The food was gone. Jane had prodded Lisbon into humming a medley of songs to him so that he could make sure she was still awake. He was actually very surprised at her repertoire. He watched the door avidly, waiting for either Genny or Steve's return. Lisbon needed her head wound cleaned. He shuddered to think of an infection.
He turned over what he knew in his mind. His old client had abducted them. When he knew Genny, she was a gentle if broken woman. He had never met her family. What could drive her to do something like this…
He sensed something was off with her, as if she had slowly become unhinged in the years since he last saw her. Things were calm now, but these kinds of situations accelerated quickly. And Genny's son, Steve, well…his interest in Lisbon made something tighten inside of Jane. Made him angry. Nervous. Edgy.
Lisbon shifted, leaning away from Jane in order to stretch her muscles. He glanced at her. She looked okay. Tired, but okay. Her hair was so dark that he could barely see the wound, but he knew it was there. The red stain on the yellow-tinged sheet could attest.
The door opened.
It was Genny, looking as homey as a woman ever could. Apron. First aid kit in hand. Jane almost deflated with relief. Genny smiled at them.
"Hey, you two." She scurried over to Lisbon and set the kit on the bed. Her hands fluttered around Lisbon's head for a moment before reaching to brush her hair aside. "Let's have a look at that head, sweetheart."
Jane could tell that Lisbon was bewildered. To be honest, he was a little confused. Why would this sweet woman want to abduct two adults?
"Paddy's never brought a girl home before. You must be something special," Genny spoke softly as she cleaned the wound. Lisbon's brow furrowed.
"Um—" She stopped before she could get any words out, clearly not knowing what to do. She took a deep breath and continued. "Genny. I am a state agent. If you let us go, we can help you. No one has to get hurt."
"Wow, dear. A state agent? Our Paddy caught a good one." She cast a warm smile to Jane as she finished bandaging Lisbon's head. It was as if she hadn't even heard the second half of Lisbon's statement. Jane decided to join the attempt to reason with the woman. His voice was calm and soothing.
"Genny, my name is Patrick Jane. I am not your son."
His voice was firm. Genny's face seemed to crumble. Weepily, she answered. "I know that, Mr. Jane."
His eyes were intent, knowing. "Why did you bring us here, Genny?"
She sniffled and grasped her hands together. "I need you to talk to Paddy for me."
Jane smiled sadly. "I can't do that. Not for you or anyone. I'm not a real psychic. I never was."
And just like that, the broken woman became an enraged one. "No! I know you can get me my Paddy!"
She paced angrily around the small room.
"You're wrong, Genny. Psychics don't exist."
"They do! You found him for me before…why won't you help me?" Her face twisted as her voice rose. She grabbed the front of Lisbon's shirt and shook the small woman roughly. Jane tensed. "I've seen you help her. Why can't you help me?"
Her hands slipped as she lost her steam, stepping back. She was back to the defeated woman, whispering. "Why?"
A sob escaped once more and she fled the room, slamming the door behind her. Jane turned immediately to Lisbon. "Are you okay?"
She opened her eyes and met his gaze. "Yeah. I'm good. That was…wow."
Jane nodded. Now he knew what they were dealing with. Genny Shawt was not in her right mind. And she was desperate. Not a good mix.
Things were looking grimmer.
