Sorry again for the delay in updating. Sadly life got in the way. I'd love to say the next update will be quicker, but it probably won't be. Usual disclaimers apply, I own nothing.
Chapter 3 – Red hair and Silver Tape
It was early in the morning when I got the call. I'd just arrived at the office anticipating a quiet day (always the first mistake), and had barely settled in with my coffee. Seemed there'd been a murder up in Napa and the local sheriff wanted some assistance. Well, I was more than willing to help out, provided it was clear who was in charge. It's not a power thing, well not really. I've just had too much experience trying to share the lead, it always ends up in disaster. It's much better all around if everyone knows who's doing what, who's ultimately in control. And in the end, my team's the one with the experience with these types of cases. If they didn't need help they wouldn't have called us to begin.
Oh well, a case is (almost) always better than paperwork. At least Napa should be pretty this time of year. Better go rally the troops.
xxxxx
Turns out the crime scene is in a vineyard, not surprising considering where we are. She was young. I mean, I knew she was young, I'd been given a basic description of the scene, but it's always different when you actually see it. Impatient to see the body I was only half listening to the sheriff's description of how the body had been found. Poor girl.
Sheriff seems pretty convinced it wasn't a local. I can respect that. No one wants to believe that one of their neighbours is capable of this. Oh, but of course Jane thinks he's wrong, and that tat it was an accident. What, what?
"How so?" And please just answer the question. Don't give me some complicated demonstration of human psychology or play game; I'm not in the mood. It's too early in the morning and I'm kneeling over a dead body.
Okay, see that I can work with. That explanation makes sense. I still have to remind him to keep an open mind, but at least he hasn't, I don't know, decided we role-play to demonstrate his point. I can just see him trying to goad the sheriff into playing the wayward quail hunter. Why can't he always be that clear, that straightforward? It would make working with him a lot easier. Alright fine, it'd be a lot easier, but maybe a lot less fun too. When he's not being totally inappropriate that is.
Or when I'm not the target. I wonder how many rounds of rock-paper-scissors they'll have to play before the sheriff admits defeat. I figure I'll intervene if it moves past twenty.
xxxxx
After informing the family we found their daughter I called back to the office to get Van Pelt searching the databases. She's by far the fastest of us all on the computer system. Poor Rigsby wanted to join us, but I put a stop to it. This case doesn't need three agents in the field. Besides, I thought he'd be using the time to get to know his new co-worker.
Alright, the sheriff is starting to get on my nerves now. It just suddenly occurred to him that he was at the scene of the abduction? And it also didn't occur to him that maybe checking the woods would be a good idea? I'm trying not to patronize, but it's difficult. He can stay here and conduct the search. We're doing this interview alone.
xxxxx
Jane and the chef appear to be fast friends. I'll never know how he does it. And unlike him, I don't feel the need to eat food every time it's offered to us. I suppose that might have something to do with why anyone we interrogate always does seem to like him better. Not that I really care of course. Especially not in this case, the head chef appears to be unbelievably obnoxious. Doesn't seem to care at all that one of his waitresses was just found murdered outside of town.
At least now we know what time Melanie left exactly, and I should know soon exactly who was at that restaurant thanks to the credit card receipts. And there's always Raquel to talk to. I'm no mentalist, but I do know that she's hiding something. As soon as Jane started talking to her, and she denied being friends, his voice took on that overly innocent quality. It's devoid of all accusation, and you know that whatever he's going to say next is going to catch the other party in an obvious lie. I don't buy her lesbian crush theory for a second. She knows something, but she's clearly not going to tell us anything. I'm going to go see what else I can find out.
xxxxx
Why do I agree to this? Why do I let Jane have his way with his stupid games? Okay, I know why. They tend to yield useful information and they also tend to keep him occupied and amused. And that's a good thing. A bored Jane is a dangerous Jane. He starts messing with anyone and everyone around him to amuse himself. Far better when we've got a case keeping him distracted. I suspect he welcomes the distraction for himself as much as everyone around him welcomes his distraction for their own sakes.
