Thank you to all of you who wrote such lovely and encouraging reviews! I will reply to you directly (to those who signed in) but wanted to say thank you here.
In regards to this chapter ... I do not plan to write a case file fic, even though this chapter may seem like it. This story is more about the Patrick/Teresa relationship and the things they have to deal with as they move forward. I may do more of a case file after this one is finished.
Thanks!
"Cho, can I talk to you?"
"Sure. What about?" Cho swiveled around in his chair and looked at Jane. The man looked way better than he had that night, weeks ago, when Cho had found him in his car. Cho was happy for them, although Teresa had asked that he not talk at all about the pregnancy, to Jane or anyone else. He worried that they were avoiding the issue and that it would jump up and bite them in the ass, but it wasn't his place to say anything.
He wondered briefly if Grace, Wayne and he should schedule an intervention and get Jane straightened out once and for all. Yeah, like that would ever happen. He didn't think he'd ever met a more intractable person than Patrick Jane.
"I need to find the record for a murder case. I checked our files but don't see it anywhere."
"What's the name?"
"Christina Scott. It's a cold case – happened about eighteen months ago."
"Did you check to see if anyone else has the file?"
Jane shook his head. "There are no records listed with that name in our cold case files."
"You're sure it's an FBI case?"
"No, it could have been the local police, but I'm not sure how to get one of their files."
"You just file an interagency transfer. If it's a cold case it shouldn't be a problem. If someone is still working on it they'll want to know why you need it."
"How do you get a transfer?"
Cho frowned up at him, suddenly suspicious. This reminded him too much of the old Jane. "Why do you want it? And why didn't you ask Lisbon?"
Jane sighed and glanced around. Teresa was in with Abbott and he'd taken this chance to talk to Kimball. For some reason he really hadn't wanted to tell her about this case. There was something about it that bothered him and he didn't want her mixed up in it. He knew if she found out she'd kill him.
He knew the only way out of this was to tell Cho what was going on, something he didn't want to do.
"Look, let's go to the cafeteria and I'll buy you a coffee and explain."
Cho's eyes narrowed. Something was definitely up with Jane. "I want the truth – not one of you stories."
Jane nodded, looking serious. "It will be, I promise."
After they'd sat down, Cho with coffee, Jane with tea, the agent nodded. "Okay, what's this about?"
"Well – I'm uh – part of a group."
"What kind of group?" Cho frowned. He really couldn't picture Jane involved in any group activities. He wasn't exactly a team player.
"A – support group", he answered quickly. "For parents who've lost a child."
Cho just nodded, not letting on that he was surprised. "Good for you. So what's this about the cold case?"
"The daughter of one of the women in the group was raped and murdered last year – Christina Scott. They never found the murderer and the mother asked me if I could look into it."
"Jane – you know that's not a good idea. We can't do those kind of favors for people."
"I know." He exhaled and then took a deep breath. "I wanted to say no, believe me. It's just – I told them my story", he peered down at his cup, twirling it around in his hands and avoiding looking at Cho. "It's hard to tell her to let go, to not waste her life obsessing about the murderer when they all know about me."
Kimball blinked a couple of times, not quite sure how to respond. "You told her you were with the FBI?"
"No", he shook his head. "I don't know how she found out – she must have looked it up. Anyway I said I'd look into it. If there's nothing I can do I'll tell her and let it go."
"Okay. I'll see what I can do. But I warn you that if the cops don't have a lead the chances are you won't be able to find anything."
"I know."
"And what about Teresa?"
Jane grimaced and took another sip of tea. "I should tell her, I know. It's just that this whole thing bothers me, I don't know why. I would just rather her not be involved."
"She'll be royally pissed you know. She can handle it."
"Normally yes, but right now I'd rather her not have to."
"Right", Cho nodded, suddenly realizing what this was about. Even though Jane didn't want to deal with Teresa's pregnancy, he was obviously concerned about her. "Okay I'll look into it, but don't blame me if she finds out and kicks your ass from here to Cleveland."
"I won't and – thanks Cho. You're a good friend."
"Yes I am", he muttered as he walked away. "Why, I'm not quite sure."
It didn't take him long to get the file from the local police. Once he had it he waited until Teresa left her desk for a few moments and then headed to Jane's couch. "Here's the file. Interesting."
