This continues my series from episode two: Red Hair and Silver Duct Tape

If you do not clearly remember the episode and have no access to the video, you can refresh your memory and provide some context by checking out the mentalist episode scripts at the Springfield!Springfield! site.

I do not own The Mentalist. I make no money from this.

chapter 7: "...indulgence and necessity in one."

The food is delicious.

But.

I continue sampling as he talks. His words, seasoned with good humor, go down easily. Like his meals. His manners are winsome, engaging. He invites trust. Once I was just such a likeable sociopath.

I smile blissfully as I swallow. Nobody must know my suspicions until I have more than unrestrained, unapologetic sensual gratification for evidence.

Even Saint Teresa wouldn't consider gluttony a sin that tends towards murderous lust.

But I know from bitter experience: self-interested excess crowds out what matters most. Luxury isolates. I didn't notice until it was too late.