Chapter 9

This is more of the investigation and some other conversations. I apologize for the delay in this chapter. I was on vacation and then I started a new season 7 story. It's called "The New Normal". I wrote other parts of this story before I wrote the investigations parts. This chapter is very dialogue heavy.

After leaving the train car, Jane and Lisbon joined back up with Jones again. The time was around 11:00a.m

"So, we found the murder weapon." Lisbon stated.

"Yes, an umbrella with a parrot handle. It's heavy so it would cause severe damage." Jane admitted.

"And we know the killer is a Mary Poppins impersonator or someone that used the umbrella." Lisbon described.

"That is strange." Jones replied. "Why would anyone use that as a weapon? Very sad."

"I need to ask Lucy about this prescription." Jane said taking it out of his jacket pocket.

"You think that's important?" Lisbon asked.

"Yes. It may be the clue to the killer." Jane explained.

"Alright, if you think so." Jones said.

Jane and Lisbon started back to the conference room. When they arrived they spotted Lucy Ashmore. They came up to her.

"We need you to look at something." Lisbon said.

"Okay, I don't think I want to talk to him again." Lucy said in a agitated voice pointing to Jane. Jane had a sheepish look. He ignored her.

"I'm sorry you have to, Lucy." Lisbon stated seriously. "He has something to show you."

"Lucy, do you recognize this paper?" Jane held up the prescription. "I found it in your room."

"It's a lens prescription. I don't recall him bringing that with him." Lucy stated sneering.

"Was it possible he was having an affair?" Jane asked.

"What makes you think that! You don't know! He was a good. He was completely faithful!" Lucy yelled at Jane with a sneer.

"I don't think Steve was as good as you say." Jane retorted.

"Yes, he was!" Lucy sneered at Jane again.

"We did, however found the weapon that killed your husband." Lisbon confessed. "It was a parrot handled umbrella."

After talking to Lucy they made way through the front of the conference room. It was then that Jane realized that they needed to check who saw the Mary Poppins person.

"Lisbon, we need to see who saw the Mary Poppins impersonator."

"Yes, I know. We should ask the crowd that."

Austin, TX

Cho and Fischer continued to Steve Ashmore's optometry practic in downtown Austin. They arrived and got out of the car and entered the building. The staff immediately noticed the two agents coming in. Two of them were behind the front desk.

"What can we do for you?" A middle aged plus size woman with curly hair questioned.

"My name is Agent Cho and this is Agent Fischer from the FBI." Cho stated showing his badge. Fischer hers as well. "You've heard about Steve Ashmore?"

"Yes, we have. His sister called this morning. She mentioned agents talking to her." The woman mentioned.

"Yes, we talked to her, ma'm" Fischer admitted. "What's your name?"

"I'm Beverly Olson."

"I'm Stephanie Williams." The other girl said. She was a younger girl in her twenties with black hair and glasses.

"We would like to ask you a few questions." Cho declared.

"What did you think of Steve as an employer?" Fischer asked

"He treated us employees well." Beverly commented.

"Yes, he did." Stephanie nodded in agreement.

"Was there anybody that would want to harm him?" Cho asked.

"No, I don't think so." Beverly answered. "It's awful news to hear."

"Yes, it is. Now we don't have a job."

"Any patients that seemed unusual?"

"No, we checked them in. Most of our patients are older."

"We have younger patients too, Beverly." Stephanie reminded.

"Oh, there was one lady that he seemed particularly close to." Beverly described. "It seems weird now but at the time we didn't think anything of it. He was such a talkative guy and nice to everyone."

"Do you remember her name?" Fischer asked.

"No."

"What did you observe about that woman?" Cho asked.

"She seemed to be flirting with him. This was ten years ago. Stephanie wasn't here then. It was just me." Beverly admitted.

"Do you remember what she looked like?" Fischer asked.

"All I remember really is that she was blonde. I don't remember any specifics."

"We've checked the taxes,was there any other discretionary funds?" Cho asked.

"We do our refunds and petty cash." Beverly admitted. "I'll look in the ledger."

