Authors note: I'm really behind on this but it was my birthday so I've been distracted, that's a valid excuse right?. I wanted to move the plot along further but this chapter, once I included the case, got to be too long and I only had time to proof read half of it, so apologies for those I p'md hints to previously it'll be another chapter sorry.
Thanks to Miss Donnie and me4eva for the reviews!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my credit card debt is quite a bit less now that makes me happy!
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Jane ambled in to work on Tuesday morning. The blue clear sky mocked him and he longed for rain. He was tired and grumpy and on days like today, he wished he had Lisbon's coffee addiction. Unwilling as he was to admit it, tea just didn't cut it sometimes, however he could never stomach the petrol fuel his team mates all ingested.
He hadn't talked to Alicia in three days and he hadn't slept either. She had finally responded to his text assault this morning, with a simple and sweet, 'she missed him too'. His feeling that something was happening beyond his control had not lessened, the thick air felt oppressive around him while the heat blistered his skin.
He had barely slumped on to his couch when the call came in that they had a case. Not just any run of the mill one either, it was an out of town case and therefore an over-nighter. The Gods were seriously against him, ridiculing their puppet by toying with his foul mood. A family doctor to the governor, William Richards, had been killed while on a retreat.
Jane really didn't care.
Van Pelt quickly went online and booked them in to a small motel near the 'Isis hideaway', where the body was found. Not that they would have been able to stay there anyway, budget cuts and all that, but for once it would be nice, she reflected. They all grabbed their over-night bags, and broke into their now familiar groups.
No one for one second thought that Jane's Citron would make the long journey, they were also acutely aware that something was up with their consultant. Jane had been in a funk since the day before and they were more than happy to leave him be, well leave him to Lisbon to figure out how to fix him.
Jane barely commented as they got into the car and began their long journey. Unusual for the normally verbose Jane, he watched the landscape pass by, remaining distracted all the way to motel. Despite his lack of interactions with her, he continually sighed loudly and squirmed in his seat.
Lisbon would never need to have children, not with a five foot ten inched one already in her care, that was so very needy. For the four hours they were in the car together, Lisbon drifted between watching him with concern, liaising with the other car and talking to the local police. Jane remained silent.
Lisbon was struggling to get the local Detective's co-operation. He didn't care who this man knew, as far as he was concerned, he didn't need help, especially from some little, upstart, city woman. She pulled into the motel's parking lot, it was thankfully a hell of a lot nicer than it seemed online.
In a Victorian cottage style, the reception was both cosy and welcoming, please God let it be clean though, Lisbon prayed. She had been enough places, to know don't judge an establishment by its reception.
She approached the woman and paid for two double rooms, Jane as always, was upgrading himself. Lisbon would love to know just how much the man had and where it came from. Actually probably not where it came from, she would only end up arresting him, no doubt.
She and Van Pelt went into their room to dump their stuff, opening the door they both breathed a sigh of relief. The twin room had wooden beds covered with duck egg blue comforters, and gold threaded, brown pillows. The cream walls gave the room a bright warm feeling and the light colours meant one important thing, no dodgy, questionable stains. Both women threw each other grateful smiles.
As per usual they all congregated in Jane's room to set up their base. Years of his having the larger room, combined with his insomnia, allowed for the team to work from his room and not disturb their companions, whenever sleep finally overtook any of them.
Jane was always willing to talk things through, no matter what time of night, and Lisbon also liked the added advantage that someone was always watching him this way.
Jane's room was tan, browns and creams, with the large double bed taking centre stage. Thankfully a robust wooden desk, gave Van Pelt room to spread out all the information she had, while Cho and Rigsby sat at a round table, near the window.
Lisbon plopped on the bed, allowing her to see both the table and the desk easily. Jane settled near her, still unnaturally quiet but actively listening.
"So the body has been removed and brought to the morgue, Mr. Richards was last seen at 'Hyped', a club on Fourth and Lexis, guess he got sick of all the relaxation..." Cho began.
"The local P.D.'s have already interviewed the staff and viewed the body boss", Van Pelt added.
"Okay, well firstly, I'm not relying on the work they have done... nor their inclusion of important information. Cho, Rigsby, I want you two to go talk to the coroner, they've moved the body so there is no rush in Jane viewing it yet. Van Pelt, I'm sorry but I'll need you to work with the locals, I need the crime scene photos and details asap. Tomorrow we're going to need to head to where they found the body... Ok lets go." Lisbon ordered.
As the others left the room Lisbon stopped Jane, her small hand grasping his wrist.
"Alright Jane, what's going on?" She forced him to meet her eyes.
"Hmm, I don't know what you mean." Jane brushed off her inquiry
"Cut the crap Jane, you've barely spoken all day, a near impossible feat for you. So again, what's wrong?"
Jane was going to blow off her concern, but thought better of it. He wanted her help, she always made things better.
"I had a row with Alicia and she's moved out, temporarily. We're talking but... something is wrong overall and I don't know what it is." Jane looked at her with confusion, so rare for him.
"Jane, I'm so sorry. Can I do anything?" Lisbon queried.
