Chapter 7
I apologize for the delay in the chapter. I've been dealing with some writer's block and just recently I got out my "I Love Lucy" DVD's, which is one of my favorite shows too, besides The Mentalist. That helped me to get inspired for this story.
Lisbon arrived at the police station ready and willing to go with whomever she needed to go with for an interview. She then noticed Walter Mashburn in the bullpen sitting at a desk with Cho and Rigsby. Cho signaled her to join them. She pulled up a chair from a empty desk and sat next to the two cops.
"Teresa, it's great to see you." Mashburn said looking carefully up and down at Lisbon. He took a long look at Rigsby and Cho in their police uniforms. "You're friends with these guys?" Walter questioned.
"We're the cops investigating the murder of Timothy Carter. That's why you were sent here." Cho said.
"I was wondering why the Chief sent me here. Oh, such tragedy! I don't understand the point of someone killing him. " Mashburn said. "Teresa, what are you doing here?"
"I'm doing a job shadow with these cops." Lisbon admitted. Mashburn took a look and grimaced a little. "You little lady being involved with the cops?"
Lisbon ignored Mashburn's response.
"We want to ask you some questions." Rigsby said.
"Oh, this is thrilling! Am I a suspect?" Mashburn asked.
"We are looking at possibilities." Cho said.
"Where were you two nights ago?" Rigsby asked.
"Oh, so I am a suspect. Yes, there have been times when I've wanted Timothy dead." Mashburn smirked.
Cho glared at him wanting him to answer the question.
"Alright, I was on a date. She was a very lovely woman. We went to Philipe's French Bistro." Mashburn said.
"Who may I ask was your date?" Lisbon asked.
"Oh, yes, Betty Larson. Such a doll." Mashburn said. "Are you finished with me yet?"
"No. Was there any conflict beteween Mr. Carter and anyone at the office?" Rigsby asked.
"No, well, clients get upset at times." Mashburn said. "I can think about a number of times clients punched me in the nose. Am I done?"
"Yes." Rigsby answered.
Mashburn straightened his tie and suit as he strolled out the door abruptly while Cho and Rigsby sat perplexedly. Cho and Rigsby glanced at each other as Cho remarked. "We don't need to waste our time on this guy."
Jane took out his box of cash from his shows stored in the drawer at the small kitchen. Today he was going do some shopping and preparing for his move today. Charlotte would be coming with him today. He heard the knocking on the door around 9:00A.M. He opened it revealing Sam and Pete. He moved from the kitchen and opened the door seeing his dear friends.
" Good morning and hello, what I can I do for you?" He answered.
"Paddy, we heard the Ruskins weren't too happy with you." Pete sternly said stepping into the trailer. Sam took a seat on the bed where Charlotte laid asleep and looked at Jane sternly. She rubbed the little girl's cheek carefully.
"Already?" Jane questioned raising his eyebrows.
"Well, you know news travels fast. Millie was complaining to me." Sam scolded. "It isn't fair."
"Yes, they were upset and I tried to explain they could see her anytime." Jane said.
"Millie told me to try to convince you to stay. I didn't know what to say to that. I know you won't change your mind." Sam said. "That's still true, right?"
"Yes, my mind has been made up. I need to do this, it's for the best." Jane explained.
Pete noticed the money box out on the counter. "What are you doing with that money?"
"I'm going into town to do some shopping and I'm taking Charlotte today." Jane said.
"You're taking her on the outside?" Sam asked. "Is that a wise idea?"
"I'm going to have to eventually. I'm asking Teresa to come." Jane said.
"You're in trouble, aren't you with that woman." Pete stared expectantly knowing Jane had developed a liking for the woman.
"Well, I do like her as a matter of fact." Jane said. "She's just someone I just met."
"You still be careful." Sam said. "We worry about you and Charlotte."
"I'll be fine." Jane said.
Sam and Pete slipped out the door as Jane started thinking about when Angela was looking forward to their possible move.
"Can you believe in a few months we're going to be a family living in a house, the baby and us?" Angela said putting a hand on her swollen belly.
"I know. It'll be great." Patrick said reluctantly. He was happy about being a father but wasn't sure about moving away. "What are your parents going to say to you moving?"
"They'll hate it. How are we all going to live in this trailer, it's cramped as it is with the two of us." Angela reminded. " I can't wait to have a little house with maybe a garden in the back and yard for our child to play in." Angela said excitedly.