Despite his success rate I can't help watching him warily out of the corner of my eye when he gets up on that box and addresses the crowd. The look on Cho's face when Jane identifies him as the bureau's handwriting expert almost makes me laugh. But apparently Jane was so convincing that the writer of our mystery note fainted. Somehow I just don't buy Randall as the killer though.
Yeah. I was right. This guy didn't do it. But he might be able to give us a more accurate idea of when she went missing. Add information to the timeline. That would be helpful.
xxxxx
Running the details of the case through databases, it was thrilling. And it seemed to me to be all that I got to do most of the time. I know why I guess, part of the learning experience. I've got to learn how things are done here before I can go out in the field and at least it allows me to help with the cases. It gets a bit old though when I'm stuck at the office while the rest of the team are out interviewing suspects. At least Rigsby is stuck here too, although I wish he'd find something to do and stop staring at me.
Database search is almost done. I've found two similar sounding cases. I'd better call the boss. Maybe now that this is done she'll want me to do something in the field. I can be optimistic right? Some of the details are pretty coincidental, the red hair, the tape… It's especially creepy given my own hair colour. At least I have some training that would help me ward off a sicko like this one, if these cases are even connected that is.
Jane seems pretty confident in the connection, Lisbon more skeptical. Sometimes I wonder if she just takes the opposite position of his to spite him. The way he explained it seemed pretty convincing to me, although I guess we have to examine all possible angles in every case. And they're now both so into their discussion I think they've forgotten me.
"Excuse me, I'm still here. What would you like me to do?"
Jane's all for following his conspiracy theory, but Lisbon wants to go the more sensible route, and when all's said and done, she's the one I'm going to be listening to, even if Jane's theory sounds more interesting.. So I'm doing more research. Well, I guess I was doing more research either way. Joy. I wonder how long until I get to do field work. Wonder how long it was for Rigsby… "Hey Rigsby!"
xxxxx
Ah, the uncooperative Raquel. I don't know what Jane thinks we're going to learn from her, but he was so insistent that she knows something I figured another round of questioning wouldn't hurt. Well that was easy, too easy. And now Jane isn't meeting my eyes… I'm going to kill him. Oh, he can't seriously think that telling me I'm right and he was wrong is going to distract me here?
"You hypnotized her didn't you?"
I don't know why he even bothers to deny it. I know he did it, and what's more, he knows I know. Wait a minute, Cho was in on this? Why am I surprised? As good an agent as he is, he always helps Jane with his schemes. It's annoying. Thing is, this is illegal, and he does it again and I'm going to have to take disciplinary action. We've know each other a while, and I respect him and his abilities. That's not something I want to do. This time I'll let him off with a verbal reprimand, but that's not something I can keep doing if I want to keep my job. Eventually Jane's going to get caught in such a way that nothing gets him out of it, and then I'm going to have to do my best to protect the rest of my team, although they certainly make it difficult.
xxxxx
Oh, looks like I'm losing my research companion. The boss's just called Rigsby away. He looks thrilled to be leaving. Oh, he's paused. I'm going with? Really? Cool. And I thought it'd be months before I was in the field. I mean, I'm sure I won't be playing a crucial role in the arrest or anything, but still. This is a good sign right? Lisbon must not think I'm totally incompetent or I'd still be at my desk.
"So who's the warrant for?" I ask Rigsby once we're in the car. There was no time to ask before and Lisbon certainly doesn't like to be kept waiting.
"Hector Romerez. Apparently some sort of gang leader in town, major drug dealer, lots of small time crime and apparently our victim's boyfriend."
"Melanie was dating a drug dealer?"
"Apparently. Obviously her parents didn't know. I guess you never can tell who someone's going to be attracted to."
I didn't really know what to say to that, so we were mainly silent for the rest of the ride to Hector's house. Outside I took my position with the other agents as we slowly closed in.
Clearly this guy's into some pretty serious stuff. He threw himself out of his window when he heard us. We all ran after him, but we were pretty far behind. Except for Lisbon that is. Somehow she came barreling out of nowhere and knocked him to the ground. I have no idea how she even knew where he was going. I heard she was good. She heads the serious crimes unit, she had to be, and there are still rumours floating around the department about her record for catching suspects. Some of the agents don't seem to believe it, I guess because she's so petite, but those who've worked with her before just shake their heads and say that she's very good at what she does. I'd never really seen her in action before now.
