Chapter 34 - No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
It was with a heavy heart that Frances Rutherford asked Bertram to call by that night. Although there was a longstanding connection, Rutherford knew that the time had come to cut him loose. Although she had turned a blind eye to a lot of things, she had never sanctioned or condoned any acts of violence. Rutherford wasn't above gaining advantage from an opponent's downfall; after all if they hadn't put themselves in that position in the first place, they wouldn't have gotten into trouble. However the latest briefing from her aide-de-camp was profoundly disturbing; Bertram had stepped over line, and she would be guilty by association unless she took matters in hand. It had been tempting to delegate the task to one of her staff, but after all these years she felt she owed it to Bertram to deliver the news face to face.
Unaware of the reason behind the meeting, Bertram breezed in and pecked Rutherford on the cheek. "Frances you're looking particularly elegant today, if I might say so. Now what can I do for you?" The slight pull away from his greeting hadn't gone unnoticed, so he awaited her response with a degree of caution.
"Gale please take a seat. I'm afraid this isn't entirely a social meeting. I'll never underestimate the help and support that you have given me over the years, but I can no longer afford to be associated with you. If the reports reaching me are remotely true, I cannot condone what you have being doing." There was a glacial calm to Rutherford, as she admonished her erstwhile associate.
Bertram pursed his lips before allowing a sardonic smile to form. "Frances do you really think you can dismiss me like some subordinate? I don't work for you, and our association has suited you very well up to this point."
"Well it doesn't suit me now Gale, and we have to put some distance between us." Rutherford remained resolute.
"Come now Frances, don't be naïve. You can't choose when and where to look in the other direction. An intelligent woman like you must have suspected that the misfortunes that befell your opponents didn't just happen; they were crafted and meticulously planned. Things don't just fall into your lap like that; they have to be made to happen." Bertram's urbane tone did not waver, as he calmly countered her concerns.
"It's a question of degree though Gale, exposing an opponent's weakness is one thing, but the reports I'm hearing are way beyond that." Rutherford's stern response left no doubt of her opprobrium for his actions.
Bertram leant back in his chair, relaxed and at ease with situation."You could have stopped me at any time Frances; it suited you to ignore what was going on. It would be disingenuous to try and act the innocent now. I think you'll find I'm not as easy to dispense with as you think."
"Tell me Gale, did you ever believe what we were proposing?" A degree of exasperation crept into her voice.
Bertram laughed derisively."I'm not sure I believe in anything actually Frances. Frankly I've always found your ideas a bit naïve, that's not how things work in the real world. Philosophy is all well and good for lofty debate, but in the real world things have to be made to happen. Do you seriously think you can transpose some anthropological model onto a group of disparate people? They're more worried about getting on in life and paying the bills, than being part of some altruistic project. Outside of closed societies, it's impossible to impose the kind of framework you advocate, people are individuals and always will be. They're not just pawns on some chessboard to be moved around to justify some half baked esoteric theory."
"We had a real opportunity to make a difference, but your actions make us as bad as, if not worse than everyone else." Rutherford glared at him accusingly.
"Our methods Frances, please don't act the innocent with me." Bertram countered, unwilling to let her wash her hands of responsibility. "Do you really think your methods would work, if I hadn't got a strangle hold on the fabric of government already. People have to be 'persuaded' to comply at times, and your highfalutin ideals need a degree of enforcement to overcome the opposition to change."
"If you subvert ideals with compulsion, you soon cross the line between utopia and dystopia. This was supposed to be about empowering people to act in the common good, to create an egalitarian society. All you are interested in is power and self interest; that goes against everything we have preached." There was a zealous fervour to her argument.
Bertram laughed ironically as he rose from his seat, "Oh Frances, save that for people who don't know you. With your gilded lifestyle do you honestly think you know the first thing about ordinary people? I'll concede you sell a good story, hell people have fallen for it hook, line and sinker."
He viewed Rutherford dispassionately before unleashing his parting shot. "Just remember there are debts to be paid, and I'll be coming to collect before long. I have other pressing issues on hand, so it suits me to keep away for now. Just remember to hold a seat for me at the high table, I'm not going anywhere."
Mel had finally persuaded Karen to take a brief respite in his office; surprisingly she fell into a deep sleep for a few hours, only to be woken by the sound of her phone. Raj from Cyborg called to let her know that the first tranche of leaks would be hitting the internet shortly. All the major news outlets had been primed beforehand, for maximum impact on the early morning news. The business interests and union affiliations of some prominent State Senators, who aspired to high office, would certainly raise a few eyebrows. Cyborg would manage the timing of the disclosures carefully, to avoid the guilty being passed over in the tsunami of information overload. There was still plenty of time before the elections to ensure everyone had their fifteen minutes of notoriety.
