A/N: Apologies for lack of updates this week on all my stories and this one is also a short one I'm afraid, real life has been hitting me squarely on the head this week. Just wanted to post something so you don't think I've abandoned my fics. I'm hoping normal service will resume soon.
Chapter 6 – Run around
"So, what do you think the story is between the boss and this Jane guy?" Rigsby asked as he sat beside Cho was trailing Jane.
Cho kept his eyes on the silver Porsche two car lengths ahead. "How do you mean?"
"Come on man, you were in there when she was asking him questions. I was watching behind the two way mirror, the way he called her 'Teresa' at one point and they way they looked at each other? It was weird."
Cho ignored his colleague's attempt at conversation.
"So?" Rigsby tried again. "It looked to me like they know each other."
"None of our business."
Rigsby chuckled, "Hey, you think the boss is into psychics? Now that would be something."
Cho slowed the car as Jane drew up towards a red light ahead. He sighed, allowing another car to filter into the lane in front of him so they could keep their distance but still observe him. "You need to find a girlfriend," his friend told him.
Rigsby looked out of the side window of the car, a nearby taco stand grabbing his attention. He muttered, "I'm trying."
"A girlfriend that isn't Van Pelt."
Rigsby turned towards him, wide eyed. "How did you-"
"It's obvious. And a bad idea. She's out of your league and she's your colleague."
Rigsby let go of a heavy sigh. "Yeah but she's so hot. And why do you think she's out of my-"
Suddenly his attention was caught by the screech of Patrick Jane's tyres as he rushed through the red light ahead, horns blaring as he weaved his way through oncoming traffic.
"Damn it!" Cho uttered through gritted teeth as he banged his hand on the steering wheel.
"Guess he noticed our tail," Rigsby said.
Cho glared at him as he stated the obvious. "Just for that you can call the boss and tell her we lost him."
"You were the one driving, you lost him so you can tell her." Rigsby smirked, "I always told you I was a better driver than you."
"What do you mean you lost him?" Lisbon barked as she spoke to Cho on the phone minutes later. She took a breath. "Okay, tell me where you tracked him until you did." As she listened to him on the other end of the line a line appeared between her eyes. When he'd finished speaking she nodded, "Fine, I might have another idea. Get back here." She paused and smiled, "Think you'll be able to manage to do that without getting lost?"
She came out of her office and to Van Pelt's desk seconds later. "Van Pelt, can you track Patrick Jane's phone?"
Her subordinate stopped the paperwork she was completing and tapped on the keyboard in front of her. "Sure, why what happened?"
"They lost him."
Van Pelt shook her head. "No, seems to be switched off, boss."
Lisbon rolled her eyes. "Yeah, thought it might be," she said under her breath. Louder, "Okay, the financial records of Melissa Jane, you have them, don't you? Credit card statements specifically is what I'm looking for."
Van Pelt dug through some files to her right. "Yeah, here you go," she said brightly as she handed them over.
Lisbon scanned the first page before moving onto the second.
"What are you looking for?" the redhead asked.
Lisbon picked up a highlighter from the desk in front of her and began to mark out entries on the sheets as she moved the paperwork to the conference table beside her. "Hotels." She nodded to Van Pelt. "Come on, help me." She shoved some papers from the file beside her and added, "Mark out all entries where they relate to hotel stays. Melissa Jane was sleeping with Paul Henson. And despite what an 'open' marriage they had I can't see her sleeping with him with Patrick Jane in the house. They're more like to have conducted their relationship at hotels."
Van Pelt was off her chair in a second and began to copy her boss.
"Why not his place?"
"From all accounts it's a little low rent for her. Plus he has a roommate."
"But boss, but if she was having an affair then wouldn't they have used cash for the room?"
"She seemed to like the finer things in life. A hotel room where you pay cash by the hour doesn't seem to fit that. For somewhere nicer you need to show a credit card. Plus, Patrick Jane knew about their relationship. So why would she hide it?" Lisbon smiled as she marked off another entry. "Plus Cho and Rigsby just tailed Jane to two of the hotels I've found already. He went in, was just there briefly before walking back out and driving off again."
Van Pelt grinned, "He's looking for Paul Henson. Thinks he's gone back to one of the hotels he frequented with his wife."
"Yep," Lisbon confirmed. "And looks like he hasn't found him yet." She took a look at her entries. "Okay, I only have two that Jane hasn't already visited on my list. You?"
Van Pelt put her pen down as Lisbon looked over her shoulder. "Just one."
"Great," Lisbon said, "Let's go."
"Which one first?" Van Pelt put on her jacket as Lisbon ruminated for a second.
"He was travelling west when the guys lost him. So I say we'll try yours first. But we'll call them all before we leave, make sure they call us if Patrick Jane comes enquiring."
