***

The moment they were seated in an interview room, Constance began her questioning.
“First off, where is my daughter?”
“We don’t know, Constance, but let me be clear. We have no proof of bodily injury of any kind, only possible abduction.”
“Possible? You’ll need to explain please.” She sipped the water he had given her, waiting for Korsak to continue. He didn’t want to even hint at Jane’s involvement, so he was measuring his words carefully.
“Have ransom demands been made,” Angela interjected during the pause. Facing both mothers was a rather formidable act and Korsak nodded, adding “Not as of yet. Their house is technically still a crime scene and we are waiting for some lab results and prints we got in the back yard.”
“And have you unearthed that monster of a father of hers,” Constance continued the assault. She glared with a look of disgust at just the thought.
“Again, there is no proof that any of this is linked to organized crime activity. For all we know, a thug followed them home from Shreve’s jewelers after they purchased those two chunks of Gibraltar.”
“Yes, they were stunning,” Constance offered a quick smile, returning with, “So this could be burglary?”
“We just aren’t sure yet. Maura’s laptop was gone, but the rings weren’t. I can only guess because a possible burglar found them asleep and didn’t have time to go looking. Anyone that knows Jane is a cop, has to know she has access to a gun unless they are stupid. Frost said Maura told him she was taking something out back to Jo Friday and that was just a few minutes before Jane came screaming up the hallway. That could have been her interrupting the robber, leaving against her will.It shouldn’t be too much longer on the lab work if you ladies would like to wait. Maybe we will have more news.”
Korsak hated himself. He didn’t exactly lie to the mothers, but he knew very well, the disappearance may have had to do with the six missing bodies and evidence Maura had catalogued. A burglary was easier to explain. Not that their minds wouldn’t still race, be filled with panic, but he considered it to be less panic than the latter alternative.
Vince stood, and turned but Constance addressed him again.
“Surely, Det. Korsak, you can’t think that Jane had something to do with this.” She furrowed her brow sternly.
“Well, confidentially, I don’t, but we don’t know what is going on just yet, and by keeping her here, she’s safe in case someone does go back to the house.”
Angela and Constance both took a moment of silence to let his words resonate.
Labelled “person of interest,” Jane was housed at BPD for her own protection and also to keep her from running out, meddling in leads and get herself into more trouble.
“Is there a way to release her into protective custody,” Angela pondered.
“We might be able to do that, but the officers we pull to watch your house would be better used in the search for Maura.”
“Can I take her to my townhouse,” Constance questioned.
“There is adequate security there and I do own a registered handgun for protection. Angela, you would be more than welcome to stay with us. I wouldn’t want you alone at the guest house.”
Korsak thought for a moment and asked the ladies to sit tight while he consulted with Cavanaugh.
Constance phoned her attorney quickly and asked him to remain on ‘standby’ and then explained to him a little further what had actually happened.
A moment later, Jane entered the room looking exhausted and dejected.
Not only had she lost her best friend, who was now the love of her life, but she had broken a promise to Constance Isles, which included keeping her daughter safe.
“I’m so sorry,” Jane crumbled the moment Constance stood to greet her.
“I lost her, our precious girl. I didn’t keep my promise.”
Constance wrapped her arms around the sobbing detective to console her while fighting her own motherly tears.
“Nonsense, Jane. You did no such thing. Someone took her. You couldn’t help it. Darling, you have to sleep sometime. We will find her.”
Constance fought hard and would not allow herself to blame Jane, even though Jane was blaming herself.