Karen checked in with her contact in Bertram's office to establish his itinerary, before deciding on her plans for the morning. She settled down to work with renewed vigour; there was ice in her veins as she unleashed her final acts of retribution. Revenge was indeed a dish best served cold.
Abbott soon found himself with an embarrassment of things to deal with; he was barely keeping his head above water. The local FBI had itself been incriminated in the latest round of leaks, and Director Schulz insisted he dealt with the implications of those before turning his attention to the CBI. It was hardly appropriate to take control of the CBI, until their own house was in order.
Reede Smith was a known associate of Selby, and the latest leaks incriminated him of perverting the ongoing investigation into white collar crime. Some of the laundered funds had been diverted in his direction, in return for him turning a blind eye to some of the small scale operations. Naturally he wasn't stupid enough to leave a money trail, preferring to invest in diamonds, which were secreted in various depositories around the state. Ironically Smith himself had sustained a loss during the Del Paso Heist, and naturally hadn't been able to come forward and lodge a claim.
SACPD was being held to account for being heavy handed, their methods went beyond the normal intimidation sometimes employed behind closed blinds. It was a fact that even the most exemplary officers of the law, had to fight fire with fire when dealing with hardened criminals at times. But this had gone way beyond that, and the family of a young black man, who was guilty of simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time, had come forward to bear testament. It was the first in a stream of accusations of violence and intimidation of suspects and their families.
Ever the pragmatist, Abbott delayed taking any further action with the CBI. As an interim measure Selby's unit and their known associates would be suspended pending further investigation. Fischer was left in place to unofficially keep an eye on things at the CBI, while the remaining units just went through the motions for the next few days.
Bertram had been formally notified of the investigation by Schulz, but he was unaware that he was their prime target, he had been led to believe it was the lower echelons under scrutiny. Bertram had already made plans to deflect as much of the attention as possible further down the tree, it was an opportunity to settle a few old scores, and to set someone up to take the fall. For now he had been left in position, and he was confident he could turn this round to his own advantage at some stage.
Fischer was still nursing a grudge over her treatment yesterday, and had been talking to Spengler about the SCU team. Being unaware of Spengler's complicity in events, she took in his account without exercising a degree of scepticism. Off the back of that, she decided to launch her own investigation to present to Abbott on his return, in the hope of regaining some credibility.
So it was that Lisbon found herself in an interview room facing Fischer's questions. "That's quite a charge sheet you've got to answer for Agent Lisbon. I see you've already served suspensions for anger management, and plotting against your own director. There's also a DUI charge that got dropped because you manipulated the media into taking up your cause."
"Actually I took no active part in that, and besides the charges were fabricated. There was no case to answer to. I thought you were here to investigate the bad guys, why are we doing this here and now?" Lisbon didn't bother to hide her frustration at the latest attempt to besmirch her name.
"You neglected to protect your team, attempts on their lives went unreported, and because of your failure to call for backup, a valuable witness was lost." Fischer doggedly persisted.
"Agent Fischer, we willingly volunteered most of this information. You know full well why we took the actions we took."Lisbon was damned if they were going to go over the same ground again.
Undeterred Fischer pressed forward. "So you say. Agent Spengler has also mentioned something of interest to me. Apparently you and Jane visited the hospital where McAllister was being treated, and Jane was with him just before he died. Would you care to elaborate?"
Lisbon realised this was a tricky one to answer, and guessed Spengler had set them up. She chose her words carefully and answered with a degree of ambiguity."McAllister was a key part of the conspiracy, and Jane needed to check some facts before he died."
"The medical staff noted that the drug feed had been damaged, when they were disconnecting the equipment. What do you know about that? Jane could be liable for prosecution if he's remotely complicit." Fischer delivered her sucker punch with a degree of satisfaction.
"I suggest you ask Director Bertram that question, he was with McAllister before we arrived." Lisbon batted her attack away with aplomb, but was nevertheless relieved when the interview drew to a close.
Lisbon guessed there were moves afoot to besmirch the team, if Bertram was going down he was going to put up a fight. Jane needed to be forewarned about Fischer's line of questioning; unwittingly she could raise a whole load of awkward questions for them. Jane had been watching proceedings from a distance, and had resisted the temptation to intervene, but the little furrow between Lisbon's eyes was a sure sign that she was worried.
As soon as they had the opportunity to compare notes, Lisbon apprised Jane of Fischer's line of enquiry. Jane took it all in thoughtfully. "Uumm, I don't suppose we should really be surprised by this. What better way to discredit any evidence, than by bringing his accuser's into disrepute? Bertram has no idea how damning the case against him is, so it's only natural he would start a counteroffensive. I suppose we should be grateful that he's attacking our reputations, not targeting us in other ways." Jane guessed another dead cop would point more suspicions in Bertram's direction, but perhaps they should be more circumspect for their own safety over the next few days.
