Author's Notes: Thank you Yana for the editing!
Thanks to the following for reviewing: shopping-luva91, xxxBekaForEvaxxx, lisbon69 (It's been snowing all day yesterday and today where I am.), Ebony10, MK (Yes, Jane carefully planned that whole car ride I'm sure.), yaba (We don't get to see Jane take care of Lisbon much in the show as much as we see him try to apologize/cheer her up.), lisbonloafers (Glad you learned something ), SL727, bibou09 (Thanks for deciding to leave a comment! I couldn't tell by your writing that English isn't your first language, grammar and spelling seemed fine to me. I'm glad you like the story!), Hikaru Ceres (Glad you noticed the age deference. What Jane said was loosely based on what my mom said. She said something to the effect of realizing her age, she can't stay mad as long as she used to, arguing takes a lot of energy lol. I don't know what the character's ages are supposed to be, according to Wikipedia Jane is "about forty" and Lisbon is "mid thirties". The actors themselves are forty and thirty-seven respectively.)
Please read and review! Thanks!
Chapter 10
Jane and Lisbon arrived at Laura Snell's home and business in Burbank later in the morning. Van Pelt called them before to let them know that Snell was an interior decorator whose office and home were at the same address. It was apparent to the two in Burbank that the bottom floor of their suspect's house had been converted into a store front, which probably meant that the top floor was her personal living space.
Even from just observing the exterior of the building they could tell it was an older home, built perhaps about thirty years ago then remodeled. It was kept very well, the paint seemingly fresh with no chipped patches or faded color due to weather. There were flowers out front leading up the walkway to the office door, a homey touch that felt slightly artificial.
The large front windows allowed them to see that their suspect appeared to be with a client. They walked in, a bell rang, announcing their passage through the doorway. Laura Snell looked up and flashed them a welcoming smile, probably mistaking them for potential customers. Jane smiled back then immediately wandered around the showcase room, photographs all over the walls (presumably her past projects), framed magazine clippings, and panels with various samples from carpet to linoleum.
Lisbon was very direct when it came to an investigation and had already made her way to Snell, flashing her badge and explaining CBI business. Jane was watching the woman's reaction. Her inquisitive smile seemed to twitch just the barest amount, hardly noticeable, but the way the blood just drained from her face… Lisbon hadn't even explained why they were there yet. It just seemed to scream "GUILTY!!!"
Jane knew, however, that her reaction didn't necessarily mean she was the murderer. Possibly she was marginally involved, as marginally as not taking a threat seriously and then realizing (upon viewing police coming up to them) that the threat may have been valid and praying to whatever deity she believed in that it wasn't what she thought. He had a hunch, but kept it unformulated long enough to check the suspect's reactions, surroundings, and perhaps engage her himself just to confirm his theory.
Snell excused herself from her client, having been close to wrapping up their session when Lisbon and Jane had come in.
"What's this about?" she asked, anxiety apparent in her voice, as well as her attempt to mask it. The color of her face had improved, but she was still a tad too pale.
"We are investigating the murder of Samuel Dunlop," Lisbon stated, they could hear the home decorator's gasp as she covered her mouth with a shaking hand, she looked down to the side, possibly to hide tears.
"Why don't you take a seat," Jane said, playing the part of gallant gentleman, guiding the speechless woman to the low backed stool next to the island style table top she had been at with her client earlier.
After a moment Lisbon continued, standing in front of Snell, "What was your relationship with Mr. Dunlop?"
"Um, he was a client," she sniffed, using her fingertips to wipe under her tear reddened eyes. Lisbon restrained her natural reaction to raise a skeptical eyebrow. There was no way someone would have such a reaction if it was strictly a business relationship.
"How long have you known him?" Lisbon continued.
"Uh, for about six months," the sitting woman replied. She had finally pulled herself together, hands clasped together tightly over her black pencil skirt. Laura Snell seemed to have shrunk from her already diminutive stature, her slightly wavy bob cut making her appear childlike and showing the line of her thin neck.
"What did he hire you for?" Lisbon asked patiently.
"He uh- he bought a new home and wanted to surprise his wife," she stuttered.
"And I bet she was surprised by the affair," Jane quipped with his typical benign look.
"Huh-what?!" stammered the shocked woman, eyes large. Lisbon gave him "the look" that included pursed lips and the tired expression of disapproval. He was just voicing what they both suspected.
"It-it wasn't like that! We had a professional relationship," Snell defended, hands turning white from how tightly she was now clasping them together.
