Thank you all so much for the lovely encouragement and all your kind words it really does help me continue writing this story.
Sorry for the wait but I have sprained my wrist and writing had been made a lot harder and slower with only one hand and I am in a lot pain so thinking about the story and the next chapter was a lot harder this week, but I have managed to get something out. I hope you enjoy it anyway.
Oh and I have no real idea how police matters or cases are handled so let's just go with this for the sake of fun. ;)
(All spelling and grammar mistakes are my own ;)
Disclaimer: I want to own The Mentalist, but I sadly don't.
Lisbon waited anxiously for the telephone line to connect, lightly drumming her fingers against the work top as stood in her kitchen. After having spoke to Danny and having tore him a new one for losing her husband within the first 8 hours of being in Vegas she ordered him to stay at the motel and not do anything more till she had contacted him back. Lisbon's first instinct was to ring Cho but then remembered that she would have to explain the whole Danny Ruskin situation, which would put Danny, and herself, in question as to past actions, no doubt resulting Danny being arrested and putting cho as supervisory agent in a difficult spot. Deciding she needed to explore other avenues first she found the telephone number for the local Las Vegas police department.
Danny had explained that a motel chambermaid had also disappeared that same morning and Lisbon knew that the two were most definitely connected. Maybe the maid had witnessed something she shouldn't, getting innocently caught up in this stupid mess. It was then that the phone line made a click and a deep aggressive voice bellowed down Lisbon's cell.
"Detective Jackson"
"Hi, yes my name is Agent Teresa Lisbon from the FBI office in Austin, Texas." Automatically at mentioning the words FBI Lisbon could sense the man tense, putting up his defences. Local police departments never liked outside interference at the best of times but especially the likes of the FBI and Lisbon doubted this detective would be no different.
"Listen Agent, if this is regards the old Reynolds case, I have already passed over most of the files and evidence to you guys..."
"No Detective, this has nothing to do with that, I am calling to chase up any information or leads you may have on the missing girl named Nicki Evans, she was reported missing this morning in your district by her employer Mr Morris at the Ocean Breeze Motel. Two of your men apparently went down to see the owner to check it out..." Lisbon said trying to keep her self detached and professional as she could be, especially as she had a gut feeling this case was definitely related to her own husband disappearance.
"Evans you say? Hang on..." Detective Jackson cupped the receiver end of the phone making his voice sound muffled as he spoke to someone else close by. After a few minutes of muffled noises the detective voice became clearer once more.
"Yes, Ms Nicki Evans, she was reported missing but as we told the old man with no evidence of a struggle and the fact she is a grown woman, she has to be missing 24 hours before we file an official missing person case, now if there is nothing else I am..."
Lisbon sighed at Jackson's attempted to try and fob her off "Actually Detective, we have suspicion to believe this is connected with another disappearance that happened at the same motel, sometime in the last 12 hours, Patrick Jane, he...
"Hang on, my guys didn't mention any other disappearance at the motel. Patrick Jane? Is he an employee too?."
"No, he is a just guest and the motel isn't yet aware of Mr Jane's disappearance. Look, I reason to believe they have both been abducted and...
"So...how do FBI know about this guy then?" Jackson asked suspiciously, cutting Lisbon off as she tried to explain knowing there was something the female agent wasn't telling him.
"Uh... A anonymous source. look I have reason to believe the two cases are definitely connected and so I need you to officially file the Evans missing case and get your team...'
"Hey, I decide what does and doesn't get issued here, what makes you think this Jane has disappeared anyway? Jackson snapped back he wasn't about to take orders from the FEDS over what was still his jurisdiction or a simple missing person case.
"No... but..." Before Lisbon could finish her sentence the arrogant detective cut across her.
"Was there signs of a struggle? Evidence of any abduction? Blood? Witnesses?"
"No, as I was saying..." Lisbon said trying to explain what she actually did know and trying in vain to ignore the detective abrupt rudeness but before she could finish Jackson cut her off once again.
"Listen sweetheart, I am not sure who this Jane guy is? or why the FED's are interested in him but there is a big chance that he and the chambermaid have just gone off together" Lisbon closed her eyes in frustration, taking her bottom lip between her teeth, keeping herself from exploding explitives down the phone at the jackass who was suggesting her husband had just run off with another woman. Unfortunately the detective continued.
"It happens all the time in Vegas, men come here for business or pleasure, end up gambling, drinking too much, then going off with some maid or cocktail waitress that they end up fucking. Then 3 days later they turn up with a gigantic hangover before going home to clueless wife and family..." Jackson smirked knowing that should send the little FED agent on her way with her tail between her legs.
Lisbon felt her anger rising at the arrogant ass on the other end of the phone treating like she was a rookie cop just out of the academy. Speaking in the most authoritive voice she could find Lisbon addressed the Detective. "Listen to me Detective Jackson, this man is a valued FBI consultant and I can gurantee you that he hasn't just run off with a maid. I believe him to have been abducted along with a young woman named Nicki Evans, if you do not start taking this seriously then I will go to your superiors and trust me I will make sure your slack ass is kicked out of the door quicker than you can say retirement, now do I make myself clear... Now I want you to file this as a missing person case, send your men to look into the disappearance of Nicki Evans, then send me over all the details, any evidence and records for this girl to FBI head office in Austin to a Agent Wylie. Is that clear?