"Let me guess you want a white picket fence." Patrick said guessing.
"That would be nice. We'll be normal people, a normal family in one place, not traveling and people not looking at us like we're scum. It'll be nice to just fit in." Angela dreamed.
"Yes, it'll be swell." Patrick responded. He wasn't sure if he wanted to leave. The carnival was his home and he had no idea what he would do on the outside world, but he would satisfy Angela.
Jane came back from his memory. He was fulfilling Angela's dream, though it was three years late and not exactly how she envisioned. He was moving Charlotte to downtown Sacramento in an apartment. It was close enough to Angela's hope-a life outside the carnival, a real home for Charlotte. The only thing missing was Angela. She wasn't there to experience it. She was dead, never to see it. He was moving for her and their child.
After getting Charlotte up and dressed, he said. "Sweetie, we're going on a little trip today."
"We are?" The little girl responded looking lovingly at her father. Her eyes were giddy with adventure as she jumped up and down in rhythm. Jane smiled and looked upon Charlotte proudly.
Lisbon heard two knocks on the door at 2:00 in the afternoon after spending the morning interviewing Mr. Mashburn and going over the crime scene. The officers didn't get as much done with investigating the crime as they liked since other things came up that needed to be attended to right away. So, they decided to let her go home and said they would call her when they needed her. She changed into a dress after being in her pants in the morning. One big knock and one tiny knock. She opened the door and revealed Jane holding Charlotte. Lisbon was surprised he showed up. Then she remembered what Minelli said about the woman at the trailer park. She didn't know whether she should tell Jane about his wife and that his wife was possibly murdered and how he would react to the news. For now, she would wait until she was alone with him because she didn't want to tell him with his daughter present. She thought it sad that the little girl never knew her mother. She couldn't imagine not knowing her mother. Even though her own mother died when she was young, she at least had 12 wonderful years with her. This sweet little girl nestling in her father's arms could never know the joy of a mother's love. But she knew she was lucky to have a father with the same amount of love.
"Hello, I thought I would show Charlotte where we're going to live." Jane said with a large excited grin on his face.
"Hi, Charlotte, how are you?" Lisbon said to the little girl.
"Hi." The little girl quietly said and buried her head on her father's chest.
"Oh, you remember Teresa. She looked at your picture." Jane said to the little girl looking at her with loving eyes. "You don't have to be shy with her."
"It's okay. I'm still new." Lisbon said. "Come in."
He entered in the apartment. Charlotte clutched tighter to her father unsure of the new surrounding."I also wondered if you would go furniture shopping with us if it's not a big deal." Jane said.
"Sure, I would love to." Lisbon said and smiled.
"Where did you get your furniture?" Jane asked gazing at the couch and chairs in the small living room of the apartment.
"Part of it I brought from Chicago. My bed and dresser came from home. Everything else I got here. The kitchen items were already here." Lisbon admitted. "I could take you to the store I bought the furniture."
Going to the apartment Jane was renting, they looked around the empty room. Jane had put Charlotte down. She was excited walking around the different rooms not knowing what to think with the space.
"Yes, we're going to live here." Jane said as they followed Charlotte to an empty bedroom.
Going out the building Jane carried Charlotte. She looked at the yellow cabs and cars driving down the street. She looked at the buildings. The three took a cab downtown while Charlotte still looked plastered to the window wide eyed at the sights of the city. Lisbon smiled at the curiosity of the child who clearly hadn't seen anything beyond the carnival.
"I take it she hasn't seen beyond the carnival." Lisbon stated.
"No, she hasn't." Jane answered. "It took a long time for me to see anything past the carnival world. I was 12 when I was first exposed. Even in Carson Springs, we never ventured out too much past our trailer park. Unless we needed supplies and typically children don't go." Jane admitted.
After being dropped off at the shopping district, they walked to the furniture store. The large display window showcased a bed and night stand. Charlotte looked curiously at the window. "Big Bed."
"We're going to get beds for both of us. Teresa's going to help us." Jane told his daughter.
They entered the store and right away the bearded salesman in a suit came up to them. He eagarly greeted them with a look of anticipation that said he was eager to make a sale.
"May I help you?" The man asked. "My name is Ron. And I'll be pleased to help you."
