Patrick Jane felt like he was in an aquarium. He'd just asked Dennis Abbott and Cho to tell him what they knew about Theresa Lisbon's disappearance in Washington state, but he felt like he was underwater. He knew they were speaking, but what they were saying was muffled. He felt like he was floundering underwater and if someone didn't shake him or pull him up soon, he would surely drown.

"Jane?"

As if cued, Cho did just that. He shook Jane lightly by the shoulder.

"You OK, Jane?"

"Huh, what?" He ran a shaking hand over his face. Lisbon was missing!? Hypothetically gasping for breathe, Jane came to awareness again. Cho saw his struggle and repeated what he'd just said.

"So, it was first discovered that Lisbon was missing when she didn't show up for work on Tuesday morning. Apparently, she is never absent or late. Her deputy and office assistant were instantly worried. The deputy went to her house. He found the back door had been jimmied and in Lisbon's bedroom there were signs of a struggle. They also found blood splatters in the bedroom and in the kitchen. Nothing appeared to have been stolen, and Lisbon's cell phone was plugged in on the kitchen counter. They found her handgun in her bedside table. A lamp had been broken and lay on the floor of the bedroom. Forensics dusted for prints, but found just Lisbon's. They did get a footprint and a tire print from the drive, but basically whoever broke in and took her was really careful."

"Time?" Jane asked with a deeply concerned look on his face.

"Jane?" Dennis questioned.

"What time do they think she was taken?"

"There's nothing conclusive, but it could have been anytime from 9:00 pm to 8:30 am. It's incredibly hard to know because as far as they know, Lisbon wasn't in contact with anyone after 9:00 pm."

Jane sighed raggedly. This was not good. The perpetrator could have almost a 20 hour head start. Internally, he prayed that Theresa would be smart and do everything she could to stay alive.

"Do they have any suspects?"

"Well, after they had secured the scene and determined that Lisbon was missing, the FBI was contacted. After talking to people who know Lisbon, they had a few minor suspects, but no one that really stood out. Cannon River is a small place and Lisbon hasn't made any enemies in her two years there. Both she and the person who took her have seemingly vanished into thin air. They've heard nothing since 8:00 a.m. this morning."

Jane grimaced. "I see they need help. I'm going there. Cho, Dennis, you coming too?"

"Jane, hold on. This investigation is up to the Washington state police and the Seattle FBI office. We would be interfering…"

"Well, I can't stay here and just worry. This is Theresa we're talking about. She's family and someone really important to me. If I can help find her, I'm going to do whatever I can to do so."

"I'll go with you, buddy," Cho said.

"Of course you will," Dennis Abbott replied to Cho. "I am needed here, but if there is anything at all that I can do from here, let me know immediately, OK?" He looked at Jane directly. "They'll get her back, Jane."

Cho nodded at Abbott and followed Jane as he turned for the door.

An hour and a half later, both men were on a plane bound for Seattle. Flying commercial was extremely frustrating and not nearly fast enough for Jane. Throughout the flight he fidgeted and Cho had to literally put his back to him in order to relax and get through the flight. When the pilot announced they were making their final approach into Seattle, Cho asked him what their next move was. Jane explained that Theresa had told him that Cannon River was an hour north of Seattle, so they would need to rent a car and drive north. Cho agreed, and when they got to Cannon River he suggested they look for a Scott Hendricks who was the FBI liaison. Jane concurred.

It was the longest hour of Jane's life. Traffic had been horrendous, and even though Cho drove at an acceptable speed, Jane wanted him to speed and weave through the other cars as if they were in a Fast and Furious movie. All he could think was 'Lisbon is missing'...'Lisbon is missing.'

Upon reaching Cannon River they went straight to police headquarters. The FBI had set up a command center there and the state police was helping them.

Jane walked in just as Jane always does but with a ferocious intensity that might have been misconstrued as frustrated anger.

"Who's in charge here?" he called out. Many pairs of eyes and heads turned his way.

"I am," answered a tall dark haired man with a serious face. He looked put off by Jane's forwardness.

"Scott Hendricks, Seattle FBI. And who are you?"

"Patrick Jane. I am--was Theresa Lisbon's closest colleague in California. We were partners for 10 years. I'd like to help with the investigation."

Hendricks reached out to shake Jane's hand.

"Mr. Jane, your name did come up in our getting familiarized with Ms. Lisbon's case. Dennis Abbott actually called a few hours ago to tell us that you and another agent, Kimball Cho, would be arriving to offer assistance. Welcome."

Hendricks reached to shake Cho's hand as well who addressed him.

"So, have there been any new developments?"

"Unfortunately not," stated Hendricks. "All we really know is that Chief Lisbon was taken from her home by force sometime last night. There really isn't a lot to go on."

"I'd like to go see the scene," said Jane.

"I don't have a problem with that. Actually, why don't the two of you go take a look. You might see or notice something that we missed."

The men exchanged contact info and then Cho and Jane went to find Lisbon's house.

Walking into the two story farmhouse minutes later was somewhat surreal. Several police officers were still on site and the men were allowed entrance after flashing their FBI credentials.

Even though Jane had never been to Lisbon's house, the first thing he noticed assaulted his olfactory sense. Her home smelled like her, vanilla and cinnamon. It was Lisbon's signature scent, and for a moment, Jane just stood and inhaled. I'm coming, Lisbon, he cried out internally. Hang on! I will find you!

He and Cho went to the bedroom, and aside from the obvious which the police had told them already there was really nothing to note. Jane had a distinct desire to fall into Lisbon's bed and snuggle into sheets and blankets that

had held her like he wished to.

Suddenly, his phone started ringing.

"This is Patrick Jane."

At the same time, Cho came running up the stairs and entered the bedroom breathlessly.

"Jane! They found her! They found Lisbon."