Chapter 38: It Takes Two...
A/N: Passages marked with asterisks (*) are quotations from The Mentalist "White Lines" episode. Episode details were modified to fit this story, apologies to The Mentalist writers.
Hotel Restaurant, Corpus Christi
Lisbon had chosen flats, dark dress jeans, and silk blouse with a blazer to hide her service piece. Though not expecting to use it, she felt better when fully equipped to "serve and protect." The maitre 'd seated her at the corner table toward the back as she requested. Potted ficus trees partly screened the table while affording a good view of the restaurant.
"Hey. Hope I'm not late," Fisher said lightly as she slid into the booth opposite Lisbon, back to the room.
"I was early." Glancing at the server, "A moment, please." Both women scanned the wine list.
"Do you have Vouvray wines?" The server pointed to the relevant selections and Fischer chose from the list. "I'm no connoisseur but you should try this. Really good."
Dubiously, "If it's available by the glass–"
"We'll split a quartino," suggested Fischer, handing the server the list. The server departed leaving an awkward silence. Fischer spoke first. "I don't want this hanging over the evening."
Lisbon blinked in dismay. "Fisher – Kim, you don't have to say anything."
"Yes I do." She looked up. "I'm ashamed of where my ambition led me." She swallowed, "Thank you for saving my life. I appreciate the chance to work together after my unprofessional behavior."
Lisbon looked to the side, regretting the conversation, questioning the wisdom of inviting her. She said shortly, "No one leads a perfect life," and poured wine to change the topic.
Fischer grinned when Lisbon nodded in surprised appreciation. "Told you. It's a favorite." Tentatively, "I really do want to learn how your team closed every case back in California."
Lisbon caught sight of Jane escorting Krystal Markham to a table across the room as the server took their orders.
The evening improved from there. Lisbon kept an eye on her partner and his dinner date, but it was just an uneventful dinner as Jane predicted. Lisbon gradually warmed to Fischer's company as they talked shop, trading interesting and amusing law-enforcement stories. Fischer's years in DC included cases of international importance. Some involved prominent figures, allowing Lisbon a glimpse behind the political curtain. In turn, Lisbon was pleased when Fischer wanted to know about more than Jane's exploits. It was the first time Lisbon's management observations in context of a political, hidebound bureaucracy held anyone spellbound. They were surprised to find they had Virgil Minelli in common. Even though he left before Fischer joined the FBI, she heard about him from the senior agents. Minelli had kicked around several Federal agencies before landing in California law-enforcement a few decades earlier.
It was late. Fischer twisted around to signal the server for the check. She stilled then slowly turned back with eyebrows raised.
"You're back-up for Jane."
Lisbon shrugged and sipped her coffee. "Coincidence they're here."
Fischer leaned back, eyeing Lisbon speculatively. "Jane's interested in Markham to solve the case." When Lisbon didn't reply, "I have no axe to grind. In fact," she sipped her coffee, "when I said Jane wanted to pump Markham for info, Pike and Tork couldn't see past her looks."
Lisbon said carefully, "Markham could know something. No harm in dinner."
Fischer smiled archly. "Jane risked life in prison for a reason. I doubt it was sniffing around Markham."
Lisbon swallowed and accepted the check without comment, afraid she'd complicated Jane's get-out-of-Texas-free scheme. They rose and bid each other good night as Jane shepherded Markham to a waiting taxi.
Hotel, Corpus Christi
Lisbon had turned in. She left the connecting door between their rooms ajar for Jane. The patter of shower spray was unexpected as he usually showered in the morning. Thirty minutes later she was having a hard time staying awake. Hurry up, Jane. Did you drown in there or– She clenched her jaw at the flash of memory. After a shaky breath, Want to know what you got.
Light flared and died in his room. Moments later he slid into bed prone alongside her.
"Hey," she greeted him.
"Waited up, huh?" surprised she was awake. He pulled her close and found her lips by touch.
She heard the grin in his voice, her answering smile hidden by darkness. "Curious about what you learned."
Jane mumbled into his pillow, "In the morning. Tired."
She nudged him in the ribs, "Yeah, it's so tough dining with a beautiful woman."
