreamt of since she was a little girl."
"I understand that, but what about you? You had dreams of your wedding day too." Constance placed her other hand on top of Maura's and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"Look, I've thought this through. I think there's a way we can both get what we want." Maura grinned before continuing. "We will get married at Fenway Park and then go to the harbor to have an elegant reception…black tie of course." She looked triumphant.
"Yes, I suppose that is a compromise we can all live with." Constance nodded as she began to make plans in the back of her mind. "Oh, I almost forgot. I have something for you." She turned Maura's hand around to open her palm where she carefully set a ring.
"What is this?" Maura looked down at the beautiful antique ring she was now holding.
"That my dear, is Jane's Nona's ring." Constance said with a smile.
"I'm not sure I understand." Turning the ring around with her fingers a few times, Maura looked up to find Constance still smiling. "Shouldn't Jane give this to me?"
"Traditionally, yes." Constance gave an affirmative nod. "But Angela and I thought it would be better for you each to have the ring handed down to you. So, with that being said, Jane has your grandmother's ring."
"But Jane won't be able to wear something this delicate. She's left handed…," Maura mused aloud as she continued to look at the ring in her hand.
"And that is why I have made you an appointment with Jacques to design something more functional using the stones in this ring." Constance tapped the ring with her finger. "It has some strong bones to build off of. I think with his help you can come up with something unique and more…Jane." She couldn't help but grin mischievously this time.
Maura looked down at the ring and studied the small sapphires surrounded by a cluster of diamonds. She agreed that there was potential hidden in the modest setting but as she continued to study the family heirloom, she bit down on her bottom lip before looking up at Constance with a worried expression.
"Oh, my dear, you needn't worry." Constance could see the uncertainty in Maura's eyes. "It will be beautiful. And Jacques will help you. He is helping Jane so he will have an idea of what you both are doing and will guide you to something that will complement Jane's design."
"Oh, okay." Maura let out a small sigh of relief even though her uncertainty wasn't completely quelled.
"How about some cheesecake?" Constance waved the server over to their table. She didn't wait for Maura to answer as she ordered then turned back with an expectant look on her face.
"Cheesecake would be good." Maura smiled as she closed her hand, wrapping her fingers around the small ring. A warm feeling flowed through her at the thought of holding the symbol of their love in the palm of her hand. For a moment, she thought the tears that tickled at the corners of her eyes would fall but then she smiled as a flutter of anticipation rose in her chest. "Will you help me make the Fenway Park thing happen?"
"I will." Constance said without hesitation. "On one condition…," she waited until Maura gave her an expectant look. "You let me help you plan the reception as well."
"I can live with that." Maura had no intention of turning her mother's help down. "But please promise me there won't be any peacocks."
"Done." Constance nodded just before their slice of cheesecake was placed on the table between them. "Bon appetite, my dear." She took a fork and handed the other to Maura.
"Bon appetite, mother…and thank you." Maura slipped the ring into her purse before taking the fork and her first bite. "I think this is going to be fun." She grinned and gave a quick wink. They had a lot to plan for. The wedding and bringing Valley home were among the top of the list but Maura couldn't wait to begin this journey with Jane, starting with the day they would pledge forever to each other.
"This is harder than I thought it would be." Jane pushed her hair away from her face as she looked down at a book filled with ring designs.
"I like this one." Frost tapped an image with his finger to indicate which one he was talking about.
"I do too, but I really want to get this right." Jane let out a huff of breath and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"I'm sure whatever you pick, Maura will love." Frost tried not to sound impatient.
"Look, I'm about to dismantle her grandmother's ring…forgive me if I want it to be perfect." This time the irritation was evident in Jane's voice.
"You don't have to dismantle it." Jacques, who had been patiently watching Jane move from one page to the next, said. "I can keep the setting almost the same and inlay the stones in a wider band." He pulled out a piece of paper and began to sketch his idea.
Jane watched as the jeweler's pencil moved over the paper and she marveled at the end result. "Wow, that is beautiful." Her eyes widened with wonder.
"See how simple, yet elegant this is." He pointed to his drawing with the tip of his pencil. "We can add some embellishments here…," his hand moved quickly as he add an example of fine lines etched along the edge. "And here." Looking up at Jane he waited for her to agree or disagree.
"Yes…," Jane's eyes traced the thin scripty lines and smiled. It was exactly what she wanted but hadn't been able to convey. "Can you do it in white gold?" She asked hesitantly.
