First, let me apologize for taking so long to post this chapter - I couldn't figure out what direction I wanted to take the story. Funny out it comes out so easily in the beginning, then gets harder to put onto paper once it reaches the middle. I know it's a short chapter, but I thought you'd rather have this now than wait another day. I should have another chapter up soon (well, sooner than this one). But I appreciate your reviews - thanks everyone. For the rest, please few free to leave a review - good, bad or ugly, I don't care - I like to hear what other people think.

By the way, if you notice grammatical errors or issues with the flow, that is totally my doing. I don't have a beta reader, so please bear with me.

Previous Chapter:

"So all of you are okay with this?"

They nodded in agreement.

"Then I believe we have a briefing to do."

Misdirected Harm

They made their way inside to the boardroom, where Lisbon had gathered all the evidence on the case and was waiting patiently for them.

"I thought we could go over what we have before we interviewed Adams, that way we'll see where we stand."

The group took their seats. Van Pelt started with her interview at social services - with the home visits and the kids medical file. Rigsby stated that Adams had been barred from Moe's Tavern, but that the bartender was actually no help.

"Actually, I think Steve Green the bartender from the Nash might know more than he's letting on," Cho said.

"Why's that?" Rigsby questioned. "Well, he didn't seem that shook up when he heard about the attack on Leslie. He also stated that he has been friends with Adams for years, but seemed to be directing our attention towards him as a suspect. And he also knew that Leslie's throat had been cut before I said anything."

"I'd also like to bring in Allen Jenkins," Jane stated.

"Why him?"

"Because he looked guilty while we we're interviewing him. He knows something, I just can't put my finger on what."

"All right, let's leave this for now and go interview Adams. He's got to know something about all this." Lisbon got up and started towards the interview, with Jane in tow.

Jonathon Adams was sitting down at a table, handcuffed due to his hostility, and nervously playing his hands as Lisbon and Jane walked in and sat down across from him.

"Jonathon Adams - you're a hard man to track down."

"Yeah, whatever. What the hell am I doing here."

"We have some bad news for you. Did you hear that your daughter was attacked in your home yesterday, and that she's in hospital."

"What? What the hell do you mean? What happened?"

"Someone came in to your home and brutally beat your daughter, broke her arm and slashed her throat, then took off."

"Oh god no!" he put his face in his hands.

"I'm sorry for what's happened. I take it you didn't know?"

"No! I didn't," he sobbed.

"Did you find the bastard who did this?"

"No, that's what we're working on."

"You don't think I did it?"

"We've already verified that you had an alibi. But we need some information from you. Do you know of anyone who could have done this? Someone who has something against you or your kids?"

"No one."

"Do you owe any money to anybody?"

"Yeah, I do. But no big amounts. Maybe $40 - $100 - but not anything more than that."

"Where do you work?"

"I work at J&G Garage with Allen Jenkins. I've been there for the last six years."

"Are you working right now?"

"No. I'm off due to an injury - I hurt my back at the garage I work at."

"How did you hurt your back?" Jane asked.

"I was lifting an engine out with a chain hoist when the chain snapped. We've been after our boss for new equipment for the last two years. And tell me how the hell me telling you about my injury is going to get the bastard who hurt my daughter?"

"We need all the information you can give us Mr. Adams. Anything could give us a lead as to who did it?" replied Lisbon.

"Do you love your daughter?" Jane queried.

"What the hell does that have to do with anything?"

"Just answer the question Jonathon," coaxed Lisbon.

"Do you love your daughter?" Jane repeated.

"Of course I love my daughter."

"And what about your other kids - do you love them?"

"Definitely."

"Have you ever hit any of them?"

His head sunk down and he lowered his eyes. He muttered a briefly, audible 'yes'.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" Jane urged.

"I said YES! Okay! I've hit all four of my kids!"

"Well, I guess you won't be getting the 'Parent of the Year' award this year, eh?"

"Jane! Stop!" Lisbon scolded.

"You bastard! I ought to…." He jumped towards Jane, but Lisbon stood up and pushed him back down.

"Adams, behave yourself or else I'll add obstructing and another assault on a police officer."

He sat back down slowly, and glared at Jane.

"I don't know what you're staring at me for - I'm not the one hitting your kids. Do you enjoy doing it, or you feel guilty afterwards?"

"Are you sick or something? NO! I don't get off on hitting my kids. I feel guilty - okay! I always feel guilty! When I get drunk I don't realize what I'm doing. I only remember when I'm sober, and even then it's just flashes. I just get so frustrated with everything - trying to raise four kids, getting hurt at work, trying to make ends meet."

"So are you the one who hurt Leslie?"

"NO! I'm not!"

"Don't you think if you didn't drink so much that maybe life would be a little easier to handle?" Lisbon asked.

"Yeah…maybe…I guess…I don't know…it's just hard to deal with everything…but what does that have to do with Leslie getting hurt. What are you doing about that?"

"We're looking at everything and everything. We have a few suspects, but nothing definite yet."

"Just tell me you'll get him, and let me get my hands on him!"

"That's not going to do you or your kids any good, now is it. You've got to let us handle it." Jane urged.

"Speaking of the kids - where are they? Can I see them? Are they all right?"

"They're fine. They're with the Tritts next door. They are a little shook up especially David, but with the right help I think they'll be fine." Jane volunteered.

"So what's next?"

"Well, we are keeping you in here due to the assault on Agent Cho. But if there are no further charges brought up against you then we may let you go in a day or two."

"Okay. I'm sorry about that by the way. I guess I just panicked," he sighed. "Is he around? I'd like to apologize to him."

Lisbon and Jane left the room and sent in Cho with Rigsby. Van Pelt was already back on the computer doing research. They walked down the hall towards the boardroom.

"Ok, so he's guilty of being a crappy father but he's not the one who did it - any ideas on who it is?"

"I have a few ideas, but I'm not sure…."

"Of course. Let me know when you do have one!" she said sarcastically as the entered the room. She went over to the desk to pick up a file, when she stopped and wavered. Her right hand held her head, while her left hand grasped the desk. Jane came over and reached around on her hip to steady her.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine - it's nothing."

He just stared at her non-believing. "Really?"

"I just got a little dizzy - nothing to worry about."

He pulled out a chair and sat her down. He strode over to the fridge and grabbed a sandwich, and plugged in the kettle. While waiting for the water to boil, he went back and placed the ham and cheese sandwich in front of her.

"Here….eat!"

"I'm fine Jane. I don't need to eat!"

"When was the last time you ate?"

"Um, this morning."

"Nice try - but you didn't eat anything at breakfast, remember? And you didn't eat anything last night either, did you?"

She didn't say a word.

"So eat!"

She quietly opened the package and started to nibble on the sandwich.

Jane came back a few minutes later and placed a mug of tea in front of her. He moved another chair beside hers, then sat down with his tea and proceeded to eat his own sandwich. He hoped it would encourage her to eat more. After some silent coaxing, she eventually finished her sandwich and even had a second cup of tea. She hated to admit Jane was right, but she did feel better.

"Thanks Jane," and clasped his hand.

"I'll always be here for you Lisbon."