A/N: I am so sorry that I have not updated this in so long. But I have good news. There's going to be at least 10 more chapters and then it will be finished. I have about 5 more scenes left, which means that I have about 6 or 7 already done that I will be posting over the next week. I've been very busy doing my song challenge FF. But I assure you this one is not being neglected. :)

Thank you to JocelynMcC and 221b Baker Street for the reviews. So sweet! I'm so glad you guys are enjoying it.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Mentalist.

Lisbon and Van Pelt arrived at The Nine within minutes. Van Pelt followed Lisbon in, knowing how furious she was right now at Jane, she knew it was best to stay back.

Lisbon swung the door open to the center. When she walked in she found Jane and Eddie playing a game of Wii. Not surprised, Lisbon folded her arms across her chest.

"Jane."

Jane stood up and turned to look at Teresa. He knew she was upset, he had his sheepish face on, the one where he looked sorry. Eddie turned around without standing and looked back to see Lisbon and Van Pelt. Eddie quickly looked at Jane.

"You know them?" Eddie asked.

"Yeah." Jane answered quietly.

"Eddie Maretto?" Lisbon was now looking solely at Eddie.

Eddie stood up. "How do you know my name?"

Jane looked down, as if he didn't want anyone to see him in this moment. Then he slowly put his hand in the air. Eddie looked at Jane and started to connect the dots just as Lisbon showed her badge.

"Senior Agent Lisbon, this is Junior Agent Van Pelt. We have a few questions regarding the death of Taylor McLane."

Eddie, ignored Lisbon's words, and didn't take his eyes off Jane. "I thought you said you weren't a cop?"

Jane looked up to the eyes that he had deceived. "I'm not. I just work for them."

"Of course you do." Eddie looked over to Lisbon, clearly upset. "Look I had nothing to do with Taylor's death. I didn't even know she died until late last night."

"Who told you? Her death wasn't reported in the paper until today." Van Pelt stated.

"Shannon Lavery called me last night."

Jane shot Lisbon a glance. "What was she calling you for?" Jane asked.

"The girl has had a crush on me since forever. She's always calling and texting me."

"But you had a thing for Taylor?"

Eddie moved his body away from the couch and over to the front window. He looked out the window for a moment before answering. "Yes. But I didn't kill her. I didn't have anything to do with her death."

Lisbon shot Jane a what-do-you-think glance. Jane nodded and looked over to Eddie.

"Well, Eddie, I believe you, but I think your holding something back."

Lisbon stepped forward taking the same direction as Jane. "Do you know where Taylor was the night she was murdered?"

Eddie turned around slowly. "No." Eddie looked down quickly before looking back up and locking eyes with Lisbon. "But I know who she was with."

"Telling us would be helpful." Lisbon said impatiently.

"You've got to-he wouldn't hurt her." Eddie sighed. "Damn!"

Jane stepped closer to Eddie. "The person she was with, your close with them."

"It's my brother. Sal." Eddie seemed to be on the verge of tears. "They've been dating on and off for months. I've been covering for them. Making everyone think I liked her. If my parents found out he was dating a no body, he'd be kicked out of the family. But he didn't kill her, he couldn't have."

"She wasn't a no body. She was a daughter, and a friend." Lisbon was now irritated. "And frankly you don't get to judge who did or didn't kill Taylor McLane."

"That's my job." Jane said with a small smile.

"I'm going to need the whereabouts of your brother."

"I don't know where he is. His line of work takes him all over the place." Eddie said with confidence coming back into his voice.

"You can tell me where to find your brother, or I can hold you in contempt."

Eddie, being cornered with the decision, looked both ways as if he was crossing a street before opening his mouth to talk. He looked straight at Lisbon with eyes that yearned for her to promise him. "You didn't hear it from me, alright?"

"Our lips are sealed." Lisbon assured him.

"I don't know where he is now, but he has a usual hang out. A club, Clover."

"Thank you for being honest, Eddie." Lisbon tried to make eye contact with him, but he simply turned his face away. "Van Pelt will escort you back to school."

"Why?"

"Your 16 and you should be at school instead of in the middle of a murder investigation."

Eddie looked like he was about to protest but he simply just turned around and walked out the door escorted by Van Pelt.

Jane slowly walked over to Lisbon.

"Don't even start with me Jane." Lisbon tried not to keep eye contact with his pleading eyes.

"I was going to call you." Jane tilted his head to the side.

"No you weren't, and you know it."

"Your strategic contempt threat was good." Jane asked changing the subject. "How'd you know he would cave?"

"It's called a back ground check, Jane. He's a straight A student with a full scholarship ride to Penn State for track and field. He's the only one in his family to potentially get a degree and do something that's not illegal with his life. He doesn't want to screw that up. He's worked too hard."

"Changing the subject and complimenting me on my police skills doesn't make it better." Lisbon started walking out the door.

"Maybe just a little?" Jane asks shrugging his shoulders as if he did nothing wrong.

Lisbon rolled her eyes and scoffed at his subtleness.

RnR if you like.