"Of course…," He smiled at her.
"And can I engrave something inside?" Her voice cracked slightly at the emotion she was struggling to control.
"I'd be disappointed if you didn't." He dropped his gaze back to his sketch to allow her a moment to gather her thoughts. When he felt she was ready, he slipped the paper towards her and handed her the pencil. "Here, just write what you want on this."
"Um, okay." Jane's brow furrowed as she tried to think of exactly what she wanted to say. Glancing over at Frost, she raised a questioning eyebrow which got a shrug of the shoulders in response. As she stood looking down at the original ring next to the idea of the new one and idea came to her and a sly smile slide across her face.
"Care to share?" Frost noticed the invisible light bulb above Jane's head.
"Nope." She bent her head to write the words that had come to her. Folding the paper, she slid it across the counter to Jacques and winked at him. Before she could say anything else, a phone in her jacket pocket started to ring. "What the hell?" She reached in to find a cell phone she had never seen before but it was very similar to the one that Maura had found when Paddy called her. With a nervous glance over her shoulder she could see the curious look on Frost's face as she gave him an apologetic smile. "I've gotta take this." She moved away from the counter towards the front door. "If this is who I think it is then you've got some fucking nerve." Her breath came quick from her hasty exit.
"Jane." Paddy's voice made her cringe. "We need to talk."
"Where and when?" She let out a frustrated huff as she pinched the bridge of her nose. Closing her eyes, she leaned against the brick wall outside the entrance and waited for Paddy to answer.
"Sally's bar and grill. Just go in like you're going to have dinner and wait." Paddy hesitated but only briefly. "Bring your partner…the young one."
"I don't have time for these games. And I won't involve Frost." Her voice held more confidence than she was feeling but she wasn't going to relent.
"We need him." Paddy pushed, his voice stern and unyielding. "Be there in thirty minutes." And with those final words he hung up leaving her staring at the cell phone with a frown.
"Hey, what's up partner?" Frost appeared alongside Jane, surprising her. Fumbling the phone, it dropped from her hands and shattered on the ground at their feet. "Shit…sorry." He bent to help her pick up the pieces and studied them with a shrewd eye. "What are you doing with a burn phone?" The question came with a hesitancy that was followed by a look that asked 'do I want to know?'
"We've got to go, but I'll fill you in on the way." Jane tossed the pieces of the broken cell phone in the trash and grabbed Frost by the elbow guiding him towards her car.
"I'm not going to like this, am I?" He let her lead him away from the jeweler's shop.
"Probably not." She let out a heavy sigh as they approached the car. "Just give me a sec…, I've gotta call Korsak and tell him where we're going…um…just in case."
When she looked away, not able to meet his eyes it sent a wave of warning down his spine. With a nod of understanding, he climbed into the car and watched her pace back and forth talking on her cell phone. It was obvious something was going on, something he hadn't be privy to but that was all about to change.
He could feel the charge of energy the moment she opened the door and slipped into the driver's seat. The seriousness of the situation weighed heavily in the space between them and he turned to her with an expectant look on his face, waiting for her to begin.
"You ready for this?" She asked him. Her expression was grim as she ran nervous fingers through her hair. When he didn't answer, but continued to stare at her with that expectant look on his face, she let out a heavy breath, started the car, and shifted into drive. "Hang on my friend, it's gonna be a bumpy ride.
The look on Frosts face said everything he hadn't and Jane could feel his anger radiating off him. As they sat across from each other in Sally's, he had yet to make eye contact with her as they waited to hear word from Paddy. The silence that had followed them from the car weighed heavily on Jane, so heavy that she had to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat. She had prepared herself for his anger, but not the hurt that followed.
"How long have we been friends?" His voice cracked slightly when he found his voice and broke the silence.
"Um…a long time." Jane couldn't bring herself to look at him, instead looking around the restaurant for any sign of Paddy.
"What's that mean to you?" Frost tapped his fingers along the edge of the table.
"It means a lot." She finally looked up to see the stern look on his face.
"No, I don't think it does." He shook his head as he continued to tap his fingers, his eyes still focused on something across the room.
"Frost, please…," Jane started to say but was interrupted when someone set two menus on the table. "Could you give us a minute." She looked up at the server and frowned.
"I think you should read the specials." The server nodded towards the unopened menu.
