Chapter 2

"When was the last time you saw James?" Cho asked with his usual lack of emotion.

He and Lisbon sat across from Chelsea at the apartment she had shared with her boyfriend. Her eyes were red from crying, but they were dry, and she answered without sobbing.

"Two days ago. He left for a walk at about nine in the morning. He liked to drive down to the river and then walk along the banks, said it was refreshing. I knew something had happened to him when he wasn't back for lunch. I called him, but he didn't answer. So I drove down myself. I walked for about an hour, but didn't find him. That's when I called missing persons".

"What was he like? Did he have any enemies? People who might want him dead?" Cho questioned.

"No, he was a lovely guy. He had loads of friends. Everybody loved him. He was always so happy and cheerful".

"What about at work? What did he do for a living?"

"He worked at the café not far from here. Everyone there liked him too, as far as I know. He enjoyed his work and did a good job. He always wanted please people".

"Did you see his truck when you went to find him?" Lisbon asked.

"No, I parked at the bridge and walked from there. I couldn't see it, I didn't even think to look for it because I was so worried".

Tears began to well up in her eyes as she spoke, and Lisbon had decided it was an appropriate time to leave. They had found out everything they needed, so they left the grieving girl and returned to the car.

"What do you think of her?" Lisbon asked Cho as they drove towards CBI.

"She seems sincere enough, I doubt she did it" he replied.


When they got back to CBI, Lisbon left Cho to tell Rigsby and Van Pelt what they had found out. She went straight to her office. Jane definitely should have called her by now. She couldn't fool herself for much longer that he was fine. She leant back in her chair and stared at her phone, willing it to ring. There was a knock at the door and Rigsby's face peered around.

"What's wrong?" She asked, seeing the concerned look on his face.

"You'd better come see this, quick", he replied as he led her out of the room and over to the TV.

Van Pelt, Cho and Wainwright were standing in front of the TV, but as they heard Lisbon and Rigsby enter they moved to the side for their boss to see.

Lisbon let out a gasp of surprise and shock, as she saw Jane staring back at her from the screen. He was tied to a chair, with a gun just visible pressed against the back of his head. He was reading from a piece of paper sitting on his lap, his eyes glancing sadly from it to the camera filming him.

"Red John is a cowardly little man". Jane paused, and the gun behind him nudged him firmly. He continued, although it was clear he was reluctant. "I don't how he hasn't been caught yet, it must just be luck. He is stupid, small and insignificant. I have no doubt that he will be caught soon. Caught and killed".

The screen then went black. Lisbon stood in shocked silence.

"I'll call the TV station, what that was about" said Cho, already grabbing the phone.

"OK" Lisbon said in a quite voice as she sat down in one of the nearby chairs. No one spoke as they all watched Cho. He spoke briefly, then hung up.

"The station said they found a CD at the door to one of their studios. It came with a note saying they must air it immediately, without watching it first, or the whole place would be blown up. They don't know where it came from, and didn't want to risk it".

There was another silence as the team took in the information.

"All of you in my office now". Wainwright said, so they followed him into the room.