Lisbon and Van Pelt pulled up at a mid class Hotel chain half way from Sacramento to Los Angeles. They checked with the receptionist who stated that Patrick Jane hadn't been in to check on Paul Henson's whereabouts. They had also not seen Paul Henson himself in weeks. As darkness descended Van Pelt yawned, "Okay, next one?"
Lisbon spied a diner across the street, "No. He'll make his way here eventually. I say we wait. Let's get some coffee."
As they sat with two steaming mugs in front of them Van Pelt asked quietly, "So...your boyfriend is Ryan Hastings, from the D.A.'s office?"
Lisbon's eyes were trained on the building across the street. "Yeah, that's right."
"He's nice. I mean...I've only talked to him a couple of times but-"
"Van Pelt, we don't discuss our personal relationships at work," she interrupted, turning to her briefly. She relaxed her tone, "Sorry...didn't mean to sound harsh but...it's simpler all round to keep work separate from our personal lives."
The other woman reddened immediately, "Sorry-"
"No, that's okay," Lisbon said with a shake of her head. "I know it must seem weird me saying that when I'm with someone I met through work. It's just I'm your boss and-"
"I understand," Van Pelt smiled. "I was just going to say he's pretty good looking."
Lisbon grinned and raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Do I have some competition to worry about?"
"Oh, god, no! I just meant-"
Lisbon laughed, "I'm kidding, Grace. And thanks, I guess."
Van Pelt released a breath. "You're a lucky girl," she teased as she took a long sip of coffee.
Lisbon's smile faded and she sighed, her attention back out the window again, "Yeah, I know I am."
Ten minutes later she watched the lights of Patrick Jane's convertible draw up beside the hotel. As Lisbon went to put her coffee cup down she noticed him turn his attention to the establishment they were in and not the hotel. He smiled wryly at her as she attempted to duck out of sight and sauntered across the street. As he opened the door a bell above it sounded and a waitress came to greet him. "I believe my party have already arrived," he smiled at the middle aged blonde woman who flushed at his soft tone and dazzling smile as he quickly glanced towards Lisbon's and Van Pelt's window booth.
As he came to stand at the end of booth he looked from one to the other as they sat opposite each other. "So, we meet again." He turned to Lisbon. "I didn't think we'd be catching up with each other quite so soon again, Agent Lisbon." His knowing look caused her to smile against her better judgement. Aware of the other woman's glance becoming increasingly suspicious out of the corner of her eye she said to Van Pelt, "Can you chase down the coroner's report, Grace?" Van Pelt stared at her boss and this blond almost stranger who seemed to have quite an effect on her normally unflappable superior. Lisbon added, "Now, Van Pelt," her tone commanding. Van Pelt nodded furiously and moved out of the booth, "I'll check it from the car, boss."
Jane slid into Van Pelt's spot and smiled at Lisbon. She raised her chin and placed her hands around her cup. "So, seems you've had a busy afternoon."
He gestured a 'T' to a nearby waitress and moved the cup in front of him aside. "I could say the same to you. I have to admit, putting a tail on me was a nice touch."
"Well I hope you feel the same way when you're charged with speeding through a red light."
He smirked, "It's not like I can't afford to pay my way out if it."
"When did you realise you were being followed?"
"They were pretty good for the first hour, didn't notice them at all but then I got bored and decided to lose them."
"You weren't surprised to find me here."
"It's late and you have a caffeine habit to feed."
"How did you-"
"Hardly rocket science for a cop to prefer coffee to tea. Plus you smell of it, faintly, but it's there."
She leaned forward on the table, biting her lip as his tea was served and she waited for the waitress to leave. "What are you playing at, Patrick?" she whispered loudly. "I told you to go home."
He frowned as he put milk in his cup and stilled his movements. "As far as I know I don't work for you, Teresa. I don't have to do what you tell me to unlike the redhead."
She rolled her eyes. "I'm trying to help you."
"Yes and you are also trying to use me to find Paul Henson."
"It's my job to find him. And I knew in that interview room you know a damn sight more than what you've told me."
He studied her for a long moment. "Perhaps I do. But before I tell you anything I want a little something in return from you."
She blanched at him and he laughed softly. No, not that." He ran a hand down his face. "Believe me sex is the last thing on my mind at the minute."
"So what do you want then?"
He clicked his tongue. "Well at the moment you currently know a lot about my recent history whereas I know nothing of yours. It's left me feeling somewhat...unbalanced."
"I'm investigating your wife's murder, Patrick. It's my job to find out those details. Not the other way around."
"Yet you're asking me to share information with you. Now...I haven't seen you in over a decade. All I'm asking in return is some details of your recent history. To make sure before I tell you anything that you're the same person I knew and trusted then."
She glowered at him. "And what makes you think I need your help?"
"You're still sitting here even though your coffee is stone cold. And you were waiting here for me."
She rolled her eyes and exhaled. "Jesus, I'd forgotten about your 'quid pro quo' policy. Fine. What do you want to know?"