She went to the desk and grabbed a book that appeared to have check numbers in it. Cho and Fischer went over by the desk and looked over it.

"It looks like there's a name that received several refunds. Betsy Carmichael. Why has she received so many?" Cho asked Beverly.

"I don't know. Usually when we give refunds, it's because the patient paid too much."

"May we take this?" Fischer asked pointing to the book.

"Yes." Beverly stated. Fischer then took the book.

"Thank you very much for your cooperation, Beverly." Fischer stated. Soon they left the building and went into the vehicle.

"What do you think about them?" Fischer asked.

"I believe they are innocent. It seems interesting about the blonde patient." Cho admitted. "We will have to call Jane and Lisbon."

Union Station D.C.

Lisbon soon heard her phone ring once again. She took it out of her pants pocket and answered it.

"Hello, Cho."

"Hi. Fischer and I just talked to Steve Ashmore's employees at the optometry office. One of them said that there was a woman 10 years ago that seemed to be flirting with him and that he seemed close to."

"Okay. That's a new lead." Lisbon admitted. "Did you get a name?"

"No. The lady didn't remember."

"However, the employee gave us a ledger showing refunds and one particular woman seemed to have many refunds."

"Okay. Thank you, Cho for the information."

"Good bye, Lisbon." Cho finished.

"Bye, Cho." She responded. She put her phone back in her pocket. "Jane, That was Cho. He and Fischer talked to Steve's employees at the office. One of them said 10 years ago there was a blonde woman, a patient that flirted with Steve. Also the woman was close." Jane listened intently.

"Aha, I knew he had an affair."

"We don't know that offically. The woman flirted with him. That doesn't guarrantee it."

"I have feeling she had an affair with him."

Soon in the conference room, Jane noticed Marcus Pike. Jane had a little more information on the painting, but knew he would have to talk to Pike. He hoped their conversation would be more saw Pike.

"Well, how is the case going?" Pike asked walking up to Jane. He seemed calmer and less angry.

"Good. We found the weapon and have a possible suspect..

"I talked to Lucy about the painting. She said it was an original Norman Rockwell painting."

"That's interesting. How's your new job?" Jane awkwardly asked.

"Great. I apologize for this morning. I realize you and Teresa have been through a lot over the years. I couldn't imagine. I know you both care about each other. I apologize for the accusations."

"They are true."

"I need to apologize the way I accused you. If I lost somebody to a murder I would probably do the same thing." Pike confessed.

"Okay."

"Good luck with you and Teresa. I should've realized it. I never stood a chance. It was always going to be you for you whether she realized it or not. I knew she was conflicted." Pike admitted.

"I would've let her go if she chose you. When I went on the plane all I wanted to do was tell her my feelings."

"She chose right. I know I pushed too much and she wasn't ready. Well, Jane, I wish you and Teresa well. " Pike put out his hand. Jane shook it.

"Good luck to you too."

At lunchtime they decided to take a break and have lunch. Jones went with them as well towards the food court. They went over to the sandwich place called Potbelly Sandwich shop. They looked at the menu."Hey, Jane, can I talk to you alone?" Jones asked.

Lisbon noticed. " I will get sandwiches. What do you want, Jane?"

He looked at the menu on the wall. "Turkey sandwich."

She went up to the line.

"Why do you want to talk me?" Jane asked Jones. They went outside the sandwich shop. Jane noticed Lisbon going behind the people in the fairly long line.

"I just do." Jones paused. " You've worked with the FBI a while?" Jones asked.

"Yes. A few months. I had worked with Lisbon at CBI in Sacramento before for 10 years." Jane admitted. He did not want to go through all the details why.

"Agent Pike had been in Austin before. Right?"

"Yes. Why are you asking about Agent Pike?" Jane asked confusedly. He could read that Agent Jones had a dislike for Pike and was concerned. He did not understand where this conversation was going.

"Well, I don't know. There's some things I've heard in the office." Jones admitted.

"Why are you asking me in particular?" Jane asked again. Jane did not care to hear anything about Pike. He had already dealt enough with him in the morning. However, Pike did apologize for that morning when Jane talked to him about the painting. The gossip mill must have been going around in the D.C. he guessed.