"What will you say if Fischer questions you about McAllister?" Lisbon guessed they ought to get their story straight on this.
"Well you've covered pretty well for that, but if pressed I'll say he had information about my family's murder and I wanted to talk to him while I could. It has a basis of truth in it, and won't cause you or Cho any more difficulties." Jane figured he could deal with Fischer, and would be surprised if they even got to this stage.
Lisbon conferred briefly with Cho, while Jane chatted with the rest of the team. Van Pelt quickly filled Jane in on Karen's latest bombshells. There was a real sense of schadenfreud at all these people, who had profited at the public's expense, finally getting their comeuppance. Events were moving more quickly than he expected, and Jane asked Van Pelt to let him know as soon as Karen directed her vitriol at Bertram. Jane suspected as soon as Bertram was thrown to the wolves, Karen's revenge would be imminent.
If Jane recalled correctly, he was sure Bertram was due to give a briefing to the press later that afternoon and it may well be worth checking it out. Sidling alongside Lisbon, he listened in as she and Cho discussed the possible lines of questioning. Lisbon was keen to protect Cho from the ramifications of their actions, and had explained what Jane would say if questioned. Cho turned to Jane "You Ok with this?"
"Yes, I don't think they'll link Red John with McAllister, so we'll just play a straight bat. It all depends how far Bertram wants to take it, but I don't think Fischer would ever make the link. However Bertram may yet have something up his sleeve, I wouldn't put it past him to have a backup plan, and have a sacrificial lamb lined up to take the fall. He doesn't know the extent of the case against him, so he'll still feel confident about his leverage over us."
Cho acknowledged the sense of the argument, and turned his attention to Jane and Lisbon. "So what have you guys got lined up for the future?"
Jane looked at Lisbon with a smile on his lips. "Personally I'd like to disappear into the sunset for a few weeks, but no doubt Lisbon will want to see this through to the bitter end."
"Yeah, she's like that." Cho paused briefly, a hint of smile flickered across his face before reverting to his normal deadpan delivery. "There's nothing we can't handle Boss, it's time you cut yourself some slack. Besides none of us are getting any younger, and you may as well make the most of things while you still can."
Jane snorted with mirth as Lisbon exclaimed."Kimball! I'm still your boss for now, and can still send you off on one of Schettrick's outreach programmes." Lisbon knew that would be Cho's worst nightmare, making small talk with the general public. It had been another of Schettrick's loony schemes to make the CBI more approachable, and everyone bar Cho and Jane had endured a session. The former was adjudged to lack the necessary skill set, and the idea of setting loose a bored and reluctant Jane in the public arena was way too risky.
They all chuckled out loud. It suddenly struck Lisbon how much she would miss the camaraderie of her team. They had formed an extended family, especially for Jane who had none of his own. Jane gently ushered her out towards the car park, guessing the cause of her sudden reflective mood. "It will be fine Lisbon. The kids had to grow up eventually, they need to go their own way now, and it's not as if we won't see them again."
Lisbon sighed deeply. "I know but it's still hard, I've seen them develop so much over the years. Tell me more about these plans to disappear for a few weeks, I need cheering up."
Putting on his faux psychic act, Jane closed his eyes and took Lisbon's hand then dramatically swiped the back of his other hand across his brow. "The spirits are telling me something. They can feel warmth and soft golden sunshine and what is that sound? Ah yes, it's the sound of gentle waves lapping round us and there's the feel of warm soft white sand underfoot." He paused to gauge the affect of his words, and was gratified to see a dreamy smile on Lisbon's face. "Wait there's more. I feel a presence, slightly damaged but intense, there are hands snaking all over my chest, and I can smell an unusual mix of coconut and cinnamon. I'm having a vision now of something slight and pale, wrapped in a sarong to protect against the sun, there are green searching eyes questioning me as the hands move from my face to ruffle my hair, then I hear a whisper in my ear, almost breaking the magic of the moment, telling me I need a shave. I lean down to brush the skin with my lips, it's as delicate as gossamer, so milky and smooth that my hands just glide over it, and then I..." Jane slowly gathered Lisbon into his arms as he pressed her against the car, and slowly kissed her.
Lisbon responded in kind before eventually coming up for breath, and gently tried to extricate herself. "Patrick the cameras! Much as I'm enjoying your vision, I'd prefer not to share it with the rest of the CBI."
Jane pushed against her, leaving her in no doubt as to the extent of his feelings. Swallowing deeply, she resisted his charms and pushed him away. "Later Patrick, we'll have all the time in the world. Let's go and see what's up with Bertram."
Jane huffed. "If we must. For the record, I've no intention of wasting any more time Teresa Lisbon. I'll whisk you away to paradise yet."
Lisbon smiled shyly "I'll hold you to that Patrick Jane."
