Disclaimer: I make no money from fanfiction and am not affiliated with the Mentalist in any way.
This was inspired by Sue Shay's excellent drabble story "Danger on Donner Pass". I would also recommend Wldwmn's "A woman of valor."
For a while I have wanted to write a drabble story. In addition, I enjoyed doing my alphabetic 'collection of drabbles' so I've merged the 2 concepts. It will be uploaded in 2-3 parts.
Absolution
Better to ask forgiveness than permission, she knew. Jane's whole mantra.
But for some things there was no absolution.
He'd abandoned her. Again! Lifted the car keys and taken off, leaving her standing. Only this time not at the carnival. This time she was alone. A deserted lot in the middle of state forest. Three miles from civilisation according to the map on the closed visitor centre. And the son-of-a-bitch had taken her phone.
Surprise, surprise. He was chasing down Red John. No backup, no SWAT, no chance in hell.
What could she do? He had chosen to burn.
Bravado
"You don't scare me." Patrick steeled himself as he faced the gun. He needed to pull the best con of his life. And that was saying something.
The man in control here was a psychopath and sadist. And the murderer of Jane's wife and child.
"You really thought you'd catch me unaware, Patrick? That you could pull a gun on me? Tut-tut. You are slipping."
Red John studied the gun in his hand. "You fetched me a glock. Thought it'd be quicker than the knife, huh."
Jane struggled to get loose but his bonds held.
Red John just smiled.
Courage
"Oh Patrick, no need to get frantic. I'm not going to hurt you. Least, not yet."
Red John walked forward, placing a 'friendly' hand on Jane's shoulder. The Halloween mask grazed Patrick's cheek making him jerk away.
"Have courage my friend. A shame you abandoned Teresa without even her phone. She and your colleagues could have tracked you by now."
He held up Lisbon's phone, ripping the battery out. Then he reached into a pocket retrieving Jane's.
"I will grant you one last look, Patrick." He held out the phone so Jane could see Lisbon's picture. "She's kinda cute."
Defiance
Was Lisbon OK? Patrick's mind whirled.
He'd left her with her gun and badge. This glock was his, the gift from Max Winter.
But Red John knew he'd abandoned her. That wasn't good. He'd left her a few miles from a settlement. She did longer runs most mornings. And she had the trees for cover. He could only hope. He'd needed to slow her down, get a head start. Keep her safe, not put her in danger.
The monster was getting to him. He couldn't let that happen. Pride. His weakness and Red John's.
Only one thing for it.
Endgame
"Leave Lisbon out of it!"
"Patrick, please. You can't expect to keep me all to yourself. Teresa will be joining us shortly, I have no doubt. She needed a ride after all."
"How did you know?"
Red John stares down at Patrick. The mask makes his expression unreadable.
"I know everything. Haven't you figured that out yet?"
"Please leave her alone. I'll do anything. I'll…"
"Hush! It's only right that you should watch her die. You marked her when you allowed yourself to have feelings for her. You knew what would happen. You deserve this."
"No! Just kill me."
Fatalism
"Begging for death already Patrick? I am disappointed. Whatever happened to that brilliant mind?"
Jane strained against his bonds, never breaking eye contact. If this was his end, so be it. He deserved to die for causing Angela and Charlotte's deaths. He knew that. Karma. And, if he wasn't able to stop the monster, giving his life in the attempt was fair. But getting Lisbon hurt. No! Never!
There was just one thing left. Push Red John beyond his control. If the sadist was busy with him, it might buy Lisbon precious time. Time enough to kill the bastard.
Gunshot wound
"Well, Ray, looks like I was right all those years ago. You are an ugly, tormented little man. Twisted and evil."
"Shut your mouth, you little worm." Haffner – the monster hiding in plain sight all along – slapped him round the head. Jane just grinned. His biggest smirk. Time to mock the devil. Might be fun!
Unmasked, Red John raised the gun and fired. Pain exploded in Jane's left calf. Blood poured down his lower leg, pooling on the floor.
"Finding it funny now Jane?"
Haffner reached down, smearing his fingers in the blood, rubbing it into his palms.
Honour
Raising his blood coated hands, Haffner sniffed and then licked them. The excitement in his voice was unmistakeable. "Hurts doesn't it, Patrick?"
He leaned into Jane, whispering in his ear. "Just a flesh wound, it won't kill you. File it in your memory palace. You can compare it to one from a knife later."
Pulling back for a moment, Red John seized Jane by the vest. "Mmm, I wonder if Lisbon has ever fantasised about seeing you naked? Let's fulfil her desires, shall we? A final honour for our new guest."
Powerless, Jane squirmed as Red John stripped him.
