A/N: For those of you just now tuning in to this story, I started this sometime around Christmas, before Hightower was introduced. Well, I'll be damned if I let something else I started be left incomplete, I do that too much. So I'm GOING to finish this freaking story (even though I've since lost a lot of interest in it. I'm just finishing it for those who showed interest in it, because I love my readers). However, this chapter was pretty fun to write. I was going to get into more detail on the computer issue... but then I remembered that I know as much about computers as I do astrophysics (so... not much), so it's vague, and I don't even know what's wrong with the thing!

At least I know how I want this thing to end, so hopefully I can finish it and never look at it ever again *glares at the story*

Disclaimer: HAHAHAHAHAno

Ch. 13 - Six-Step Plan

The cool, dark atmosphere of the storage room held a certain air to it. An air that did it's intended job perfectly. The room itself was in the basement of the building, and there was only one way in and out. There were no windows to allow any extra light, only the yellow glow of the artificial bulbs to allow for minimal visibility. It was almost like a dark cave, giving anyone who entered a feeling of dread. As if anyone who came down here was no longer a human, but a monster who was to be feared by anyone who crossed paths with them. But as knowledge is the key to power, and this room held a lot of knowledge on a lot of people, anyone who came down was to be viewed as a threat. There were no exceptions.

At all times there was a check man, with whom you had to sign in and out to keep record of everyone who entered. Alongside the check man was always at least one guard, just in case. Anyone who entered needed a card key to open the gate to the actual files. Anyone who worked for the CBI was granted a card key, it was merely added security, and an added itinerary to show who entered the room.

On this particular shift there was only one security guard. He was a man of average build, hair that wasn't completely kept up with. His arms had misplaced, small scratches, most likely from home projects and dealing with tools. You did not have to be as observant as Patrick Jane to see the boredom written across his face and posture. The man next to him was scrawny with thinning hair and glasses. Just like the guard, he seemed bored. However he was trying to keep occupied by typing away on his laptop. It was clear these two men had nothing in common, and therefore had no way to keep each other entertained.

It was getting late, which meant most of the CBI was going home. Those remaining were working on cases, which gave Cho, Rigsby and Van Pelt an advantage. But that still left a six-step plan the trio had to pull off: distract the check man, distract the guard, use another card key (to keep further suspicion away from them), get in, get Sasha's file, and get out. A six-step plan for a three man team.

Despite VanPelt's previous hesitation to this entire plan, the entire thing hinged on her ability to distract the check man and retrieve the file.

The redhead strode into the room, trying to pull off an innocent face. Both men instantly shot their heads up, eager to have a new face in the room. Especially this pretty face.

"Excuse me, Mr. Richardson?" Van Pelt addressed the scrawny man. "I'm having issues with my computer, and tech support has already gone home for the night. But I'm working a case right now, and I really need my computer. Jones told me that you're good with computers, would you mind taking a look for me?"

"Sure, yeah. I mean, White can handle this place on his own, right?"

The guard gave the man a slight glare, but ultimately conceited with a nod.

Around the corner, Cho and Rigsby stood pretending to talk about sensitive case information and using the secluded basement as a means of escape from any wandering ears from those working above.

Back at the bullpen, VanPelt and Richardson were looking at the purposely corrupted computer. After testing the computer and a lot of tech talk, Richardson found the solution, but needed a chord to hook up to the computer. After some searching for the chord the young agent hid, Van Pelt admitted that she wasn't entirely sure where the chord was. She instructed Richardson to continue looking for it here, while she went to see if she could find another in the computer storage room. The man, obviously smitten by the beautiful redhead, was more than happy to comply.

On her way back to the basement, VanPelt sent a text message to Rigsby to go ahead with stage two.

Stage two was simple enough for the two men. To distract the guard, they started up a loud verbal argument. Shouting (but not too loudly) about Cho's leadership qualities, or lack thereof, Rigsby's inability to control his emotions, and Cho's inability to show emotion. This quickly drew the attention of the guard, and once he rounded the corner the men began to shove each other. The guard reacted as expected, trying to break the two apart. Out of the corner of his eye, Cho saw the guard try and reach for his walkie-talkie. Cho then threw the brawl on to the guard, mixing him into the tumble.

VanPelt slipped past the men with ease and used Richardson's card key, which she had swiped out of his pocket while he was busy looking at her computer. The storage room was easy enough to maneuver for the rookie, since she was often stuck in the building for investigations. So the task of retrieving files was often placed on her hands. Once she found Sasha's file, she silently closed the gate, slipped Richardson's card key underneath the papers on his desk, and snuck past the guard.

Cho had luckily seen VanPelt leave the basement, and took that as his que to end the fight. He quickly got up and shouted orders at Rigsby to go home and cool down before coming back to work. Reminding him in a stern voice that he was the one in charge.

Back at the bullpen, VanPelt placed the file on Cho's desk without notice and returned to check on Richardson's progress.

"I found a chord for you. All you really need to do is wait and unplug it once it's finished." Richardson said triumphantly.

"Thank you so much, you were a huge help." VanPelt managed to say in a heap of a sigh.

Jane and Lisbon were sitting silently in Lisbon's apartment. Neither had really spoken a word since the diner, but words were pretty useless at this point. At least concerning either's feeling about this whole thing. However, both of their minds were racing.

The T.V. flickered silently, originally turned on to act as a distraction, but was proving to be a moot point. Finally Lisbon was the first to break the long silence.

"Why do you think Red John killed Boris? I mean, his time of death was within two hours of your suspension. I doubt even Red John is that good. So what other reason would he have to kill him?"

"I don't know. To taunt us, I suppose."

Before Lisbon had a chance to retort of the sheer stupidity of that idea, her cell phone went off. On the other line was Cho, announcing that they had Sasha's file and were heading to her place.

The file proved to hold the information they expected from a woman like Sasha. Originally from LAPD, she clawed her way to the top, proving just how tough she could be. Jane's assessment was that she was probably relentless at getting what she wanted, and knew how to work her way around to get just that. On-record however, there seemed to be no link to Red John. Not until Jane flashed across a familiar name.

"Wait a minute. It says here that one of her old partners was Catherine Merchant."

"So?" Lisbon asked, too exacerbated to deal with Jane's inability to get to the point.

"She was a Red John victim. The only victim who was in the force back then. From what I remember, she was working her way up the ladder pretty fast."

"Competition for Sasha?" Rigsby asked.

"Oh most definitely. And Sasha wouldn't want that, now would she?"

"Kind of hard for women to prove their worth in the force back then. So with less female competition, all the easier for Sasha to prove herself and move up." Cho pointed out.

It wasn't much proof. But it was enough to confront Sasha with. And just maybe they could get to the bottom of this.