Title: The Car

Author: Shannon – shannyfish

Disclaimer: I do not own "The Mentalist" or its characters, Warner Brothers and Bruno Heller do. This is merely for entertainment purposes only.

Rating: G

Summary: Jane scares people (Prompt: Give-away)

Part of the "Red Hot Days" series: a series of different scenes both case and non-case related scenes. This can be read as part of the series or can be read on its own. Different POVs used for different stories. Lisbon/Jane shipping and most likely

Warning: Takes place during season 3, so spoilers during season 3 are fair game. So currently, that's up to "Bloodhounds".

Author's Note: #5 in the series

...

Brea Mall

"You know this is probably an elaborate scheme that ends in identity thief," Jane said as he pointed out what was currently offending his vision.

"Are you going on about the car give-away?" Lisbon asked.

He could hear the irritation in her voice. Jane had a feeling that she was still pissed that he wouldn't tell her what was in the bag and he'd managed to not let her peek either. "It's a con."

"Jane—"

He moved forwards towards where the booth was with papers and golf pencils and the drop slot in the middle and put his hand over he slot before a younger man could drop his form in. "Do you really want to do that?" he asked.

"Yeah…" the guy said slowly.

Beside the booth was a magnificent shiny new car that was being guarded by metal poles with velvet-like ropes that kept the area enclosed. It was a current year sports car. A nice bright red to catch attention. Jane couldn't deny that it wasn't good bait. It was excellent to pull the stupid fools right into their hands.

"Are you sure?"

"I think so."

Jane frowned. "You're giving away personal information. Haven't you heard of identity theft!"

"It's for the car… Mine's like twenty years old! I could use a new one!"

"Do you even know the odds of you winning?"

"Well, no…"

Jane didn't care that people were stopping and watching now. His hand stayed firmly in place. "Have you bothered to read the fine print?" he asked.

"No."

"Jane," Lisbon said and pulled on him.

Jane ignored her. "You're what? Twenty-something? You going to college?"

"Yeah…" the guy responded.

"So go learn how to read! Learn how you need to look out for scams like these! The only thing it's going to be giving away is your personal information! And while you're at it…you live in California…Southern California at that…go green…take the bus!"

"Jane! That's enough!" Lisbon said as she yanked him a good deal back. "You're scaring people!" she hissed quietly.

"You know the police should really police these scams," Jane told her. "I'm just a concerned citizen."

"More like a pain in the ass," she mumbled as she hauled him the last several yards to the doors.

Jane didn't miss that the guy that he'd been educating took his form and didn't drop it and that everyone else was avoiding the booth like the plague. See. He'd helped people.

…..