Chapter 4

"So you're on the case?" Jane asked Dean.

Before he could reply, Lt. Cavanaugh walked in. "When the medical examiner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts goes missing, I'm not above calling in any and all resources, including the feds."

Agent Dean gave a half nod. "Boston P.D. asked the FBI for assistance on this case."

"Well, it's fitting," Jane said. "And before you ask why-."

"It's Hoyte," Agent Dean finished.

"Yeah," Jane replied with a touch of surprise. "How did you...?"

"More accurately" Dean continued, "It's someone who knew him; possibly trained with him. Based on the evidence so far, I'd say Maura's disappearance is part of a vendetta against you. You're viewed as Hoyte's killer, the enemy in this person's eyes. If that's the case, then that means-."

"They knew Hoyte," Korsak finished. "It's someone he would have met; even trained perhaps," he added.

"Exactly," Dean replied. "What I noticed in the report were the balloons."

"Yeah, Jane just mentioned that," Frankie said. "A shoe store that closed down about eight years ago."

"Yeah, Johnson Shoes," Dean replied. "Do you remember where it's located?" he asked Frankie. The younger detective seemed to struggle. "The 200 block of D Street. Now, show of hands, who remembers what happened in that same neighborhood about eight years ago?"

Jane flashed to the image of Hoyte pinning her hands down with a scalpel.

"Oh God," Korsak muttered. Nina looked confused, but stayed silent.

"If this guy is using Hoyte's handbook," Dean continued. "One thing we know is he loves couples."

"He always went after couples until me," Jane added.

"Actually, although you and Maura aren't marred, you are kindred spirits, Jane."

"Kindred spirits," Jane whispered. She remembered Maura using the same term in her dream moments earlier.

"Yeah. You two get along better than most married couples. Because of that intimacy, Maura's being used as a pawn; to make you suffer. My concern is Hoyte's old M.O. – the ultimate way to control a person is to kill somebody they love in front of you. That's why I don't think Maura is dead. I think she's being held... saved for another purpose."

"She's bait," Frankie replied.

"Possibly," Dean replied. "There's no way he could capture the two of you together. So he takes her because he knows that you'll show up, way ahead of the Calvary. And when he gets you alone, he's got you both and that's when his plan will truly play out; whatever that plan might be."

Jane sighed. "And this psycho is throwing in a few biblical clues to tease us. Re-read the latest one, Nina."

Nina took a deep breath. "Ruth 1:20: "Call me no longer Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty..."

"I'm scared," Jane admitted in small voice. She cleared her throat and a bit louder said, "Not for me. I was nervous for myself before, but I'm beyond fearful for Maura. My family is at a safe house, but I've got to find her."

"And we will. But we have to make sure that you don't do this alone. You could be playing right into this person's hands," Dean told her. He turned back to Lt. Cavanaugh. "Do you have a war room set up yet?" he asked.

"Yeah, downstairs. I'll take you there," he replied.

Before he left, Agent Dean took Jane by the upper arms. "I swear we'll do everything within our power to find her. I realize it might not mean much, but you have my word, Jane."

"Thank you," she muttered. "Really. I mean that. Thanks."

Dean nodded to the other detectives as he made his way out.

"This is promising," Korsak told her. "Usually feds get in the way, but this time – working with someone who understands this psycho will help."

"Yeah," Jane agreed. "But I'm going back to my original plan. I'm going to sleep. But before I do, how long you been up?" she asked Korsak.

"Twelve hours."

She pointed to Nina who replied, "ten hours." She then pointed at Frankie who looked sheepish and said, "Ten?" Jane didn't reply verbally. Her eyes conveyed her disbelief. "Okay, 18," he relented.

"The Rizzoli's are nap bound," she told Korsak. "I want a wake up call in two hours unless you get a break, okay?"

"Okay."

"Swear it, Vince," Jane ordered.

"I swear," he promised.

She held out her pinky and he took it in his.

"We'll switch at that point."

"Go get some rest," he told her.

"No, I'm going to get some more clues. Have Kent work on those candy bars."