"Paying attention for hours is work." The pillow didn't muffle the hint of annoyance.
"Jane. You enjoy dangerous, tricky women."
He sighed wearily. "Fun solving mysteries. And of course attractive is more pleasing than ugly. But Krystal Markham is all work."
They'd somehow gotten far afield but she couldn't let it go. She skipped the most explosive example. "Erica Flynn. Jennifer Sands. Kristina. And that fake psychiatrist Brooke whatever her na–"
"-Harper," he automatically supplied, then grimaced. His memory palace wasn't helping his cause. He rolled onto his back and tried a different tack. "Just like you. You're good at interrogating, take satisfaction in the confessions. It's still work."
"C'mon. You enjoy it. That's a lot of dangerous and devious damsels."
"I was in a different place then." He exhaled sharply and rolled to his feet. He padded across the room and slid his keycard off the dresser. The mini-bar light bloomed as he pulled out a single-serve bottle of liquor. He got ice then set his glass on the nightstand. He sat against the headboard with a knee drawn up.
Lisbon rolled onto her side, propping her head up with her hand. That was unexpected. "Jane? What are you thinking?" City glow seeped through the drapes and defined his silhouette.
"We need to talk about this. Now that we're together."
"About what?"
Emotionlessly, "Attracting and charming women was part of my con. But business rules and logic applied. It's easier milking existing clients than getting new ones. Most were woman. Bored, distraught, curious or whatever, yeah, many wanted ... more intimate services." Ice cubes clattered as he took a sip. Slowly, "I didn't cross that line. It would've been over if just one wealthy husband found me doing more than readings. The rich talk among themselves." He turned to Lisbon in the dark. "It would have destroyed my marriage." He paused. "My father tried to 'monetize' me that way when I hit 16. One reason I got out."
"Patrick, I didn't mean–"
Voice expressionless, "Markham's ice cold, not just hard to read. Charming criminals is work. As different from a date as interrogation is from visiting a friend."
Lisbon sat up. Leaning against him, she rubbed his chest affectionately and kissed the corner of his mouth. "Thank you for telling me. Didn't understand how you see it. Sorry."
Jane cupped her cheek and breathed, "God knows I have my failings. But I don't confuse pretty packaging with real beauty," and kissed her cheeks and mouth. "Bedtime." He drained the rest of his drink and slid down to lie flat. Lisbon nestled against his side, head on his shoulder. She thought she heard, "Thanks for the back-up," but wasn't sure. A long sigh and both were asleep.
Hotel, Morning, Corpus Christi
Lisbon sipped coffee as Jane finished his eggs, mindful they were supposed to meet Pike in the lobby at 8 a.m.
"Did you learn anything from Markham?"
He sipped his tea. "Markham knew about the warehouse where the thugs were killed. Being so hard to read, she probably has brains. Where she fits in? –Unclear, as is how it all comes together. The thugs were murdered to look like a cartel hit–"
Lisbon picked it up. "–but Cifuentes and Higgins already ruled out Ruiz and Ellis. That leaves 'Paco' Perez who does have cartel connections. The real deal wouldn't need to fake it."
"And parts were suspiciously easy. Finding one undiscovered security camera. ID'ing the shooters so fast. Getting their location, only to find them murdered."
"Like someone's trail of breadcrumbs?"
"Frame someone, let us find an 'answer' so we quit looking."
After taking a gulp of coffee Lisbon noted, "You know Pike's gonna go after Perez soon as we get a location."
Jane shrugged. "Won't want me for a takedown. Think I'll keep after Markham."
"Because?"
"More promising than being led around by whomever's masterminding this."
"And you're gonna keep me in the loop."
He flashed a smile. "Absolutely."
Corpus Christi PD Headquarters, Corpus Christi
The FBI team worked the case from a temporary base of operations in the main Corpus Christi PD station. Visits to Ruiz and Ellis established alibis for each during the DEA murders. More relevant, phone records revealed the burner phone found at the warehouse murder scene showed no calls to or from Ruiz or Ellis, only from the Perez alias. The forensics and ME reports were delivered for the murders of the DEA agents and the hit men. Pike passed around the reports and they chewed over the surprising conclusion that the murdered thugs had been shot before having their throats cut. Lisbon suppressed a smile at the amused glint in Jane's eyes. She avoided glancing at Fischer, who seemed to pay more attention to them than Pike and Tork. So far, neither the BOLO nor the Corpus Christi PD's CI's had located Perez.
