When You're the Target
Chapter Six
Patrick smiled at the elderly lady. "Yes, Ma'am, I'm serious. There really aren't any psychics. It's a magic trick. If anyone tells you that they are really psychic, you hold on tight to your purse and leave as quickly as possible, OK?"
She smiled at him. "Thank you, Mr. Jane. That's what I thought, but I really needed to hear you say it. I'll be real careful now." She shook her head sadly. "I wish it were true though. I really would like to talk to my Sam."
"I know, Ma'am. I really do know how you feel. I wish it were possible, too." He took her hand and squeezed.
She stared at him and nodded. "Yes, I guess you do," she replied. "I read all about it." She squeezed his hand back and slowly walked away.
Patrick sighed and sat down, looking nervously around. "Relax, Jane," Lisbon said. "You're doing just fine, and rest assured that you're in good hands. You're safer here than at home in bed. "
Jane glared at her. "I hear you, but at home in bed, I can pull the covers over my head and at least feel safe! I do not feel safe here."
Lisbon smiled at his comment. "Jane, it's a beautiful Saturday. It's a picnic. The park is as beautiful as the day, so enjoy it. Here," she said, handing him a hot dog she'd been preparing. Try this. It'll cheer you up. Besides, he might not try anything at all."
He automatically took it and glared at her and then looked at what he was holding. "Yes, like that would make me feel a whole lot better, knowing he's still out there. He gingerly sniffed it. "Hey! This smells delicious." He took a bite. "What all have you got on this thing? I don't normally care for them, but this is really good.
Lisbon smiled. "It's a secret, but if you're real good, I might be convinced to tell you." Her grin was less than innocent.
Jane smiled and leaned forward, their faces only inches from each other. "And just how good do I have to be to get this information out of you," he said softly
Lisbon's pupil dilation was obvious to Jane's satisfaction as she started to answer. "Jane! This way, now." Rigsby grabbed Jane's arm and pulled him in the direction of a display tent that had been set up. "The other side of the tent," he muttered. "Cho thinks he may have spotted a reflection that could be a scope or binoculars. We want you out of sight while he checks it out."
Jane nodded and laughed. "Then let's make it look like we're not suspicious and you just needed me for some reason."
Rigsby grunted. "What I really need it for you to speed up a little."
"Yea, yea, but," Jane bent over and fiddled with his shoe, stood up and stepped to the side, "but if I vanish, he may spot Cho and bug out. I'll just try to be a difficult target. Long distance shots can't be all the easy."
They finally reached the other side of the tent, Jane remaining alive and well, no shot heard. They both took a deep sight of relief.
"I know you're nuts, but can you be nuts on your own time, and not when it risks my life?" Rigsby looked unhappy and very stressed.
oOo
Cho looked up, hoping he could catch a glimpse of the suspected sniper. The warehouse was closed for the weekend and should be unoccupied. He'd spotted a glare from a third floor window, and focusing his scope on it, thought he could make out a sniper position. He wasn't sure, and even if there was someone with a weapon, so far, no laws had been broken. His face remained impassive as he searched for an entrance point. He pressed the send stud on his headset. "I'm going in, Rigsby. Have some units respond, code 2, and use the west side, he's on the east." He nodded in satisfaction, slipping through the broken window he'd discovered. The still damp blood on it showing that it was very recent.
He knew that the suspect was on the third floor, and he'd counted windows in, but inside everything looked differently. The third floor was used as office space and there were partitions, some with privacy doors. He used a mirror and stood in the doorway as he examined the layout. There was no one visible. There was a cheap, worn carpet than ran the length of the building, making it simple to walk silently. He carefully and silently put his scoped rifle down and drew his 9mm semi-auto. For close quarters, a hand gun was more maneuverable and quicker than a rifle. It also have more pure stopping power and was less of a danger to the surroundings.
Cho knew that the suspect had to be on the east side, so that made the approach to the fifth window an easily silent endeavor. As he approached the open cubicle, his hyper alert senses heard a faint rustle, as if some one was shifting their body. He hesitated, but no further sounds were heard. Carefully, very carefully, he eased his mirror into position and could see the would be sniper. He was lying on a table he pulled to the window, with a scope mounted rifle on a bi-pod mount. It was a setup that would allow him to make an easy shot to the picnic grounds. Cho hoped that Rigsby had Jane out of sight.
He stepped into the cubicle, his firearm in his left hand, aiming at the suspect. "Do not move, you are under arrest," he said. As he'd expected the suspect looked over his shoulder, eyes wide, and jerked the long rifle in the direction of Cho. Cho took one step forward and easily caught the barrel in his right hand, executed a simple disarm and cocked his 9mm, pointing in directly at the suspect. "Freeze now," Cho said in a low even voice.
oOo
Lisbon looked as the broken body with some distaste. "I've called for an ambulance. I think he's still alive," Cho said.
Lisbon nodded. It's possible to survive a three story fall, but when you land like that, not likely." She looked up at the broken window. "He resisted?"
"Yes. In spite of looking down the barrel of the 9mm, he tried to assault me. In his attempt, he tripped and went out of the window, which he'd broken out so he could shoot." Cho looked down at the still living man. "I hope he survives. I'd really like to know why he's doing this."
The ambulance arrived and took him away, still alive. Everyone returned to the picnic with a much lighter mind. At the end of the day Lisbon called everyone around.
"I'll see you guys Monday, and we can rest a lot easier now. By then we'll know if he survives of questioning not, but this part is over. Have a good Sunday!"
oOo
A/N: Should I continue? Except for alerts, there hasn't been much interest shown.