Jane stared at her, humored smile still in place, then he leaned away from her, brows lifting a bit as his eyes shifted away, tipping his head to one shoulder as he shrugged nonchalantly, "Okay, so you weren't in an affair, but you wished for one, a very one sided affair that Sam didn't feel comfortable with so he fired you. It's understandable that you'd be upset."
Snell just stared at Jane, mouth not quite hanging open. Then she finally got her wits about her and became indignant, "How dare you! What right do you have to-to accuse me of these things?"
Jane stood totally unfazed, as per usual, hands in pockets, "It's a free country. You should calm down, I'm pretty confident that you didn't kill him. In fact I'd say it was your jealous girlfriend- or boyfriend- the vibe you're sending me is a little mixed. I guess whatever the flavor of the month is."
"I'm terribly sorry Ms. Snell, excuse us a moment," Lisbon cut in as she dragged Jane away by his elbow and out the store door, leaving a very dumbfounded woman sitting alone.
"Jane, what the hell was that?" she asked in a harsh whisper as soon as the door closed, bell tinkling.
"She's not the killer, but she knows who is," Jane said simply.
Lisbon closed her eyes and finally released her hold on the consultant's elbow, "What was that about a girlfriend or boyfriend?"
"She's in a relationship, her partner found out about our little woman's attempted infidelity and likely killed Dunlop in a fit of jealousy," Jane calmly explained as though it were the most obvious thing.
"And where did you get this information? How do you even know that she's… lesbian? Bisexual? Don't tell me it was the type of hair product she uses or something equally ridiculous," Lisbon castigated.
"It was the way she looked at you," he replied.
"What?"
"Women naturally appreciate the beauty of both men and women, whereas men try to only focus on a woman's beauty, if women are their preference anyway. Generally when we interview women who are interested in men she may appreciate both our looks, but then size you up. Sure, many aren't even thinking about it, not their prerogative, just a subconscious action. Ms. Laura Snell wasn't sizing up either of us."
Lisbon stared at him dumbfounded, not even wanting to believe him, not sure how she should feel about his observation, then tried to brush it off, "That's totally ridiculous."
Jane grinned at her, "Not at all, we're very attractive people."
Lisbon waved her hands in the air, "Jane! That isn't what I'm talking about! You can't just generalize people like that. How do you even know she has a boyfriend or girlfriend? You know what? Never mind, I just need you to stay out here while I finish questioning her."
Jane shrugged; he was fine with that plan of action. He already got all the information he wanted and was pretty satisfied with himself, now he just waited for the evidence to fall into place, confirming that he was right.
Just before Lisbon opened the door, she turned around, pointing at him and pinning him in place with "the look". "Don't leave that spot. I don't want you wandering around and breaking into her personal living area, car, or anywhere else for that matter. Stay right there."
"Don't you trust me?" Jane asked in his most innocent voice, which wasn't really innocent at all.
She just narrowed her eyes at him, jabbing a finger at him in warning as she reentered the shop.
***
By Friday, the Samuel Dunlop case was closed. It did turn out that Samuel Dunlop had in fact been a faithful man (though Lisbon and others had suspected otherwise, it wouldn't be the first time) and had resisted Laura Snell's advances, having talked to her about it previously and firing her after a couple warnings of her misplaced affections.
True to Jane's predictions, Snell was in a committed relationship with a woman, Georgia Turner, who, upon discovering Snell's wavering affections had gone and killed Dunlop and was being charged with his murder. Snell had been in Palmdale stalking Dunlop, asking for another chance; however, she had nothing to do with the murder, not even as an accessory. The worst she'd get was being charged with forced entry into Dunlop's hotel room where she had waited for him to return from his morning ride.
Dunlop had found her waiting on his bed and immediately marched her out of the hotel, telling her to stop following him and that he didn't have any feelings for her. Apparently, he planned to have a restraining order put on her. They had gone to her car (as shown in the security videos) to find a place to talk and drove a short ways away. He didn't want his coworkers to see her and think he was cheating on his wife.
It was them in the car that Turner had seen. She had discreetly followed Snell out to Palmdale in her own car, knowing that Laura was hoping for a secret and illicit rendezvous with someone. Turner hadn't even known Dunlop, but assumed the worst seeing them coming out of the hotel, despite the arguing.
Snell dropped Dunlop off on the side of the empty road and sped off, leaving him to start walking back towards the hotel. That was when Georgia pulled over and shot him, dragging him into her trunk and drove down to Acton to dump the body.
