The Bay Firehouse number five looked dull and old from the exterior, a few broken windows and tattered shingles here and there, but it was clear that those who made the place their home on and off were trying to fix it up as he entered one of the open garage doors.

A ladder sat next to one of the fire trucks along with a few oblong light bulbs and other equipment meant for placing ceiling fixtures up above about thirty feet. According to the report that Lisbon had given him, the victim, a fire fighter named Joel Lamb; had been in this very spot using the ladder when all of his fellow workers were inside tending to some type of union conference after a house fire that had taken place about six blocks away.

But the wounds on Lamb's head and the blood that was still fresh on the side of the fire truck immediately told him that no mere fall could've caused that much damage to the fire fighter's skull. Plus since he also knew that the crime scene had remained untouched since early this morning, Jane also quickly noted that the ladder was still standing upright.

In fact it was most likely that the victim had never been on it to begin with. Passing by the scene, the blonde haired consultant walked over to one of the break rooms where a soft murmur of noise was coming from and slowly peeked inside. Eight men and two women stood quietly bowing their heads as an older black gentleman said a prayer obviously for their departed friend and then as it was finished Patrick knocked on the edge of the door, alerting all of them to his presence.

"Hello everyone," he said giving them a curt nod to which a man he recognized from being at CBI HQ asked, "What do you want?" "Sorry to interrupt, I was just following up on the investigation if its all the same to you," Jane stated to which the older black man, clearly the fire Chief said, "I thought it was determined that Lamb's death was an accident?"

"I'm sure that's what they told you sir, but I can tell you that is nowhere near the truth," the consultant said to which the shorter woman, a brunette with a ponytail and freckles asked, "What makes you think that?"

"What's your name?" he replied to which she answered, "Stacy Adams, I was the driver on Lamb's truck." "Well that makes me want to question you first then Stacy, for example why was the fire truck moved after the murder?" Patrick asked.

"What?" she muttered causing the former psychic to reply, "You heard me. There are a few slight marks on the ground underneath, loose screws from what Lamb was doing to the lights. Obviously the truck was moved otherwise those screws wouldn't be where they are." "I'm sorry, but who are you?" another fire fighter asked.

"Patrick Jane, CBI, and you must be Sergeant Harold Erwin, am I right?" he replied to which the bald headed man stated, "Yeah... But how did you know that?"

Glancing at the Chief Jane remarked, "I can't help but to notice some hostility here. Is there any reason any of you don't want to help with this case?" "Mister Jane, my unit is tired and stressed from this morning's events. We also got a call from your CBI stating that the investigation was closed, so naturally you can understand why we might be upset when you come in here and starting accusing people of murder," the chief stated.

"Just doing my job," Jane admitted as he placed his hands in his pockets and stated, "That's my fault, why don't we start over by you telling me your names?" The fire chief crossed his arms as stated, "Chief Steve McFrat, this is Charles Logan, Wesley Summers, Samantha Trey, Derek Valin, Evan Michael, Keith Blanko, Cortez Sanchez and his brother Hugo, and you already know Stacy and Harold it would seem."

"A pleasure," Patrick said nodding to each of them before clasping his hands together and proclaiming, "I know this is probably a hard time for all of you, but the quicker we get thru with this then the faster everyone can get back to work."

"What is it exactly you are wanting to do?" Keith asked. "Excellent question, first I want to establish who was here at the time that Lamb died? Our coroner report places time of death at seven to seven thirty this morning, who was on duty then?" Jane asked to which Wesley answered, "We all were, Chief McFrat had a meeting in the north conference room."

"Hmm, so no one was unaccounted for?" the consultant asked to which Frey, the black haired taller woman answered, "I took head count, only Joel was not present because he was assigned maintenance that morning."

"So then you're lying," the consultant answered simply to which Samantha muttered, "Excuse me!" "Either that or you're covering for someone, it's too early to tell which," he said dismissively to which Chief McFrat remarked, "If you continue with this behavior I'm going to ask you to leave."

"I was just making a statement no need to get huffy," Patrick replied to which Derek Valin stated, "If you're CBI where are your credentials anyway?" "Yeah good point," another fire fighter remarked. "Well, I'm more of a consultant really," he began to which Valin remarked, "Right, translation we don't have to answer any of his questions."

"Actually you do," a new voice said causing Jane to turn about and see the dirty brown haired man entering the room. "Or rather, you'll have to answer mine," the newcomer amended. "And who are you?" Adams asked to which the agent replied, "Ray Haffner, CBI Special Divisions."

"And you're telling me this case is now considered a murder investigation?" Chief McFrat asked.

"Patrick Jane is one of our top consultants, if he says it's murder; then it is. So I'm afraid I'll be having to ask all of you some questions. But first I need to talk with my partner alone," Haffner stated gesturing for Jane to follow him back to the garage. The former psychic did so with a mild grin and asked, "So we're partners now?" "As much as I don't like you, Bertram wants me on your tail. Apparently Lisbon called in a favor since her team is out of commission while this little affair is cared to back at HQ," Haffner explained.

"I thought you didn't work for CBI anymore," Jane pointed out to which Ray said, "Special Divisons, we take care of messes that people like your boss can't." "Wow, Gale must be steamed at me," Patrick said with a wide smile to which Haffner remarked, "You have no idea. So how about we both play along and then we can get back to our lives and away from each other?" The consultant smiled and gestured for him to lead the way to which Ray growled, "This better get me some extra pay."