Chapter 4 Eyes and Ears

Jane lay in his hotel room staring at the ceiling. He knew he should get up, go into work and tell Lisbon everything that Lorelei had said to him. Actually, more like what she had expressly said Red John was going to do.

He had spent the night going over a plan in his head; trying to figure out his next play in Red John's twisted game. How he was going to stop Red John. If he went to Lisbon about it now his hands would be tied.

He sat up, and swung his legs off the bed, then ran a hand through his hair. He felt tired. He always felt tired, but today was worse than normal. He knew Lisbon would be mad at him when she found out the truth, but she didn't need to know right now.

He stood up and walked over to the mirror that stood above the vanity and sink and turned on the light. He then turned on the cold water and splashed his face a couple of times. He dried his face off with the towel hanging on the wall to the right of him, next to the light switch. It wasn't until then that he noticed the dark circles under his eyes. He normally hid his exhaustion better than this. He wondered what Lisbon would think if she saw him. She wouldn't be happy.

He longed for his couch at the CBI, even the couch he'd bought for Lisbon, or his makeshift bed upstairs. The best sleep he'd gotten since his wife and daughter had died had been in one of those three places. He wasn't sure why that was exactly. He always assumed it was either the constant flow of people or that the team was there, and Lisbon…

He shook off the thought and turned from the mirror. He went to the closet and pulled out a black suit, gray vest and white shirt.

Lisbon's words from yesterday came back to him as he quickly got dressed.

"You wanna talk to me about Jane? About how he seduced you, about every touch and every kiss?"

He remembered Lisbon's beguiling tone and how she'd leaned toward Lorelei. It had made his skin crawl. Lisbon should never have had to say such things.

Then he remembered something else she said.

"He's a permanent fixture in mine and if anything happens to him…"

He knew her well enough to know she'd been telling the truth and those words had made him feel safe—a rare and appreciated feeling. He hadn't known he could still feel that way. He pushed those feelings aside. He knew a lot of what she'd said was purely for Lorelei's benefit, but he also knew that there was a lot of truth in her words, at least for him.

He made up his mind as he pulled on his shoes. She was always there to protect him, had been for years. He'd promised in the past that he would always save her and he wouldn't fail her now. Especially not after what Red John had promised via Lorelei.

Jane told Lisbon that Red John would be sending him a message, but what Red John had really said was "gift." Jane had also left out the part where Lorelei had insinuated that Lisbon would be that gift. He hadn't told Lisbon because he didn't want her to panic. And she would have, but she would have done so in silence. He couldn't have that. It'd drive him crazy.

He stood from the chair where he was sitting and grabbed his keys. He had people he needed to see. Things he needed to do. Then he would talk to Lisbon, and tell her… something. He hadn't thought that far yet.

He reached for the doorknob when it suddenly occurred to him that the team was working on a case that he was supposed to be helping with. He cringed. If he just disappeared for a few days Lisbon would be pissed. She might not even let him near Lorelei again. Her threat at the prison hadn't been veiled.

He would have to work the case and protect Lisbon at the same time. No one could suspect what he was doing.

The elevator doors opened allowing Lisbon to pass. She walked slowly to her office and looked in the direction of Jane's couch, feeling discouraged when she saw it was empty. She went into her office and sat her stuff down, then made her way across the bullpen and to the kitchen. A little hope rose in her chest when she heard the sounds of someone opening a cupboard. Maybe it was Jane? She rounded the corner and found Rigsby.

"Morning Boss," he said through a mouthful of yogurt.

She smiled weakly. "Morning." She walked over to the coffee machine, and began making herself a cup of coffee. "Did you get the Mayor's schedule from the night of the murder yet?"

"Yes, he has an alibi. We haven't spoken to him directly…" he began.

Lisbon looked at him. "Don't… for now. It's bad enough that we have to pull his wife into this. I want to try and keep this as far away from the media as possible." She sighed. "The last thing we want to do is connect a murder to the Mayor when he's up for re-election."

