Rizzles Story

Chapter 70

At BPD-Morgue

Jane: Who is she? How'd she die?

Maura: She was asphyxiated from the application of a slow, constant pressure to her trachea.

Jane: She looks a little like Mandy. About the same age. How long she been dead?

Maura: Not long. She's still warm to the touch. Less than two hours.

Korsak: So she was murdered right after Mandy was kidnapped. Same age, similar build, hair color. One girl kidnapped, another one turns up dead an hour later. I don't believe in coincidence like that. Do you?

Jane: No. You think Mandy was a replacement for this girl?

Maura: Yeah.

Jane: Is that a shoeprint on her neck?

Maura: It's a heavy-treaded impression consistent with that of a work boot. Size 12.

Jane: Joey said the man in the car was big. Is it possible that he crushed her trachea with his foot?

Maura: It's possible.

Jane: What the hell?

Maura: Maybe she's bound like that so her kidnapper could keep her looking like a young girl.

Jane: Okay, we need to find out who this girl is. Now.

Korsak: There's a lot of missing kids, Jane. It'll take weeks to track her by her dental records.

Jane: Well, then, we take a picture of her face, and we show it to Mandy's friends and family and see if anybody recognizes her. What are you doing?

Maura: I'm checking her iliac-crest epiphysis. She's older than she appears.
It's in its beginning stages of fusing.
She's about 17. There's some type of staining going on with her sweatshirt.
The edges are white. I'm gonna take a guess, Jane. I-I think this is a mixture of tears and mucus. Look where it is.

Jane: Yeah, it's in a weird spot.

Maura: I don't think this is from our victim. I think it's from someone else.

Jane: What, like she was holding someone against her.

Frost runs in.

Frost: Dan's clear. Just saw the video.
His squad had him under surveillance.
He's doing robbery surveillance the whole time.

Korsak: Thank God. I'm sorry, Jane.

Jane: No, it's -- you were right, Korsak.
This is tough. Please, Maura. We got to find an I.D. on this girl. Okay? She could be the key.

They walk out.

Maura: You have to help us find Mandy.

In the Cafe

Joey is drawing when Angela walks up.

Angela: I really love the way you put the clouds behind the lighthouse. Can I get you some more coffee?

Nicole: No, thank you. Honey, Joey, look, I want you to eat something, okay?

Joey: I'm not hungry.

Angela: Oh, that's too bad. I have a big bowl of cauliflower with your name on it.

Nicole: Yeah, he loves cauliflower. Right?

Joey: No, I don't.

Angela: I could put some hot sauce and some asparagus on the side. Yum-yum!

Joey: Do you have any hot dogs?

Angela: I sure do.

Joey: Can I have fries?

Nicole: Yeah.

Jane walks up.

Jane: Hey, Joey.

Nicole: Hey. I, uh, brought Mandy's computer.

Jane: Okay, great. Uh, Detective Frost will go through it.

Nicole: Dan and I -- um, we argued about whether or not she should have her own computer. But, I mean, she needs it for school, so-

Jane: I'm sorry, Nicole.

She opens it and the screen lights up.

Jane: Oh, wow. She's so grown-up. She's beautiful, Nicole.

Nicole: Did I tell you that she, um-She plays soccer for school? She's really good.

Jane: No, I didn't know that. She looks strong. Uh, I have a picture that I need you to look at.

Nicole: Okay, yeah. The girl you found?

Jane: Yeah.

Nicole: No, don't recognize her.

Jane: Okay.

Nicole: Honey, uh, Lieutenant Rizzoli is gonna show you a photo, okay?

Jane: I need to know if you recognize this girl, okay?

Joey: Mm-hmm. Is she dead?

Jane: Yes. Joey, do you know her?

Joey: No.

Jane: Okay.

Angela walks back up.

Angela: Would you like some chocolate milk?

Joey: I just want Mandy.

Jane: I know you do, sweetie. We all do.

In the Morgue

Jane: It's been over three hours since Mandy was abducted.

Maura: It's an average, Jane.

Jane: God, she looks so young. And she's so thin. What happened to you?

Maura: Well, she has a vitamin-d deficiency, uh, atrophied muscles, stunted growth, pale skin, exhibits signs of malnutrition.

Jane: Was she held in captivity?

Maura: That's my opinion.

Jane: Any signs of sexual assault?

Maura: Yes. She has elevated estrogen and progesterone levels. She was on birth-control pills.

Jane: You know, when I first heard that it was a couple, my mind immediately went to Jaycee Dugard and Elizabeth Smart. How long was she held?

Maura: Given my findings I'd say this girl was in captivity from three to five years.

Jane: I've arrested hundreds of male sexual offenders. I'm not saying I understand that, but what I can't ever get my head around is how a woman could help do this to someone.

Maura: Well, you have to look at the women as victims, too. They're typically very damaged people, ripe for abuse.

Jane: And the abused becomes the abuser.

Maura: Exactly. And they help him Create this bizarre version of a nuclear family with him in the center.

Jane's phone vibrates.

Jane: It's Frost. He's got Mandy's phone records.

Maura: Alright. Go. I'll be here. Jane, I'm doing -- I'm doing everything I can here.

Jane: I know you are.

She kisses her and Jane walks out.

Maura: Help me find Mandy. What am I not seeing that I need to see? Sweet girl. I'm so sorry this happened to you.