"No, no, I'm okay, I know it'll be fine, it's not even that, I'm not upset, it's more I have a weird feeling that I cant shift and I'm..." Jane was interrupted by Lisbon's phone.
"Sorry Jane", Lisbon flipped open her phone, glancing at the name.
"Detective Moore... yes... no... yes, well thank you for your concern but I'm confident I'll be fine." Lisbon snapped her phone shut angrily.
"Telling you what to do" Jane pestered.
"Save me from small minded men." Lisbon breathed out in frustration.
"Have you considered tackling him. Nothing like a small woman, knocking a pompous ass to the ground, to put him in his place, not to mention sexy." Jane teased.
"Ha ha Jane." Lisbon smiled and blushed, relaxing somewhat. "So, you were saying?"
"Honestly it's not important, I'm confused because something is there but its just out of reach. I'm not used to that." Jane answered honestly.
"I'll say, the great Patrick Jane stuck for the answer, hell has frozen over." Lisbon jested, but was secretly rattled by Jane's uncertainty. His self-assuredness, she had thought was infallible.
She watched him, green eyes meeting aqua marine. They stood close, by the door but neither moving, silently communicating like many times before.
"We should go" Lisbon said.
Jane leaned in, brushing his hand past her to open the door. He was deliberately moving in to her space causing Lisbon to roll her eyes.
"Lead the way, I have no problems following you, my dear."
"That's because you use me as a human shield" Lisbon shot back.
"Only furthering my point that I am a strong male, who is not intimidated by you and your strengths." Jane countered.
"I'll have to work on that, do something to put fear back in to you, perhaps a punch or a tackle." She bantered back as they moved to the car.
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The club was like a cheap hooker, while alluring and mysterious in the dark of night, with the lights on, the cracks and dirt became apparent revealing a used up and broken shell. The stench of spilled alcohol and sweat assaulted their senses, Lisbon scrunched up her nose in disgust.
While the bar was open, it only got busy at twelve-ish and it was currently sometime after ten, leaving just them, the bartender and three other patrons in the room.
The bartender was putting the stock out, no doubt a cute blonde, ten years ago, the only thing she had maintained of her youth was her slim build. Heavy make-up failed to hide the under eye bags, earned over years of night work.
"How can I help you folks," she asked disinterestedly, her eyes pausing for only a moment on Jane.
"Hello Savannah Hayden?, I'm Teresa Lisbon, C.B.I., this is our consultant Patrick Jane, were here to ask about William Richards." Lisbon informed the woman.
"I've already told Detective Moore everything I know... which wasn't much, he came, I served, he left. Breathing and not bleeding, okay." Savannah went back to placing bottles into the fridge, irritated by the interruption.
"We we're hoping you could possibly add to that. Did you see him with anyone else, or was their anyone suspicious hanging about." Jane asked politely.
Savannah, slammed the fridge door shut, turning around to glower at them both.
"I saw him with about two hundred people, about half looked suspicious. This is a bar and not one of the up market ones. As I said, I saw nothing and I've told the other Detective all this, now can I please get back to my job and you can start doing yours... elsewhere." She snapped.
"Well thank you for your time... and if you think of something else, please call me" Lisbon handed the angry woman her card.
"That was pointless" Lisbon stated, as they left the club.
As they were walking out Lisbon's phone rang, she paused, taking the short call while Jane wandered around the small entrance area they were in. Placing the phone back in her pocket, she motioned to Jane to follow her. Once outside she dragged her hand through her hair in frustration.
"That was Cho, the coroner said he died from a stab wound, from a thin cylindrical tool, 70mm wide, by 135mm long, nothing else of significance, no defence wounds, no strange smells. Van Pelt received the crime scene photos and is sorting out the details for tomorrow. Nobody has any leads."
"Well she is hiding something. I'm not sure if it is related to the case or not" Jane added.
"Yeah, I picked that up as well, a little too angry, right." Lisbon looked to the darkened sky, a light drizzle had started as they emerged. It was late and many of the places around them had closed.
"So I guess it's probably time to go back to the motel, we've done all we can here." Lisbon yawned as she looked around, her eyes catching on a bright neon sign, her stomach growling in assent. "Or we could go gorge ourselves on grease and fat" she suggested.
"Lisbon, I haven't heard a more tempting offer in the longest time" Jane smiled at her, delighted by the idea of diner food. He and Alicia never went to places like this.
They ran towards the glass building, trying to remain relatively dry. The entered the 50's style diner, as the rain increased.
They moved to one of the booths near the back, sitting opposite each other on the red pleather seats.
"Ooh so much to chose from..." Lisbon said to herself contently, bringing a smile to Jane's face.
"And yet I know what you ll choose" Jane taunted.
"Really is that so?" Lisbon snorted.
"Oh yeah" he confirmed, confidently.
"Enlighten me then boy wonder." Lisbon demanded.
"Well you skipped breakfast, meaning you are craving carbs as your blood sugar is low and you mentioned grease and fat. So despite your love of pancakes, you will go with a burger and fries. I know, I know, the all day breakfast is tempting you, but get bacon on the side with your burger, its all you really want from it anyway." Jane summed up.
