A/N: So here we are at the mid season finale! Time flies.
Thank you so much to everyone who was supported this project thus far. It really is appreciated and makes all the hard work by everyone involved worthwhile to get such lovely feedback on it.
We're hoping to get started planning the second half of the season in the coming weeks with a view to 'airing' it Spring/Summer. If there are any writers out there who want to become involved please PM us and let us know. It's not too late! We'd love to have you onboard in any capacity, be it to write an episode yourself or brainstorm plot ideas.
Episode 5 is brought to you by Brooklyn79 - Jane and Lisbon head back to California to investigate the case of a John Doe when evidence reveals the victim is linked to Jane and Lisbon's past. How will Jane cope with being faced with this new development? And will they be able to finally answer some of the questions left unsolved?
BLACK KNIGHT
"Checkmate!"
"How did you…?" The sound of Wylie's surprised words trailed off as Jane placed his king piece into its final position producing a smug grin upon the consultant's face. The part-time consultant leaned over to check on Liam who was soundly sleeping in the pram sat beside him. He and Liam had come by to the offices to take Lisbon out for some lunch. Jane had made a delicious homemade picnic for them all, hoping to enjoy the warm sunshine at the local park for a few hours.
"Strategic planning, my young friend. Chess is not just a game of winning. It's a skill of strategic planning and control. Always being two steps ahead of your opponent."
"He's not giving you his gloating speech on forward thinking and strategic planning, is he?" Lisbon quipped with a smirk as she entered the break room. She gave Wylie a sympathetic wink seeing that the poor guy had that solemn look of disappointment at being beaten.
"It's not 'gloating' as you put it, my dear. It's fact." Jane stood up from the break room chair placing a quick kiss to his wife's cheek. "And you, my dear, only think it's babble as you're a bad loser."
Jane watched as Lisbon's face changed from happy contentment to slightly irritated within a matter of seconds. "Are you ready for some lunch?" he asked hoping to distract his wife from his dangerously brave comment.
"I am NOT a bad loser!" Lisbon placed her hands on her hips glaring in Jane's direction as he disengaged the brake on Liam's pram.
"Oh, come on. You are. Admit it. But hey, it's okay. It's just one of your adorable little flaws that I love about you." Jane gave her one of his beaming sexy smiles hoping it would work its magic.
"One…? Of my flaws?" Lisbon raised an eyebrow in disbelief as he began to dig the hole even deeper. "And when exactly have I been a bad loser?"
"Well…" Jane paused, contemplating whether to continue into this territory. "Christmas just gone for a start. At your brother's," Jane replied quickly handing the control of the pram over to Lisbon, hoping if her hands were occupied he was less likely to get injured or shot.
"Stan was cheating. He had over one thousand dollars stuck up his shirt sleeve and he added an extra hotel on Broadway when no one was looking," she spat defensively.
"Well, that may be so, but using foul language, throwing the old shoe at Stan's head and storming off was a tad dramatic," Jane added, watching as Lisbon's eyes widened in embarrassment. Jane playfully winked at young Wylie who was sat eagerly listening to the husband and wife banter.
"I didn't throw it," Lisbon huffed pushing Liam's pram out of the break room towards the elevator. "I just… accidentally… dropped it." She winced, hearing how her own lie wasn't coming out very convincingly. Jane had always said she was a terrible liar and he was obviously right.
"Besides, I was heavily pregnant and full of hormones at the time. It's rule number one, you never cheat a pregnant woman."
Jane chuckled knowing full well Lisbon's reaction towards her younger brother would have been exactly the same, regardless of hormones or not. Before Jane could respond or Lisbon could call for the elevator, Cho appeared at the doorway of his office with a look of apprehension written all over his face.
"Lisbon, Jane, can I have a word in my office?" With no further explanation, Cho disappeared back to his desk. It wasn't often Cho let things rattle him, but it was obvious that something was up with their normally cool composed Supervisory Agent.
"Wonder what that's about?" Lisbon remarked nervously. There was something in Cho's tone that told her this was going to be something more than a friendly catch up.
"I don't know." Jane focused his attention on studying Cho through the glass partition that separated his office. "Let's go find out, shall we?" Jane held his arm out allowing Lisbon to go first. He painted on a happy beaming smile hoping to ease Lisbon's growing anxiety but knew himself by Cho's mannerisms whatever this was about, it wasn't going to be anything good.
"Hey Cho, let me guess, you need love life advice with Rosales and I am the man for the job." Jane playfully winked as his wife as she parked Liam's pram. She checked on her sleeping baby boy stroking a small curl and tucking the soft blanket in around him. Taking a seat beside her husband, Lisbon rolled her eyes before focusing her attention on her boss.
"I just had a call from the San Francisco office. They are going to be handing over a case to us," Cho said getting straight to the point. "They discovered John Doe remains at a new housing development just outside of Fairfield in Napa Valley. I have already sent Rosales there to start on the forensics report. Initial reports indicate the victim has been buried for a while. But Anna should be able to confirm the exact timeline for sure." Cho paused, watching as Lisbon's posture tensed whilst Jane seemed unaffected and nonchalant, casually sitting crossed legged in the chair opposite.
"What's that got to do with us here in Texas?" Lisbon inquired, unsure if she really wanted to know the real answer to that question. "Can't the San Francisco office handle this?"
"We managed to get a positive DNA match." With that Cho pointed his remote control at the TV screen placed on the wall. The face of Robert Kirkland's Homeland Security profile appeared on the screen making Lisbon's head spin back and forth. Jane also shifted forward in his chair taking a long look at the dead agent's face staring back at him.
"I –I don't understand," Lisbon stuttered. "I mean, we know Kirkland was shot and killed by Reede Smith. Reede confessed and we had his body in our custody." Lisbon spun to look at Jane, hoping he was as stunned as she was, but he seemed calm as he studied the screen.
"You're right. He was," Cho agreed not elaborating any further. Cho sat back in his chair watching as Jane slowly worked out the mystery, taking a few quiet moments to process it all.
"So… how the hell did Kirkland's remains end up buried in a building site in Napa four years later?" Lisbon stated stunned, her eyes darting between her boss and her husband who were both sat in silence.
"They didn't," Jane finally responded calmly taking his wife's hand in his own. He gently rubbed his thumb over her knuckles in a soothing gesture knowing that this unexpected blast from their past had clearly unsettled her.
"Our victim is not Robert Kirkland. It's his missing twin brother… Michael."
Lisbon stepped out of the SUV, letting the morning Californian sun caress over her. They had touched down at the San Francisco airport an hour before, being greeted by very hot Californian heat wave. Lisbon opened the back door of the vehicle getting a sleepy Liam out of his car seat as Jane made his way to the trunk to retrieve their bags.
"I am fine Lisbon," Jane sighed continuing their conversation from the airport. "Besides, you are forgetting it was my decision to work this case."
"Yes, I know and I am not even sure why. You heard what Cho said. He doesn't expect us to work this case. He and the rest of team can handle it," Lisbon reminded him glancing up at the beautiful white house situated behind them and ignoring Jane's heavy sighs at her over protectiveness.
"I mean Kirkland kidnapped you, he was going to torture you to death for information and you want to help solve his brother's case? I just - I just don't get it," Lisbon added, baffled by Jane's insistence he consult on the case. The realization that he hadn't really explained his reasons of wanting to be involved in the case and that he needed to try explain to put her growing fears to rest. "Look, I know you are worried but I-…"
The sound of the front door of the house interrupted his explanation.
"Teresa! Patrick! Oh, you're here!"
"We will talk more later," Jane told her as May Minelli skipped over to them. May immediately engulfed Lisbon in a hug. It had been arranged that while they were in California working the Kirkland case Liam would spend some quality time with Virgil and May while also being near to his parents.
The last time Lisbon had seen May and Virgil had been whilst she had been pregnant. Minelli had invited them both to stay for the weekend. Unfortunately, only she had ended up going as there was some emergency repair work Jane had to do on the cabin and he was unable to go. Although she had a sneaky suspicion that Jane may have just planned it that way.
She always had maintained a close relationship with Minelli, and when Jane had fled the country a few years back it had been Minelli who had helped her acquire a job as Chief of Police in Washington State through some of his old contacts.