Jane returned after stepping outside to take an unexpected call. "Markham proves useful again."
"What've you got, Jane?" Pike asked.
"Markham remembered a condo Perez has under an alias. Here's the location." Jane tossed him his handwritten note.
Pike nodded, "Good work. Agents, make sure your gear's in the SUV's. We'll pay that condo a visit. Tork, get hold of the watch sergeant. I want a half dozen LEO's for perimeter control in case he's there and tries to run. Jane, come or stay, but you're not part of the op."
"I'll stay."
Lisbon gave Jane a piercing look as she filed out with the other agents. Jane shrugged, nodding his reassurance he'd stay out of trouble.
They returned ninety minutes later with security camera recordings, tablet, PC, and a sheaf of paper records. They didn't get Perez, but had seized possessions that might provide valuable information, courtesy of the search warrant they'd secured and printed en route in the FBI SUV.
Lisbon frowned at Jane's absence. The watch sergeant remembered Jane leaving soon after the team. She belatedly checked her phone and found a text message she'd missed when their cells were silenced during the raid. 'Shopping. Back soon.' Great. The message was from an hour ago.
Jane breezed in with packages under his arm and takeout for two. Handing Lisbon a bag redolent of burgers and fries he beamed, "Here's lunch. You can thank me by giving your opinion on these two shirts." Lisbon blinked, What? Jane pulled two dress shirts from a department store bag, one a crisp white with French cuffs, the other a classic Oxford with thin pin stripes.
Taken aback, Lisbon silently accepted the food and sat down at a desk. With a puzzled frown, "Why new shirts?" By now all eyes were on them. Lisbon colored slightly in embarrassment.
Airily, "The ones I brought have seen better days." He presented both and waited for her reaction. Lisbon chose one at random, shaking her head a little. Back to the room she hissed in a bare whisper, "You gonna explain?"
He grinned and nodded, then motioned Fischer over as she walked in. "Fischer. Which one?"
"Uh, that one, I guess. What's the occasion?"
"Dinner with Krystal."
"Oh." Fischer threw a sharp glance at Lisbon, then walked on.
Pike and Tork exchanged looks. Tork's contempt was matched by Pike's disgust at Jane's lack of professionalism.
After finishing her lunch Lisbon stepped out to go to the ladies room. Jane was leaning against the wall.
Quietly, "What're you planning?"
"I think Markham's the key. I set up dinner. Her place at 5."
"I'm monitoring, then. Wire?"
He shook his head. "Too risky. Could give me away."
Lisbon thought, Yeah, if she's plastered against your body, but only said, "What do you expect to get?"
"See if I can trip her up."
Suddenly frowning, "What the hell was that about the shirts?"
He grinned, "Just making myself unlikeable to Pike and Tork."
She glowered, "And me."
"Not." He brushed her cheek with a kiss and left before she could react.
She exhaled in relief that no one else was around.
Jane left for his date. A scant ten minutes later a woman called the Corpus Christi PD with an anonymous tip. She saw someone who looked like the news photo of Perez in a vacant house. Pike reassembled the FBI agents and PD LEO's for the second time that day. Target: Vacant house 30 minutes away.
"Tork, Lisbon, MOVE. Fischer, you're with me." Tork and Lisbon left on the run. Pike turned to Fischer. "Fischer, check the gear while I coordinate with the PD. NOW!"
Pike and Fischer left a few minutes later.
En Route To Vacant House, Corpus Christi
"Tork, what about Jane?"
"What?" Tork's attention was on driving as they sped to the house.
"Jane thinks Markham's involved."
"He's fishing for info, right?"
Lisbon huffed in frustration. "Who knows what could happen."
"He can call the PD. Phone the watch sergeant so he alerts the call center."
"But–"
"Just do it. It'll be my balls if we lose Perez worrying about Jane."
Lisbon took a deep breath. "Okay." She called the PD then texted Jane. Lips pressed into a thin line, she silenced her cell when they were within five minutes of the house.