Hector certainly doesn't look pleased. Jane, on the other hand is just standing in the middle of the street smiling. Why exactly is he even here? What could he possibly do at an arrest? And what cause does he have to look so smug? That was all Lisbon, who is currently thanking the sheriff's department for their help.
Rigsby and Cho on the other hand, are praising our boss, and mocking Jane, who claims that he somehow knew Lisbon would come barreling out of nowhere and body-check a large man with a knife. Right. And now Rigsby and I have been dismissed to do paperwork. Excellent.
Still, Lisbon's flying tackle was impressive. From what I've gathered the sheriff's department was impressed, and Rigsby and Cho certainly thought so. Working with Jane she lets a lot slide when she needs to, but she's also comfortable kicking ass. So I don't know that I necessarily covet her personality, but in a way, after today, I kinda want to be Theresa Lisbon.
xxxxx
I was surprised when Jane called to tell me that Lisbon had changed her mind, and that she wanted me to research his serial killer angle. She seemed pretty convinced that Hector was the killer, and the evidence against him was pretty solid. But whatever, that's not my call. I just do what the boss tells me. Although I've got to admit, some of these connections seem pretty thin. It was more convincing when Jane was explaining it.
And there's my phone, probably the boss calling to check in.
"Van Pelt, get Rigsby. I need to talk to both of you. I have a plan to catch the killer, but I need your help. Ready for a break from the research?"
With some trepidation I told Rigsby to get on the line. Something wasn't quite right, why hadn't Lisbon called us to tell about this?
When Rigsby picked up his extension Jane explained his plan. Someone at the restaurant had clearly grabbed Melanie, and was eventually going to find someone else. All we needed was the right kind of bait. Oh, I did not like where this was going…
Rigsby spoke up, "What does the boss think?" After a slight pause he continued, "She doesn't know does she?"
"Well, no." Jane admitted easily. "She's still convinced Hector's the killer, and he could be, but I don't think he is. So I thought if we set up a fake date between you two…" I couldn't help glancing at Rigsby quickly, only to find that he'd glanced at me, and now we were both trying not to look at each other as Jane continued. "If I'm right, the killer will go after you, and bring you to their hotel room, where Lisbon and I will be waiting. We'll catch him in the act and save any future victims. If I'm wrong, well, no harm done. We've all just wasted a couple hours of our time."
"I don't know about this," I said. Lisbon was going to be very angry when she found out. Even Rigsby looked a little nervous, and he tends to go along with Jane's ideas.
"Oh come on, I take full responsibility if this goes wrong. Besides Van Pelt, you were the one that read those files, you know that there's something that doesn't quite smell right. If we're wrong about Hector then there's still a violent criminal out there. It'll be fun, unless you two would rather go back to paperwork?"
I glanced up at Rigsby, who had an eager grin on his face. Oh, this was such a bad idea…
xxxxxx
So substantial traces of Melanie's blood were found in Hector's truck. That certainly doesn't make him look innocent, and it makes me happy because we're one step closer to finding our killer.
Huh, Jane's back. And he apparently has something to show me. Something that he thinks might make me mad. I would be worried, but since it looks like we've got our guy I can't work up too much alarm.
Jane of course believes the thug. That's a surprise. He's still so sure of his serial killer in the making theory. Alright, well I guess I've got nothing to lose seeing what he wants to show me.
"Hi. I made a booking for two for this afternoon, could you put us on the terrace it's more romantic. Thanks."
What? Booking for two? Terrace? Romantic? What is Jane up to? If he thinks I'm going on some sort of a weird date with him to prove a point… because there's no way that he's asking me out for real… no way. This is just, insane.
"Don't fret, I wouldn't try to seduce you over a meal. That would be very sophomoric."
"I didn't think you were trying to seduce me." Although now I'm curious about how you'd go about it so that it wouldn't be sophomoric. Great, just great.
"Come on, how could that thought not have entered your head? Your denial that it did intrigues me."
