The Mentalist "Numb" (FanFiction) Disclaimer: I do not own The Mentalist or any part of it, this is strictly Fan Fiction.
Chapter Eleven
Patrick's POV
Patrick sat comfortably in the corner of the well worn couch. He sipped his tea and observed Jack who leaned casually against the wall until a knock sounded on the door. It was subtle but every muscle in his body tensed slowly. He was very aware of whoever was at the door.
Teresa answered it and Patrick smiled to himself. Just as he expected, it was Detective Lucinda Torres. He turned back to Jack and watched as he nodded to his partner and then did his best to look at anything else.
Very interesting.
"Detective Torres." Teresa said as she stepped aside and allowed Torres into the apartment. "Can I get you something to drink? We have water, tea or pop."
"I'd love some tea."
"Ah, a woman after my own heart." Patrick said with a wink.
Jack's head snapped toward Patrick with that remark. Patrick merely lifted his tea and looked innocent. So it looked as if he wasn't the only one who had been bitten by the green-eyed monster. It seemed that Jack had as well.
Patrick took a sip from his cup and wondered what was impeding Jack's pursuit of his partner. He studied Detective Torres and found her very attractive. Her body was compact and strong in jeans, a white button shirt and a black jacket. Her midnight hair was caught high in a pony tail that kept the hair out of her amazing face. Even without make-up she was gorgeous. She had flawless skin and a bone structure that Patrick was sure many women would kill for. So Jack's resistance went deeper than appearance. He would have to find out what the problem was exactly.
Patrick grinned at Torres and she smiled back. Jack noticed and clenched his hand into a fist but slowly released it as Teresa came back with tea for his partner.
"All right, so now that we are all here let's go through the plan." Jack said impatiently.
He listened to Jack run through the plan and Patrick watched the dynamic unfold. Torres made steady eye contact whenever Jack looked her way and she tried to hold his gaze a number of times and each time he looked away her eyes saddened, though every time his gaze fell on Teresa her eyes hardened with irritation.
"So, Lisbon you will be in the car with me and Torres you will be covering Patrick in the bar."
"Actually," Patrick interrupted, "I think Torres should go undercover with me. It will be better for the case if there is an actual officer there and since Frank doesn't know her if he becomes unruly she will be there to take him down."
"I agree." Torres said.
Jack looked like he wanted to protest but with one look at his partner he closed his mouth.
"Fine." He muttered through gritted teeth.
Lisbon stepped forward.
"So we will meet here at 9:30. This way we can get you both wired up. After, we will head to the bar and it should be busy enough for you both to get in and find the speakeasy entrance."
"If there is a speakeasy entrance." Jack said.
It seemed to Patrick that his addition of putting Torres in the thick had shaken Jack's earlier confidence in the plan.
"Oh, there is a speakeasy and it shouldn't take long to find."
Jack didn't say a word.
"So we will meet back here later tonight."
Everyone agreed and Teresa walked Jack and Torres to the door. They left and she shut the door before turning back to Patrick.
"Okay, spill."
"Why, whatever do you mean, Agent Lisbon?" Patrick said innocently.
She simply waited.
He laughed and held out his hand. She took it reluctantly and he tugged her onto the couch next to him. He turned sideways until he faced her and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear while letting his finger trace her jaw line.
"Do you trust me?"
She pretended to think about it and he tickled her knee. She laughed and squirmed.
"Yes." She finally agreed, slapping his hand away.
Patrick grinned with the relief he felt at her positive omission. He knew she did but it was nice to hear her confirmation.
"Do you trust that I love you and that I would never do anything to jeopardize what we have together?"
Teresa looked down at the bracelet he had given her. The filigree heart shined from within and he hoped when she looked at it she remembered his promises. She smiled into Patrick's eyes.
"Yes." She said simply.
"Good. Then know anything I do or say tonight is going to be for the case," he paused, "and Jack."
Teresa looked at him suspiciously.
"What are you planning to do with Jack?"
