Chapter Twenty: Soldiers

Lisbon replayed her conversation with Officer Kelly over and over on the way up to Hoskins' office.

Each time, her bones felt a little colder.

Laura Jorsten was dead. Murdered in her home. One of the officers had already positively IDed her.

An adult male body had also been discovered in the Jorsten house. Lying on the floor in an upstairs bedroom, the man's face was too badly burned to make an identification. There was no wallet on his body…

…But he was wearing a suit.

For some reason, Lisbon couldn't bring herself to ask if it was a three-piece.

Jane's car was parked in the driveway, along with a black Crown Victoria. There was no one else in the house, but officers were searching the grounds. The coroner was en route with a fingerprint scanner. When she arrived, then they'd know about Jane.

One way or the other.

Lisbon took a deep breath and stepped off the elevator.

Hoskins' office was dark when she reached it. Van Pelt sat alone, squinting into the bright monitor, her face a ghostly blue mask of concentration. She probably hadn't even noticed the sun going down…

Lisbon flicked on the overhead lights.

Van Pelt twisted around in her chair, blinking. "Oh, hey boss." She rolled her shoulders and stifled a yawn. "Did the tech team get here?"

"Not yet." Lisbon tried to make her voice sound normal. Her throat felt funny. "Listen…something's happened."

Van Pelt frowned, sitting up straighter. "What is it?"

"Laura Jorsten's been murdered. Shot execution-style, same as her husband. Her body was found at home…"

Van Pelt winced. "Oh, no…did Jane find her?"

Lisbon swallowed. "I don't have all the details, yet. But Jane…he might be in trouble."

"What kind of trouble?"

"We're not really sure of anything at this point. Local PD's at the scene, and I'm heading there now to meet them."

The younger agent stood up, nodding. "Okay, um, just let me shut this down and unhook the tower. We can take it with us so Hoskins doesn't try to tamper – "

"No," said Lisbon, a little too loudly. She softened her voice. "No, I'm going alone. I need you to stay here, keep digging…"

Van Pelt's eyes looked pained. "But boss, if Jane needs help – "

"Then the best thing you can do for him is figure out what's going on, who's behind this."

Now Van Pelt's whole face looked pained.

Lisbon sighed. "Look, we've got a husband and a wife, both murdered, probably professionally. This company is the only lead we have. You saw Hoskins in that interview. He's hiding something. I'm counting on you to find out what it is. Understood?"

Van Pelt took a deep breath, and nodded. Curt and professional.

"Yes, boss," she said firmly.

Lisbon's heart swelled a little. What an agent. What a soldier.

Van Pelt immediately sat back down and started sifting through documents, a new intensity about her that crackled like fire.

Lisbon turned to leave, but hesitated at the door. "Van Pelt?"

The younger agent looked up, all business. "Yes, boss?"

"I'll call you," Lisbon promised. "The minute I know anything, I'll call you."

Warmth flooded back between the two women.

Van Pelt's face turned soft again. "Thanks," she said sincerely.

Lisbon nodded, and left the young agent to her search.