Author's notes: Thanks for all your reviews follows and faves. It's always a lovely surprise to know that people are enjoying my stories. I hope you like this one.
"Psst."
Lisbon pulls up and looks to her right, the direction of the noise. Her heart skips a beat from relief as she spies Jane behind a large trash can. He's gesturing for her to come over.
"Why didn't you answer your phone, you had me worried sick."
"Sorry I put it on silent, prudent I thought, for the stalking business, so I couldn't hear it. Well done at finding me."
Lisbon looks up to the sky with a sigh.
"You seem to forget I'm a cop."
"Touchy. Talking of which, our dognappers are over there."
Jane points to a trailer, two hundred yards away.
"Have they done anything yet?"
"No, but, hopefully, I've frightened them into acting quickly."
"So I heard."
"There was a guy following me but I gave him the slip, they think I'm at the refreshment tent so they should feel safe for a few minutes."
"You should have called me Jane."
"I was just about to, It would have been suspicious while I being followed, plus I was following someone else and they would overhear, and then you were here. Look!"
Jane waves the phone he's holding in his hand as proof
"So how are we going to play this, I don't have my gun."
"No, but I do, over there."
Jane points to the car park over on the left."
"You called the police?"
Jane shrugs
"Well, more bumped in to one at the refreshment tent."
"And you convinced him to get reinforcements."
"Seems he's a big fan of the Red John case. What can I say, I'm his hero."
Jane beams at her, and Lisbon shakes her head.
"Now that I..."
Lisbon's cut off as three men and the women, who was in in the tent, appear, The woman and one of the men both have a sleeping dog in their arms, Jane and Lisbon recognises one of them from the big dog competition. Jane stands up and moves out into the open.
"Hey guys, not waiting for the judging results, your husky is in the running, it would be a shame to miss it."
All four spin around at his voice and the women exclaims:
"It's him."
The two without dogs reach behind their backs, Jane, knowing exactly what that means, drops to the floor as the cops emerge from the behind cars with guns pointing at the dognappers. They quickly surrender and are being handcuffed as Lisbon helps Jane up off the floor. He's covered in dust and is spitting it out of his mouth. He looks towards the activity and breaks into a grin, while brushing himself down.
"Looks like a job well done Lisbon."
One of the cops comes towards them with a prisoner in tow.
"Thank you Mr. Jane. This bust will look good on my résumé. Can you put in a good word for me at CBI."
"Will do Officer Thomas. May I introduce you to the Mighty Agent Lisbon."
The Officer looks towards Lisbon with delight.
"An honour to meet you ma'am., it's my goal to work for you one day. Just wait until I tell my wife about today, you guys are just awesome!"
Jane grins and cocks an eyebrow at Lisbon and mouths 'Hero's'
Unlike Jane's basking, Lisbon feels uncomfortable.
"Er thank you officer, but we were just doing our jobs."
Officer Thomas continues on his way to his car. Jane looks across at Lisbon and copies her tone:
"We were just doing our jobs. Said in true superhero style Lisbon."
Lisbon can't help but smile and gives him a playful slap on the arm. She looks at the dust still clinging to him and starts to walk away calling over her shoulder.
"Come on Dustman let's get you cleaned up."
Lisbon comes out of the shower to see her phone announcing the arrival of a text. She picks it up to find there is also a missed call. Of course they're both from Jane. Following the directions of the text, Lisbon finds Jane sitting on the sea wall, looking out to the ocean.
"I wonder where that boat's going."
Lisbon's heart stops a moment at the unexpected sound of his voice. She chides Jane as she lowers herself on to the wall beside him.
"Jane, you almost gave me a heart attack."
"You have a distinctive tread Lisbon, may I suggest wearing quieter shoes to protect your heart."
"I'll keep that in mind. Not building sandcastle tonight?"
"No, I thought I would give it a miss, not good for my beauty sleep."
Lisbon kicks herself for being so thoughtless. Jane looks over to her and gives her a gentle smile.
"I'm okay Lisbon."
He returns his gaze out to sea.
"I was just thinking what a wonderful day it was today."
"You did look like you were having fun."
"What's not to like, the outdoors, animals, friends."
"I especially enjoyed seeing you covered in dust."
Lisbon can't help but smile at the memory.
"Well you do have an evil streak in you."
"Look who's calling the kettle black."
Jane closes his eyes taking a deep breath.
"I think it's time to move on. I don't think this town can top the dog show."
"Probably not. Any suggestions?"
"I was thinking about somewhere totally different."
"There's the wine country."
"Umm I don't think so, doesn't appeal."
Lisbon's stomach rumbles, Jane stares at it and is amused as Lisbon turns red.
"Sounds like we need to continue this discussion over dinner."
He holds out his hand and she takes it as she pushes herself off the wall. They walk towards a nearby opening in the wall.
"When we get back I think I'm going to buy you a hamster, you have an unhealthy dislike for such animals, which will be easily dispelled by having one as a pet"
"Don't you dare Patrick Jane."
"You could call it Dusty."