Volker's smile is wiped off his face and he's brought back to the table and forced to sit down. Cho and Van Pelt stand up.
"You guys go and do what needs to be done and I'll stay here with him."
Jane sits down at the table, directly opposite Volker, he crosses his legs and lays his hands in his lap. Lisbon motions to Cho and Van Pelt to follow her.
"We'll be back as soon as possible."
Jane waves his hand at the departing figures without looking around.
"Take your time."
He then looks over his shoulder.
"Lisbon, could you arrange a cup of tea please. All this resurrection stuff as left me quite parched."
"I'll see what I can do."
Jane's aware of the door closing as he studies Volker across the table. Volker's smirky expression is back in place but Jane can see the thunder behind the eyes. Volker's good but he's not good enough. The silent treatment worked well before, but a different strategy is called for this time. Lisbon isn't just getting the paperwork in order but to check on Rigsby's progress. It's Jane's job to get the man ready for talking. The door opens and the aroma of tea announces his drink's arrival. He takes the cup from the prison guard.
"Thank you so much, you're a life savour."
The man shrugs and leaves. Jane settles back down in his chair and takes a sip, looking at Volker over the rim of the mug. He holds the mug towards Volker.
"Would you like a cup?"
Volker doesn't respond.
Jane leans towards him, in a confiding gesture.
"A heads up, if you're thinking that silence is your best option...it's a little late, may as well spill the beans, come clean, tell all. It's quite cathartic."
He leans back once more in his chair.
"So I'm told."
Volker seems passive but Jane's unique talents detects a flicker of reaction, bringing satisfaction. Jane shakes his head.
"Your downfall Volker is that you're not quite as clever as you think you are, this plan was too elaborate, I always find simple is much better...lessens the variables."
He takes another sip of his tea.
"This really is a good cup of tea, technically I guess I should say, mug of tea, which only, increases my admiration, as tea is best drunk from a cup, fine china being the optimum vessel. Though my cup at CBI can't be described as fine china, maybe I'll have to put one down on my Christmas list. Are you sure you don't want a cup, sorry mug? Suit yourself."
"I think I prefer you silent Mr. Jane."
"You know a lot of people say that. Lisbon included. I'm only trying to educate people on the finer details of life that can pass them by. It's life enriching."
Jane points his mug at Volker.
"You, for instance, I would suggest that you keep out of the crime business. Time as proven, you're not quite good enough to pull it off successfully and look where it's got you. I've been in prison before, and it's fascinating, I'll grant you that. But it lacks a lot of the finer things, that make life comfortable. I'm sure you're working your way to the top of the hierarchy, if you haven't made it there already, and you have more comforts than most, but I find all that clanging of gates, far too noisy."
Jane shudders.
"There's no clanging of gates Mr. Jane, it's all done electronically."
"True, but I still heard it every time a door closed. Symbolic I guess, sounding the end of freedom, choices, civility. There isn't much civility in prison is there Volker? It's all dog eat dog, keeping the boss man happy, hiding weaknesses, making sure you're not on the low-end of the totem pole. Something I'm sure, you haven't had to worry about...but then there's this lovely tea.
Volker crosses his arms.
"Thinking about it, maybe this is the best place for you. I mean you don't have a life outside any more, not like you're use to anyway. No more 'top dog' out there. No more rubbing shoulders with politicians and celebrities, no more reading stories to children, no one out there will look at you with awe and fight to be photographed with you. No more invites to the 'in' parties. You can only command the respect of murderers and rapists the degenerates of society."
Jane takes another sip and closes his eyes in rapture.
"And then there's this superb tea."
He turns his attention to the guard in the room.
"Can you tell me who makes the tea, I want to give him my complements before I leave this hell hole, no offense."
Volker leans forward.
"Will you just shut up Mr. Jane."
The door opens and Lisbon enters. Jane turns in his chair.
"Ah Lisbon just in time, Volker seems to have tired of my company. Have you tried the tea? It's quite remarkable."
Lisbon sits down next to Jane and places a folder, she has in her hand, on the table, along with a recorder.
"That's new Lisbon, we didn't have folder before."
Jane opens it up, just enough to peer inside, he lets out a low whistle.
She switches on the recorder.
"Interview started 9:47 am, present Tommy Volker, Agent Teresa Lisbon and Consultant Patrick Jane. Also Officer Lowden. Lisbon opens up the folder and places photographs in front of Volker.
"Recognise these men?"
Jane leans in and whispers to Lisbon, but loud enough for Volker to hear.
"He does Lisbon, each one of them."
Lisbon places more sheets of paper with type face on them on top of the photos.
"These are copies of their statements, incriminating you in their criminal activities."
Jane whispers again.
"He's not sure whether to believe you or not."
Jane peers at Volker some more.
"He...s leaning more towards not. Which I don't understand because you're the most honest person I know."
"I do my best."
"It must be that religious upbringing of yours."
"It has its advantages."
"I never said honesty was a good thing, far to overrated in my eyes."
"Well you would say that."
Volker shifts in his chair.
"I think we need to get back to the interrogation Lisbon, Volker's getting antsy."
Jane addresses Volker.
"Are you sure you don't want some tea, it will help calm your nerves."
"I'm perfectly calm."
"If you say so."
Lisbon places another piece of paper on the table.
"This is a record of visits to you from two of the men in front of you."
"Oh well done Lisbon. The 'Pièce de résistance'.."
"..icing on the cake.."
"..Coup de grace.."
"..The grand slam."
"...Er not sure about that one Lisbon."
Volker explodes.
"Will the two of you shut up, I should have just had them shoot you both."
Jane turns to Lisbon.
"I think that will do it."
"Sounded like a confession to me."
"Thank heaven, if I have to have one more sip of this truly dreadful tea, I think I will throw up."
Author's notes: We're almost at the end of this story. Just one more chapter to go. Thank you so much for everyone who has reviewed, it's been great to read your thoughts and receive your support, and also for all the follows and favs. I've been truly amazed at the reception given this story. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.