"I figured you are neutral since you are not an agent." Jones responded looking at Jane.

"Okay. I don't know how neutral I'll be." Jane confessed since Pike was the one that caused him the problem with Lisbon.

"My friend who works with him says he tends to put pressure on people for things he wants. He says he's a nice guy but he got an award for a case in Austin. An art theft and murder combined." Jones confessed.

"Really?" Jane questioned. He knew he was referring to the case with the big art con.

"I've heard that Pike got his promotion based on that particular case for catching the art thief. He pushed for the promotion. He helped solve it a couple of months ago" Jones admitted. "It involved more agents than just him I heard. It was an elaborate con with a party and that's how they got the thief." Jones explained. It sounded as if Pike took the glory in that.

"You heard all that?" Jane asked.

"D.C. office is know for its gossip."

"Why are you telling me all this? I don't really care to hear gossip about Pike." Jane said frustrated. He did not want to talk about Pike at all.

"I heard Agent Lisbon mentioned. I heard she had been dating Pike before he left for D.C. I know you and Lisbon are close." Jones said.

Jane stopped in his tracks. Lisbon was pat of that horrible gossip mill. Hearing Jones talk about Pike made him wonder if Pike pressured Lisbon into making the decision moving to D.C. She had revealed that earlier that morning. It seemed Pike pressuring people was a daily thing.

"You don't need to say anymore, Jones. Lisbon won't appreciate gossip about her whatever it is." Jane firmly stated. He remembered Lisbon had voiced her concerns about gossip the day before on the train. Of course, her breaking up with Pike would be all over the D.C. office when he came.

"Of course. I realize you care about her."

"Yes, I care about her very much." Jane confessed. "I will say one thing that art con was a team effort. It wasn't just one person."

"Who had the idea? That was a brillant plan to catch a killer, what I heard of it."Jones asked.

"Well, I did but I won't take the full credit. It was a team effort like I said." Jane admitted. Soon he saw Lisbon coming towards him with a sack of sandwiches and a drink holder with a paper cups with tea and coffee. Jones headed towards another place in the food court. "Good talking to you, Jane."

They headed over to a table and sat down. Lisbon set the sack and drink container down. She took the cups out and put one in front of her and one in front of Jane. She reached into the bag and took out the sandwiches and placed them on the table.

"Jane, what did Jones want to talk about?" Lisbon asked.

"Well, the investigation." Jane lied. He was not sure if he wanted to tell the reason.

Lisbon looked at him seriously. "Jane, if it really was about the investigation, he would've wanted to talk to me too. What did he really talk to you about?"

"He was asking and telling me about Pike?" Jane confessed unwrapping the sandwich.

"Why would he ask you about Pike?"

"I asked the same question. He talked there was gossip about Pike in the office." Jane admitted then taking a bite of his sandwich.

"He heard about Pike bringing me to D.C. Well, I don't really want to talk about this." Lisbon admitted. "Let's talk the investigation. Who do you think killed Steve?" Lisbon then took and a bite of sandwich.

"I think it's the woman that got refunds. That's who Steve was having an affair with."

"You really think she was on the train. He was murdered with the Mary Poppins umbrella. It could be the person in the costume."

"Yes, I think she is. No, I don't think it's that person." Jane said and paused a little with a thinking look. "Lisbon, I have an idea on how to catch the person. It involves you." Jane announced with a gleam in his eye and sneaky grin with his finger pointing up.

"I have a bad feeling about this. You have your crazy plan look." Lisbon said skepically with worried look.

"You are going to sing." Jane grinned.

"I am not singing. " Lisbon protested. "I'm not that good of a singer."

" Yes you are. I heard you in the shower at BlueBird."

"Seriously? I thought you were sleeping?"

"I wasn't at first. I want you to sing the Mary Poppins song. The long title one." Jane grinned even bigger. "And dance too. I did see a piano in the conference room. "

"I am not dancing. What is this for, Jane?" Lisbon asked rolling her eyes.