"Oh, I'm not planning to do anything to the Cowboy Cop. I'm going to help give him what he deserves."
"What does that mean?"
Patrick looked into her eyes and where he usually saw a shadow of doubt he saw faith. She wanted to know because she was a detective and it was her job to get to the bottom of things and as a Senior Agent with the CBI she was used to being in charge so she wasn't comfortable letting him take control. He had always known that about her and in the past he never let that sway his decision to keep his plans to himself, but tonight when he looked at her he knew that if he asked her to trust him without going into detail about his plan, she would.
"Thank you." Patrick held a hand to her cheek.
"For what?"
"Thank you for trusting me."
"Okay. So you need to keep me in the dark with this one?"
Patrick smiled, leaned forward and placed a quick kiss on her mouth.
"Nope. In fact, I could you your help."
He proceeded to fill her in on the newest addition to his plan.
Teresa's POV
Teresa opened the door for Jack at 9:25 p.m. He carried a black heavy duty case that held the video and audio recording equipment.
"Come on in. Go ahead and get set up on the kitchen table."
Jack lugged the case past a snoozing Patrick on the couch. His ever present cup of tea cooled on the table beside him.
Teresa shut the door and followed Jack.
"Did Torres come with you?"
"No, she wanted to get ready at her place. She said she would meet me here."
Lisbon nodded and helped Jack unload the case, he seemed tense and withdrawn. Usually he was flirting with her by now but he was distracted by more than the case at hand.
"Are you okay?"
He nodded and continued checking batteries, connections and wires. Teresa shrugged. It was probably better that he wasn't flirting with her.
Teresa looked over to a 'sleeping' Patrick. He appeared to sense she was looking at him because he grinned with his eyes closed. Teresa smiled to herself. Quietly she took stock. Here she was in the middle of an investigation, that she technically had no business being included in, while working in a city that she loathed and yet she was happier than she had every been and it was all because of one man. She looked at the charm bracelet that she couldn't seem to take off and felt emotional. Patrick had given her his heart and she had never felt so lucky.
The bell rang and before she could turn to answer it Patrick jumped off the couch.
"I've got it."
He pulled the door open and Teresa smiled widely. She took a step to the side so Jack could get a full on view of his partner as she came in. Maybe it was because she was so in love but she found herself wanting to catch Jack's reaction to Torres.
"Wow, detective, you look amazing." Patrick said. "Where in the world do you keep your gun?" He asked lasciviously.
"Thank you and wouldn't you like to know." She laughed as she entered.
Jack glanced up at the sound and his jaw dropped.
Teresa knew he wasn't used to seeing his partner in anything more than jeans so seeing her in a tight mini black leather skirt, knee high boots with a spike heel and a halter that played peek a boo with her midriff was a bit of a shock especially when a belly ring caught the light. Teresa laughed. Men were always attracted to shiny things and when Jack's eyes stayed riveted to Torres' belly button Teresa knew that he was no different.
Jack tore his eyes from her exposed flesh and looked to her face, which was beautiful when unpainted but she used an expert hand and brought attention to all of her assets. Her eyes were smoky and sensual while her painted mouth was downright sinful. Jack swallowed several times before he made an excuse and walked into the bathroom.
Torres walked into the kitchen and Patrick followed. Teresa laughed to herself and sauntered in to the living room to wait for Jack. Patrick had his part to play and she had hers'
Patrick's POV
Patrick watched Lisbon head to the living room to keep Jack away from Torres for the time being and he smiled to himself before turning to Torres.
"So, Torres, is that the only way people refer to you?"
She smiled and leaned against the counter.
"Actually no, most people call me Lucy. It's just Jack who calls me Torres."
"Why is that, do you think?"
She smiled tightly and Patrick realized that she knew how Jack felt about her. This situation between these two was getting very entertaining.
"So you know then?"
She tilted her head and studied Patrick.
"I'm a detective."
"Yes you are but even the most keen detective minds can miss the subtle signs of romance."