"Are you okay boss?" Rigsby suddenly interjected.

She smiled nervously. "Yeah, I'm just a little tired, that's all."

Van Pelt walked into the kitchen just as Lisbon finished speaking. "I spoke to the Mayor's wife. She didn't want to talk to us at her house and I didn't have anything to bring her in on, but I convinced her to come in tomorrow afternoon."

"Nice Grace," Rigsby said impressed. "I hear she's really tough."

Lisbon poured some sugar in her coffee and began to stir. "How'd you get her to agree?"

Van Pelt smiled. "I threatened to tell her husband about her affair."

Now Lisbon was impressed.

Van Pelt's brow creased. "Hey, where's Jane?"

Lisbon looked at the couch again. He still wasn't there. Then she looked back at Van Pelt. "He's taking some time off. He'll be back soon," she said as she walked past them to her office.

"Yeah, like last time?" Rigsby said.

Lisbon could hear the resentment in his voice. She stopped and walked back into the kitchen. "Listen," she stopped and looked into the bullpen for Cho. "Cho," she raised her voice.

Cho looked up at her and she waved him over.

She waited until Cho was in the kitchen before she spoke again. "I need you all to listen to me carefully. I know that you're still upset with Jane, but he's had a hard time…"

"Tell that to Lorelei," Van Pelt said free of shame.

Lisbon shrugged and looked over all their faces. "Is that what this is about?" None of them would look her in the eye. "You're mad that he slept Lorelei?" She was confused.

"Why aren't you?" Van Pelt asked.

"He lied to us Boss," Rigsby said. "He slept with the enemy."

"Cho, do you feel this way too?"

Cho looked at Rigsby and Van Pelt then back at Lisbon before nodding uncomfortably and crossing his arms.

Lisbon stuck her hands in her pockets and nodded. "Okay, that's your right. But you should have all the facts first."

"What facts?" Rigsby took a step forward placing a hand on the island in the middle of the kitchen.

Lisbon nodded toward her office letting them know that she wanted them to follow her.

They all filed in after her as she walked towards her couch then stopped and turned to face them. Cho shut the door.

Lisbon took a deep breath and spoke. "I have to apologize to you all…"

"No…" Van Pelt and Cho said at the same time, while Rigsby shook his head.

She raised a hand stopping their protests. "Wait, just let me finish." She shook her head and looked down. "Jane left because he thought it was best."

"He left because he's selfish," Cho said stone faced.

"You should be more angry than we are," Rigsby told her.

Lisbon lowered her head and looked at them in disbelief. "All right, that's enough. I should've told you all when I found out and I'm sorry that I didn't. I didn't realize it was bothering you. I was angry until I found out that Jane didn't know about Lorelei when he slept with her."

Cho rolled his eyes. "Please."

"He didn't" Lisbon said firmly.

"He's Jane, he knew," Rigsby said.

"He had his suspicions, but he didn't know. Not for a fact."

Van Pelt tossed her long red braid over her shoulder then crossed her arms over her chest. "You don't really believe that?"

"Actually, I do." Lisbon voice was firm. She left no room for doubt.

Van Pelt looked at the carpet.

Lisbon continued, "I should've told you sooner."

"Boss, we were mad that he lied to us and that he didn't tell us what he was doing." Van Pelt said. "He should've. We've gotten past it. We're just… we're having a hard time with how he treated you."

Lisbon was bewildered. "How he treated me?"

"Yeah," Rigsby said and stuck his hands in his black pant pockets. "He tricked and lied to us, so what. He does that all the time… He betrayed you."

"No," Lisbon said through pierced lips.

Van Pelt jumped in again, "You weren't yourself while he was gone. You were distant."

Lisbon shook her head no.

"Come on Boss. It's what Red John thinks and that's all that matters," Cho said.