"You read it?" Jane sat up.
"Yeah."
"Find anything?"
"You take a look and tell me. I don't want to influence you." He turned and headed back to his desk.
Jane had just opened the file when he saw Lisbon heading towards her desk. Casually, very, very casually he set the file down beside the couch. He'd have to look at it later.
Once Teresa was settled back into work, he stood up and headed over to the cold case files. He grabbed the nearest one – the case of the murder of a gang leader – and slipped the Scott file inside of it. He hated that he was tricking Teresa, especially after he promised he wouldn't hide things to protect her. But in this case he felt he had to do it. There was something that had the hairs on the back of his neck standing up and there was no way – no way in hell – he was going to put her in danger.
He read the file from top to bottom a couple of times, wanting to find out anything and everything he could. It was true that the cops reported they had no leads, although they had interviewed a few different people, classified as potential witnesses. There was one, in particular, that stood out.
Jason Eckert was, at the time of the murder, a 20-year-old college student. His father was CEO of Trandel Inc., a multinational corporation that was into everything from oil and gas to shipping to high tech. Jason's father was a billionaire although his family roots were in Austin.
There was a picture of Jason in the file. He was young, handsome and probably charming, thought Jane. He was a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity, had played varsity football and was studying business. Probably being groomed to take over for Daddy.
Jane took an instant dislike to the young man, although there wasn't anything in the file that pointed to his guilt. Still, he wanted to interview Jason and see what he could read from him.
He stood up and sauntered over to Cho, trying to look casual. "Cho, I want to interview one of the witnesses. Would you come with me?"
"Eckert?"
Jane's eyebrows went up. "You too?"
"Didn't like him. Daddy's rich and he's a frat boy."
"Yes", Jane nodded. "Uh, would you mind making it look like you've asked me to accompany you?"
Cho stared at him for a moment and then shook his head. "Okay, but you're gonna be in trouble when she finds out."
Jane made his way back to his couch, Cho's words making him rethink what he was doing. Could he really risk her newfound trust in him over a feeling that he had? With a frustrated sigh he stood back up and walked over to Teresa's desk. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Uh – yes", she frowned, getting up and following him. Fortunately this time he took her into one of the small glass enclosed conference rooms, although even then a couple of people gave them knowing looks. "What is it?" she asked after he'd closed the door.
"Uh, I need to tell you something."
"Okay, what is it?"
"One of the women in my group asked me if I would check into her daughter's murder", he told her. "The police never found the man who did it."
"And she wants you to investigate", she asked, the frown lines between her brows deepening.
"Yes. She knows I work for the FBI. I told her she should leave it -"
"You told her that?"
"I know, I know. But – she wants justice."
"Do you think this is a good idea Jane?"
"No, probably not. Look, I just said I'd look into it. If I don't see something right away I'll tell her there's nothing we can do. If I do find something I'll pass it on to the police."
"Do you want me to help?"
"No", he told her. At her look of surprise he quickly went on to explain. "Look, I just – this is a bad case – the rape and murder of a young girl and I don't want you involved. And before you get all defensive and tell me how tough you are – I know Teresa. I know you can handle things. I know you're tough and smart and able to take care of yourself. It's just – I need you not to be involved in this one."
"But why not? It's just a cold case."
"Because – hell, because I have a bad feeling about it and you're pregnant with my child and I don't want anything bad to happen to you – or to the baby. Okay?" There, he'd admitted it to her. It had just about killed him, and he was pretty sure she was going to kill him, but it didn't matter. He didn't want her involved in this one. He waited for her to tell him off.
She swallowed and then licked her lips, unable to say anything for a moment. Jane was looking at her as if he expected she was about to hit him, when what she really wanted to do was kiss him. Why hadn't he taken her to their supply closet? She couldn't do anything here and she so desperately wanted to. God she loved him.
"Okay", she finally said.
"Okay? Okay what?"
"Okay, I won't get involved. Will you take Cho?"
"Uh – yes. I asked him already and he said he'd help."
"Good. Keep him involved – and I'd tell Abbott too. If there is something off about this I sure as hell don't want you getting hurt."
He stared at her as if he didn't quite know whom he was seeing. "You're sure?"
"Yes."
"You're not mad at me?"
