Author's notes:
Story and series guide: On my Profile page, I've posted a guide to all the Mentalist and Frasier stories and series I've written.
Thank you to two great writers and friends, make-mine-a-kiaora and Sue Shay, for their help. Be sure to check out their stories - I have favorited them in my profile for easy access.
I do not own the TV show The Mentalist and get no compensation from it. This story is written purely for entertainment purposes only.
Please note: The final four chapters, Chapter 16 ("One For My Baby"), Chapter 17 ("Gimmie Three Steps"), Chapter 18 ("Cheerful Little Earful"), and Chapter 19 ("Something With A Ring To It") are published all at the same time.
Chapter 19 - "Something With A Ring To It"
2 weeks later in the office of Dr. Isadore Totty, Professor of Music History, Deverell College…
"This is a complete inventory of the hidden trove of 78s that your father had, Isadore. Our officers have transferred it all to your office vault as you requested."
"Teresa, this is more than my father ever let on that he had collected. When the school auctions these 78s, they'll get well into seven figures. It'll be enough to start construction on that fine arts building that Daddy wanted to see built."
"I'm glad you'll be able to honor your father's bequest now."
"This is all because of you and your officers' work, Teresa. On behalf of my family, I want to thank you for finding out the truth about Daddy's death and his collection."
"Isadore, you do know that Archie helped. In fact, we couldn't have solved the case without him piecing all the clues together."
"Yes. Well. Ahm, I guess that's true. Would you do me a favor, Teresa?"
"What, Isadore?"
"Would you tell your husband that I thank him for his role in solving the case?"
"Okay, but he's sitting here next to me."
"So what you're saying is you won't have to travel far to talk to him then. Good."
2 months later…
Grace Van Pelt and Wayne Rigsby were getting ready to call it day, but Grace decided to check messages before turning in. Doing a quick scan, she saw one from their old friend Teresa Lisbon. She chuckled that Teresa used "Archie" and "Hubby" to refer to Patrick Jane in written communication.
"Hey, Wayne. Teresa sent us a message."
She heard her husband mumble a reply as he was brushing his teeth.
"What does she have to say? Read it out loud."
Grace cleared her throat.
"'Greetings, Grace and Wayne,
Sorry that Hubby and I have been out of touch; we haven't had a chance to catch our breath lately. We're all doing well, although Charlie delights in pushing the limits of what he can do. We have to keep a constant vigil on that young man to keep him out of mischief. Like father, like son!
Henry and Annabelle had their baby this week. She's a beautiful girl named Flynn, and her parents are wild about her. Archie is already teaching Henry how to change diapers.
Archie, Charlie, and I just got back from the big new event here in town, a for-real "Cannon River Crazy Days." The mayor was so pleased with how things worked out that he decided to stage an official festival. The last few days have indeed been crazy with all the role-players who descended on Cannon River. You name it, we've got it - ghosts, leprechauns, and even a giant squid running around town. Tonight at the park there was a formal debate between a team of Martians and a team of Venusians about which group more deserved to conquer the Earth. Sad to say they both lost.
Tonight was also children's night at the festival. Charlie had the time of his life, and we made a picture of him with his three new best friends, this year's Grand Marshalls. I've attached the photo.
Did you know that Cho is back in Cannon River for a visit? At least Archie and I *think* he's here. Supposedly he's staying with us, but neither of us have seen him since Monday. Oh, by the way, Capp Grainger just so happens to be back in Cannon River too. She told me that she was in town to visit her mother, but oddly Viola left to go on a cruise. I can see you two rolling your eyes right now! Henry told us he caught a glimpse of Kimball and Capp at her mother's house this morning. They were asleep under a blanket on the front porch swing. Anyway, Archie and I are having lunch with them tomorrow so I won't have to file a missing person's report.
Let us know how you're doing, and come back to Cannon River soon. We'd love to see you!
Your friend,
Teresa'"
Wayne walked into the bedroom.
"So Teresa sent us a picture of Charlie?"
"Yeah. Give me a second to open it." Grace clicked and an image filled her screen. "Aaaaah. You've gotta take a look at this."
Wayne peeked over his wife's shoulder.
In the middle of the photo was little Charlie with his arms outstretched and a sparkle in his eyes. Around him were his three new friends - Bigfoot, Space Thang, and D. B. Cooper.
Wayne's phone ringing drew their attention away from the photo. Clicking to answer the call, her husband smiled.
"Hey, buddy. Grace and I heard you were back in Cannon River. Someone else too. So how's…"
Wayne walked into the other room leaving Grace by herself. Closing the photo of Charlie, she sent a message to Teresa thanking her for the update. That done, she debated whether to wait up to hear the latest news about Cho or go to bed. Just as she decided on the latter option, the chime sounded for a new message. Looking on her screen, she saw it was another one from Teresa.
Grace -
Capp just phoned me for some "gal" talk. Call me right now! ***NOW!***
- Teresa
Before Grace could dial Teresa's number, Wayne bounded back into the bedroom, a grin stretched across his face.
"Honey, all of us need to get packed and ready to hit the road."
Wayne moved to the bedroom closet and rummaged around inside.
"What are you looking for?"
With a flourish, her husband lifted out his pair of black wing-tip dress shoes.
"These things." He blew some dust off the top of them. "Where's the shoeshine kit, Grace?"
"Under the bathroom sink."
"Here's a piece of trivia. Did you know that Teresa Lisbon also serves as a Justice of the Peace along with her duties as Police Chief?"
"Uh, no. Wait a minute. We're leaving to go somewhere? Now? Where are we going?" Grace asked.
A bundle of nervous energy, Wayne looked over at his wife as he smeared shoe polish across the top of one of the wingtips.
"We've gotta be at the Cannon River City Hall at 12 noon tomorrow."
"Why?"
"Kimball and Capp."
"Huh? Oh. Ohhhhhhhhhh!"
Grace trembled with joy as she finished dialing Teresa's phone. She heard an answering click on the other end of the line.
"You'll never guess, Grace. Kimball and Capp just decided to…"
"We're on our way, Teresa."
The end.
Thank you for reading, following, and favoriting the story, and I'd love to hear from you!
Mark Collie and Aaron Tippin wrote "Something With A Ring To It," and Collie recorded it for his album Hardin County Line in 1990.
Readers interested in the music used as chapter titles in the story can check out the playlist "Mentalist - Cheerful Little Earful - playlist for fanfic" in Youtube.