"Hello, Patrick, lovely to see you again," May greeted warmly, giving the handsome consultant a quick kiss on each cheek.
"Hello, May. You're looking very well."
"Can I?" May asked, becoming all tearful as she eyed the beautiful baby Liam, now fully awake in Lisbon's arms happily sucking on his favorite ducky toy.
"Of course you can."
Lisbon smiled warmly as the older woman took her son showering him with affectionate cuddles and kisses. "Oh, Teresa, he is even more gorgeous than his pictures," replied May, already absolutely smitten with the little boy.
"Where's Virgil?"
As if on cue the gruff tones of Virgil Minelli came floating from the doorway of the house.
"Well, here comes trouble if I ever saw it." Minelli gave a small smirk as he walked out of the house and across the drive. He looked much older but good for it. Retiring from law enforcement had done him the world of good, along with meeting and marrying May.
Minelli engulfed Lisbon with a huge affectionate hug hello. Both he and Lisbon stayed in the tight embrace for a few minutes. Lisbon couldn't help but become emotional at their union, realizing just how much she missed her old boss being in her life. The sound of Liam's high pitched wail made the teary eyed pair split apart, making all four adults laugh in unison.
"Looks like the little man gets a little jealous where Lisbon is concerned," Jane jested, grabbing another bag of Liam's toys from the trunk.
"Like father like son then," Virgil answered giving Jane a familiar knowing look. Lisbon noticed a small flash of nervousness appear in Jane's eyes but he quickly masked it by giving one of his dazzling smiles.
"Good to see you again Virgil. It's been a long time." Jane stepped forward holding his hand out for the older man to shake. Minelli remained rooted to the spot showing no sign of emotion. Before May or Lisbon could interrupt the awkward tension building between the pair, Minelli finally grinned, pulling Jane into a man hug, shocking everyone by his overly friendly gesture.
Minelli patted Jane firmly on the shoulder. "Here, let me help you with that, " Taking a toy bag from Jane's hands, Minelli frowned, catching a glimpse into the pack filled trunk of the SUV.
"Jesus Christ! How much stuff does this baby need?" Virgil stated in shock. "He is only staying with us for a few days, right? Not until he graduates college!"
Jane and Lisbon both chuckled whilst May gave Virgil a short whack to the back of his arm for his poor attempt at humor towards their guests. "Ignore the grumpy old man. Come on in, I have put the kettle on."
"Why do I get the feeling our boy will have a very spoilt fun filled few days staying here with Uncle Virgil and Aunt May?" Jane whispered cheerfully before making his way up to the house with more of the little boy's bags.
"Yeah I think you may be right." Lisbon watched as her family and her surrogate family disappeared into the beautiful home before her.
She realized how lucky they all were to have May and Virgil in their lives especially as they were probably the nearest thing Liam would have to grandparents. Lisbon suddenly felt the need to know more about her husband's blood relatives. She was aware that Jane hadn't had any contact with his father or any knowledge if the man was even still alive, but she was totally in the dark about his mother. All Jane had said was that his mother had left him when he was only four.
The only known living relative of Jane's was a maternal aunt living down in Nevada. Maybe once this case was closed they could get in contact with his aunt and try rebuilding some family ties.
Cho's team quietly filed into the San Francisco FBI conference room for a full briefing on the Michael Kirkland case. Agent Robert Kirkland had originally filed a report with the Missing Person's Unit back in 2004, so they were lucky to have some basic information on their victim.
Cho stood at the podium once everyone was settled and had a copy of the missing person case file to hand.
"This is Michael James Kirkland. His remains were found at the Longhurst housing development site two days ago. He was officially reported missing back in October 2004 by his brother, Robert Kirkland."
The picture of Michael Kirkland showed he was identical to his brother Robert in every way, minus the goatee and his hair was styled differently. His nose had been previously broken too so it looked a little flatter than his twins.
"Michael Kirkland was thirty-eight years of age when he went missing," Cho continued. "Rosales arrived here in California yesterday, and her forensics report tells us that our victim died by being shot in the side of the head at close range."
With that, Wylie's fingers eagerly began tapping on the keyboard of his laptop, producing a picture of a skull buried in the ground next to the victim's picture.
"An execution maybe?" Lisbon suggested as a theory as to the cause of death.
"Maybe." Cho nodded having thought the exact same thought. "It was a nine-millimeter bullet. Anna found it still lodged in the skull."
Jane and Lisbon gave a small smile towards each other at hearing Cho use Anna Rosales' first name, letting it slip that they were definitely more personally involved than just professional colleagues.
"There was no bullet casing found at the scene and no dried blood found in the soil or anywhere surrounding the crime scene. So that most likely means our victim was killed elsewhere and buried there. Rosales also confirmed the victim had four broken ribs at his time of death and some serious internal bleeding. There was no ID found on the victim but Rosales did manage to extract DNA from the remains found, finding a positive match through the FBI database to his brother, Agent Robert Kirkland."
Lisbon shifted uneasily in her chair when Wylie made another picture appear up on the screen of the murdered Homeland Security Agent she had once worked a case with and shared a coffee.
"As far as we are aware, Michael Kirkland's last known whereabouts were a place called Redmington, in Napa Valley. According to the missing person's report, he was last seen on October 23rd, 2004 by a Dr. Mason Fuller. The report also confirms that Michael had sold his house eight months before his disappearance."
"So, where was he living then?" Tork asked, flicking through the case file notes trying to find the answer to his own question.
"We don't know," Cho replied. "That's where this trail goes dead."
"Wasn't Agent Kirkland convinced his brother was murdered by the serial killer, Red John?" Philips asked bluntly, making the rest of the team tense. Everyone knew this case was going to be highly sensitive with the connection between Kirkland, Jane, and Red John.
"Yes, he did. He was 100% sure of it," Jane stated firmly, speaking for the first time since the team briefing had begun. He focused his eyes on the new recruit, studying her for a few minutes.
He was curious to know how the new recruit knew this certain piece of information. It wasn't common knowledge apart from those directly involved with the case as they had never found any evidence to back up Kirkland's red John connection. That could only mean that Agent Philips had been reading the old Red John CBI files for some reason. Jane felt his own interest peak more in the new recruit, who was obviously eager to know more on his old closed case.
"So, was Michael Kirkland involved with Red John?" Philips continued, not backing down from her original inquiry despite receiving nervous glances from Wylie who was sitting to the right of her.
"We don't know," Cho answered, taking back control of the meeting. "There was never any evidence found of how Agent Robert Kirkland had come to this conclusion."
"Well there wouldn't be," Jane stated loudly. "Kirkland was a conducting his own revenge mission. He wouldn't have filed any of his evidence or findings officially with the FBI or Homeland Security. He didn't know who he could trust back then with the Blake Association up and running."
Jane threw the case file notes haphazardly on the table in front of him, disregarding them completely. "Robert Kirkland would have kept any vital information separate from the FBI and Homeland. We need to see Kirkland's personal things."
"Not sure that is going to be possible," Wylie added, typing frantically in search of the answer to Jane's request.
"What happened to Robert Kirkland's belongings when he died? Do we have any of them in storage?" Lisbon asked, seeing this case was going to be an absolute nightmare to work if no evidence, family, or belongings were available to help them investigate.
"Uh, according to records, all his belongings went to his ex-wife," Wylie confirmed, looking up to see a stunned Lisbon looking back at him.
"Robert Kirkland was married?" she answered, having not known that piece of information about the man. The creepy Homeland Security Agent had always come across as more machine than human being to her so to hear he had been married was a bit of a shock.
"Yes. To a Susanne Kirkland," Wylie continued. "They were married for eleven years. She lives near Sacramento. They had only been recently divorced at the time of Agent Kirkland's death."
"Then we need to go see her," Jane added. Lisbon had noticed Jane had been unusually quiet throughout the meeting. Normally he was the one asking all the questions and throwing up clever theories, but he remained fairly quiet so far.
"You really think Susanne Kirkland will still have his belongings after all this time? It's been nearly four years, Jane."
"Well, maybe. Maybe not," Jane agreed, knowing it was a long shot. "But she has kept his surname after all this time and they were married for eleven years. That's not something you just throw out with the weekly trash."
