Letters in detention 3.

Chapter 3

Lisbon had still received no response to her letters although it was only about a month since she started writing. If Abbott was scanning and censoring the letters before they were delivered and any Jane wrote in return were also checked before being sent… well she'd write one more and see what happened before calling the FBI.

She reasoned that calling Abbott might make things worse for Jane but then; how much worse could it get. Twenty years to life in some penitentiary; or even a death sentence could be handed out. All Jane had to do was agree to work for Abbott for five years and then he would be free. Charges dropped and then in due time he could probably claim back his property. She had always wondered how much money he had because he never seemed to lack funds. She presumed that any or most of his belongings that had been confiscated would be returned thus enabling him to move on. He could sell that house with all its horrific memories and return to his safe haven, if he wanted to. He might even have enough to buy the place outright. She remembered him mentioning a comfortable hotel in his letters and images of Jane in five years' time, as the ever so charming, silver haired host of a luxury hotel, suddenly flitted through her mind. Yes, Jane would be eminently suited to that role.

But what if the worst happened? Surely Abbott would tell her if Jane was going to trial, then again … perhaps he wouldn't. She realised that she was watching the news each day, dreading hearing Jane's name given in connection with a trial. Any mention of his name and the Team could also be identified, making their new found lives the subject of gossip and chatter once more. She knew that was selfish but having reinvented themselves, she was sure that none of her team wanted to have to face the past again. They had all moved on.

The same idea kept going round and round in her head; Jane could be proud and mulish but all he had to do was agree to Abbott's terms and he would be a free man, well in a way, and five years was not all that long a time. How hard was that going to be to accept?

"I suppose impossible if you're Patrick Jane and you make your own rules."

She decided to start her letter with news of Cannon River and to once again convince him that she had moved on so that it was time for him to do the same.

Cannon River

08/09/13

Dear Jane,

As promised in my last letter, I've put a couple of photos of my house and garden into this one. I particularly love my little front garden with its picket fence and flower borders. It reminds me of the garden in Chicago when I was little or rather what it looked like before the boys started using it for their playground. I remember my Mom working so hard to keep it looking pretty and then after she died the boys won; the grass became a mud patch and the flowers gave up trying to grow under the attacks of three energetic boys.

I almost forgot to say that the apples on my tree are looking really good and I'm going to have a go at making apple pie! I do cook more these days, only simple things mind you. I have the time to do it now, never did before.

We've had some lovely warm weather this last week although amazingly, fall is only a few weeks away now and the hotels in the area are getting ready to receive the influx of visitors who come to walk the trails for the colours and wild life. I've been reading advice for Police Chiefs on the potential hazards and risks involved at this time of year for walkers. I even have a file on dealing with bears! I think I can handle it. It will be good to see people from outside the state even if it is only for a few weeks. I'm told the leaves change colours really quickly and I have to admit that I didn't pay much attention to them last year as I hadn't been here that long and was so busy getting used to the routines and my home organised, but looking back I do recall that I never knew there were so many shades of red and gold. The mountains are beautiful too, wrapped in mist in the morning with the cloud coming in during the evening. Yes, I'm looking forward to fall.

I don't know whether Cho has been able to talk to you and tell you about Wayne and Grace. He might not know himself come to think of it. Well, the Rigsby family have come up to Cannon River several times to visit me. The first time they brought Ben with them; Sarah and Wayne have reached a clear agreement over how they can both care for Ben and it seems to work extremely well. Ben is quite grown up now, wears spectacles that make him look very … clever, and he is tall for his age; hardly surprising considering his father. They also have a daughter, Maddie; I'll let you guess who she is named after! Maddie is just six months old, quite adorable, with hair the colour of Grace's and huge blue eyes, like her dad. She often has a surprised expression on her face which reminds me of Rigsby and apparently she has a good appetite. I wonder who she takes after. The surprised expression then breaks into a smile and when she laughs; it's such a wonderful sound; so innocent. She's going to be a beauty when she's older; a real heartbreaker. I'll ask Grace to send you a photograph of her if you'd like that.

I was honoured to be asked to be Maddie's Godmother and went to California for the Christening. It felt like going home for a while and I thought I'd drive to Sacramento past the old CBI, but changed my mind and came straight back here… to my home in Cannon River. It is good here you know. Wayne and Grace are coming over next week so I can tell them I saw you … and of course Cho.

When the CBI was closed down; it was pretty damn awful for a long time but when the investigations were ended we were compensated for our troubles. We also received a letter thanking us for all our service to the SCU, but that was it. Wayne and Grace decided to leave LE and set up their own company which they run from home so at least one of them is always there for Ben and Maddie. They undertake computer surveillance and have a growing list of clients, including some from LE. It was difficult at first but now they are beginning to turn a small profit each month so it seems they are set for the future. Cho must be settled in Austin now, perhaps he's been able to see you and give you some books. I often thought you two could start up a book club when we were in Sacramento if we hadn't been so busy chasing and catching criminals.

I expect Abbott is reading these letters before you receive them so I hope he enjoys the experience. Once again I hope you are well, even if you are still in detention. When you've agreed to Abbott's contract and you've worked with him for a while, perhaps he'll let you come and visit, if you would like that. I think you'd enjoy the open space and fresh air. I've made a good life here, Jane.

From

Teresa"