INTO RED ARMS
Chapter Two
Patrick woke up in a pool of his own blood, which came from his upper leg. Red John was still attached to the chair, just sitting there, watching.
"Why didn't you kill me? I was prepared to die. I got my answers."
"I just couldn't bring myself to do it. It brings me more pleasure to watch you suffer then to put you out of your misery." Red John let out another sickening laugh.
"I'm stuck here, then, aren't I?" Jane asked.
"Yes. You let me go, I kill you, and everyone you have coming down outside. If you try to escape, I will kill you, but I don't get set free. Either way, one of us will have to die." The way Red John talked was if he were smiling underneath his mask.
* * *
The two sat there for a while, Red John overconfident and bursting with pride, and Jane barely hanging on for life, and studying Red John's character.
"Was it an abusive mother, or a cheating girlfriend?" Jane suddenly asked.
"Both, actually. You're a better gypsy than I imagined." Red John replied.
"And that gives you good reason to murder women?"
"It does. It helps."
After a short break of silence, Jane started to rant.
"I had a case, a while ago, where a mother avenged her daughter. The mother then proceeded to tell me that the revenge wasn't worth it. I feel sort of the same way. It has done me no good to talk to you here, and only made me angrier. Look back at your own life. Was the revenge worth it?"
Red John started to open his mouth, when Jane added, "That was rhetorical. It's some food for thought while you're rotting in hell." Jane snatched Red John's pistol from the floor and made a clean shot right between his eyes.
* * *
Jane had managed to create a sort of bandage for his leg while waiting for Lisbon and the others. When they finally did arrive, and saw what all had gone on, Jane simply said, "I would like a glass of tea, and an ambulance, and to plea self defense."
* * *
In the ambulance, Lisbon was fussing away at how dangerous and selfish it was for Jane to do what he had done.
"Why do you bother yelling at me? Red John is long gone, and I'm alive. What more do you ask for?" Jane asked.
"Well, the long and short of it is, I thought since Red John was done with, you would leave the CBI. Myself and the team would like you to stay."
"Lisbon, why would you even doubt me? Solving cases is what has kept me from suicide and criminal acts since I lost my family. I never intend to leave."
All Lisbon could manage was a thankful, "Good."
* * *
The team gathered for a case- closed pizza, and toasted to Jane, his hard work, and his casted leg.