"I agree. Whilst it's a long shot, Kirkland's wife may have something that could be vital to helping us solve this case," Cho added. "Susanne Kirkland is the only living relative to the Kirkland brothers and is possibly the best lead we have to this mystery. We need to try to get idea of what Michael was doing in those last eight months before he completely disappeared. Who were his friends? Try and find any links that may connect our victim to Red John or the Blake Association."
"And how do we do that exactly?" Tork questioned.
"Go old school," Jane said coldly, leaving his chair and heading for the exit.
"Yes, we go back to old-fashioned detective work. We have the victim's remains now so that's one step closer than we were to closing this case," Cho said trying to remain positive even if it did seem to be an unsolvable case to work.
"We ask the questions and we see if we can solve the answers. Tork, Wylie, I want you to go visit the Longhurst Limited company out near Fairfield. The case notes claim Michael worked there as a laborer for a short time before suddenly quitting months before his disappearance. Philips - you and I will fly down to the San Diego to re-question Dr Fuller. He was the last person to see Michael Kirkland alive. He might remember something new he didn't remember at the time."
"Jane and I will go visit Robert Kirkland's wife Susanne in Sacramento," Lisbon said as she followed Jane out the room, giving a small unseen nod to Cho, letting him know she would be keeping a close eye on her husband.
They had no idea how this case was going to affect Jane or what sort of reaction he would have to being back and dealing with a new Red John related case. Lisbon could only hope Jane still had some strength left in him for another mystery involving the psychopath who destroyed his world.
"You okay?" Lisbon asked as she rang the doorbell of Susanne Kirkland's home.
"I'm fine Teresa," Jane replied softly, seeing the concern in his wife's eyes.
"Really? Because you have hardly said two words on the drive over here." Before Lisbon could probe any further, the front door of the Kirkland residence opened.
"Susanne Kirkland?" Lisbon smiled warmly.
"Yes, but most people call me Susie. Can I help you?"
Lisbon and Jane were greeted by an attractive woman in her early forties with long dark chestnut hair. Susie Kirkland eyed the small brunette and the smartly dressed man with curiosity as they stood on her door tep.
"My name is Agent Teresa Lisbon. I am with the FBI and this is my-… this is Patrick Jane. He is an FBI consultant." The minute Lisbon mentioned Jane's name, Susie Kirkland's own smile dropped, making her lips form into a thin line.
"I know who you are." Susie aimed her answer towards the blonde haired man. Jane returned her acknowledgment with a non-threatening smile hoping it would ease any fears about him.
"May we come in? We would like to talk to you in private," Lisbon asked when she spotted Mrs Kirkland's growing worry and anxiety. Susie Kirkland reluctantly stepped aside, allowing them both to pass.
"I will make us some tea," Susie stated once the front door was shut.
"Thank you. That would be very kind." Jane kept his voice sincere as he thanked the woman for her hospitality. Lisbon allowed Jane to follow the woman through to the kitchen. She wasn't used to Jane being so polite and reserved. Normally he was full of bravado and rifling through the house cupboards within minutes with no care or respect for anyone, but this time, Jane seemed to be taking a different approach.
Susie made some tea eventually joining Jane and Lisbon at her large kitchen table. The Kirkland home was a large family house situated out in the suburbs. Jane sat by the back door, admiring the landscaped garden when a large chocolate colored Labrador appeared in the house excitably jumping up into his lap.
"MAX! Get down. I am so sorry. That's Max. He was Rob's dog," Susie said, trying to pull the playful mutt away as animal continued to playfully lick Jane's face.
"Don't worry, he is fine. He just wants a play, don't ya boy?" Jane smiled, taking Max's gorgeous slobbery face in his hands playing roughly with his ears. Eventually, Max jumped down making his way to his cozy basket for a lazy afternoon nap.
"I guess you're here about what Bob did, Mr Jane?" Susie inquired with a sharper edge to her tone, preparing herself for some sort of confrontation by the unexpected appearance of the man at her front door.
"Actually, Mrs. Kirkland…" Lisbon started, but Jane jumped in taking control of the conversation.
"Susie. We came here today because the remains of a body were found dug up in Napa Valley. We have made a positive match to your brother in law, Michael Kirkland," Jane told her softly, observing as the woman's defensiveness faded and was replaced with one of a genuine shock. Susie leaned back in her chair releasing a big puff of breath. Both he and Lisbon watched as a silent tear rolled down Mrs. Kirkland's cheek.
"Are you sure? That it's really Mike?" she asked gaining control of herself.
"His DNA was a perfect match to your husband's. It's definitely Michael," Lisbon confirmed sympathetically.
"I… I can't believe that it's finally over. I honestly thought… well, it doesn't matter anymore, you have found him." Composing herself and wiping her eyes dry, Susie focused back on the agents. "How did he die?"
"We are still investigating that at the moment, but it looks like it was a bullet to the head. His remains were found out in Napa Valley approximately twenty miles from his hometown," Lisbon told her.
Susie gave a small ironic laugh. "Bob always said his body was out there. He was a hundred percent sure of it."
"Mrs. Kirkland…" Lisbon began.
"Call me Susie, please."
Lisbon smiled kindly at the woman sat opposite her. "Susie, can you tell us more about Michael? We have a missing person file but that doesn't really give us any real insight to the man. Were you two close?"
"No, we weren't close but Bobby and Mike were. Twin thing."
"You never liked Michael," Jane added in more of a statement than a question. "You feel guilty about that as it's not in your nature to dislike people."
Susie's eyes widened at the blond haired man, wondering how he knew that exactly. "Yes, you're right. Me and Mike didn't see eye to eye much. And… and I lost everything because of that man. My marriage, my husband, my world." Susie's voice broke a little as she diverted her gaze away in an attempt to hide her raw emotions.
"What can you tell us about Michael? What kind of guy was he?" Lisbon gently asked.
Susie huffed unsure of what to say. "Where do I start? Michael was damaged. He was badly abused by their father right up until he passed. Bobby was always the stronger one out of the two brothers; he left home when he was 17 and never looked back. Michael chose to stay and ended up drinking his life away. Going from job to job. Gambling, always borrowing money. Needy…. He had a dark side too."
"How do you mean?" Lisbon questioned, pulling out her notepad and pen from her jacket.
"Mike could be very quick with his fists. Just like his father was. Always getting involved or arrested in fights and brawls. When I first started dating Rob he didn't take it very well. It had always been just the two of them but then all of a sudden Bob's attention wasn't focused on him anymore but…"
"…but on you and Michael didn't like that," Jane added, finishing the sentence for her.
"Yeah, Mike hated me. He would never even give me a chance." Susie dipped her head, obviously upset that her own brother in law had felt that amount of hatred towards her.
"He saw me as some sort of evil she-devil stealing his brother away. At first, we just put it down to them being twins and Bobby thought he would come around eventually, but years later he was still the same way. Angry, resentful and bitter. When Bob proposed to me, Mike went mad, said he was abandoning him. We didn't see Michael for a few years. He didn't even come to our wedding. Bobby chose to be with me and Mike wouldn't accept that."
Susie paused, taking a sip of her tea before continuing. "But then we get a call one day from the local police out in Napa. Michael had been arrested again and he needed bail. He had stabbed someone in a bar fight."
"Really? When was this?" Lisbon asked, noting it down in her book. "There's no official record of this arrest."
Susie raised her eyebrows worried if she should say anything. Sensing she knew more on the matter, Jane reassured her. "You can tell us Susie; I promise you nothing will come back on you." Jane placed his hand gently down over on Susie's, showing her she could trust him.
"It was back in 2001. There wouldn't be any record on file. Bobby was working with Homeland Security by then and he made sure the incident magically went away. After that Bobby did a lot for his brother. Whenever Mike would get into trouble, Bobby would go running. Abusing his power to help him out. Eventually Bobby had enough of it and put Mike back into therapy, hoping professional help would help with his drinking and violent behavior. I told Bobby he would end up ruining his career and his life for his lousy brother… and he did."
Susie's words trailed off, her tone becoming sadder as she gazed off into the distance clearly remembering the exact moment she had just spoken of.