Lisbon couldn't believe what she was hearing. Had the whole world gone mad? "I can't control Red John's thoughts, or yours for that matter," she told them calmly, "but let's just clear something up. I don't own Jane and we are not—nor have we ever been in a romantic relationship. He can do what he wants," except leave again, "and it won't affect me whatsoever."

"We know that boss, but you're all he has," Van Pelt said. "Considering that we think he should've…"

"He should've what?" She cut Van Pelt off mid-sentence. "Told me his plan? You're right, he should've, but it's too late for that. Jane's not perfect. Cut him some slack." The team all looked away uncomfortably.

She continued, "And, as far as Lorelei and Jane's night together is concerned—that's none of our business." The team knew the air of finality in her tone. "I appreciate how well you've been working with him since he's been back, but these thoughts, and under handed statements need to stop. Now! I know you're angry and I thank you for caring about me like that, but this," she signaled to the three of them with her pointer finger, "is exactly what Red John would want. The only way we're going to catch him is if we move past this and work together as a team. And like it or not, that includes Jane." She let her words sink in. "Am I understood?"

"Yes," Van Pelt and Rigsby said in unison. Cho nodded.

"Great. Now, we have a case to solve."

They all looked at each other then left her office. She looked over at Jane's couch as they left. He still wasn't there.

Jane walked slowly through the factory and was beginning to wish Lisbon and her guns were with him. Then again if she knew what he was up to she'd never have let him come. He thought for a minute about calling Rigsby or Cho. They would've helped, probably, even though they still weren't thrilled with him. Still, even they would've been easier than Grace. She was all but giving him the cold shoulder.

She'd taken on the role of angry friend since Lisbon had openly forgiven him, as women were wont to do for other women they cared about. Although, Grace had offered him a good morning salutation the other day—unbidden even. He saw that as a good sign given the circumstances. He'd have to remember to put more effort into being remorseful. They'd come around eventually, even Grace.

A piece of glass crunched loudly under his foot. He cringed, and paused for a moment before taking another step. Then he heard a noise that made him stop cold—a round being chambered in a gun. He stood up straight and raised his hands immediately, before the person holding the gun could say anything.

The footsteps he heard more than likely belonged to a large man, and they were followed by a deep voice. "You wandered into the wrong building, buddy."

Jane watched as an enormous, hairy man stepped into view. "Yes, you'd think that," Jane said quietly. "Actually, I'm here to see your boss." He looked around as if he were expecting to see said boss. "I wonder what he'll think when he sees you have a gun on me." He sounded nonchalant, then returned his gaze to the gun barer.

The man lowered the tip of his rifle a little self-consciously. Jane controlled his smile. This would be relatively easy.

"Can I put my hands down now?" Jane asked while putting his hands down.

The man lowered his gun a little more. "Who are you?"

Jane stepped forward and offered his right hand, "Patrick Jane." The man lowered the gun to his side and reached out awkwardly taking Jane's hand.

"What are you doing here?" The man asked feeling even more confused, and his face didn't hide it.

Jane took his right hand firmly and tapped the man on his left shoulder with his free hand. "Ah yes," Jane released the man's hand. "That, I can't tell you. You know how it is with these criminal types," he gestured with his hands, "they would not be happy if I told you." He looked up as if remembering something. "What did he do to the last person who asked too many questions? Didn't he cut off… no, wait that was the guy before, he cut out the throat of the last guy. Is that right?" Jane tapped the gun-totter on the shoulder again.

The guy's eyes widened a little in fear. "Yeah, that's right."

"Hey," he said as if he'd just thought of something, "since you've already swept the perimeter do you think you could take me to your boss now?"

The man nodded awkwardly then started walking to the back of the building before stopping abruptly. He turned back to face Jane, "Wait, I don't know…"

"You're doing a great job. You found me, you know how to use guns," he said trying to make it seem like it was a good thing, "and you are obviously the go to guy for keeping people out. That's why your boss will be so glad that you took me straight to him." Jane tapped the guard good-humoredly on his left shoulder.

