Jane closed the door to Lisbon's office. Holtz's lawyer was sitting at the desk. He stood up and extended his hand to Jane. He stared at it for a second before the lawyer grinned stupidly. He was tall with dark olive skin and his suit was slightly dishevelled as if he had slept in it. Jane took a quick overview of him determining his weaknesses.

"I was told I was going to meet a specialist," The lawyer said. "Name's Brandon. Phineas Brandon"

"Sit down," Jane said harshly, pushing his hands into his pockets. "I'll talk to you in a minute," He turned to Lisbon. "What the hell?" he said. "You know how to handle idiots-"

"Jane," Lisbon said, clenching her jaw pretending to smile. "Now is not the time to be-"

"I was in the middle of something very busy, and you pull me away from the meeting just for that? I mean c'mon!" Jane indicated towards Brandon. "The man's an idiot. Of course he won't realise the benefits that come from killing someone."

"Wait," Brandon said. "That's not fair."

"Shut up," Jane said. "I'm not talking to you. Did I specifically say anything to you?"

"Well, no..."

"Then shut it," Jane snapped. "Lisbon, Holtz isn't innocent, we have conclusive evidence of that. And you want to let him go? Only an idiot would realise how dead this case is!" He let out a sigh. "I'm outta here,"

"Wait," Brandon said. "You have proof that he did it?"

"Yes," Jane replied. "Eyewitness testimony, fingerprints recovered from the scene, blood found on his clothes, and a gun that was logged out in his name from the country club when the murder was committed." He said. "It's obvious, if I were you, I'd get out of this case as soon as you can. You won't get a single penny once it comes to court."

Brandon stared at Lisbon. "Is this true?" He asked.

Jane winked at her. Lisbon pursed her lips and nodded. "I'm afraid so," She said.

"Right," Brandon picked up his briefcase. "Alright, you can have him another three to four days but after that, you must let him go or charge him with the murder."

Lisbon nodded. "A reasonable request," She said.

Brandon looked between them. He sighed and left. Lisbon stared at Jane. "And what are we gonna do when he finds out that you lied to him?"

"Meh," Jane sat down. "Technicalities." He brushed down his trousers. Lisbon smiled softly. She sat next to him. He smiled. "How are you?" He asked.

She looked away. "I'm fine," She muttered.

Jane sighed and put his arm around her shoulders. She fell across his chest, breathing softly. Her eyes fluttered gently as she fought against impending sleep.

"Patrick?" She whispered.

"Mm?" Jane asked.

"What does it feel like?" She asked.

"What does what feel like?" He asked in return.

"To lose everything..." She whispered. "To feel like you're losing everything? To be lost in a never ending sea of bureaucracy-"

"Sh," he murmured. "You're getting hysterical," He kissed her forehead. Lisbon let out a long breath. Jane rubbed her arm, pulling her closer. He sighed. "I can't explain it," he said.

"Try," Lisbon muttered.

"It's..." Jane took a pause. His eyes flickered over Lisbon's desk looking for a metaphor. He pursed his lips unable to find one. "It's like... Rusty thick nails, nine inches long and sticking through your heart. It's like being crushed by stones or being pelted with paint pellets without wearing the safety vest."

"Why nine inches?" Lisbon asked.

"Just enough to pierce your heart," Jane muttered. "But not enough to let you die peacefully,"

"Oh," Lisbon whispered. "Jane..." he looked at her. "... I'm tired..."

He kissed her again. "I know," He said. "Why did you want to know?"

"I just wanted to compare." She said.

"And?"

"It's pretty much the same,"

"Boss," Cho opened the door and Lisbon and Jane flew apart. Jane began to pace furiously and Lisbon blushed. Cho looked between them. His usual straight face twisted slightly into a smile. "Not interrupting anything am I?" He asked.

"What do you want?" Lisbon snapped.

"Holtz's brother is here," He said. "He's just demanded that we release him."

"Tell him no," Lisbon said.