"This therapy you speak of? Do you mean Dr Fuller? It's recorded he was the last person to have seen Michael Kirkland alive. Am I right?" Lisbon said, wanting to confirm what Cho had told them earlier.
"Yes. Dr Fuller was Mike's psychiatrist and an old friend. He went to school with the brothers so he knew them both fairly well and about their violent childhood. Mike trusted him."
Jane gave a quick glance at Lisbon, knowing himself how important trust was when you are sharing your deepest darkest secrets to someone.
"Dr. Fuller ran a small practice just outside of Remington. Mike would go see him regularly, not that it did much good to be honest, and he still carried on drinking. But he did calm down after a time so the anger management therapy must have worked."
"Yes, I hear anger management therapy can be very helpful." Jane gave a small grin towards his wife, trying his hardest to suppress it from forming into something bigger as he remembered how Lisbon had to attend a six-month anger management course when she helped him out of a tight predicament back in the CBI days.
"Can you tell us anything about Michael in the last few months before he disappeared? It says in the missing person's report that he sold his house but we have no record of where Michael was living at that time."
Susie shook her head. "All we knew was Mike was staying with a close friend. He turned up here one night asking if we could store some of his belongings until he needed them again. At first, we didn't even recognize him. He was dressed in new clothes, was clean and sober and he looked totally different. He was acting… odd."
"Odd how?" Jane asked curiously.
"I don't really know. Detached somehow. He was polite but just not the Mike we all knew. He seemed different. Bobby persuaded him to stay and have dinner with us. He said that he had seen been shown a high path in life and that he was finally putting his damaged past behind him."
Jane shifted leaning forward towards Susie, remembering the exact same words Red John had said to him back in Vegas.
"Mike said we didn't need to worry about him. That Bobby wouldn't need to sort things anymore. that he was on a path to greatness." Susie frowned at her own words unsure of what any of it actually meant. "I thought he may have joined a cult, but Rob was adamant that groups of people weren't really Mike's thing and a cult would be the last place he would be living."
"Did Michael say anything more about this friend of his?" Jane asked, studying the woman's face more intently.
"No, he was very cagey when we asked questions. All he told us was his name was Roy and he had met him a few months previous and helped him get sober."
Jane observed Susie closely as she told them her side of the story, trying to read her every reaction. Jane was ninety-nine percent sure Kirkland's wife was being fully honest and telling them the truth. it was clear that Susanne Kirkland had been through a hard time with regards to her ex-husband's actions and her missing brother in law.
"Oh, actually, he did say this Roy had given him a gift."
"Do you know what he meant by gift?" Jane pushed.
"No, no idea. It was like he was talking in riddles. We only saw Mike a few times after that but he would still text regularly, though. Bob was worried about him… And then one day he just disappeared. That was the beginning of the end for all of us."
Susie stood up from the table clearly uncomfortable about putting her private life out there for all to hear, and poured herself a much stronger drink.
"After that Bob focused all his time on trying to find his brother. He set up the spare room upstairs into his own private office. He would spend hours going through Mike's stuff and paperwork trying to find something. Eventually our marriage wasn't even on his radar anymore. I wasn't on his radar. It was like Bob didn't care about me or what his obsession was doing to our marriage.
"Finding his brother was all he cared about. He said it was his fault that Mike had gone missing. That he should have helped him more. I told him his brother was a grown man who made his own choices in life but Bob wouldn't listen. He somehow felt responsible, he always had.
"Eventually, our marriage broke down and we separated. Bob got himself an apartment in the city. I always hoped that he would miss me so much that he come begging back… but he never did."
A small tear ran down Susie's face as Max the dog nudged her leg, sensing his owner was upset and giving her some much-needed comfort. Susie bent stroking the large animal on the head. "You must think I am really silly for getting upset about it all after all this time."
"No, not at all," replied Jane firmly but in a kind manner. "I think you were a woman who loved her husband. A woman who has suffered because the man she loved lost his way trying to find his brother and chasing a monster."
"I did love him," Susie nodded, her voice breaking as she wiped away the heavy flow of tears now falling from her eyes. "Max is all I have left of him. I know what Bob did to those men was wrong but he was a good man once. I swear he was."
"Why did Agent Kirkland think this friend of Mike's was the serial killer Red John? What real evidence did he have to back this up?" Lisbon asked seeing the poor woman's struggle.
"Red John? What's Red John got to do with all this?" Susie asked puzzled by this claim sniffing into a tissue and blowing her nose lightly.
"When your husband kidnapped me, he was adamant that Michael had been killed by the serial killer Red John." Jane noticed Susie's stunned reaction, totally unaware of this twist to the tale.
"I didn't know that Bob did think that," Susie replied. "He wouldn't tell me anything. So I gave up asking. After three years of searching, we both knew Mike was dead but Bob said he wouldn't stop until he found Mike's body."
"Do you have any of your husband's personal belongings left?" Lisbon asked, smiling warmly at the tearful woman. Her heart went out to Kirkland's wife, knowing first-hand how hard it is to watch the man you love nearly destroy himself over a deadly obsession.
"There are some of his boxes in the garage. To be honest, I haven't really looked though them… but you're very welcome to."
"Thank you Susie," Jane said softly. "You have been a big help."
Cho pulled up the SUV, parking it along the dusty dirt track leading up to Fuller's land. He exited the vehicle, instantly hit by the severe heatwave California was in the midst of having. With San Diego being so close to the Mexican border it meant it felt even warmer than it had been in San Francisco.
"Wow! It's hot down here!" Philips declared, slamming the passenger door and rolling up her shirt sleeves to cool herself from the humidity. She looked out across the large horse riding paddock beside the vehicle. Doctor Fuller and his wife had left Napa Valley a year after Michael Kirkland went missing and now owned their own riding stables near the Mexican border. There was a woman out in the middle of the paddock shouting instructions to a group of riders backed on horses.
Philips and Cho started heading up the drive having spotted a large farm house up on the hillside further back.
"Do you like riding?" Philips inquired to her boss as a large horse and its rider trotted past them waving a hello.
"Never ridden one," Cho replied, eyeing the large beast with caution as it swished its tail near him.
Philips stopped in her tracks at Cho's statement. "You've never ridden a horse? Ever?" She chuckled. "Not even as a kid?"
"No," Cho said, not expanding that conversation any further and continuing his way up to the farm house.
"Why do you think Jane really insisted he work this case? After everything he went through, I mean?" Philips asked, totally changing the subject and shielding her eyes from the bright afternoon sun.
"I am sure he has his reasons," Cho responded sternly, not very comfortable with discussing Jane's motives with the newbie.
"Hmmm. It's weird, though. Don't you think? Do you believe it has anything to do with him and Kirkland both seeking revenge and going to extreme lengths to get it?" Philips was, not deterred by Cho's evasive answer.
Cho paused, turning to the new recruit. "Jane didn't kill or torture anyone to get information on Red John. He was nothing like Kirkland," he told her sharply with a slight hint of anger to his tone.
Philips stopped walking, unable to hide the upset in her eyes by Cho's harsh reaction. Realizing he was being over sensitive to his new recruit, he backed down. "I think that's the guy we are looking for." Cho nodded his head behind her towards a man with dark brown hair in his mid-forties working in a work shed. "Why don't you take the lead in questioning him?"
Philips' smile returned, knowing that her boss handing over the investigating was his way of saying sorry for being snappy with her. "Sure thing, boss."
They approached the entrance of the large work shed to find the doctor dressed in an old pair of overalls, sanding down a piece of wooden furniture. Looking around at the large shed, Cho noticed there were different pieces of bespoke handmade furniture dotted all over.
"Dr. Mason Fuller?" Philips asked, grabbing the attention of the man covered in wood dust. Mason Fuller straightened up, rubbing his sweaty hands on his overalls as the two officials entered the cooler work shed.
"I am Mason Fuller. Can I help you?"
"I am Agent Sandra Philips and this Supervisory Agent Kimball Cho of the FBI. We would like to talk to you with regards to a Michael Kirkland if we may? We believe you were the last person to see him alive back in 2004?"
Philips noticed the doctor tense slightly but quickly mask it, busying himself back with his work. "Sorry, I don't know who you are talking about," Fuller replied dismissively.