Right Jane, because you never have a hidden meaning behind the things you say and do, so it's completely ridiculous that what would appear to be some sort of seduction from anyone else, from you would in fact be something else entirely. Especially since we're in the middle of a case, and as far as I can tell you've shown absolutely no romantic interest in me, or anyone else for that matter, since your wife died. So you know what Jane, "Bite me."
xxxxxx
The entire ride over Jane was irritatingly cryptic and refused to tell me where we were going. He kept telling me to be patient, with that smug little smile of his. Ironic considering he's one of the least patient people I know. I was somewhat surprised when we pulled up in front of a motel not too far from the restaurant. But with Jane you never knew what to expect.
I'm a bit surprised to see Van Pelt on the television screen. What has he done now? And how much trouble is this going to cause? But I can't help but sit down next to him when he pats the couch beside him. He looks so pleased with himself, like he's just come up with a brilliant idea that will solve the case, and tie up all the loose ends. And when Jane gets that eager look on his face I usually can't help but give in. After all, he usually has the best of intentions; he's trying to catch the bad guy. And I'll grudgingly admit that his methods can be effective. I just wish he didn't leave me in the dark feeling ineffectual and silly. He seems to relish his role as puppet-master, pulling everybody's strings. Well, he doesn't have complete control of mine yet.
Wait, he's somehow gotten my entire team to set up video surveillance on the restaurant as part of an undercover operation? These things take time to plan! You don't just rush headlong into them because you have a hunch! You need to get back-up, have contingency plans, this could go so very horribly wrong if for no other reason than that Rigsby apparently can't act his way out of a paper bag! I'm going to kill Jane. This plan hinges on way to many uncertainties, and requires everything to play out exactly as Jane says it will. Even if this is the killer's room, and those supplies in the cupboard are fairly suggestive, there are better ways to go about this. They don't' involve as much theatre, so of course Jane wouldn't have thought of them.
But I can't see the harm, so I kick back and relax on the couch next to Jane. If his plan works we catch the killer, if it doesn't, I get to say "I told you so." I'm not sure which outcome I'd prefer.
xxxxxx
I'm nervous. Really nervous. And not just because we've basically set an entire plan in motion without Lisbon's knowledge. She'll be mad, but I don't think she'll actually do anything. The guys are right, her bark is much worse than her bite. But I'm supposed to pretend to be on a date with Rigsby and then act as bait for a serial killer. I know being a field agent is dangerous, but, well, I wasn't prepared to be an engineered target when I woke up this morning. Maybe if I'd had a bit more warning...
At least lunch with Rigsby isn't that bad. We've got a fair bit in common and he's a nice guy. Not the most convincing actor in the world though. Hopefully it's good enough for the killer.
Alright, here we go. Walking down a road by myself, in the middle of the day. This shouldn't be sinister, but it is. And trying to act natural when you're expecting an abductor, not the easiest thing in the world.
The sheriff just scared me half to death! What is he doing here? The killer's not going to grab me if I'm walking with the local law enforcement official. He could ruin everything. What do I do? Why won't he leave? Wait, what is he doing here? Shouldn't he be working, it's the middle of the day? He's making me really uncomfortable with all of his questions, and insisting that he drive me somewhere. What if…
"Get your hands off of her!" Well that solves the problem of what to do. No way the killer comes now, not when Rigsby's jumped in. I'm a bit relieved, the sheriff was pretty creepy, but come to think of it, he probably was just patrolling the area to make sure that no other women were abducted. So now we've antagonized local law enforcement. Lisbon is so going to kill us.
At least since she's been watching us this whole time so I don't have to tell her.
xxxxxx
Too much butter. This whole cockamamie plan was based on a chef using too much butter. How am I going to explain that do Minelli? Especially since a lot of butter tends to make food taste much better, even if it's not good for you. I need some sort of system. Some way of punishing Jane for every time he jumps into something without thinking. Of course for that system to work I'd need some way of actually punishing him. I suppose I could take away his couch, but given how little sleep he seems to get, that just seems cruel. The only other thing he seems to enjoy is messing with people. I wonder if there's any way I can legally put him in some sort of solitary confinement… Okay, that's kind of funny, I'm sitting in my car trying to think of legal ways of giving Jane a time out.