"I didn't say request," Cho said. "He is demanding,"

Lisbon sighed. "Right," She said. She turned to Jane who raised a quizzical eyebrow. She rolled her eyes and looked at Cho again. She sighed and turned back to Jane. "Alright, what does it mean?" She asked.

Jane shrugged. "Not sure," He replied.

"You always have an opinion," Lisbon said. "Let's hear it,"

Jane shrugged. "It's probably nothing..."

"But..." Lisbon egged him on.

"It sounds like he either loves his brother enough to believe everything he's ever said to him..." Jane muttered.

"Or..."

"Or, he has a guilty conscious. Maybe from a childhood incident where he was bailed out by Holtz and wants to make it up or he killed his sister in law." Jane said.

"Or...?"

"What makes you think there's an 'or'?" Jane asked.

"You always have an alternate theory," Lisbon said. "So who was it Sherlock? The butler?"

"Nah," Jane said. "The butler is too old and kind, he is hiding a seething mass of resentment but he cares for his granddaughter way too much." He grinned looking up at Lisbon. "You just likened me to the greatest detective of all time."

"Yes..." Lisbon said. "So?"

Jane sniggered happily. She sighed and turned back to Cho. "Get him into one of the interview rooms." She ordered. "I'll be there in a minute."

"Sure thing boss," Cho said leaving.

Lisbon sighed and turned back to Jane. He had moved and was now standing beside her. She jumped a little.

"Sorry," He said.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Nothing," He said. "Irene," he leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Are you coming or not?"

She nodded and followed him out of her office.

...

Jane entered the interview room and sat beside Holtz's brother. "James is it?" He asked.

Holtz's brother nodded. "Where is Guy?"

"Guy?" Jane asked. "Oh yes, in a cell with three other men playing wet t-shirt games," He smiled. "I want to play with you,"

Lisbon raised her eyebrows.

"What?" James asked.

"A little game," Jane insisted. He looked up at Lisbon. "Do you mind?"

"As long as you don't hypnotise him I'm fine." Lisbon shrugged, folding her arms and leaning against the door.

"Great," Jane smiled. "James, I would like you to close your eyes."

James stared at him.

"Oh go on," Jane said. "I swear, I won't pinch your nose or make a loud noise,"

James sighed and closed his eyes. Jane smiled and leaned forward.

"Now, James, I want you to relax," Jane said. "Listen to me, I want you to clear all thoughts from your head... Have you done that?"

James nodded.

"Now, this is a word association game," Jane said. "I want you to say the first thing that comes into your mind. Do you understand?"

"Yes,"

Jane motioned a thumbs up to Lisbon and Cho, who he knew was behind the mirror. "Now, James. Let's start with a few simple words. Chair."

"Stake,"

"Very good," Jane said. "Tree,"

"Lightning,"

"Animals,"

"Crow," James muttered.

"I thought you would have said dog," Frowned Jane. "Drink,"

"Martina,"

"Rocks?"

"Twist," James said.

"Ah, interesting." Said Jane leaning forward. "Holiday,"

"Morocco,"

"Cho?" Jane called towards the mirror. "Was Mr James Holtz on holiday in Morocco in the last six months?" There was no answer. Jane smiled. "I'll take that as a yes. Mother,"

"Strict," James muttered.

"Oh, father?"

"Gone,"

"Lindsey Holtz,"

"Murdered,"

"Really, not kidnapped?" Jane asked, raising his eyebrow in pretend shock.

"No," James muttered. His eyes shot open. He stared at Jane, who rolled his eyes and patted James' shoulder.

"We're not done," He said. "Close your eyes again, word association continues. Now, what do you think of when I say; blood?"

"Death,"

"Death?" Jane asked.

"Yes, death!" James slammed his fist down on the table. "What the hell are you playing at? I want my brother,"

Jane leaned back. "Um, Lisbon, this man is a borderline paranoid sadist, Probably hiding something deep and dangerous about his life. I'm not sure what, but I think you should look into it." He stood up.

Lisbon stopped him. "How do you know that?" She asked.

"He paused," Jane said. "He had to think. Not exactly word association when you don't say something that comes into your head immediately," He smiled at her. His eyes flickered and he left.