A/N: I got this idea actually from a board on The Mentalist's forums on the CBS website. ColtsGirl217 first proposed the idea, so I give her credit for the inspiration. I just elaborated. :)
I was planning on making this a one-shot, but when I typed it all out it seemed too long, so I just split it up into two pieces and now it's a two-shot. Hooray for Jisbon fluff! :D
And also, the stuff in Italics are Lisbon's thoughts. At first I tried doing the story without them, because they do seem a bit random at times. Be nice! This is my first fic ever written and I worked really hard on it. Criticism is welcomed, just no mean comments please :).
Disclamer: I do not own the show The Mentalist or any of these brillaint characters. If I did, I would be living on a ranch in the middle of nowhere. :)
Cho looked into the eyes of the suspected murderer with no expression showing on his features. "So, that must have made you pretty angry, seeing your girl being used like that."
"Yes, it did make me extremely angry, but like I told you government drones a thousand and one times, I didn't kill him." Said the suspect, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.
Cho leaned forward in his chair, capturing the suspect's eyes again. "Really? That would make me pretty angry, watching this womanizer walk around the club with my girl on his arm. He was just trying to get attention from other women you know."
"Yeah, I know. Don't get me wrong I was pissed off," The man said angrily. He leaned forward to look Cho in the eye. "But not so much that I would kill a man. I might punch his lights out, but I wouldn't kill him for it."
Cho leaned back in his chair, never letting his eyes off of the suspect.
Behind the one way glass, Jane and Lisbon watched the interrogation closely. Lisbon shuddered. Sheesh, Cho can't even get through this guy.
Jane seemed intrigued, his eyes never leaving the suspect, his mind going a mile a minute. He had been unconsciously leaning toward the glass; his forehead almost touching it. He straightened up and looked over at Lisbon who was to his left. "Cho seems stuck; may I give it a try?"
Lisbon glanced up at Jane and then motioned over to the interrogation room. "Be my guest." She replied.
Jane brushed past her and out the door. Lisbon watched as he entered the interrogation room and took Cho's place in the chair. He reached his hand out casually, and offered to shake hands. "Patrick Jane." He said with one of his cute smiles spreading across his face.
The suspect raised an eyebrow at him before taking his hand and shaking it. "Bill Allington." He paused for a minute after he realized Jane wasn't letting go of his hand. Lisbon laughed lightly behind the glass. Way to make the suspect feel uncomfortable Jane.
"So did you kill Michael Cooper?" Jane asked.
Bill tugged lightly at his hand, trying to get Jane to let go before answering. "As I said before, no! Now would you please let go of my hand?"
Jane let go and leaned forward before asking another question. "I believe you. Well, do you know who might have?"
Bill let out a sigh, "No, I have no idea."
Jane leaned his head down so he was staring up at Bill from across the table. "There's something you're not telling us." Jane stood up and strode over to Bill, who looked up at him questioningly. Jane inconspicuously turned off the recording device, his body blocking it from Lisbon's view. He leaned down and whispered something into Bill's ear before Jane squeezed his shoulder gently.
Lisbon's eyes widened. What is he doing? No… he wouldn't. Not after I have told him that many times. Jane, what the hell are you trying to pull?
Jane switched the recorder back on before taking his seat again. He calmly asked Bill a question. "So, do you have any information on who might have killed Michael Cooper?"
Lisbon burst through the door. "Damn it Jane! What the hell are you doing?"
Bill turned to stare at Lisbon, wide eyed. "What are you talking about?" Bill asked. Lisbon shot Jane a questioning look. Bill continued, "I was just about answer this guy's question. Mr. Jane, I've had suspicions about Cooper's wife. Sometimes Cooper would get calls in the middle of dinner. He would excuse himself and then argue for a few minutes. Then he would come back to the table looking angry and would tell us that he had to go, that his wife was being a 'pain in the ass'. Sometimes I wondered if she knew something."
Jane stood up from his chair and walked gingerly over to Bill's side again. "Thank you Mr. Allington." He said formally before squeezing his shoulder again. "You may go now." And with that, Jane shut off the recording device. Smooth Jane, real smooth.
Bill stood up, stretched, thanked Lisbon and Jane and headed out the door.
Lisbon stared at Jane angrily. "What the hell was that?" She asked.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." He replied coolly.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about!" She shouted, her voice an octave higher. "You hypnotized him! Do you know how many times I have told you that it's illegal and…"
Jane interrupted her. "Who said I hypnotized him. That squeeze on the shoulder was just a friendly, reassuring gesture."
"Give me the tape." She demanded. There's no way you can get around this Jane… "Here's proof! Do you know how much trouble you are going to get in when the higher up's listen to this?"
Jane smiled one of his sly smiles. "Listen to the tape." He offered.
Lisbon's eyes widened. No he didn't…This isn't even possible. She played the tape back, and sure enough there was no whispering in the tape, not even the slightest proof that Jane had just hypnotized a man into telling the truth. Lisbon shook her head. "Jane, you'll be the death of me one day. I swear." She rolled her eyes at him and let him lead her out of the room.
But before Jane could open the door for her, she stuck her finger in his face. "If you ever do that again Jane, even a smooth one like that, I will not hesitate to turn you in."
Lisbon knew she would never turn Jane in, but she would still rather not have him risking his job, and not to mention hers too.
"Yes Ma'am, never again." He replied.
Yeah right…
After calling in Michael Cooper's widowed wife and interviewing her, they were forced to let her go.
"Why did we have to let her go?" Rigsby questioned. "I thought she had something to hide!"
"It seemed like the best idea Rigsby." Lisbon replied calmly. "She seemed upset, and I believe it was the best thing to do in this situation. Plus, Jane thought we should let her go because he thinks we would have better luck with her tomorrow after she's had time to rest and get her thoughts in order."
Rigsby rolled his eyes. "Of course, you always do what Jane says."
Van Pelt stifled a giggle.
Oh shut up Rigsby…
Lisbon shot Van Pelt a look. "Enough, listen, we have more important matters to tend to. We need to keep an eye on her tonight, to make sure she doesn't leave the country. Van Pelt, stay at work a little late and dig up some dirt on her. See if she has any criminal record, the works. Rigsby and Cho, you two go later tonight and check up on Mr. Allington and his 'girl,' which leaves Jane and I to watch over Mrs. Cooper.
Jane sighed. "Why me?"
Always with the complaints… "Because whatever's wrong with your head can maybe decipher something about Mrs. Cooper. And of course, I have to come along to make sure you don't try to pull the same crap you did while you were interviewing Bill Allington. We're going to leave around 8:00. Van Pelt, I'll have my cell phone. Call me if you find anything out that's critically important. If it's not too important, it can wait until tomorrow."
"Sure thing Boss." Van Pelt replied respectfully. And with that, everyone stood and went their separate ways to get some paperwork done before they had to go to work later that night.
To be continued...