"Yeah, we'll do that." Jane said and gave a resolute nod when it dawned on her what the server was really saying. Glancing at Frost, she could see that his jaw was clinched as he waited for her to tell him what was coming next. Opening the menu, she saw the small piece of paper with one word written across it. "Basement." She closed the menu and looked up at the serve to indicate her understanding.
Without saying anything, Frost stood up but hesitated as Jane followed. Reaching over to grab her arm, he leaned close so only she could hear. "I'm only doing this for Maura." He hissed out through his still clenched teeth.
Jane winced from the pressure of his fingers on her arm, but not because it hurt but because of what he had said. She knew she had broken the cardinal rule between partners and had kept something important from him but this wasn't her rodeo, so it hadn't been her call. Hopefully when the dust cleared they'd all still be standing.
"I understand." She said with a dejected shrug of her shoulders causing him to tilt his head and study her with a sad expression. "But for what's it worth, I didn't have a choice."
"You of all people should know that we always have a choice." He let go of her arm and moved past her without looking back.
With a heavy sigh, she watched as he walked away leaving her standing at the table alone. Her heart ached for Maura and the reassurances she knew would fall from those perfect lips. From the moment she had started to tell him, his silence had spoken volumes and it left her feeling uncertain and dejected. "I did what I had to do." She said under her breath as she followed him away from the table not really expecting him to hear or understand.
It only took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dimly lit hall as she stepped off the staircase to find an open door at the end. As she stepped up to the door and peered in, she was surprised by what she saw. Although it was dark, it wasn't damp or musty smelling like she expected a basement to be. On the contrary, it seemed warm and welcoming like someone's living room.
"After you." Frost stood aside and waved his hand towards the door allowing Jane to pass.
When she stepped into the room, she found Paddy waiting at a large table alone. He looked up at her when she moved closer, a hard expression on his face. His gaze moved from her, then to Frost, and then back to her with an approving nod. "I need you to crack this phone and tell me what's on it." He slid the phone across the table towards Frost who gave him a look of surprise.
"I don't take orders from you." Frost cleared his throat as he stayed behind Jane. He couldn't help but bristle when she picked up the phone and handed it to him without a word.
"I have a laptop set up over there with everything you should need." Paddy gave a dismissive wave of his hand in the direction he wanted Frost to go.
Frost looked at Jane, waiting for her to respond…to defend him, to tell Paddy to fuck off…anything but look broken by what was happening. Suddenly his anger for Jane drained and was redirected at Paddy with a vengeance. Giving a curt nod of understanding, he left Jane to deal with the man who seemed to be holding all the power at the moment.
Turning his attention to Jane, Paddy pointed at a chair across from him indicating she should sit. She did without saying anything. "I think I may have something." He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table and leaning his chin against an open hand.
"And what might that be?" Jane leaned back and crossed her arms to put some distance between them.
"Let me ask you something Detective. Don't you wonder why I didn't just have you killed when I found out it was your gun involved in my son's murder?" His eyes darkened as he watched her intently.
"Because I didn't pull the trigger." She said defiantly.
"That's irrelevant. It was your gun." He pinned her down with his hard stare.
"Then why Paddy. Why didn't you just put me out of my misery?" She lowered her voice to a growl of indignation.
"Because I was the one who had your gun stolen in the first place." He leaned back in his chair to give her a moment to think about what he said.
"I should have known." She blew out a heavy breath. "You wanted to have something to hold over me if you ever needed my help." When he didn't answer, she knew she was right. "So, that means someone in your organization was involved. Any idea who?"
He was quiet for a minute as he watched her carefully. Placing his hands on the table to try to control the anger that flared in his chest, he let out a low breath. "Sean." He growled out through clenched teeth.
The surprise was evident on Jane's face as her eyes widened and she reached up to rub her forehead and the impending headache. "Fuck…," she let out a shaky breath. "Are you sure?"
"I don't make mistakes." He glanced over at Frost before looking back at Jane. "It's all he left when he disappeared."
"Do you think there's anything useful on it?" Her mind began to process this new information as her detective mode kicked in.
"I'm hoping he can find something." Paddy sighed in frustration.
"Why would Sean do this?" Jane frowned at the thought of the gentle giant who always greeted her when she had business with Paddy. "He seemed loyal…," her voice faltered.
"Everyone has their price Jane." Paddy said with a sad resignation.
"And whose fault is that? It's because people like you are willing to pay that price." She couldn't hide her anger as she glared at him.