And what sort of consequences should there be for my so-called team? They just went along with Jane's plan without even checking with me. I suppose Van Pelt can be forgiven, especially if Jane convinced the boys. But they should know better, they've been around long enough that they shouldn't be falling for it any more. Or maybe they're not falling for it. Rigsby like's Jane and would see the benefits of the scheme, and Cho, Cho's might just go along for the fun of it. He and Jane do seem to have some sort unspoken understanding. When exactly did I lose control of my people?
Hey, why is the Shand Creek Winery truck here? Didn't it pass Van Pelt on her 'walk'? Where is Jane? He hasn't left the room yet. And now he's calling me. Oh crap. Stupid Jane with his stupid schemes! He's in serious danger. They'll kill him when they realize he's there. That door had better not be locked.
"Don't you point that at Jane!" No one points a weapon at a member of my team. Not even Jane when I'm irritated with him.
I just killed two people. Sure they were criminals who threatened my life, and my colleague's, not to mention killed at least one person and were going to again. Oh god, that poor girl. I'll deal with the bodies in a minute. First I've got to make sure she's all right. I'll deal with Jane later.
xxxxxx
I can't believe this happened. We were right there and we missed it. We set the trap and they took someone else as bait. I was nervous about being attacked myself. Turns out that someone else being attacked is ten times worse. And Jane almost got killed. When I saw him at the office later he still looked pretty shook up.
"Hey. How's it going? You alright?" He smiled, but it didn't meet his eyes.
"I'm fine. Lisbon saved the day."
"She seems to be good at that." If you consider 'saving the day' rushing in and shooting two people at close range that is. I know that they were criminals, and all, but I can't imagine what Lisbon is going through right now.
"Yeah, yeah she is." Jane said softly, but he wasn't looking at me anymore. He was looking past me, at Lisbon's walking down the hall into her office after meeting with Minelli. She looked upset, but I think maybe Jane looked worse. He had that look on his face, the one he gets when he's analyzing a person. But this time it was different. He looked guilty, and sorry. Interesting. Even if they're not dating there is something between those two, something intangible, and very fragile.
"Well, if there's anything I can do…" I replied, trailing off. Jane looked at me and seemed to clear his head. He gave me a small smile.
"I know where to find you." I smiled back and walked away. But I turned slightly in the doorway. The smile was gone, and he was back to contemplating Lisbon's closed office door.
Very interesting.
xxxxxx
I can hear the team beside me. Van Pelt doesn't understand how two people could do such a thing. If she continues in this line of work she'll learn soon enough. Jane of course understands, or pretends to anyways, to add credence his position as an all-knowing interpreter of human behaviour. But even I can't be angry at Jane. It's not his fault, not really anyways. Sure, if it hadn't been for him that woman might not have been grabbed that day, but someone would have been, some day, and we might not have been there. I might not have been there. There to shoot them.
Because when it's all said and done, I killed two people. Regardless of who they were, what they did, whether or not they deserved it, I killed them. I was the one that pulled the trigger. I've done it before, and sadly I'm sure that I'll do it again, but I wish I didn't' have to. No matter how justified, taking a life is never easy. And it's my job. And no matter how much I want to blame Jane for putting me there, in the end it's my responsibility. My team, my job, my gun. I'll protect them and the public. It's what I do. And in the end, it's why I do it.
Not that that helps Melanie's family. They look devastated. Does the death of their daughter's killer give them closure? Even a nod from the mother doesn't make me feel any better. I know as well as she does that nothing I do will bring their daughter back.
At least Jane knows enough not to say anything. I guess his pseudo-psychic abilities come in handy some of the time. I know he feels badly about what happened, not that the chef and his wife are dead, but that I had to kill them like that. If he could change things or make me feel better he would, but he knows that in the end there's nothing he can do or say. And even though I know he'll probably pull something like this next case, I still appreciate the silent support. So when he puts a hand on my shoulder as we leave the cemetery I let him keep it there, for my own comfort as well as his.
xxxxxx
TBC
