I do not own "The Mentalist" or any of its characters and I gain no financial profit from writing this. Also I don't own the film I got the idea for this from.

This is just the prologue by the way, obviously there is more to come.

Case Number: 0019737653

Case Type: Serial Murder, "Red John" killings

Date of First Kill: 05/11/1998

Lead Agent: Teresa Lisbon, Samuel Bosco Jr.

M.O.: Female victims (usually) stabbed and cut in a frenzy with subsequent abuse of the viscera. Afterwards a smiley face is drawn on the wall in the victim's blood. He has also in some cases painted a victim's toenails in their own blood and used a gun on occasion.

Known Associates: Orville Tanner, Dumar Hardy, Rosalind Harker, Rebecca Stanton, Boris Feldor, Michelle Maitland

Number of Known Victims: 28

Identity: Jesse Maitland

Date Apprehended: 10/23/2010

Arresting Officer: Teresa Lisbon

Died: 10/25/2010

Additional Information:

Red John was shot dead by Agent Kimball Cho after he tried to escape custody.

I smiled proudly to myself as I watched Cho hand Hightower the file, Red John was dead and Jane was not going to go to jail, how could I not be proud? Hightower didn't look impressed however, she looked as deadpan as Cho as she scanned the file.

"That's it?" Hightower complained, "that's all you put in additional information."

"I didn't think I needed to go into detail," Cho answered blandly.

"Boss how can you obsess over paperwork?" I wondered, "we stopped a serial killer, a very psychotic and dangerous serial killer."

"I suppose it'll suffice," Hightower muttered stiffly, "how's Jane doing?"

"Still in a coma," Cho replied sadly, "they don't know if he'll make it or not."

"Of course he'll make it, he's Jane," I told them forcefully.

"We have to think positive Agent Cho," Hightower told him with a sympathetic look, "I think enough good agents have died already."

"Yes ma'am," Cho agreed with a hint of sadness in his tone.

"Yes, Sam and his team didn't deserve to die like that," I confirmed flashing back to my mentor. I truly hoped Jane would pull though, he had too.

"I still need a verbal account of what happened," Hightower announced leaning back in her chair.

"Can't it wait?" Cho complained tiredly, "it's been a really long day."

"Yeah, I can fill you in boss," I informed her and watched her she pondered it thoughtfully.

"Okay," Hightower reluctantly agreed, "you can go."

Cho inclined his head in gratitude and stalked out of her office, I scowled after him. He must really be worried about Jane, I was too but I had faith he would be okay. I would obviously go check on Jane when I was done debriefing Hightower but he had to be okay, the handsome blond hero always was okay.

I felt myself blushing and wondered how that thought had popped into my head, I felt my blush deepen when I realized I was still standing in front of my boss. I quickly dropped onto the seat in front of her and cleared my throat.

"Okay so it all started a few days ago…"