Chapter 4

"Did something happen to Elle?"; says Casey with concern in his voice.

"Elle is fine," Angela is pacing around the living room. "I know what I said before but I think it's time, Elle returns."

Casey takes a sit with disbelief on his face, like his about to be sick. "6 months ago you told me to stay away. That whole speech about disrupting her life, that she had settled, to do what's best for my daughter. Why now?"

"I'm gonna be honest with you," says Angela sitting opposite Casey. "I was waiting for Jane to admit to herself that she couldn't do it. You shouldn't have left your child with my daughter, that wasn't fair."

"I know my relationship with Jane was complicated," says Casey fidgeting with his hands. "then I adopted Elle. She needed someone and I had just lost Jane, so I thought we could have each other."

"Charles-" says Angela before Casey cut her off.

"I never planned to leave Elle with Jane, I didn't have a choice," says Casey pulling out a wrapped gift box placing it on the coffee table. "Jane texted me the birthday details, I didn't tell them I was back cause I wanted to surprise Elle. When I walked into the Dirty Robbers, I didn't just see my happy girl, I saw a family and she seem to just fit right in. I watched as you all fuss over her and she had a community. I made the decision to stay away, not you, I didn't want to take that from her."

Angela reach out for Casey's hand. "I should have told Jane that I saw you that night, but instead I came here to fulfill my own selfish dream, having grandchildren."

"It's okay," says Casey with a small smile. "I'll need a week to sort out some things then I'll fetch her. Don't tell them yet, please."

Two weeks later.

It was late, the hum of the computer and the soft clacking of keys the only sounds that filled the office. Jane sat at her desk, her back hunched slightly, a tired sigh escaping her as she skimmed through yet another set of files. Frost was seated opposite her, his gaze fixed on the screen as he sifted through records and data that could lead them to a homeless teenage girl who had witnessed a murder—a girl they believed was now being hunted by the killer.

"Nothing," Frost muttered, clicking through another set of street camera recordings. "We're still spinning our wheels, Jane."

"I want to go trick-or-treating now," Elle said in her most practiced whine, not quite loud enough to break Jane's focus but enough to pull at her heartstrings.

"I know, sweetheart, I know. Just a little longer " Jane replied, her voice low, exhausted, though she could feel the tug of guilt knotting in her chest. She glanced at Elle, who was curled up dressed as Pluto in her lap, her small hand clutching a pumpkin basket as she squinted at the screen.

"Look at these?" Frost asked, pointing to video footage. "I sent it to you. Could that be our girl?"

Jane squinted at the screen but didn't have the energy to focus. Her mind was elsewhere—on the case, sure, but also on taking Elle trick a treat. She glanced down at the little girl in her lap, watching as Elle traced patterns on Jane's jacket sleeve.

"Jane?" Frost's voice broke through her reverie. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," Jane muttered, her hand resting on Elle's shoulder. "It looks like her, just try to clear up the video, and let's get info on that building."

Before Frost could respond, the elevator door beeped open, and Jane looked up, her heart momentarily skipping in her chest.

There, walking in the doorway, was Casey.

"Casey?" Jane's voice was barely above a whisper. She had to blink twice to make sure she wasn't imagining him.

The moment was frozen in time. And then, like a flash of light, Elle was out of Jane's arms, running toward the man in the doorway.

"Daddy!" Elle cried, her little legs propelling her forward, and before Jane could do anything, Elle was in Casey's arms, her small hands wrapped around his neck as she buried her face in the crook of his shoulder.

For a long moment, Jane just watched them, her arms by her sides, unable to move. She had no words—how could she? She wasn't sure what stung more—seeing Elle so happy in his arms or realizing just how much she had missed him.

Casey shifted Elle so she was sitting on his hip, her little hands holding onto him like a lifeline. "I didn't mean to just drop in like this," he said, his voice apologetic but tentative, like he wasn't sure what the right thing to say was. "I'm back. I was at your apartment and got no response and came here. I… I just wanted to see her. I missed her."

Jane nodded, her throat tight. "Yeah, I can see that."

Elle looked up at Casey, her eyes wide with wonder. "You came home, Daddy!" she said, her voice full of joy. "You came home!"

"I did," Casey said softly, brushing a stray of hair out of Elle's face. He smiled at her—his daughter, his little girl. "I like your hair."

"I'm guessing," Jane said quietly, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "You taking her home."

Casey glanced at her, the tension between them palpable, but he didn't say anything at first. He only nodded.

"Thanks for looking after her, Jane," he said softly, his voice a mix of gratitude and regret.

Jane just gave him a small nod.

"Night, sweetheart," Jane whispered, her voice barely audible as she stood by her desk. "I'll see you around."

And with that, they stepped into the elevator, the doors closing. She caught a glimpse of Elle, excitedly telling Casey about her costume. She doubts that Elle is aware of what is happening.

Before she could stop herself, she turned and descended down the stairs in a daze, heading straight for Maura's office.

Maura Isles was glued to her laptop screen as Jane walked in, her face pale, her eyes rimmed red.

"Jane," Maura's voice was soft, without looking up. "I said I'll meet you guys upstairs, just wrapping up this report. Elle getting impatient?"

Jane shut the door behind her, her hand trembling as she gripped the doorknob. She didn't want to fall apart in front of Maura, but the weight of it all was too much. She let out a shaky breath and crossed the room, collapsing into the chair across from Maura.

"Casey came back," Jane whispered, her voice breaking. "He took Elle."

Maura's face fell, her expression full of sympathy. She sat back in her chair, instinctively folding her arms, her gaze never leaving Jane's.

"Oh, Jane," she murmured, her voice low and steady, the way she always spoke when she knew her friend needed space but also comfort.

The two women share a glance, both heartbroken. Jane's eyes welled with tears, and despite her best efforts, they spilled over, rolling down her cheeks in silent rivers.

"I don't know if I can do this, Maura," Jane whispered, her voice barely audible. "I don't think I said goodbye."

Maura didn't need to say anything. She simply stood up and walked over to Jane, pulling her into a tight embrace. No words, just the comfort of knowing that, even when everything seemed to be falling apart, Maura would always be there for her.

Later that night they went to Jane's apartment. Jane sat on the couch with Maura, both women nursing their beers and reminiscing as they stare at the drawing marks on the wall.

"I got her those markers, I should have added a coloring book." Maura laughed, shaking her head at the memory. "If you squint you can see the elephant and penguin."

"Thanks for that by the way," Jane chuckled, her heart heavy with nostalgia. "And all I see is the deposit I'm not getting back."

"She really drew everywhere with those markers," Maura added, her eyes twinkling with warmth.

Both women felt the void left behind, a stark reminder of the joy that had once filled their lives. They glanced at each other, their expressions mirroring the emptiness they felt.

"Do you think we'll ever find that kind of chaos again?" Jane mused, taking a long sip of her beer.

"I hope so," Maura replied softly. "Or we can always kidnap her."

The two women chuckle. Jane's phone buzz;

I think i found something. Get here quick.