Jane smiled contentedly, pondering whether it was getting close to the time when he could finally ask Lisbon that life changing question. If they weren't ready now, when would they be? Perhaps a meal at her favourite restaurant, followed by some dancing at that intimate jazz club, would finally set the mood for him to produce the ring he'd been carrying around for the last few weeks. Jane settled back into the car seat looking out of the window, as he finally allowed himself to dream.
It was just a routine press briefing, so Bertram was somewhat perplexed to see such hard hitting journalists in the crowd. He looked enquiringly at his PA Emily, who just shrugged her shoulders at him, and watched him walk out to the podium like a lamb to slaughter. Bertram had been in a foul mood all morning, and Emily had been bearing the brunt of it. When she first became aware of the sudden interest in Bertram that afternoon, she had tried to forewarn him, but he had just brushed her off dismissively. So Emily took a certain satisfaction in letting him face the press, unaware that Karen Cross had unleashed her final assault against him. Hell, she could find another job, with someone who appreciated her.
Brenda Schettrick normally controlled these events, but she was engaged elsewhere fielding awkward questions, including some about her willingness to sell information to the highest bidder. Bertram went through the preliminaries, in the competent manner the press had come to expect of him, and before long they had got to the Q&A session. He glanced over to where Emily was supposed to be, but she was nowhere to be seen; in Schettrick's absence, it was her job to select questions from the more favourable elements of the press.
Van Pelt had already alerted Jane of the mounting onslaught on Bertram, and they had asked the team to make their way over, in case things got out of hand. Jane noticed Bertram's slight unease, as his eyes searched for his missing PA. There was a barely disguised frown, when Bertram caught sight of Lisbon and Jane, before turning his attention back to the waiting journalists.
The awkward questions came thick and fast; Bertram tried to deflect as much as possible, but he was stopped in his tracks when someone asked him what he remembered of the Icarus society, he stuttered and looked accusingly at Lisbon. The questioner reminded him of his antics at Stanford, and said there was talk of re-opening the investigation into Leach's alleged suicide.
Bertram had heard enough, and quickly tried to wrap up the session before it got out of hand. Jane nudged Lisbon, when he spotted Karen making her way forward to the front of the crowd. Without thinking, Lisbon started to make her way over to Karen's projected destination, unable to stand by and just let events unfurl. She recalled Jennie entreating her to look out for Karen. Jane tried to pull her back, arguing there was nothing they could do. Lisbon just brushed his hands off, and made her way forward reaching down for her Glock as a precautionary measure.
Jane motioned to Cho, who was by now positioned on the opposite side of the gathering.
Karen strode forward. "So Director Bertram, perhaps you might remember more recent events. Perhaps you recall sanctioning the break in to my home, and the murder of Jennie Davis?"
There was an audible gasp at her words, Bertram's head involuntarily shot round to see who was speaking. He tried to make his way away from the podium, but found the exit barred by eager members of the press.
"I haven't finished Director Bertram, perhaps you would like to explain to everyone here what you had to hide, that was important enough to justify the murder of an invalid, unable to defend herself."
Lisbon saw Karen reach for a gun, which she aimed at Bertram. "Just stop there, we're all waiting for you." Cross barked her order out.
Bertram glanced over to his security detail, and Lisbon saw them reach for their guns. "Karen don't do it, let him have his day in court." She implored. Realising the detail were poised to take Karen out, Lisbon launched herself at Karen, and with the element of surprise she managed to unbalance Karen and tackle her to the floor. Karen's gun was discharged, and there was the echo of a second shot, as Karen and Lisbon fell down together.
Jane pushed through the crowd frantically, he hadn't missed the recoil in Lisbon's body, coinciding with the second shot. Karen looked down helplessly at Lisbon, who lay stricken on the ground. "Why Lisbon?" Karen was perplexed and confused. "Jennie asked me to look out for you." Lisbon whispered, as her eyes sought frantically for Jane.
"It's alright Teresa, I'm here everything is going to be alright." He saw the blood seeping out from the wound in her side and took off his jacket to press against it. "Just breath slowly get that heart rate down. I'm here now Teresa, just remember I love you sweetheart." He was desperately trying to sooth her, while barely in control of his own racing heart.
Lisbon smiled weakly back at him despite the feeling of searing pain. "I love you too Patrick, always have." She could just dimly make out his face, as she started to fade. "Hang on darling, it will all be alright."He kept gently stroking her and professing his love, hoping his words would make their way through to her psyche somehow. He became aware of a hand on his shoulder, Cho tried to maintain his composure and be objective for Jane's sake."The medics are just pulling up now Jane. The blood loss doesn't look excessive, so hopefully it's missed the major organs."
The medics pushed their way through, and did their best to stabilise Lisbon before rushing her to hospital. Jane was in shock, as his world and their hopes had just disintegrated before his eyes.
A/N Sorry!