Vacant House, Corpus Christi
Tork and Lisbon arrived in the middle of a firefight. Cops surrounded the house, bullets flying. The police commander was shouting over the din.
"Down! Down, down, down, down!"*
"Cease fire! Cease fire! -CEASE. FIRE! Jackson, Salazar, with me."*
Tork and Lisbon rushed the house with the cops, Kevlar vests ID'ing them as FBI. It was all over when Pike and Fischer arrived ten minutes later, having been delayed by a train.
"What's up,* Tork?" Pike called as his unit leader exited the house.
"We found Perez. He's dead."*
"What happened?"*
"Well, it looks like he opened fire on Corpus Christi PD. The officers fired back. They had more guns."*
"Did we get anything from the scene?"*
"A revolver. All six rounds were fired."*
"Pike, Tork," Lisbon called as she strode up. "There's something strange. I found a bullet hole in one of the window frames of the house."*
Pike asked, "So?"*
"It was at the back of the house, which means someone was shooting from the backyard. I don't think Perez was alone."*
Tork, "Which means?"
Suddenly uneasy, "It was a set-up. There's nothing real about this."
Pike, "Good thinking. Let's–"
"Pike, I have a bad feeling about Markham. Jane's–"
Sternly, "It's a date with a drug lieutenant's bimbo, agent! We'll finish here soon enough."
She closed her eyes and bit back an angry reply. "Yes, sir." She unsilenced her cell, relieved there were no messages. After a moment, she texted Jane to tell him the PD killed Perez, that it appeared to be a set-up, and that Markham increasingly looked like the ringleader. Lisbon and Tork wrapped up the scene while Pike and Fischer returned to the station, hoping to learn more from the records they'd seized earlier. Jane's call came thirty minutes later.
The Bay, Corpus Christi
Jane handed her flowers when she answered the door. "Beauty for beauty. You look lovely, Krystal."
"Hmm. That sounds like a practiced line, Patrick."
"With you, I mean it."
"Sweet. -I thought we could have a drink down by the water. My friend has a boat he lets me use. What do you say?"*
"Sounds wonderful."*
A bit later, they arrived at the dock. Jane stopped dead as they approached a sleek yacht.
"Your friend lets you borrow this?"*
"Mm-hmm. He doesn't get a chance to use it very much anymore."*
"Isn't he generous? Wow, some friend."*
"Mm."*
"Should I be jealous?"*
"Always.* Help me with those lines?" Markham asked with a smile.
"All this just for a drink?" Jane complied nonetheless. He freed the lines, coiled them and tossed them aboard. Out of sight for the moment, he pressed speed dial 1 on his cell and tucked it into his shirt pocket. He gracefully boarded from the pier and Markham pulled away, motors making a smooth purr.
En Route To PD, Corpus Christi
Lisbon noted the call was from Jane and automatically muted it, knowing he was with Markham. She struggled to hear the muffled sound over the road noise, and stared at it in alarm. A boat?! Dammit, Jane! "Tork, how long till we're at the PD?"
"Half hour. What's up, Lisbon?"
"Jane's on a boat with Markham. May need a 'copter for back-up."
Mildly. "It's a date. Even if she's involved, she's just the girlfriend. What could happen?"
Grimly, "With Jane – anything. How do I get one if I need it?"
"Pike can authorize the expense, but gotta go through the PD to actually get one."
Lisbon briefly closed her eyes, juggling her options. "Tork, lend me your cell?" She dialed as soon as he handed it to her. Voice mail. She dialed again. "Fischer, where's Pike? ... Jane's on a boat in the bay with Markham. ... I'm an hour away. May need a 'copter for back-up. ... Can you? Yeah, please."
Tork frowned. "Hey. I'm not backing this, don't have the authority."
"Tork, just drive." Belatedly she added, "Please. I'll worry about the money later."
"Your neck." He clapped the flashing light on the SUV roof and went faster.
The Bay, Corpus Christi
Markham leaned back comfortably as Jane stood behind, arms around her waist. "The piers are crowded. Much nicer out a bit. Sunset's gorgeous from here." She cut off the motors a couple of miles out.