The guy was still confused, but smiled uneasily and turned once more, leading Jane right where he needed to go. Jane looked at the gun and shivered slightly. He was relieved that the man had had a particularly low threshold for hypnotism. Getting shot was definitely not on his to do list. Making a deal with Stephen Sinclair, however, was a top priority.

Stephen Sinclair was Sacramento's biggest crime lords and one of the top three largest in the state of California. He had been easy to find. He wasn't hiding and didn't need to, because no one knew what he looked like. He had lackeys that did everything and he never traveled alone. The cops could never pin anything on him directly and even if they could it would be all but pointless when there were six men all claiming to be Stephen Sinclair.

Jane was led into a hall where he was told to wait. He heard an angry voice, followed by some arguing and then another voice spoke over them all quieting them. A moment later the big guy returned. He gave Jane a dirty look, but nodded for him to go in.

Jane took a deep breath and walked into the room with more confidence then he was actually feeling. The room was garishly decorated with a table in the center of it and a chandelier over that. Chairs were set up in several places over the room and four of them had occupants in them. Two men sat at the table and were very casually dressed one in jeans and a t-shirt the other in khaki's and a button up shirt. Another man sat near the far wall, had curly hair and wore suit pants and a stripped, navy blue shirt. Another sat in a chair closer to the door, he also had curly hair and he was scowling. His appearance wasn't terribly remarkable, however the gun he had holstered at his side was interesting enough.

Two other men were standing. One was leaning against a wall and was wearing a black shirt, a leather jacket, jeans, and steel toed boots and looked like he was trying to decide how he'd kill Jane later. The other stood right in front of the table with his arms crossed. He was dressed in a suit, with a jacket and all. He was tall, skinny, his hair was slicked back, and he looked weasely. This was obviously the man they wanted him to talk to.

"Patrick Jane," the man said.

Jane stopped a few feet away from him and nodded.

"Is there some reason why we shouldn't have you shot for trespassing?"

"It would ruin this lovely 19th century carpet I'm standing on." Jane leaned back on his heels and stuck a hand in one of his pockets.

The two men at the table both let out a loud laughs. The one sitting in the chair against the back wall with the curly hair and the weasel both chuckled lightly. The other too only glared.

"Yes that would be a shame," the man said, taking a step back to lean against the table. "How did you get James to bring you in here?"

"James," Jane said as he raised his eyebrows in shock. He didn't look like a James, more like a Yeti. "Well, I hypnotized him. A dirty trick, but seeing as you are all petty criminals, my conscience is clear." This time only the man leaning against the table and the one sitting in the chair by the back wall seemed amused.

"You hypnotized him?" the weasel asked.

Jane looked around at all the men, sizing them up. The man leaning against the wall gave him a hostile look. He glanced back to the one who'd been speaking. "Uh, yes."

"Weak minded fool," the angry man against the wall said under his breath.

Jane watched the reaction the other men in the room gave the comment. All, except for the one sitting in the back looked at him. The one in the back kept the amused look on his face and was still looking at Jane. Jane smiled and crossed the room toward him in several rapid strides. The men who were sitting stood up abruptly and the man Jane was approaching gave the angry man a look, that said "wait," when he moved to intercept Jane.

When Jane reached the curly haired man he extended his hand. "Stephen Sinclair, it appears you have a face after all."

The man didn't take his hand.

"There are six of us in here, there's no way you could know…" the weasley guy began again.

The man in the chair held Jane's eye contact, but waved at the man speaking to stop.

"Enough. He knows. I can see it in his eyes," Stephen said. He stood up and reached for Jane's hand, which Jane gave him.

Stephen motioned Jane over to the table and with a flick of his wrist he signaled to the men who'd been sitting there to move. He and Jane sat down.