"I won't argue with you, but this time the price was too high, even for me." He watched her carefully. "The only thing I ever did right in this life was give Maura the chance at a normal life…away from this. I want the same chance for my granddaughter."
"What do you need from me?" Jane eyed him cautiously.
"Well, we can start with the phone. Hopefully there'll be something I can use to find Sean." He didn't even try to hide the sadness in his voice this time.
"And what will you do when you find Sean?" Her voice halted hesitantly because she already knew the answer.
He watched her fidget under his hard gaze, knowing that they both knew the answer to that question. "Then…," he looked away from her intense dark eyes. "I'll deliver states evidence to Ryan." His eyes found hers again and he dared her to question what came next. "And then I'll disappear."
"Forever?" Jane didn't even try to argue. She knew that Ryan was expecting Paddy to turn himself over to the authorities when this came to an end. It was obvious he had other ideas and she had no intention of bringing that up and it was apparent that no matter where he ended up, he would never truly be gone.
Before Paddy could answer Jane's question, Frost dropped the phone down on the table between them with a resounding thud. "I was only able to get the last number called." He leaned a hip against Jane's chair and looked down at her. "It's an international number…Ireland." A small triumphant grin tugged at his lips at the surprised look on Paddy's face.
"Jesus Paddy, who'd you piss off?" Jane looked up to find Frost's expression soften.
"The number please." Paddy didn't acknowledge Jane's question.
Frost waited for Jane's approval before dropping a piece of paper in front of Paddy. "Now, if that's all…I think I could use a beer." His eyes found Jane's again and tried to reassure her that they were okay. "How 'bout you Jane?"
"Don't test me young man. You do know who you're dealing with here, don't you?" Paddy tilted his head to the side to regard Frost and his boldness.
Leaning across the table, Frost eyed Paddy with disdain. "You don't scare me old man. When you have her as a partner…," he hitched his thumb in Jane's direction. "Nothing scares you."
For a moment, a heavy silence surrounded them and then Paddy laughed. The sound of laughter surprised both Jane and Frost who reached for his gun but stopped when he realized what was happening.
"You've got balls…I'll give ya that." Paddy barked out in laughter but then turned serious. "I'll be in touch with you." His eyes found Janes again as he pushed up from the table to stand.
Jane stood as well, pushing her long dark hair over her shoulder. She could feel Frosts relaxed body next to hers and it set her at ease. Looking around the room, her curiosity got the better of her and she decided to ask the question that had been bothering her since they had arrived. "What's the deal here? Why the basement?" She held out her hands to indicate what she was talking about.
"Well," Paddy paused as he too looked around with a fond expression on his face. "I know that you have a tail…as do I. So, for all they know, you entered Sally's Bar and Grill for dinner and I entered La Cantina Mexicanos and our paths didn't cross." When Jane gave him a confused look, he continued. "We've been using this place to meet for years. Only the owners know the two restaurants connect…well, and a few of us in the organization too." He gave a shrug of his shoulders.
"So, what you're saying is that this is a super-secret mob hang out?" Frost seemed intrigued.
"I wouldn't go so far to say it was a hang out, but yes…it is super-secret." Paddy gave Frost a pointed look that had him taking a step back. "And I expect it will stay super-secret." This time he glanced at Jane who gave a nod of understanding.
"I get it." Jane fidgeted nervously under his gaze. It wasn't enough that she had been summoned yet again by Paddy but now he was expecting her to keep his secrets as well. Perhaps she shouldn't have asked.
"Good." Paddy said as he headed across the room towards a door Jane hadn't noticed earlier. Stopping half-way there, he turned to her with a frown and only paused briefly before speaking again. "And promise me that you'll protect them."
"With my life." Jane didn't hesitate as she answered with finality. Her words caused Frost to give her a strange look but he didn't say anything.
As they watched Paddy disappear behind the door, they turned to look at each other, each with questions of their own. Jane shoved her hands in her pockets and shrugged her shoulders.
"I guess I own you an apology." She had a sheepish grin on her face.
"No apology necessary, but the truth would be a good start." He shrugged his shoulders in the same way that Jane had.
"Okay…but it'll take some time." Jane moved towards the door. "How about that beer?"
"Yeah, but you're buying and none of that light shit." He stepped aside to let her pass in front of him.
"I always do." She laughed even though she wasn't feeling very jovial. All she could think about was getting home to Maura and the comfort and understanding she knew she would find in Maura's arms.