"Yes, we're looking for furniture." Jane said. "We're moving to an apartment." Jane said.
"What in particular are you looking for?" Ron the salesman asked.
"We need beds for sure, a couch, and dresser. The apartment already has a refrigerator and oven and sink." Jane said.
The salesman took them to the bed and mattress section. "I assume your wife here would do the honors." The salesman noticed Lisbon.
"Oh, I'm not..." Lisbon started to say.
"Oh, I'm sure she'd be delighted to. Isn't that right, dear?" Jane interrupted grinning at Lisbon. She shot off an annoyed look.
"Well, I suppose I could." Lisbon said looking at the range of choices of beds. She chose the bed she thought fit Jane.
"And now for the little one's bed." The salesman said as they walked over to the children's beds. Charlotte looked at the beds in awe. She pointed to one and decided that would be the one.
Finally, they arrived at the couch section. "Now I would like to be in charge of the couch selection." Jane said.
The salesman showed them a few choices which Jane tried out sitting. " ." Jane said.
Finally, after much searching Jane spotted the perfect one. A brown leather couch. He right away tested in sitting but then he sprawled out across putting his hands behind his head and looked at the salesman, Lisbon and Charlotte. "Yes, this is the one." Jane said.
Charlotte climbed on and hugged her father.
"It's brown." Lisbon said.
"It's perfect." Jane said carefully taking Charlotte in his arms again getting up.
"But sir, the other ones we showed you were brand new. We just got them in. This one is used and nobody has ever looked at this one." The salesman said.
"This is my couch and I want it. It's perfect." Jane said grinning.
After picking out the furniture, Jane went to pay at the register. The clerk gave them the numbers of furniture and the clerk register rung them up. Jane took out his money and Lisbon was surprised he paid in cash. He told the clerk to have the furniture he purchased at the apartment the next week. He even had some cash left over.
"Charlotte, do you want to pick out some new clothes. You need some new dresses." Jane leaned down and asked the little girl and she nodded positively.
"Yes, Daddy." Charlotte said excitedly.
"Teresa, do you know a good store?" Jane looked up to Lisbon.
"Yes, I know a place. The store has everything. I believe there were children's clothes." Lisbon explained.
"Splendid." Jane grinned.
They arrived at the large department store with women's clothes, men clothes and children's clothes. Charlotte stood wide-eyed seeing the store. They arrived at the children's section.
"So, it must be difficult being the only parent?" Lisbon asked carefully. She wasn't sure how he would respond.
"It's been challenging, but having Sam and Pete helps and Angela's parents. Charlotte's babyhood was challenging but they helped me." Jane admitted.
"Is this the first time she's picked out her clothes?" Lisbon asked.
"Yes, because Millie's the one who made Charlotte's clothes. Right now I'm not their favorite person." Jane confessed.
"Oh, you told them you're moving." Lisbon reacted.
"Yes, they weren't too happy I'm moving." Jane said.
A woman clerk came up to them, "Hello, may I help you?"
"My daughter wants to pick out new clothes." Jane said.
"Well, hello little dear, are you excited?" The clerk looked down at Charlotte.
The little girl nodded positively. A few minutes later, they picked out several dress choices and play clothes choices. After a while, the woman looked at Lisbon with discontent. Lisbon looked away not sure why this woman looked at her that way. Then she realized looking at Jane's ring on her finger and her own hand which was ringless.
Jane noticed the clerk's disapproving look and decided to save the moment. "Ah, oh, my wife's ring is being resized. She never thinks it's the right size." Jane grinned at Lisbon. "Right, dear? I told you it fits fine." He looked at his own ring.
"Are you getting new clothes?" Lisbon asked Jane knowing she had see him in the same suit and vest ever since she met him.
"Oh, I don't need new clothes." Jane refused.
They paid for the four dresses at the register. They walked out onto the street. "Your wife is having her ring resized?" Lisbon asked confusedly. "What was that all about?"
"The clerk was disapproving us being together. She saw my ring and your ringless finger. I had to say something. I don't want anybody to judge you because you're with me."
"I very well could've been your sister for all she knew." Lisbon put her hands on her hips.
"No, you don't look like my sister. Somehow, she saw you differently." Jane said. "Like I was cheating on my wife."