Motioning him to relax on the built-in seating, Markham disappeared inside to the galley, quickly returning with two bottles of wine and a platter of cheeses and fruit.
"How's your investigation coming?"*
"Oh, we've had some breakthroughs. We found Paco Perez, thanks to you."* He nibbled a few grapes.
She handed him the corkscrew and one bottle. "Oh? Is he in custody?"*
"No, uh, dead. Corpus Christi police shot him dead. ... Well, at least that's what they think happened."*
"And you?"* Markham poured two glasses, handing one to Jane.
"Oh, I like to keep an open mind."* Jane glanced around the open water as the day gathered into twilight.
"I like that about you. Cheers."*
"Cheers,"* he responded. They toasted.
"Now that Paco is dead, I imagine you'll be heading back to Austin."*
"In due time, yeah."*
"What's keeping you here?"*
"You are."*
"Sorry. Excuse me, so rude. –You're a wanted man. Maybe I'm the one who should be jealous."*
"It's just work. Nothing important."*
"Well, personally, I hope your investigation drags on for weeks."*
"Well sadly, I don't think it's gonna go on much longer. I have a new theory."*
"Can you share it with me?"*
"Sure. I trust you. First thing that stuck out to me was that the gunmen knew of two of the hidden cameras, but not a third. Didn't make sense. Unless, of course, the person that sent the gunmen in wanted them to be caught."*
"Clever."*
"Yeah, it is."*
"And the second thing?"*
"Well, it's just a theory, like I said, but this Mr. X that the DEA keeps talking about – we know he's disciplined, he's organized, he's careful. And smart. But, but here's a man that runs this huge drug ring. And doesn't just run it. He runs it seamlessly. And yet no one knows who he is. He's a man that's completely void of ego. And in all my life, I don't know that I've ever met a man who could do that. A man who would completely shun all attention? –That just got me thinking, and, well, you know, maybe this Mr. X is a woman..."*
En Route To PD, Corpus Christi
Lisbon swore and slammed her fist on the dashboard. Tork jumped and stared at her till a blaring horn whipped his attention back to the road.
Lisbon yelled, "Goddamned idiot!" and redialed Fischer.
"What the hell?"
"He's telling Markham."
"Telling her what?" he yelled in frustration. Lisbon was already busy with Fischer.
"Fischer! Get that 'copter and find Jane. ... A couple miles out in the bay. ... Trying to get a confession from Markham. She's it – Mr. X. ... Yeah she's dangerous– nine bodies! ... Thank God." She ended the call and took a deep breath as she ran her hand through her hair.
Tork spared a second to look. Voice tight with tension, "Jane's on some damn boat accusing Markham of murder?"
Jaw clenched, "Yeah."
"He have a fucking death wish?" He pressed harder on the accelerator.
"Sometimes I think so," she bit out, then sat silent and white-knuckled as they careened toward the bay.
The Bay, Corpus Christi
"This woman – who do you think she is? Hmm?"*
"You."*
"What makes you say that?"*
"You're smart. Smart enough to let people think that you're not. Which is exactly the trait that allowed Mr. X to be a mystery for all these years. ... Besides, I knew better than to think that you were interested in me, because – Well, you were interested in me."*
"You underestimate yourself."*
"Not this time."*
"Well, I guess we'll never know."*
"Hmm?"*
Toying with him now, "A question – If I am so capable–"*
"–Mm-hmm–"*
"–So smart as you say, how did I end up here? Where did I go wrong?"*
"It wasn't anything you did. You were flawless. –Really. And the way you set the gunmen up to be caught, and killing them, and linking the murder to Perez, and having Perez killed the way you did – my particular favorite. I mean, the Corpus Christi police probably still think that they shot him."*
"You're wrong about one thing, Patrick. I didn't have Paco killed. I shot him myself."* She revealed the gun hidden in her clothes.
Jane swallowed, mouth suddenly dry as he stared at the infinitely black hole at the end of the barrel.
Faintly, "Ah. My mistake." An iron discipline kept him from looking around as he heard the distant whup whup of helicopter blades. Stall, stall, stall!
"Yes it is."*
"If you shoot me, you'll be caught."*
"Look around, Patrick. No witnesses.* They may not even find your body. And I'll be long gone."