"Uh..." Jackson stuttered a little, taken back by her firm sudden change in tactics.
"Is that clear Detective Jackson?" Lisbon repeatedly angrily.
"Yes, Ma'am." Before the Detective could say anymore Lisbon hung up the line, throwing her cell down hard on the worktop in anger. Lisbon stood in the kitchen attempting to get her emotions undercontrol, knowing full well that Jane would never cheat on her or run off with some woman but it didn't make hearing it any less easy. It was then the thought of Jane and Lorelei Martins entered her head. Lisbon was feeling like history was suddenly repeating itself and she had some how been transported back 4 years when she thought Lorelei had abducted Jane. Pushing her bad memories away she made herself refocus on finding Jane. Picking her cell phone back up she quickly speed dialled Wylie direct number.
"Hey, Wylie its Lisbon. Listen, Jane's in trouble and I really need your help."
6 hours later Lisbon stepped out of the yellow Vegas taxi cab scanning her eyes briefly over the Vegas motel now stood in front of her. It looked pleasant enough, a little run down but it felt friendly and welcoming and she knew that was probably why Jane had chosen to stay there. Pulling out her cell phone she pressed the last number dialled.
"Hey Sam, it's me, I am finally here. How is Mikey?" Lisbon asked apprehensively.
Having to leave Mikey had been hundred times harder than she ever expected it to be, she hadn't really thought about how being separated from him would really effect her plus it seemed a lot easier knowing that Jane would be around for him too and that had definitely influenced her decision but now that Jane was missing and she had flown 3 hours across the country leaving her poor baby boy behind, she felt like someone had ripped out her heart.
"Hey sweetie, yes Mikey is fine, just like he was 3 hours ago when you rang from the airport, look honey don't you worry, ok, we just fed the ducks, had some lunch and he is now having his afternoon nap. He is fine, he is loved and cared for. You just focus on finding that scallywag of a husband of yours, ok. I will call you if there is any problems I promise, but trust me we will be fine and Mikey will have a great time with his Auntie Sam. I promise you. You just focus on finding his daddy..."
"Okay... thank you Sam. I will call you a bit later. "Lisbon voice croaked a little as tears began filling up in her eyes, she wasn't sure if she was upset over missing Mikey or Sam's kind reassuring words.
Ending the call Lisbon placed her cell phone in her jeans pocket, straightening herself up regaining some self control. Carrying her overnight bag in one hand Lisbon marched into the motel carpark and began her search for room 235.
It was just gone 2pm when there was a hard loud knock on the motel door. Danny had been fretting and panicking since arriving back at the room that morning, so the sound of the knocking made him leaped 2ft in the air from the queen size bed. Slowly and quietly Danny crept his way over to the door, sliding his body up against the door and leaning over to look through the spy hole.
"Open up Danny, it's Teresa."
At hearing Teresa's voice Danny let out a big sigh of relief, relaxing his body and turning the door handle. Lisbon strode purposely into the room dumping her bag heavily down on the floor by the first bed she reached
"thank god teresa, I have been going out of my mind since this morning... and I am starving? Have you got any food?"
Turning to face Danny Lisbon angrily eyed the man in front of her. "Food? You seriously asking me for food? My husband is missing, I have flown 3 hours to get here, leaving my baby boy back home in Texas. Jane has probably been taken hostage and god knows what else, by this psycho you own money too and your asking me for God damn food Danny?
"Okay, okay I am sorry... I didn't ... I am sorry..." Danny said guilty seeing the geniune anger and distress in the eyes of the small woman standing opposite him.
Lisbon ran her hand through her hair trying not to let her emotions over rule her head. She needed to be FBI Agent Lisbon right now and not Mrs Jane or mummy if she was going to get Jane back home safely.
Swallowing down her need to punch the ignorant fool stood in front of her she inhaled a deep soothing breath. "okay, so has there been any sign of anything odd or any unusual happening since you got back this morning?
"Well, the cops were here a while back. checking out the room a few doors down."
"Okay, that's good, that means Wylie should be getting the missing personcase details anytime now"
"Wylie, who's Wylie?"
"He is my colleague..."
"YOU told the FED's!" Danny yelled believing Lisbon had basically just shopped him to the cops.
"I am the FED's Danny... don't worry I didn't mention you, ok. We both be in deep trouble if I did that. Besides Wylie will just be helping me out for information, digital tracking on trying to trace Jane."
Suddenly the sound of a hard wrap came from the motel room door interrupting them. Both Danny and Lisbon froze still staring at it. "Police. open up" a male voice said loudly.
Seeing even more fear flash up in Danny eyes Lisbon motioned her head towards the bathroom, letting him know to go hide whilst holding her finger up to her lips to show for him to keep silent. Lisbon knew the local PD would probably check out her claim about Jane going missing at the hotel but she had the impression Detective Jackson wasn't particularly bothered about investigating it so she hadn't expected them to show up so soon.
Inhaling a big breath, readying herself to try and fabricate some story of why she was now in Vegas Lisbon opened the door. Expecting to see two uniform cops on the other side, Lisbon eyes widen in shock when she instead was greeted with a slightly pissed off Supervising Agent Kimball Cho.