"Oh." Lisbon responded, "I guess I never thought of what others might think." They spent a moment looking at each other.
"Thanks for coming with us." Jane changed the subject at hand.
"You're leaving now?" Lisbon asked disappointedly. She was enjoying the day with the father and daughter.
"You think we're leaving now?" Jane asked.
"You just acted like you were." Lisbon reminded.
"No, we're not. I'm starving. I saw a diner I approve of down the block. I want to go delight my taste buds. Are you doing anything?" Jane asked.
"No, I'll eat with you and Charlotte." Lisbon said.
"Great!"Jane grinned.
They arrived at the diner with the flashing neon sign, Joe's Diner. Red plastic booths, wooden tables and chairs, checkered floors and a jukebox filled the room. The front counter was along with a back kitchen where cooks were busy frying foods.
A waitress with a messy brown hair bun came up to them. "How many?" Bubblegum popped in her mouth.
"Two adults, one child." Jane said.
She grabbed a coloring page and crayons and grabbed a booster seat. She led them to a booth. Lisbon sat on one side and Jane and Charlotte on the other.
Charlotte looked wide eyed at the neon, flashing blue and orange jukebox. Jane and Lisbon noticed the curiosity of the little girl.
"What dat?" She pointed to the jukebox with the records turning.
"It plays music." Lisbon said turning her head at the large neon machine with the buttons and list of songs.
"Isn't that neat, honey?" Jane looked at the little girl.
"Juebo." Charlotte responded. "Mu-sik."
"Yes." Jane said.
Looking at another couple with a child around the same age, a boy. He was talking away.
"I know she doesn't talk as much as she should." Jane took note. "She's smart. She looks at things. She knows when I show her." Jane said.
Lisbon noticed the other child. "My brother didn't start having full conversations until he was five." Lisbon reassured.
"I've never read any books on parenting. I've always guessed, though some of the other parents gave me advice." Jane said.
"With my brothers, I did the same thing. I didn't know what I was doing half the time and they turned out fine." Lisbon said. "You love her and she knows that." The waitress came to take their orders.
"May I interest you in drinks? My name is Jody and I'll be taking care of you."
"Tea for me." Jane said.
"Coffee" Lisbon said.
"And the little one?" The waitress asked.
"Milk for her." Jane said.
The waitress left to get the drink orders. Jane took a look at the menu and took a look towards his daughter. "What do you want, sweetie?" He read off the children's menu for her and she listened intently to her father.
The waitress came back to take their order and distributed the drinks. "Did you have a chance to decide?"
"I'll have the hamburger." Lisbon said.
"Meatloaf." She'll have the macaroni and cheese." Jane said.
The waitress wrote down the orders and left to turn them in.
"So, how is working with the cops?" Jane asked looking at Lisbon.
"It's been fine, though some of them don't know how to react to me being a woman. One doesn't like me too well, but I haven't gone with him. I went with them to interview a couple of suspects including my boss." Lisbon admitted.
"What have you found out?" Jane asked.
"I'm not telling you. It's a private matter. You're not involved." Lisbon refused.
"I won't tell anyone and Charlotte certainly won't say anything."
Lisbon considered this and knew crime investigations were to be kept private and she shouldn't be sharing information with a civilian. Of course, the cops probably still considered her one as well, but Minelli was willing to let her observe them and go with them. She never expected anyone to do that for her, to go above and beyond accepting her as a possible cop. Jane had seen the crime scene and read Mr. Carter. She would tell him, however she didn't want a whole diner of people to hear it.
"Okay, I will tell you, but I'd rather talk about it in private." Lisbon finally said.
Jane considered what she said. "Fair enough. I look forward to hearing about it in private." Jane grinned. "I'll talk about me then, if you don't mind. I found a job in this great town. I won't be doing my act, of course."
"It's wonderful." Lisbon smiled.
"It's not what anybody would call a job of their dreams. I was hired to be a janitor at a school." Jane said.
"It's still a job." Lisbon said. "What school?"
"The one a couple blocks away from, well, now our apartment building." Jane stated.
"That's the black school?" Lisbon questioned. "I believe it is, anyway."
"I know. The prinicipal is a good person. She's a strong woman like yourself who had to work hard for her job." Jane said speaking of Principal Hightower. "You're not against that, are you?" He took a long look at Teresa's stunned face.