"Maybe. But the FBI has been listening to everything you've said. ... And they will be arriving right about – Now. Now!"*
"Nice try–"*
"THIS IS THE FBI. DROP YOUR WEAPON NOW." Markham looked up, shocked by the brilliant floodlights, noise, and wind. Jane slipped over the side into the water.
Fischer aimed her gun at Markham till the blonde dropped her weapon. A cop trained for rescue work clambered down a rope ladder to the deck and roughly cuffed the murderer. Fischer holstered her piece and gingerly climbed down as well. The helicopter wheeled and headed back to shore.
As soon as Markham was secured below, Fischer hooked the boat's ladder over the side and dropped it into the water. She was glad Jane managed to scramble up despite the numbing cold of the water, not fancying rescuing him.
Fischer shook her head in astonishment at the dripping wet, shivering man. "Can't believe you took that risk. You're crazy."
"S-s-so I've been told."
She tossed him a blanket she'd brought from below. "You okay till we reach shore?"
"C-can you–"
"Grew up on the Chesapeake. Sit down before you collapse. And bundle up."
Fischer started the engine and piloted back, choosing a slip at random for docking. The cop helped with mooring. By now Pike, Tork and Lisbon had arrived. Markham was hustled into a waiting police cruiser, to be held by the PD till the FBI interrogated and charged her later. Lisbon looked Jane up and down, verifying he was unharmed, but said nothing.
Tork scowled then suddenly smirked. "Helluva stunt, Jane. You should probably get dry clothes." He walked off toward one of their SUV's.
"You're okay?" Pike asked with real concern. "I mean, other than being wet?" Jane nodded, still shivering. "When we get back to Austin we'll go over how we conduct FBI ops, Jane." Then, looking at Lisbon and Fischer, "And proper authorization procedure." His jaw worked for a moment and he added, "Good work figuring it out. –You three take the other SUV. Drive back tonight or tomorrow, your choice."
Fischer looked at Jane then Lisbon. "I, uh, guess I'll get the SUV." She turned to leave but paused when Jane called out.
"Fischer – Kim," he swallowed, "thanks."
Evenly, "Returning the favor. Be back in a minute."
Lisbon and Jane were left standing on the pier. Lisbon said stiffly, "I'd rather go back tomorrow if that's okay."
"Yeah."
"You're not hurt?"
Jane wordlessly shook his head.
Hotel, Corpus Christi
Fischer, Lisbon and Jane rode in silence for the twenty minutes back to the hotel. They agreed to meet the morrow at 10 a.m. for the drive back to Austin. Fischer got off on her floor, leaving Lisbon and Jane to ride up to theirs. By now Jane was merely soaked rather than dripping wet.
"Lisbon, I–"
"Not now. I can't talk about this tonight, Jane."
"Good night then." He entered his room and closed the door.
Lisbon entered her room next door, this time leaving the connecting door closed. She filled the tub with hot water and submerged up to her neck, shuddering with residual adrenaline and fear. Her cell phone vibrated, chattering on the tub's edge. She shook the water off one hand and answered, putting it on speakerphone. God, nothing more on the damn case. Not tonight.
"Lisbon," voice flat.
"Boss? – Is this a bad time?"
She felt like laughing. Or crying. "Sorry, Grace. Rough day."
"I, um, I just called to catch up, but if it's not a good–"
"Actually, I'd love to talk – anything for something different to think about."
"Oh."
"Let's start over. Everyone okay?"
"We're all fine. Wayne and I just started at the CIB."
She exhaled, releasing a little more tension and sat higher. "Tell me."
"Lots of new people – no surprise after all the Blake scum in the old CBI. New computer systems, all sorts of technology. A-n-d, Hightower is okay." There was a note of pleased surprise.
"In what way?"
"She's respected by anyone who knows her. And, well, she's not quite as hardass as before. Boss, the way she's setting things up is better than the CBI. She has the pull to keep political interference to a minimum."
Dubious, "Good. That's good. Just be prepared for some eventually. How about your team?"