Lisbon scrunched up her face in pretend annoyance. "Damn you" Lisbon laughed. "Well I know what you will get too."
"I doubt that." Jane shook his head, he wasn't going for his usual tea and omelette choice.
"Really? if I guess right you're paying." Lisbon bargained.
"Okay" Jane gestured for her to go ahead.
"Oh no, you write it down, you're a professional cheat, after all." Lisbon handed him a pen from her pocket.
"You wound me." Jane covered the napkin with his arm, quickly writing down his order before folding it.
"Go ahead" he said, his face covered in mirth.
"You are going to have fries and onion rings with garlic and cheese sauce and a strawberry malt with blueberry pie if you can fit it in." Lisbon answered, snatching the napkin from Jane.
He tried to grab it back but she held it out of reach, until he slumped down in defeat.
"Oh what's that Jane, three for three, whose psychic now, woohoo free dinner" Lisbon gloated.
The waitress came over to take their orders. The sixty plus woman looked out of place in the in the obligatory uniform. It was two sizes too small and it pulled tight against her wide girth, but her soft pleasant face more than made up for it. Jane glanced at her name tag, Marge, it suited her.
"What can I get for you my lovelies" she beamed down at them.
"We would like a cheeseburger and fries with bacon on the side and a half and half with cheese and garlic sauce and a strawberry malt for me please." Jane ordered.
"No drink for you sweetie?" Marge checked, looking to Lisbon.
"Coffee, black please" Lisbon added.
"Decaf" Jane interrupted.
"If you get sugar, I get caffeine" Lisbon argued.
"Fine, ill take a tea instead of the malt, she will take a decaf then, I suppose we both need to sleep soon" Jane agreed. Marge chuckled at their behaviour as she left.
"You didn't have to do that Jane..."
"Well you can tell me how you guessed, as an apology" he bartered.
"Oh, you mean you can't tell me how I did it... hmm I think I'll let you suffer."
"Lisssbooonn" Jane moaned.
"Nope." She shook her head resolutely.
"Come on." Jane pleaded.
"Nooooo."
"I wont bug you about driving for a month." He offered.
"No way, this is way to much fun." Lisbon smiled.
"I'll buy you a closed case surprise." Jane suggested.
"Negative."
"Ill do the last two things and tell you as soon as I know who murdered Richards." Jane negotiated.
That one peaked Lisbon's interest.
"Deal, Jane but as soon as you know and any crazy schemes to go with it." Lisbon added.
"Fine agreed."
"Basically your a guy, away from his girlfriend for the weekend, so stinky foods are back on briefly, you love fries so that was obvious. Your eyes paused over the onion section and the pie section for the longest time. Plus Blueberry is your favourite." She summed up.
"And knowing the malt over tea." That one had stumped him.
Well you've dropped about five pounds since you started dating Alicia, and you always avoid desserts when out with her, so I figured she has you off sugar and therefore you'd rebel as soon as you got a chance, being you." Lisbon finished.
"Well kudos grasshopper, you have learned much" Jane smiled at her proudly.
"Yeah yeah, we've been together nine years it's hardly surprising." She smiled as she slid from the booth at Marge, who had just arrived with the food as they finished up their conversation. Lisbon beelined for the toilet in the back, Jane watched her retreating form.
"So nine years huh, you two remind me of me and Gus in our heyday" Marge chuckled putting the food and drinks down.
"Huh" Jane asked confusedly.
"Oh we weren't always our age son. Na, we used to have that same look of love that you two got going on, it warms my heart seeing young couples like yourselves." Marge smiled fondly at Jane.
"I think you got it a bit wrong" Jane smiled as Marge poured Lisbon's coffee.
"Don't worry hun it's decaf, she'll get used to being caffeine free as the pregnancy progresses, but you'll have to fatten her up a bit, she's far too thin, she cant be more than a few months gone... tiny thing like her." Marge bumped Jane with her hip in a friendly gesture, as she left.
Jane tried to keep his mind from going places with that image. She would look good pregnant, but this new guy didn't deserve her, not that it was his business. He didn't want to think about this, Lisbon, babies, other men.
Jane distracted himself by looking out the window at the softly falling rain, following the droplets trail down the window, his feeling was back, it felt like a slow choke, the air squeezed out of his lungs, leaving him gasping for breath.
"Hey Houdini, you've yet to make your food disappear" Lisbon joked on her return.
"I was waiting on you." Jane covered.
"Since when are you one for social manners?" Lisbon chided.
"Geesh woman, your never satisfied."
Lisbon took a big bite of her burger letting out a highly erotic moan, that shot lust straight to Jane's core.
"Oh I'm satisfied right night now" Lisbon replied, her face a picture of delight at the taste.
Jane started eating but the flavour barely dented his taste buds. His mouth had gone dry and it felt like he was eating cardboard. Gulping his tea to to remedy the situation, Jane only succeeded in burning his tongue.
Lisbon watched him with amused eyes and they remained eating in companionable silence. Marge shot them various looks of motherly endearment, that further set him on edge. Jane really needed to sleep and get home, soon, very soon.
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