"No, they can deny them but they know they are there."
Patrick smiled. It was true. Just look at him and Teresa. They both had feelings for the other but they denied them for years because Patrick hadn't been in a place to act on them. He hoped that wasn't the case for Jack and Lucy.
"So, why the denial?"
"Why do you care, Mr. Jane?" Lucy Torres wanted to know with a smile.
He looked toward Teresa and back to Lucy.
"I know a thing or two about denial just wondering if I can help."
She shrugged.
"I doubt it." She was quiet for a moment before continuing. "Look, Mr. Jane, Jack and I are complicated. We were together back at the academy but we were assigned to different precincts and he went deep undercover and I worked toward becoming a detective. For years we never spoke and six months ago he was assigned as my partner but he made it clear from the beginning that a professional relationship was the only kind he wanted."
Patrick watched her body language as she spoke and he realized that, though everything she said was true, it wasn't the truth.
"But you aren't opposed to having something more."
"Yes, well we don't always get what we want."
Patrick merely smiled then Teresa and Jack walked into the kitchen. Jack had gained a modicum of control in the bathroom and since his hair was damp Patrick imagined he got control by splashing very cold water in his face.
"All right, Jane, if you could step here an undo your shirt we will get you wired up."
"No, I'd rather not."
"What?" Jack demanded. "This whole plan was your idea and it isn't going to work without evidence."
"It's true." He sipped his tea. "I'm just afraid that if I wear the wire I'm going to feel nervous and botch the whole delivery and we need Frank to believe me if we are going to catch him red-handed, so to speak."
He winked at Teresa and her lips twitched. He knew he could handle wearing a wire and so did Teresa but these two didn't.
"That's fine." Torres stepped forward. "I'll be with him so I'll wear it."
"Thank you, Lucy, I appreciate it." Patrick said shooting her a winning smile.
"No problem."
She stepped toward Jack and lifted her shirt. Her bra was a lacy lavender bit of nothing with a single tiny rosette nestled between her ample breasts.
Patrick turned away politely but not before checking on Jack who looked like he just got pole axed. He laughed silently to himself, especially when Jack's hands shook as he taped the wires in place to her tanned skin.
Torres sucked in a quick breath.
"Your hands are cold."
"Sorry." Jack mumbled.
He placed the mic and video feed separately so they would have one if the other failed. As soon as the last wire was taped down he spun away.
"You can put your shirt down." Jack's voice cracked and he cleared his throat and looked around. "Are we ready?" He asked the group.
"I am." Torres said aloud when Teresa and Patrick merely nodded.
Jack gulped hard and Patrick laughed to himself.
They arrived outside The Rusty Bucket just before 10:00 p.m. Patrick sat with Torres in his rented blue Corolla while Jack and Teresa were in Jack's penis on wheels.
"Are you ready for this?" Patrick asked her.
"Yes."
"Great. Now I need you to go along with any embellishments to the story that I make up. I made need to adjust things once we confront Frank."
"Not a problem, I'll follow your lead, but if he seems hostile or tries anything I want you down and behind me, got it."
Patrick held up his hands.
"You don't have to worry about that. I'm not the hero type."
"No, I don't think you are." She studied him for a moment. "I think you are more like a puppet master."
Patrick smiled and touched his heart.
"Aw, Lucy, careful what you say, you'll turn my head." Patrick smiled into the camera hidden in Torres' shirt. "Not to worry Teresa, she hasn't." He said purposefully knowing that Teresa would smile at the other end of the recording.
Torres laughed and got out of the car.
Patrick smiled and followed suit.
Teresa's POV
Teresa grinned when she heard Patrick's words. Well, he was playing the subtle flirtatious part perfectly if Jack's white knuckle hold on the steering wheel was any indication.