"To catch the killer. We will see who responds and tries leave. We'll ask the impersonator for costumes." Jane admitted.

"Me singing and dancing is going to catch the killer?" Lisbon asked still skeptical. What is he thinking?

"Yes. I plan to sing too if it makes you feel better. It's a duet song anyway. We need to get Jones to look out for the person and we also need to find someone to play piano."

"Fine. I'll do it. God, Jane. The ideas you have." Lisbon said smirking.

They soon finished their lunch and got up and continued down the station towards the room, soon Lisbon noticed the restrooms close by to the conference room. "Before I do my song and dance act with you, may I please go to the ladies room?"

"Yes, you may, dear Mary Poppins." Jane said grinning. "I'll be waiting." Lisbon rolled her eyes and entered the restroom.

Jane was waiting around for Lisbon. He saw two other women agents come from the restroom. He assumed they were from D.C. One was Agent Wilson from the conference room. He heard their conversation.

"Isn't that Agent Lisbon from Austin? She was dating Agent Pike." Agent Wilson whispered.

"Why is she with another man?" The other woman whispered.

"He's a consultant apparently whatever that is. He point blank asked if the crowd murdered the victim and had them raise their hands."

"Yeah, and coming on the train."

"I heard she broke up with Pike after saying yes to marrying him."Agent Wilson stated.

"Do you think that consultant had something to do with the breakup?"

"It seems likely." Wilson admitted quietly.

"Why is she with him on the train?"

"I saw how he looked at her." Wilson confessed. "There's definitely something."

"How could Pike handle it. He's such a good guy. It's not right."

"Excuse me, ladies. You are unhappy with you personal lives and are bored with yourselves and therefore find the only way to make yourself better is to gossip about other people. You need to find yourselves hobbies." Jane said seriously coming up to them and mentalizing the situation.

Agent Wilson looked ashamed as she noticed Jane coming towards them. Her face flustered red. The other woman's face indicated embarrassment as well.

"That is rude! What makes you think that?" Agent Wilson exclaimed.

"Well, gossip is rude! Agent Lisbon wouldn't appreciate gossip about her." Jane yelled.

"We're sorry."

Soon Lisbon came out of the restroom. She saw the agents and Jane. She had heard him yell.

"What's going on?"

The two ladies instantly looked at Lisbon in shame especially Agent Wilson.

"Agent Lisbon, how are you? How's the case going?" Agent Wilson said in a fake voice.

"Good." Lisbon said confused.

"We have to get the murder solved, ladies. Let's go." Jane said not wanting to continue the conversation and started towards the room.

The women looked at each and other and left

"Jane, what was that all about?" Lisbon asked walking alongside him.

"They were gossiping about you and Pike and me."

"Oh, okay. There's no avoiding that I suppose. I don't want to think about it. Let's just go solve the murder." Lisbon stated confidently. She was not going to let gossip bother her.

They came in the room with the crowd. Many people were complaining. "How long are we supposed to be in here? This is ridiculous! We have trains to catch. Don't you realize? We need to leave." A blonde lady came up to Jane and Lisbon.

"You can't leave until we find the person who killed Steve Ashmore." Lisbon seriously said.

"I have a plan." Jane grinned. Soon Agent Jones came up to Jane. He had heard Jane.

"You have a plan to catch the killer?"

"Yes, indeed. We need the piano, pianist and a stage." Jane quipped. "And also little microphones with the ear thingys as well."

"Why?"Jones asked confused.

"Hear him out." Lisbon stated.

"Lisbon and I are going to perform a song." Jane said

"Okay. This is not making sense. Why are you singing?" Jones said still confused.

"To catch the killer." Jane grinned.

"How is that going to catch the killer?" Jones asked again really confused.

"It's a distraction. The killer will probably try to run. That is where you come in. You are going to watch for any person that tries to run." Jane said.

"Is this normal for him? To have a crazy plan like this." Jones asked Lisbon.

" is very normal."Lisbon nodded positively.