Philips glanced towards her boss who was also picking up on a strange vibe from the man. "Michael Kirkland?" Philips repeated, holding her cell phone up to show the doctor a picture of the man. "According to our records, you were the last person to see him, Dr. Fuller."
"It's Mr. fuller now."
"So… Do you remember Michael Kirkland now Mr. Fuller?" Philips gut feeling was telling her there was something off about this guy and his dismissive manner towards them.
"Oh, him. Yeah, I remember now. But not sure I can tell you anything I haven't already told the FBI back at the time when he disappeared."
"Mr. Kirkland's remains were found buried in Napa Valley last week." Philips and Cho both noticed as the color drained from Dr. Fuller's face with a quick flash of fear filling the man's eyes. Dr. Fuller quickly recovered and went back to sanding his wooden bench.
"Well, I am very sorry to hear that. Must have been awful for his family never knowing where he was," the former doctor replied sadly, lost in his own thoughts for a few moments. "Look agents, I am very busy here. Have to get this garden bench finished by Thursday. Demanding customers, you know how it is. I really don't see how I can be any help to you. I never knew Mr. Kirkland and like I told the other FBI guy if I had any information to tell you I would. You have wasted a trip I am afraid."
"Why did you move down here Mr. Fuller?" Cho asked, also sensing something off about this whole setup.
"What's that got to do with anything?" Mr. Fuller snapped defensively, clearly becoming agitated by their presence in his home and work place.
"I am just wondering why a well-respected Doctor, psychiatrist and therapist quit his career after fifteen years for no apparent reason to come run an old horse ranch and become a small time carpenter."
"Well, that's none of your business now is it, Agent Cho," the other man said sternly. "Look I have work I need to be doing, so if you don't mind I think we are now done here." The doctor turned his back on the two agents making it quite clear he wasn't going to discuss the matter any further.
Cho nodded to Philips that they were done with their questioning. "Thank you for your time Mr. Fuller." They exited the work shed, stepping back into the soaring heat of the sun before making their way to the SUV.
Once out of earshot Philips spoke. "Dr. Fuller is hiding something." She glanced back at the doctor who was stood keenly watching them leave. "I can feel it in my gut."
"I agree. But what?"
"I don't know. Can't we bring him in, boss?" Philips huffed, annoyed that their trip down south had seemed to be a bust. "Maybe we could bring him up to San Francisco with us? Let Jane have a shot at him. Question him some more there."
"What for? He hasn't done anything wrong. Besides I get the feeling the doctor won't be so co-operative with that suggestion," Cho answered, also feeling frustrated by it all. "He isn't a suspect… Chance would be a fine thing," Cho mumbled under his breath. "And, our gut feelings aren't enough to arrest him. Come on, let's go find a motel for the night," Cho climbed back into the air conditioned SUV. "I need a shower."
"Okay, thanks for letting me know May. Kiss my baby boy good night for us."
"Everything okay?" Jane said, overhearing parts of Lisbon's phone call as he rifled through a box of high school football trophies Agent Kirkland had won.
"Well, he's having his bath time. He's very cranky, sore and in pain. Apparently he got bad sun stroke and some nasty sun burn when they went to the beach this afternoon… Oh and he has ruined his favorite tee shirt with ice cream," Lisbon informed Jane, returning back to her own search through Kirkland's belongings.
Jane instantly straightened as he heard about their son's welfare. "Liam?" he asked worriedly.
"No. Virgil." Lisbon giggled finally letting Jane in on the truth. "Apparently Minelli had a rough day at the beach. Forgot his sun hat. Liam on the other hand is absolutely fine and having a great time. May says he is loving being with the grumpy old man."
Jane smirked, imagining Virgil in the way Lisbon had just described knowing just how grumpy the old man would be and grateful they were spending the night away from that aftermath.
"Well there are a lot of boxes to go through," Lisbon said, scrunching her nose as she held up an old Bart Simpson alarm clock. "What do you think we should do?" Lisbon noticed that Jane was looking beyond her, observing Susie Kirkland and Max the dog pottering around in the kitchen.
"Well, I think Susie Kirkland explains Agent Kirkland's little crush on you. And why he asked you out on a date."
"What!" Lisbon spun around. Whilst Lisbon could admit she and Susie did have similar features, she didn't agree with his assessment about Kirkland's crush or their innocent coffee.
"You two are very similar. I am sure you reminded him of his wife," Jane smirked when his wife reacted exactly as he knew she would to his teasing remark. "You don't see it?"
"Oh hush. It wasn't a date. it was just coffee. get back to looking through those boxes," Lisbon barked whilst Jane retreated to the back of the garage chuckling at her outrage.
"God there's a lot of crap to go through. We should take all this stuff with us. Maybe we will find something linking it to Red John or his killer once Wylie has been through it all."
"I think I may have found something useful," Jane replied calmly, holding something square in his hand. He flicked over the object to show his wife that he had just discovered in an old file of Kirkland's.
"Oh my god. Is that…?"
"…Lorelei Martins," Jane answered, finishing off her sentence.
Jane handed the old photograph to his stunned wife. It was a photo of Michael Kirkland with his arms wrapped around the very familiar brunette. It was clear from their body language and the way Michael was snuggling into the woman they were defiantly more than just friends.
"I think we may have found the evidence linking his brother to Red John," said Jane releasing a small puff of air not at all expecting this turn of events.
"It also explains why Robert Kirkland was so keen to find Lorelei Martins when she disappeared too," Lisbon stated, staring down at the picture of the deceased couple. She felt a small bout of nausea building in her stomach remembering those horrible events involving Martins and how she had really feared for Jane's safety and his sanity at the time.
"Come on. Let's head to the motel. I'm hungry. We can call Cho and update him. Do you fancy Thai for dinner? I know a great take away. They do a great Kung pow chicken."
Lisbon watched as her husband made his way back up to the Kirkland house. She was confused by Jane's calm behavior, having expected more of a reaction to this new discovery, but Jane seemed to be very unaffected by it all. She didn't know if she should be worried about his calm manner or not. She grabbed the box of files Jane had found the photo hidden in and followed her husband, deciding that once at the motel she would try speaking to him about it.
Lisbon and Jane arrived at their motel just gone eight. The motel was clean and modernly furnished, but it couldn't help but bring back old memories of the motel Jane called home for over a decade for the both of them.
Jane sat quietly on the king-size bed watching his wife unpacking her overnight wash bag flitting in and out of the small bathroom. It had been Lisbon's turn to go unusually quiet on the drive back. He knew this case was bringing back buried emotions for them both, despite the act they were both putting on for each other.
"You okay? You wanna talk?" Jane asked, seeing his wife was struggling as her search for her bottle of shampoo became somewhat more frantic.
"I am fine. You okay?" she replied in a high voice.
"Yeah, I am stuffed after that take away we just had, but I am doing okay."
Lisbon paused studying her husband's gorgeous smiling face. "Are you really?"
The sound of Lisbon's cell ringing cut their conversation short. "Hey Cho. How're things down on the border?"
"Hot and sticky," Cho grunted miserably. "We just checked in at a local motel and are grabbing a bite to eat. We had a few hiccups finding a place to stay." The sound of Agent Philips' laughter echoed in the background.
"Our robust Supervisor is very choosy about where he stays," Philips yelled out mockingly.
"You didn't see the size of the cockroach wanting to share a shower in that last place, Philips," Cho snipped at his new recruit. "It was the size of my fist." Lisbon and Jane chuckled at the bickering pair being reminded of the old Cho and Rigsby days.
"How did things go with Dr Fuller?" Lisbon directed the conversation back to more case related matters.
"Not great. We spoke to the doctor…Or Mr Fuller as he is now. He gave up his practice a year after Michael Kirkland disappeared. He and his wife run horse riding tours for tourists now here in San Diego. And he does some carpentry on the side."
"A big career change," Lisbon remarked, watching as Jane also frowned at this news.
"Yeah it is. Doctor was being very vague too. Said he couldn't remember anything that could help us. He claims he doesn't remember Michael Kirkland, that it was too long ago."
