Zooming in slowly, she tried to work out where Maura might be. Each new zoom revealed a new street or district. As she pressed the button for the fourth time, it hit her. Right there as plain as the nose on her face. She ran her fingers over the words and smiled.

”I got you Maura Isles.” She whispered, feeling the lump in her throat. ”I’m coming for you.”

She zoomed in once more, her focus now to the south west of that little red marker. She laughed despite the hole that had replaced the heart in her chest. Reaching for the phone, she called the station, booking two weeks off starting the following morning. That had been easier than she anticipated, her holiday time was racking up and they seemed glad that she was eager to use some of it up. Her second call was to the airline, managing to book herself on a flight for the day after. Her final call was to her mother.

”Hey Ma.” She couldn’t hide the smile that danced eagerly over her face. ”I didn’t wake ya, did I?” she asked softly, only just realising the time.

”No honey, you didn’t.” Angela had been on the verge of dropping off on Frankie’s sofa bed.

”Can you look after Jo Friday for me for a couple of weeks?”

Angela grinned. ”Why?” she tried to be nonchalant and came up short.

”I’m going away for a while.”

A heavy silence hung on the line for a minute or more before Angela finally spoke. ”Did you find her?” she asked.

”I think so Ma.” Jane admitted. ”I need to go and talk to her.”

”Don’t you mess this up Janie!” Jane rolled her eyes. ”Don’t you hurt her.”

”I won’t Ma.” Jane promised. ”I need to tell her how I feel.”

”And how is that?”

Jane scratched Jo’s head affectionately. ”You know how I feel Ma.” She felt her stomach knot.

”No, I don’t Jane. You never tell me anything anymore, you shut us all out, you don’t let anyone get close to you.” There was a loaded pause. ”Except Maura.”

”I know, I don’t mean to Ma. And I never meant to let her in; she just appeared inside the walls one day.” Jane admitted. ”Once she was in there, I wanted to keep her forever and never let her out.”