"I'm going to find the Mary Poppins person and asked for the use of the costume. I have a feeling he/she didn't leave." Jane confessed and then left into the crowd.

As suspected, the Mary Poppins actor had not left and was entertaining children in the back of the room, Jane found.

"Well, I can't seem to find my umbrella, kids. Have you seen it?" An obvious man with a feminine voice questioned a couple of kids 7-10 years old. Jane went up to him, "Excuse me, may I ask you a couple of questions?"

"Of course, what can I do you for, sir?" The man asked.

"What's your name?"

"Mary Poppins. Of course."

"I mean your real name."

"Alexander Smith. And who are you, handsome?" Alexander said flirtatiously.

"Patrick Jane. Consultant to the FBI. Did you kill Steve Ashmore?" Jane asked making sure. Jane observed the man was gay as he was being flirty with did not seem the type to kill anyone. He enjoyed acting for the children.

"No." Alexander confessed. "You think I did the murder?"

"It's just a routine question of my colleagues. We found your umbrella and it was the murder was blood on it."

"That's good you found it. That's not good it was used that way. Someone stole my umbrella." Alexander was relieved. "Are you single? "

"No." Jane stated. "I can tell you are telling the truth. Now here's my real question I came to ask." Jane pointed his finger up. "Can I borrow your costume?"

"Okay. Why?" Alexander asked confused.

" Agent Lisbon and I are going to perform the supercal song to find the killer."

"That's a good idea. I have those specific costumes in my hanging can use them." Alexander described. "You would look fabulous in Bert's costume. Sometimes I dress as Bert as well."

"Great!" Jane grinned.

"Oh, my you would look great." Alexander eyed Jane up and down. "I sewed them myself. I just love Mary Poppins." Alexander proudly said. "Oh, I can play the song for you. I saw the piano in here."

"Splendid." Jane grinned.

Jane came back to where Lisbon and Jones were by the entrance. Lisbon came up to Jane. "Jane, I just thought of something. Do you actually know the words to that song?"

"Of course. I told you I have seen that movie many times. It's been stuck in my memory palace for years. You know the words?"

"Well, I don't know if I can do it. There's a lot of words."

"If you have that problem. I found the person who does. Let's go meet him." Jane said leading Lisbon to Alexander Smith in the back of the room. "He's not the killer. I asked and believed him. Somebody took the umbrella from him." They soon came up to Alexander.

"Hello, Mr. Jane. You really are quite the handsome devil, aren't you." Alexander said flirtatiously. Jane observed this man was trying to hit on him. "You are coming for the costumes, aren't you?" Alexander stated.

Lisbon looked at him strangely. Was this guy hitting on Jane?

"Yes, this is Agent Teresa Lisbon and my girlfriend." Jane said and put his arm around Lisbon. Lisbon looked at Jane with a confused look but then realized what he was doing. The Mary Poppins actor was was attracted to Jane and trying to flirt with him.

"Lovely to meet you. You must be the one that needs the costume."Alexander said shaking her hand.

"Yes, but I really don't know the words too well. I've seen the movie. Patrick had this crazy idea."

"Well, you're in luck. I have cue cards. I have the kids sing the words."

"Is this your job? Being Mary Poppins?"Lisbon asked.

"I was hired by Amtrak to come on this train to entertain kids."Alexander explained. "I'll get the costumes. They're with my luggage back here."

Alexander brought the costumes in two hanging bags from the coat rack. They were hung on the rack in the back. He unzipped the bags. "Here you go. I am thrilled about this!"

Jane grinned. Lisbon sighed. She saw the costumes. "Seriously, Jane we have to wear the costumes too."

"Yes, to get the full effect." Jane said grinning.

"God, Jane! The things I do for you. Don't tell me a bunch of cartoons will pop up behind us as well." Lisbon rolled her eyes.

"Oh, that would be entertaining." Jane grabbed the two bags from Alexander.

"Well, you're going to owe me big time, mister." Lisbon smirked sneakily looking at Jane.

Just recently I got inspiration for this chapter and solving this case. My other story "The New Normal" took over. I am finally finishing this one.

Feedback is appreciated.