"The doctor's lying." Jane quickly moved across the room to pick up the cell phone and placed it closer to his mouth. "Kirkland's wife Susie confirmed that Fuller went to school with both the Kirkland brothers and that is why he was hired as Michael's therapist. Susie said that Michael only trusted Fuller to talk to about his issues as they were old long-time friends."
"Right, we will head straight back there and bring the doctor in for questioning. We'll meet you and Lisbon at the San Francisco office," Cho ordered firmly.
"Meh, I suggest you leave the doctor for now. Let him think he has got away with lying to us. That way he won't be prepared when we do bring him in. Leave it till tomorrow and you can both take the FBI jet and be back at San Francisco offices before nine AM," Jane said spotting Lisbon's brow frowning in confusion.
"Okay. We will wait till then," Cho responded, unsure of why Jane wanted to wait to question the doctor but knew when to trust the wayward consultant. "How did things go with Kirkland's ex-wife?"
"Interesting. She seems like a honest decent lady. Still pretty broken up by her husband's death and his revenge mission. We may have a found another small lead to help with the case," Jane said casually, not elaborating on what that actual lead was. He held his index finger up against his lips to let Lisbon know to remain quiet.
"Okay well we will all convene in San Francisco tomorrow."
"See you then." Jane ended the call, acting surprised at the angry glare his wife was shooting his way. "What?"
"Why didn't you tell him what we found?" Lisbon stated angrily.
"Well it's nothing that can't wait until tomorrow, and I didn't fancy spending a long car ride to San Francisco tonight. Besides it's been a long, exhausting, and emotional day, and I wanted to spend some time with you. We can question the lying doctor tomorrow and inform Cho of the old picture then. Is that so bad?"
Lisbon hummed disapprovingly but couldn't help but give a little smile at her husband's reasons. Jane was right, it had been an exhausting few days and relaxing at the motel did appeal much more than a long hot sticky night time drive and hours of questioning.
"Besides, this way we get to spend some time alone, and I get to watch that cooking show I like." Jane quickly jumped on to the motel bed pointing the remote control at the TV from across the room.
Lisbon groaned, rolling her eyes as the sound of a loud cookery program filled the room. "Well if we are staying and you are watching this rubbish, I am going to take a shower." Lisbon threw a pillow at Jane's head before making her way to the bathroom.
Lisbon enjoyed the nice cool shower and wrapped a large white fluffy towel around her damp body. She exited the bathroom to find the TV was now off and Jane was sat quietly on the motel bed studying the file and picture of the couple they had found. He was dressed in his favorite satin blue pajamas fully engrossed in the photo in his hand.
"What are you looking at?" Lisbon asked, rubbing her moisturizing cream in to her hands and knowing exactly what and who her husband was looking at.
"Michael and Lorelei," Jane replied, not glancing up, still too engrossed at studying the picture.
"Oh…"
Jane heard the insecurity in his wife's voice and refocused his attention back onto her. He gave a small smile as Lisbon moved across the room trying to busy herself with getting ready for bed to hide her jealousy.
"Come here." Jane patted bed for Lisbon to join him. Lisbon swiftly pulled on her Chicago Bulls night shirt, trying her hardest not to look affected by him looking at the woman who had plagued their lives for a short time.
Jane wrapped his arms lovingly around Lisbon as she sat down on the bed. He moved over allowing her more space to sit beside him. "What do you see?" Lisbon quickly roamed her eyes over the deceased couple looking for some kind of object or item that she maybe hadn't seen before.
"Two people. In the sun. Smiling," Lisbon replied, not seeing anything unusual or out of the ordinary.
"Now what do you see?" Jane asked handing her the older picture of Michael Kirkland stood pictured on his own.
"Jane. I don't understand, what I am supposed to be seeing?" She was too tired for one of his guessing games. Jane rolled his eyes at his wife's failure to see the bigger picture, so to speak.
"lt's easy to see. Michael looks genuinely happy in this one. They both do in fact. "
"They are posing for a photo; everyone looks happy when having a picture taken, Jane."
"It's a selfie actually," Jane corrected her. "See? Michael is holding the camera up above them in his other hand." Lisbon held the picture up closer seeing what Jane had spotted. "This picture shows they are both happy. In love."
"How can you tell if they're really happy? They were disciples of a psychopathic serial killer," Lisbon added, not really finding the romantic vision Jane was seeing with the pair in the photo.
"Because, my dear, you can see that Michael Kirkland is a man in love in this picture."
"You don't know that for sure." Lisbon chuckled at Jane's unconfirmed diagnosis of a man he had never even met.
"Yes I do. For a start the way he is holding her in his arms. And the way he is looking at her. It's in his eyes. It's in his smile. The way he is presenting himself. When you look at this older picture he looks lost, sad, unhappy, broken. Finding a woman to love can help a man change, become stronger," Jane answered, his own eyes lingering on his wife's face, letting her know that statement wasn't just in regards to Michael Kirkland but to him and their own love story.
"She was a killer, Jane," Lisbon told him, rolling her eyes.
"Well I never said Michael Kirkland chose the right woman to fall in love with. Not everyone is as lucky as me," Jane chuckled shaking his head at Lisbon cynical remark.
"So what? You claim you are an expert in love now?" Lisbon quipped, teasing him on his analysis on Michael Kirkland and Lorelei Martins' relationship.
"Hmm, I think I might just be," Jane said seductively, allowing Lisbon to snuggle herself into his arms and initiating a kiss between them. Pulling back and breaking the kiss, Lisbon looked deeply into her husband's eyes. "Why did you really want to work this case?"
Jane sighed, knowing he would have to be fully honest. "I guess it feels like it's a loose end and if I can help close this case then I want to do that." Lisbon pulled back even further giving him a 'There's more to it than that' kind of stare. Jane sighed again, realizing his wife was becoming as good at reading him as he was her these days.
"And… maybe a small part of me feels some empathy for Agent Robert Kirkland." He saw Lisbon's eyes widening in horror so attempted to explain himself better. "I know Kirkland went a bit off the rails in his methods and despite him kidnapping me, in the end, no harm was really done and he was just a man looking for the killer of his family like I was. I am not saying I agree with all his methods but I understand how chasing that monster can cloud your sound mind and judgment. How the obsession takes over and Kirkland lost the best thing in his life because of it."
Jane dipped his head, fiddling with a loose thread of the bed sheets thinking about how lucky he was to have not lost the woman he loved during his own revenge mission.
"Kirkland never got to find out the truth about what happened to his brother. Feels like I should try to find out so that he can finally rest in peace. Red John destroyed all their lives too."
Lisbon placed her finger under Jane's lowered chin, lifting his head. "You're a good man Patrick Jane. Do you hear me? I am so very proud of you."
Lisbon leaned forward placing a firm hard kiss against his lips, extremely proud at the man her husband had become despite everything he had faced. Jane swiftly lowered them downwards on the king-size bed deepening the kiss as they moved. He turned Lisbon on to her back so he was lying above her.
"You do realize that we are alone? In a motel room? And we have no teething baby to interrupt us?" Jane said seductively in between placing kisses to her exposed neck. "You know what this means, don't you?"
"Hmm. What's that?" Lisbon whispered blissfully content with her husband's magic touch.
"A full night of sleep…." Jane grinned as he totally ruined any intimate activities his wife might have had on her mind. Lisbon let out a loud burst of laughter, knowing how hard Liam's teething had been on them both recently as Jane collapsed his body on top of her in complete and utter exhaustion.
"Do you know what? That's the best thing I have heard you say all day," they both climbed under the covers snuggling down for a restful night's sleep. Before Jane could reach over to turn the bedside lamp off, Lisbon's light snoring began vibrating softly against his chest.
"Goodnight Teresa… I love you," he whispered placing a soft kiss to her forehead and quickly following.
Cho opened the door of the interview room followed closely by Lisbon and Jane. Whilst Lisbon and Cho took their seats opposite the anxious doctor, Jane leaned himself against the wall near the back of the room. The rest of team were situated behind the two-way mirror looking in on the questioning.
"Is this really all worth it?" Tork remarked, sipping on his hot coffee and grimacing as the vile bitter aftertaste that lined his throat. "I mean it's pretty obvious who's responsible for Michael Kirkland's death. The guy was living with the serial killer and screwing the psycho's mistress. Cased closed I say."
