Blood Red Wine

No matter wherever we end up there always seems to be some establishment where alcohol can be easily procured, Patrick Jane mused as he strode along the mostly darkened main street of the small Northern California town. Sometimes too easily.

It had been two days since the California Bureau of Investigation had been called into investigate the murders of a family of six in one of the state parks. So far the lack of suspects had been frustrating and not even he had been able to come up with any ideas. But that day his mind had not truthfully been all that focused on the case despite its seriousness murder it was the date of his family's murder some years previous and although they were never far from his mind the actual date always seemed much harder to get through. Unable to sleep and not wanting to pace the floor, he had decided to take a walk.

Approaching the end of the main street the blonde man could hear music and yelling spilling out from the building on the corner. Lit with glowing signs proclaiming the varied liquor it served, it was the garish descendent of the humble country tavern. After watching one of the patrons stagger from the building to vomit around the side, Patrick pushed open the door and stepped inside to make his way to the bar.

A brunette in a clingy low cut blouse had just finished handing off a bottle of beer when she saw the newcomer. Giving him a smile she asked, "What'll you have?"

Noticing that among then bottles behind the bar was red wine; not the finer quality he'd been accustomed too but red wine nonetheless. Looking at the rather pretty female bartender he said, "A glass of your finest red wine please."

She quickly poured it and set it before saying, "You're obviously not from around here are you."

"I am but a humble stranger passing through and decided to sample the hospitality of your establishment," he replied picking up the glass to stare at it noting how the wine in the glass appeared to be the color of blood.

"I thought so. Guys in three piece suits are pretty rare unless they're hopelessly lost," she said peering at Patrick, "That'll be $4.50 please."

"Just bring me another and we shall settle up later," Patrick replied quickly drinking the wine. "Ah…"

"Already been partaking of the fruit of the vine before you showed up?" she asked as she poured another glassful.

He shook his finger at her replying, "I've had nary a drop if before this."

"Intending on making up for last time?" She asked handing it over.

Something like that," was the answer.

"Well in that case to make sure you don't leave here I'm going to just hold onto your keys for a bit and then when you've had enough we'll find someone to get you home," the bartender told him.

"You mean this?' Patrick asked pulling out his motel key card. "Only key I have on me."

"You can keep it," the young woman replied busying herself getting a couple of beers out of the cooler and opening them.

After a couple of more glasses later Patrick reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet withdrawing the picture he always carried with him. It was one of his favorite pictures of his wife and daughter. He'd taken it with the plans of having it made into a bigger size to set on his desk, a reminder of what was in the end all that truly mattered. Stroking his thumb over the images he whispered, "I'm so sorry."

Looking at the picture, Patrick couldn't help but think how life could've turned out. Kylee would easily be making all As in school because after all she had been her father's daughter. Perhaps he and Sarah would have had more children, maybe even a son to carry on his name. They had talked about enlarging their family once he was more firmly settled on his career path of becoming known as the next John Edwards. Then everything was torn apart my a few careless words on a TV show; bragging how Red John was no match for the great Patrick Jane.

Although a number of years had passed, the events of the day were still as sharp in his mind as if it was just yesterday His last sight of Sarah and Kylee had been of the seated at the piano and waving goodbye as he headed out the door to a late afternoon-early evening taping of a TV program. By the time the taping over and chatting with the fans leaning on his every word finished it was much later than he'd originally planned on being out.

Getting into his car, Patrick checked his watch noticing that it was almost 9:30 so when he pulled out his phone and called home was not all that surprised that he only got the answering machine. "Sarah, honey, the taping ran longer than I planned so I'll probably be home in about half an hour. I can't wait to see my two favorite girls and say how much I love you both," he said, leaving a message.

Pulling into his driveway he noticed the house was completely dark and they never left it that way since Kylee was still often afraid of the darkness and both parents made sure a light was always on. He jumped out of his car not even bothering to shut the door and all but ran for the house. Pushing open the front door he ran through the rooms calling out, Sarah, Kylee!" and turning on lights until his footsteps took him to the hallway where the bedrooms were located. The master bedroom suite was located at the end of the hallway and as he approached it he saw with a sick feeling of dread the note attached to the door. Grabbing it he read it and immediately cast it aside as it was burning him. Then slowly he pushed open the bedroom door to reveal the horrific scene he knew would be forever burned into his memory.

The following days were a blur as he slipped into a state of shock feeling as though he was freezing in the hot California weather as he went through the motions of helping his in-laws plan the double funeral. It was only later he would learn that a neighbor, seeing his car and the lights go on had called 911knowing something was not right in the house next door.

Pulling his thoughts back to the present Patrick looked up and giving the bartender an inebriated sloppy version of his smile signaled for another glass of wine.