Lisbon reacted and changed her face realizing she must have shown disapproval, which wasn't true. "I'm just surprised, that's all. I didn't expect that."
" Well, I actually was looking at schools for Charlotte and I came across it. Some of the places in town didn't really want me and I saw the school was advertising for a janitor so I went there." Jane admitted.
"Why wouldn't they want you?" Lisbon said confused.
"I'm a carnie, that's why. They knew I was part of the carnival, at the least the diner I tried. It wasn't this one." Jane confessed.
Charlotte took a sip of milk in the small plastic cup. During the whole time, she was focused on coloring her page and didn't pay attention to her dad or Lisbon.
"Charlotte, did you have fun today?" Lisbon asked realizing she was focused on talking to Jane.
Charlotte looked up shyly at Lisbon but then grinned with her little pigtails. "Yes."
"That's good." Lisbon said.
"You got new clothes and your own bed. What more could you ask for?" Jane said.
Throughout the time people came in and out by the sound of the doorbell. Lisbon looked and a familiar redhead with a ponytail walked in the door with a white short sleeve blouse and a large black skirt with an embroidered poodle dog and saddle shoes. Grace walked past them and looked.
"Teresa, hi, it's surprising to see you here." Grace said stopping in front of Lisbon.
"I'm just having dinner." Lisbon said. "You look different." Lisbon examined Grace's clothes.
"Oh, I know teenagers are ones wearing them, but I wanted to try the poodle skirt." Grace said embarrassed at the wardrobe.
"Are you with someone?" Lisbon asked.
"No, not really. I'm just wanting to eat something." Grace admitted. She then saw Jane and Charlotte. Jane grinned at her. "Sorry, I'm interrupting something."
"Oh, why don't you join us?" Jane said. "You know Teresa?"
"I work with her." Grace said. "I did, but our office is closed."
"Oh, Grace, this is Patrick Jane and his daughter Charlotte. Jane, this is Grace Van Pelt, my coworker."
"Great to meet you, I really haven't heard anything about you. Teresa hasn't talked much about her friends." Jane said.
Grace motioned to Lisbon to talk to her and whispered. "He's the psychic you met?" Grace said. "He has a child?"
"Yes, he's the psychic." Lisbon frustrated with Grace behaving like a gossiping teenager, she covered her noticeable blush.
"Really?" He obviously likes you if he trusts your opinion on furniture." Grace said looking back at the booth with Jane and Charlotte. "And he has a little girl."
"I didn't know right away. Her mother died. Grace, you don't have to be so excited. You barely know me. I'm his friend, that's all." Lisbon stated seriously.
"You're the only friend I know." Grace said.
Getting back to the booth, Lisbon noticed their food arrived. Charlotte was eating away and Jane waited. "I waited for you, though Charlotte was pretty hungry."
"That's alright." Lisbon said getting seated in the booth and Grace joining her on her side. The waitress noticed Grace and came and took her drink order and gave her a menu.
"So, you're done with your girl talk about me." Jane grinned.
"No, we're not." Lisbon denied.
"Yes, you were. Grace was asking about my affection for you and of course you blushed."
"I didn't blush." Lisbon denied.
"Yes, you did." Jane said than turned his eyes on Grace. "So, Grace, I take it you're not from around here. Somewhere in the midwest according to your accent."
"Uh, yes, Iowa. I wanted to get away and experience something new." Grace admitted.
"Ah, Iowa, it's a nice state. I've been through it on the circuit.I didn't get to see everything." Jane said.
"You're the psychic at the carnival in town. My cousin Yolanda is a psychic." Grace said.
"Is that right?" Jane answered. "Though I won't be psychic too much longer. Charlotte and I will be moving into Teresa's apartment building next week."
"Maybe you could help with the case of our boss' murder. I'm assuming Teresa told you about that. I remember a couple leaving the office after I worked a little late one night." Grace suggested. "Perhaps they were somewhat suspicious to me."
"That's interesting. Lisbon, you should tell Minelli." Jane said. "And we did notice that investigator at the crime scene." Then he put his fingers to his chin. "Maybe you do need a psychic."
I realize I didn't have much with the case and I will try to get more next chapter though I had fun writing this chapter. I'm still working on Our Life From On. I will try to update as soon as possible. I've been writing a little at a time on both stories. Feedback is appreciated.