Chapter 2

"It's nice to see you again, lover. Did you miss me?"

He surveyed her coolly – his hands buried in his pockets as was his wont.

"No, I didn't."

She gave him one of her pert smiles. "Too bad."

"I'm here to tell you something, Lorelei."

"Oh. And what that something might be?"

"Red John's dead."

Her head tilted to one side. "Do you really expect me to believe it?"

"It's true. Take a look at this."

Jane noticed her flinching slightly as he threw the snapshot of Red John's dead body before her on the table.

"Who did it?"

"Doesn't matter. He's gone for good this time."

"Why are you telling me that?"

He sat down without breaking eye contact.

"You seem like a good woman who's lost her way. I could help you."

"Now who's playing games?"

"Well, for sure you need a new life – now that he's dead."

"Stop quoting my words, Patrick."

His fingers closed around her wrist. "Lorelei, look at me."

She raised her eyes and stared at him defiantly. "You don't understand. Red John was my friend."

"Red John had no friends – just tools. Now you can forget him and start a new life, or not. That's your call."

"A new life? And you're coming with me?"

"No."

A wry smile played at the corner of her lips. His gaze had strayed towards the two-way mirror just for a split second, yet she had seen it.

"She's over there, correct?"

"What are you talking about?"

"The cop you're in love with. The one Red John wanted you to kill."

"That's none of your business."

Absent-mindedly – or apparently so – he started fiddling with his golden wedding band.

As he felt Lorelei's eyes on it, he slipped it off his finger and began twiddling it.

"Listen to me very carefully. Red John never meant anything to you. When you walk out of that door, you're going to forget about him. You're going to find yourself a new job, a new place where to live, and a good man who can take care of you. Okay?"

"Okay."

He looked again at the two-way mirror, in order to seek Lisbon's approval – even if he couldn't actually see her.

"You're free to go now. Goodbye."

As a strangely meek Lorelei stepped outside the interrogation room, Jane took a good look at his wedding ring.

Finally he pocketed it and went out as well. A cup of Lapsang souchong was exactly what he needed right now.