Van Pelt had questioned why Snell would have gone after an unavailable man, when she herself was in a committed relationship with someone who loved her? This was something that couldn't be answered well, though Jane just left it with Dunlop being the unattainable and therefore prized. That and she was probably getting tired of her current relationship.
Jane sat next to Lisbon in the car ride back to Sacramento, it was still relatively early yet and they would arrive back with an hour to spare for office time to get started on their reports. Jane insisted that it could wait until Monday. Cho had chosen to ride with Rigsby and Van Pelt. Jane was overjoyed; Lisbon didn't know how to feel as it meant being trapped with someone who could potentially annoy her the whole trip, not to mention that she didn't trust him behind the wheel. They did, however, plan for a stop to pick up lunch.
Out of her peripheral vision, she could see Jane smiling to himself as he watched trees and buildings pass as they drove. She was going to ask what he was smiling about, but then gave it a second thought, wondering if she wanted to know and the possible repercussions of asking that this early in their long drive home.
Ten minutes had passed and he still had that smile on his face, but it was a rather soft smile. Once in a while he would glance over at her. She finally gave into her curiosity, "Okay, what are you smiling about now?"
"I can't just smile for no reason?" he asked. She rolled her eyes, but waited for an explanation.
"I'm looking forward to being on your couch," he finally said, directing his smile over at her.
"Oh?" she said, "And who says I'm going to let you?"
"You can't resist me and my charms Teresa, don't even pretend you can," he said, seeing right through her attempted straight face.
"We'll see if you don't aggravate me during this drive. I might let stay you if you behave," she teased, though the underlying threat was clear. He was confident that she wouldn't bar him from her home though. She loved him and he didn't even cause as much trouble this week. He had been a good boy… relatively.
Lisbon had started tapping a finger on the steering wheel to the beat of a song playing on the radio. The silence between the occupants of the car stretched on for three more songs before she spoke again, "How's your hand feeling?"
Jane tilted his head towards her, "Still aches, but I don't feel it much anymore. Getting used to the feeling actually."
He glanced down at his bandaged hand, yellowed bruises visible from the edge of the wrap. The swelling had gone down significantly and the bruises were starting to heal, no longer so much deep, dark colors, but lightening out already in yellows, pale greens and purples. There was a constant dull ache that had become a sort of background white noise over the past few days, held at bay with prescribed medication.
"You know, you did promise to fix my wall. Do you even know how to do manual labor?" she asked skeptically, though jokingly.
"I'm wounded by your doubt in my skills. I am quite capable of calling professionals," he told her, hand over heart.
Lisbon laughed and muttered, "Figures."
"Were you hoping to see me working in torn jeans and grubby t-shirt this weekend?" Jane asked suggestively, as if it was a forbidden image. Now that he had put the thought in her head… that might actually be sexy. Him actually working for a change, she smiled privately while Jane gave her a perplexed smile.
"Oh seriously Teresa, is that a fantasy of yours?" he asked, coming to a realization, "You are an absurd bird, but that's why I love you."
She blushed, but kept her eyes on the road. One part of the blush was that she had actually started fantasizing about him in work clothes, the other part was his declaration of love.
"You're crazy," she muttered to him, still rather red in the face.
"Which is why we're perfectly matched," he retorted, smiling at her again.
The changing landscape rolled by, wisps of white clouds streaking the otherwise blue sky.
"I love you too."
The whisper was so quiet, almost covered by the radio that Jane almost missed what his companion said.
His smile grew as he beamed at her, then sat back, restraining the urge to hug her that very moment. He knew she'd come to see things his way soon enough. If only she hadn't been driving when she said it though. If he believed in it, he might have said it was karmic retribution for him having randomly (in her opinion) confessed his love to her while she had been driving. Regardless, he was happy and they had the weekend. He hadn't felt this level of contentment and joy for a long time.
"Want to play 'Slug Bug'?" Jane suddenly asked.
Lisbon threw him a sour look, sprinkled with exasperation and astonishment, then replied dryly, "How about 'Driver Slugs Passenger'?"
"No, that sounds more like a sensational headline," Jane opined.
"And it will be if you keep up this line of insanity," Lisbon threatened.
There was silence save the radio.
Lisbon was first to break, a laugh coming out that she couldn't hold in anymore as it threatened to become a snort. Jane smiled widely at her, her laughter a fine song to his ears. He really wished he could throw an arm around her in this moment. It would have been perfect.