Philips rolled her eyes at Tork's view on the matter knowing you shouldn't rule out anything when it came to Red John. Part of them knew that Tork's theory was most likely the outcome of Michael's fate, but with no evidence to back it up they had no choice but to follow every lead, and the doctor's lies about the victim had to be investigated.
"Why am I here? I told you yesterday I know nothing about all this. I can't help you. Why have you arrested me?" Fuller stated in a panicked agitated tone.
"You were brought here for questioning to help with our investigation, Mr. Fuller. You do realize that lying to federal agents is against the law, don't you?" Cho replied firmly.
"I never lied," Fuller said angrily.
"Yes you did. You are doing it right now," Jane stepped out of the darkness observing the nervous man sitting handcuffed to the desk.
"I swear. I am not lying," Fuller pleaded to Jane who was now casually walking around the room.
"Then can you explain to us why you claimed not to have known Michael Kirkland, when you were his therapist and psychiatrist for nearly three years and his long term friend?" Lisbon said, bringing Fuller's attention towards her.
"You were very close to Michael Kirkland and his brother Robert in high school. So close in fact you're pictured here in the high school year book together." Cho added, sliding the old school year book they had discovered in Kirkland's belongings to show the doctor of their findings.
Fuller's head lowered knowing that he couldn't lie anymore to the agents. "Okay …so I knew him. I just… I just don't want to get involved in this mess anymore."
"What mess?" Cho pushed.
"His sudden disappearance. I don't know anything."
"You're lying again," Jane stated coldly, pulling up a spare chair to the side of the doctor and observing him closely. "You're scared. Why?" Jane leaned forward, taking the doctor's wrist in his hand to feel his racing pulse.
"Why? I have been arrested and dragged miles away from my family when I did nothing wrong. How would you feel?"
"I would feel annoyed and pissed off, but if I had nothing to hide I wouldn't be this scared. Which leads me to believe that you are in fact the reason Michael Kirkland is dead. You killed him, didn't you?" Jane released the man's wrist and sitting back in his chair.
"What! No! I didn't kill him," Fuller stuttered, turning back to look at the two agents sitting opposite him. "I swear I had nothing to do with it."
"He's lying," Jane said, dismissing the doctor's frantic claims with a wave of his hand. "You might as well arrest him now, Agent Cho. Save us all the time. He is clearly a disciple of Red John too," Jane stood up making his way to the exit. Cho stood up from the desk as though he was really acting on Jane's orders.
"Mason Andrew Fuller, you are under arrest for the murder of-…"
"No, no, wait, wait… okay you're right." Jane paused from leaving the room, shutting the door behind him, knowing putting the fear of god into the doctor would get the skittish man talking.
"Yes, okay, I will admit I do know something but I swear to god that I didn't kill Michael and I have nothing to do with that serial killer. I swear to you. I don't. I didn't kill Michael…" Fuller pleaded honestly, as tears and fear filled his eyes.
"But you know who did, don't you?" Lisbon asked as Cho and Jane retook their seats at the desk.
Fuller nodded his head in shame.
"Who was it Mr. Fuller? Who killed Michael Kirkland?" Lisbon continued playing the good cop in the three of them.
"He did," Fuller sobbed. "Michael killed himself…"
Jane, Lisbon and Cho all glanced towards each other, a little taken aback by the doctor's claims. The doctor put his head in his hands. After a few moments he looked back up.
"I tried to stop to him. I tried to pull the gun away but Mike was much stronger than me and I ended up on the floor… and he pulled the trigger…. all I could do was watch as his blew his own brains out." Fuller's tears ran down his face as he wiped his running nose on his shirt sleeve.
"Why don't you tell us what happened, Mason. From the beginning," Cho said, seeing the man was in clear distress and was telling them the truth finally.
"It was late one night. I was doing some leftover paperwork at the office when Michael turned up. He had been beaten badly; he wasn't talking much sense. He said that they were after him and that he needed a place to hide for the night."
"Who was after him?" Cho asked.
"I don't know. He wouldn't say at first. He just kept repeating about how he needed to get to his brother's place in Sacramento. That he needed to speak to Rob urgently. That Rob would know what to do and could help him. I sat him down, cleaned him up best I could. He was bleeding pretty badly; he had a grazed gunshot wound to his left arm, a few broken ribs, and his face was badly beaten and bleeding. He had been attacked pretty bad. Then I saw the gun in his jacket pocket. When I questioned him he said 'SHE' had given it to him to help him get away."
"She?" Lisbon repeated, guessing this involved Lorelei Martins somehow.
"Yeah. Some woman he was with at the time. Uh Laura… Laurel. I think."
"Lorelei."
"Yeah that was it… He said it had been two men and he managed to shoot one and get away. I assumed he had gotten drunk and started a fight somewhere like he normally did. I hadn't seen Mike in months. He had stopped coming to see me by that time.
"I gave him a glass of whiskey to calm him down; he was too hyped up and restless and it was making him bleed out more. After a strong drink he calmed down and began to talk more sense. I tried to convince him to call the police but he went mad shouting that THEY were the police and he couldn't trust anyone except his brother.
"He said that the men after him were dangerous. Really, really dangerous and evil. That his life was on the line and that his time was finally up. I let him make a phone to his brother Robert but he got his answer phone."
"Do you remember what message he left?" Lisbon asked curiously.
"Uh, something about he had information on something big and that Rob needed to be careful. He asked Rob to tell Lorelei thank you and that he loved her."
Fuller took a sip of his water to try to quench his dry thirst as the three of them watched him closely.
"That's when Mike started talking like it was a final goodbye. Telling me to look out for his brother, how grateful he had been for my friendship all these years. That he never deserved to be happy like Rob did. He claimed he was a bad person and had done some terrible things and this was his punishment. He said he was a no good son of a bitch. He said that despite what it may seem he was truly sorry for everything he had done.
"Then he pulled his gun out of his jacket and tried to put it in his mouth but I lunged for him telling him that things would be okay and that he didn't have to do this. That I would help him. That his brother Rob would help him no matter what he had got messed up in. That he wasn't alone…
"We fought for a few minutes but he overpowered me and punched me in the gut. I fell back on to the floor from the force, giving Mike the opportunity to pull the trigger…
"Then… His body just slumped to the floor." Fuller's tears fell again as his voice broke reliving that awful moment of watching his friend take his own life. "He shot himself. There was blood everywhere… one of my oldest friends… gone just like that. Forever."
"Then what did you do?" Cho probed.
"I panicked…I thought I would be charged with his murder. My prints were all over the gun. My wife had just had twins, she needed me. I couldn't go to prison. I was scared," Fuller said desperately. "Mike had said these people were the police, that they were corrupt and would kill anyone in the way. So I wrapped Mike up in my office rug and took him out to the trunk of my car. I drove for about hour… I found some waste ground and I buried him.
"I got rid of all his clothes, ID, and stuff, burning them all when I got home. Destroyed any records I had of Michael's therapy over the years. He was a reclusive drunk most of the time and would go AWOL for weeks, so I thought that his brother would just put it down to Mike being Mike… and he did, for a while.
"But then Rob came looking for him and the guilt started to get to me. I decided I was going to go to his brother and confess to him what had happened and tell him where Mike was buried…" Fuller trailed off hanging his head down again in shame.
"But?" Jane added.
"But… then I got this note. It had the words 'Some things are best kept secret. Some things are best kept buried.'"
"Was that all?" Jane asked.
"No. It had a small red smiley face in blood at the bottom. That's when I knew. I had seen the news. That psycho was killing locally in the Napa area. These people Michael was talking about knew what I had done.
"So I had no choice than take my family and leave Napa. Get away. Keep them safe somehow. And so I did…. I never meant to hurt anyone," Fuller said, openly weeping. "I swear I never meant for Michael to end his life that way, and I tried my hardest to stop him. I did, I promise you. He was so scared for own his life… that he took it. I never meant for anyone to get hurt… I never meant for any of this…I am so sorry. I am so, so sorry. I am sorry."
Mason Fuller dropped his head into his hands, letting out ten years of guilt-ridden lies and secrets and repeating the words sorry. The sound of Dr. Fuller's sobs filled the small investigation room. Jane leaned forward and patted the doctor softly on the shoulder, realizing that whilst the doctor had made a major error in judgment when Kirkland had shot himself, none of this was his fault. It was Red John's.