"It's been years since I've been this amused. How did you know it was me?"

Jane crossed his legs and looked confidently over the table at the crime lord. He pointed to the weasel, "Chatty Kathy here has been on the news too many times. You want the police to think he's you, he's better looking and well-spoken which gives you an air of sophistication," Jane said.

Stephen's cocky smile dropped a little, but the smile never left his eyes.

Jane continued, "But you, the real you, would never be on T.V. that much. So I knew he was out. These two," Jane pointed to the men who had vacated the chairs, "are obviously just for show. They laughed a little too much at my joke about your carpet, and looked stupefied when I walked toward you. There's not a brain between them, and they aren't muscle. Whereas this man," he pointed at the man leaning against the wall, "was warned off coming after me—by you. Who else would have that power over him?"

Stephen's smile grew large again.

"Plus he has bruises on his knuckles. You don't do your own dirty work." Jane shrugged.

"That accounts for four. Was it just a lucky guess after that?" Stephen was smiling again.

Jane pointed to the last of the men, the one sitting in the chair near where the angry man was standing. "This one's too young. Your younger brother I'm guessing from the curly hair—and he tries to give off an apathetic air to cover his resentment of you."

The brother stood up and stepped toward Jane aggressively. "That's not true!"

"Isn't it?" Stephen said. His brother threw him a dirty look and stormed out of the room.

"Oh," Jane pointed at his retreating back. "also, he carries a revolver that's made of silver. A crime boss with your particular reputation would never carry something so garish. You're too unaffected for that kind of ostentation."

Stephen laughed. "You're good. Imprudent, but good."

"Thank you," Jane said with a little smile.

Stephen smiled in return. "I know you're a cop, and now that you've seen my face I'm going to have to do…"

"Nothing. You won't do a thing." Jane looked at his interlaced fingers.

Stephen leaned forward. "What makes you so sure? I've spent years building this disguise and you destroyed it within five minutes."

"Three," Jane said defensively. "And I'm not a cop, I'm a consultant."

"What is it you want, Mr. Jane?"

Jane looked into Stephen's eyes. "I want a favor."

"A favor?" Stephen let out a belly laugh this time. "You've got a lot of nerve."

Jane's face went stern. "I'm perfectly serious."

Stephen's laughter calmed as he looked back at Jane and then completely vanished when he saw Jane's face held no humor. "What would a cop consultant possibly want from a 'petty criminal,' as you put it?"

"You have eyes and ears all over San Francisco and connections all over the state. I want you to use them for me." Jane was rubbing the side of his right hand index finger with his thumb.

"And what am I supposed to be looking for?"

"Red John."

"Red John? Isn't he," he suddenly remembered, "yes… he's that serial killer. Right?"

Jane nodded.

"Why do you want to find this man? And why aren't you satisfied with the police?" Stephen was sincerely curious.

Jane looked right at him. "Red John murdered my wife and daughter. The police are doing what they can, but it's not enough." Jane leaned forward, "I need to up my game and I will."

Stephen leaned back in his chair. Jane knew he felt he finally had the upper hand. "If I were to do this for you, what would be in it for me?"

"A favor for a favor. One of equal proportion," Jane clarified.

Stephen smiled. "You're willing to commit a crime for this information?"

"Yes," Jane said quickly. Just as Jane spoke he remembered that Lisbon had asked him what he wouldn't do to catch Red John and if she could trust him, after she'd learned he'd slept with Lorelei. He tried to push her out of his thoughts; he couldn't afford a conscience right now.

Stephen's smile broadened. "It seems we have ourselves a deal." He reached across the table and took Jane's hand.

As Jane shook his hand he reminded himself that it was more important that Lisbon was alive than that she trusted him. And if this worked she'd be alive and that would give him a chance to prove to her that he could be trusted. Once and for all. If she died he'd never get that chance. Besides, what he was doing was for the greater good after all.