They watched the video feed as Patrick and Torres made their way into The Rusty Bucket. The music blared and though smoking was banned from public spaces in Illinois there was a haze of cigarette smoke in the air. The crowd held the usual suspects, the old drunks who probably showed up every night, the working girls taking a break, the misanthropes who hated the world and themselves, and the rowdy crew always looking for a fight. This wasn't a place to have a leisurely drink while unwinding after a hard day at the office. This was the place for those who lived on the fringe of society and liked it that way.
Teresa listened as Patrick and Torres found a table and sat to get the lay of the land. They needed to find the safest and most logical place to start their search.
Meanwhile Teresa settled back and tried to get comfortable. She always felt tense during these stings but under her usual anticipation ran a current of fear. She prayed that nothing went wrong. It did make her feel better knowing that a good cop like Torres was with Patrick but she would have rather it been herself. She tried to squelch those feelings and instead concentrated on the side project.
She looked at Jack who had released his death grip on the steering wheel but watched the video feed like his life depended on it. Every time the camera picked up a man looking down Torres' shirt his jaw clenched. If he tightened his jaw any more it would shatter.
"Jack, why do you do it?"
"What?" His attention hadn't veered from the video feed.
"Why do you ignore her when it is so obvious, that when she is in the vicinity, it is the last thing you want to do."
"Don't." He said irritably.
"So CPD has rules against dating your partner?"
He looked at Teresa and frustration flashed across his face.
"You aren't going to drop this, are you?"
She shook her head.
"She's my partner." He held up a finger. "Her father is the Chief of Police." He held up a second finger. "She worked hard to get where she is, I won't jeopardize that." He held up a third finger and then clenched them to a fist. "It's that simple."
Her father was the Chief of Police, ouch and still Teresa felt herself shrug.
"It's never that simple."
He studied the screen and nodded.
"No, it's not."
Patrick's POV
Patrick paid close attention to the room behind the bar. He was sure the speakeasy entrance was there because when Frank had come out to kick his ass before he had come from that room. Problem was the bartender wasn't busy and would see them if they tried to get back there.
"We need to get to the room behind the bar."
"That is gonna be difficult."
Patrick merely smiled. He got up from the table.
"What…?" Torres started to ask but Patrick was already gone.
He walked to a table of tough looking bikers. They were an angry lot who wouldn't mind a fight. He leaned down and tapped on the shoulder of one of the burly bikers.
"You know, I think you are wrong. She isn't very attractive but I don't know if I would call her a dog-face." Patrick gestured to the date of the other biker across the table.
The other biker stood up while his date got indignant.
"What did you say about Charlene?"
"Oh, he said she was a dog-face in the john earlier. I was just letting him know that I didn't think that was accurate at all."
"That is bull..." The first biker didn't get to finish his sentence. The other biker lunged across the table and grabbed him by the lapel and plowed his fist in his face.
Patrick jumped out of the way as accusations and beer bottles flew alongside fists. Quickly he scurried back to Torres who watched the scene unfold with an open mouth.
"Why?" She asked Patrick.
He gestured to the bartender who was wading into the pack of brawling bikers with a baseball bat.
"Now we have our opening."
He took her hand and led her to the back.
At first glance it looked like your typical store room with boxes of liquor stacked here and there. A bulletin board hung on one wall that held a lewd calendar with the bartending schedule written in pen. Metal shelving units lined a wall and held more liquor and bar supplies. Full trash bags sat near the alley entrance but there was one piece of furniture that stood out from the rest. It was an antique bookshelf. It stood against a wall and as Patrick walked over he could see faint drag marks in the floor. He held his hand along the corners and felt the faintest breeze.
Bingo.
He immediately studied the objects on the shelf. Ashtrays, nut bowls and other items sat harmlessly next to each other but Jane looked for what didn't belong. On the top shelf was an eagle figurine. It was very old and chipped but secure.
"Ah." Patrick said happily as he grasped the eagle and pulled it forward. They heard a snick and the shelf pulled away from the wall. Smiling, Patrick pulled it open the rest of the way. He smiled into the camera and winked.
They started down the stairs and closed the shelf behind them. Let the games begin.