Thomas McAllister was the only man responsible for this terrible mess.
FLASHBACK
Tuesday, 23rd October: 23:37 pm
Sheriff McAllister sat in his patrol car ignoring the noisy locals walking past him. The only reason he was working tonight was because he had to have a firm alibi to cover his tracks. His cell phone vibrated into life against the vehicle dashboard.
"What!" he snapped, seeing the name on the screen as he answered the call.
"Boss, we got a problem. Kirkland got away!" answered a gruff voice down the phone. The bastard had a gun, and he shot Bill in the leg."
"He what? Where the hell did he get a gun from?" McAllister shouted.
"Don't know, boss."
"You don't know? Well, find the hell out! And find Kirkland. And when you do make sure and bring that lousy son of a bitch directly to me. Do you hear me?"
"Yes, sir," the young cop said, swallowing nervously at his angry superior.
"And what about her boss?"
"What about her?"
"Well you did beat her pretty hard, looks like she may have broken ribs?"
"Oh I am sorry…" McAllister chuckled making his tone much lighter. Are you a doctor now?"
Changing his tone back to livid, he continued, "Because the last time I looked you were a police sergeant with an ego problem. Leave the whore where she is. She needs to be taught a lesson. They were weak. Love is for the weak. Find Michael Kirkland and bring him to me before he gets to that brother of his and brings us all down. Do I make myself clear?"
McAllister angrily flipped his cell phone together and yanked shut the door of his squad car.
"I am surrounded by complete morons. Want a job doing, do it bloody yourself," McAllister muttered speeding his car back up on to the main highway, leaving a cloud dust behind him.
He needed to find Michael Kirkland before he opened his mouth and ruined everything he had worked so hard to achieve these past few years. Plus, Michael was one of the only few people in this world to know his true identity. Red John.
The man was a liability, and he was weak. He always had been. He believed he could mold Michael Kirkland, change him to be more than he believed himself to be, but underneath it all Michael was just a weak minded fool who allowed a woman to rule his head in the end.
All that time and energy wasted on him and for what! McAllister thought to himself, his own mind racing to where he needed to go to look for Kirkland. He knew going to his brother wasn't an option. Agent Kirkland was currently working a Homeland Security case abroad in Ecuador. It was one of the reasons why he ordered Michael's death. By the time his nosey FED brother came looking for him he'd be long dealt with and all evidence covered.
Suddenly a grin spread across McAllister's face as the penny dropped working out exactly who Michael would run to if he needed help. The only other person besides his twin that he trusted. His old friend and shrink. Dr. Fuller.
Twenty minutes later McAllister pulled his police car outside the surgery. Pulling out his trusty knife and making sure his gun was inclined in case he needed a plan B, McAllister glanced around the street, making sure there were no witnesses to his arrival, not that he was that worried. He was the law after all. Everyone trusted the police as he learned nicely from his past victims over the years.
Suddenly his eyes were drawn to a dark figure moving down the alley at the side of the building. Catching a glimpse of the doctor stuffing something heavy in to the trunk of his Mercedes, he decided to sit back and see how this was all going to pan out. McAllister watched closely as the doctor slowly drove away into the night, not seeing the police car parked across the dark street.
Putting his squad car into drive and leaving the headlights off, making sure he kept a fair distance so not to alert the doctor to his presence, McAllister followed the Mercedes out of Redmington.
A fifty-five-minute drive later, the doctor finally pulled up to a dark desert clearing out in the countryside. They were miles from the nearest town and surrounded by the beautiful wilderness of Napa Valley. McAllister parked the car a half mile back to watch the doctor's strange behavior. Exiting his vehicle silently, the sheriff made his way to the front of the vehicle so he could lean against the bonnet to watch.
The doctor left his full beams on for some light in the complete darkness surrounding them and began digging a hole a few feet ahead of the vehicle. Another twenty minutes, McAllister was getting bored of waiting and was about to approach the frantic man. This doctor would know where Kirkland was hiding for sure and once he had told him where he was, he would kill him. Not the female type of victim he normally looked for in his victims, but the doctor would satisfy his need to kill for a while.
As McAllister pushed off the car bonnet he saw the doctor finally climb out of the hole and move to the trunk. In the darkness,he lost sight of him until the doctor came into the full beam of the Mercedes headlights again. The lifeless body of Michael Kirkland rolled out of the rug and down into the shallow grave.
"Huh? Well. Would you look at that? He's gone and done the job for me," McAllister chuckled under his breath happily observing the doctor undressing Kirkland's body. "Maybe I should recruit this guy as one of my devotees."
McAllister keenly watched as the doctor bent down breaking into uncontrollable sobs placing a tender kiss to Kirkland's dead forehead. "Or maybe not," he sarcastically rolled his eyes at the display of love and affection from the crying doctor to his own man.
Deciding that killing the doctor now would only raise more questions as to Kirkland's sudden disappearance, he decided to leave the doctor be. Besides who knows, Doctor Fuller could come in handy in the future if he ever needed one for something more underhanded and illegal.
Sherriff McAllister climbed back into his patrol car to make his way back to Redmington. His cell phone on the passenger seat sprung to life again and he rolled his eyes at the name on the screen again.
"What now? No, I told you to leave her where she is." McAllister shut his eyes trying to contain his rage. "Of course, she is in a bad way… I beat her up."
"Fine… take Bill and that little whore and go get them sorted out."
"NO, not to a hospital you fool. Too many questions. Take her to Stiles and his whack jobs. He will get them both fixed up. Tell him he owes me…. Hello? Hello? Crap… lost the reception."
McAllister started his car and drove back to town. After ten minutes he felt the tug of the steering wheel veering the car over to the right. He slowed the vehicle to a complete stop jumping out to see the front tire had punctured.
"Oh, you son of!" he exclaimed, kicking the tire in anger, knowing it was well past midnight and he was in the middle of nowhere with no cell reception. He may just have to go back and kill the doctor just to get a ride back to civilization.
It was then he heard the faint sound of a piano being played. He looked around in the darkness completely baffled by the music drifting through the warm night air. It was then his eyes narrowed seeing a large dark house up on the hillside in front of him. Shutting off the car engine, he pulled out his knife wondering what sweet delights he would find at this home.
He finally made his way up to the dark house with the music now very audible and the sound of a woman's voice humming along with the notes. A wicked evil grin spread across McAllister's face as he pulled his special knife out of his back pocket. Maybe he would get his favorite kind of kill tonight like he so enjoyed. He wrapped his knuckles hard against the wood of the door. The piano music instantly stopped and he heard slow moving footsteps approaching the front door. Hiding the knife behind his back and straightening his beige Sheriff's hat, he prepared himself to put on his caring trusty Sheriff act.
The front door opened and he watched as the woman fumbled trying to put on the hallway light. As the light in the hall came on it took a few seconds for McAllister's eyes to adjust to the brightness. Suddenly he saw a red haired woman standing in the doorway greeting him. He was unable to see her face fully because of the brightness of the light behind her.
"Hi ma'am. I have got a flat tire and have broken down. May I be so kind as to use your phone to call someone to come get me?" McAllister said smoothly, hoping his Sheriff's uniform would put the woman at ease allowing him access into her house.
"Sure you can, please, come in." The sweet lady stepped aside, allowing him access. McAllister entered the large style house, spotting the beautiful grand piano she had been playing on moments before. "Let me put some lights on for you. I don't get many visitors out here you see."
It was when she switched on the main living area light McAllister realized why she had been sitting in the dark playing her music. She was blind.
"Really?" I don't believe that," he added, looking around the house curious to see if anyone else was around. "You live here alone?" he enquired eagerly.
As the blind lady made her way into the main living area she smiled a sweet smile at the Sherriff, holding her hand out for the polite police man to shake.
"Yes, it's just me out here. My name's Rosalind."
McAllister slowly shook the younger woman's hand, instantly drawn to her for some reason.
"Rosalind? What a lovely name. My name is Roy…"
FIN
A/N: So there you go! Thanks again and hope you'll be back with us in a few months for the second half!