"I've recruited two, have one more to fill. John Gable is in his late 20's. He's young and tech savvy, but experienced enough to be effective immediately. Margaret Henson is my other hire. She's only been in law enforcement a couple of years, but she's bright, ambitious and really pitches in–"
"–sounds like someone I hired a while back," smile apparent in her voice.
Embarrassed, "Thanks, Boss."
"You have one more position. –Would you consider Jason Wylie?"
Van Pelt took a deep breath. "I'd love Jason but it doesn't make sense. Why would he want to go from the FBI to the CIB? Step down."
Lisbon sighed. "You're right. I just wonder how well he's gonna take it when Jane–" her voice hitched, "–when Jane and I leave, too."
"You sound pretty rough. Want to talk about it?"
Lisbon breathed deeply and exhaled slowly. "I don't. But I think I need to."
"So?"
She leaned back and closed her eyes. "We – Jane solved a case today."
"Which is good?"
"And almost got himself killed."
Alarmed, "He okay?"
"Yeah. He ended up on a boat alone with a woman who murdered nine people. To get her confession."
"I – I wish I could say it's a one time thing. But it's Jane. It's how he is."
"That is exactly the problem. He's trying. But he's always going to reach for the brass ring, try to get the confession. A-n-d I'm in no position to protect him here."
Cautiously, "What do you mean?"
"He was pretty open about his suspicions. Went on a 'date' with her and I was s'posed to monitor it. Grace, I got pulled off for a take-down of another suspect. We knew that suspect didn't do it, but Pike and Tork–"
"Rick Tork?"
"Yeah – they weren't interested. Hell, I'm not sure they care about Jane at all."
"What are you going to do? If Cho came back-"
"No. Not fair to ask Cho to put us above family. We'll do the best we can and hope to hell Jane gets out of the FBI as soon as possible."
Van Pelt sighed. "Tough situation."
Lisbon blurted, "And my period came."
"What?"
"Damn. Didn't mean to get into that."
"Are – are you trying to get pregnant?"
"We're interested. Jane is done with putting his life on hold." She cleared her throat. "If there's any chance I need to try now. I'm not willing to go though the heavy duty infertility treatment and all that."
"What if..."
"Don't know. If it doesn't work, especially if Jane gets himself out of the FBI, we'll find another way. Adoption. Something. Anyhow, now that we want it, when it doesn't happen it's ... hard."
"What can we do?"
"Nothing, Grace. It's okay, I just needed to vent. It's been a long day, if you don't–"
"I've got to go anyhow. I hear Taylor fussing."
"Grace, thanks for listening."
"Boss, you and Jane are the most capable people I know. I'm sure you'll find a way. Can I–"
"Yeah?"
"Oh, nothing. Listen, gotta go."
"Good night. Say 'hi' to Wayne for us. Cho, too, if you hear from him."
"I will. Bye." Van Pelt decided she didn't need to ask if she could pray for them.
The next morning Lisbon woke to Jane's gentle knock, followed shortly by room service. They ate most of the meal while making small talk. When they were down to tea and coffee, Jane said, "We going to talk about it?"
Lisbon sighed. "What happened, Jane? How did you end up on a boat with her? And did you have to try to get a confession with zero back-up?"
"I tried. You knew I suspected her, that I was going to dinner with her." Intensely, "Where were you?"
Lisbon looked stricken. "Pike pulled me off for the Perez takedown. What was I s'posed to do?"
"Oh." Jane looked guilty and sad in return. "Nothing you could do and stay in the FBI."
Lisbon came over and sat next to him on the bed. Gently, "What happened, Jane? The boat, her being armed?"
"She suggested the boat soon as I arrived. If I refused that would have ended any chance of conning her. As for the other, she didn't have Perez and the hit men killed. She shot them herself. I should have known."
"Did you have to go after the confession stuck there alone?"
He spread his hands. "How else? Nothing but circumstantial evidence, and tenuous at that. She'd walk. Worse, she'd continue it all."
Lisbon sighed. "Yeah." She kissed him tenderly. "I was terrified. You've got to be careful. Let 'em walk if necessary." He stared at her, shaking his head a little in amazement at hearing that suggestion from her. "And we've gotta get out of the FBI."
"Working on it." He hugged her tight and rose. "C'mon. We'll make it work. Always do."