"Mad at you?" She walked to the door and put her hand on the handle. "After what you just said – I am as far from mad at you as I can be. You are so going to get lucky tonight." With that she opened the door and returned to her desk, for once leaving Jane without anything to say.
"You tell her?" Cho asked later as he approached the couch where Jane was once again sitting.
"Yes."
Cho nodded. "Smart move. And she's okay with us handling this."
Jane lips moved, the smile spreading slowly on his face as he looked towards Lisbon, who was studiously avoiding him. "Oh yeah – she's fine with it."
"Okay – too much information. Let's go."
It took them a few hours but eventually they found Jason at a bar with a bunch of his frat brothers. The young men looked as if they'd all had a few too many beers, and the young women with them were attractive but obviously immature college girls.
"Fond memories?" he said to Cho, who was looking at the group with an expression of disdain on his face.
"No. I always hated frat boys."
"But not the girls?"
"That's why I hated the frat boys – because they were the ones that got the attention of the girls."
"Right", Jane grinned. "Come on, let's go talk to little Eckert junior." The two men approached the group of semi-rowdy college kids. "Jason Eckert?" Cho called out. The group became quiet after a couple of minutes. Finally one young guy- who they instantly recognized – stepped forward. "I'm Jason. What can I do for the two of you?"
"FBI", Cho held up his identification. "We have a few questions we'd like to ask you."
"Really? FBI? Wow", he turned to the two girls hanging on his arms. "Cool. I'm being taken away by the FBI. Call my dad if I'm not back in twenty minutes."
"Sure", right arm girl giggled. Jason pulled away from both women.
"Okay, let's go", he grinned at the agents.
Jane hadn't said much after they picked up Jason. Cho, of course, never said much of anything so the ride back to FBI headquarters was rather quiet.
"So, what do you want to ask me?" Jason looked back and forth between the two men who had brought him here. The Asian man hadn't said much, but at least he'd spoken. Jason didn't even know who the other man was. He'd sat silently in the car the whole way.
"Did you kill Christina Scott", Jane asked bluntly?
"Wh – What? Where the hell do you get off asking me that?"
"You were named as a witness in her rape and death".
"Right, I was a witness! I was not a suspect – ever."
"So what did you witness?"
"Huh?"
"Well, you were listed as a witness and I wondered what it was you witnessed?
"Me? I didn't witness anything."
"No? That's strange. Either you witnessed something or you must have been a suspect. Are you a suspect?"
"What the hell is wrong with you? I was in the vicinity, that's all. I didn't see the girl and I don't know anything about her murder."
"You were in the vicinity? Why was that? It was a residential area and the only thing there was a playground and the middle school."
"So."
"So, why were you in the vicinity?"
"I don't know. What does it matter? I was just driving around I guess."
"You guess. You were all the way across town from where you live or go to school. You were by yourself – you were by yourself, weren't you?"
"Yeah."
"So, you like to go on long drives through residential neighborhoods?"
"Sometimes. Look, I don't have to answer any more of your questions. I'm gonna call my Dad and tell him what jerks you have been and he's gonna call some friends and get you kicked off the FBI."
"Really?" Jane smiled. "So, little Jason is going to call his Daddy to come to his rescue. That's always what you do when you get into trouble, isn't it Jason. You call Daddy to save you or to come and clean up after you."
"What the hell!" Jason reared up from his seat, knocking it backwards. He tried to leap over the table at Jane, but fortunately Cho was there to stop him.
"Well that got a reaction", Jane said calmly, although he had moved back away from the table, out of Jason's reach.
"I'm leaving now, but you will hear from my Dad."
"Of course. Tell him we look forward to meeting him."
Once Jason had left, Patrick sat quietly, clearly thinking. At first Cho didn't speak, but as the silence wore on he had to ask. He didn't expect an answer, because it was Jane, who usually didn't share anything. "So, what do you think?"
"Hmm. What do I think?" Jane asked, still staring off into the distance. He then sat up straight, took a deep breath and turned to Cho. "I think Jason Eckert is guilty of the rape and murder of Christina Scott."
Of course they didn't get anywhere with the police. There was deep-seated resentment of the FBI among the local cops, and the ones who'd been assigned the Scott case were furious that they were being questioned as if they hadn't done their jobs.
"There was no evidence linking Eckert to Christina Scott", Officer Pembroke answered sullenly. "His car had been spotted in the vicinity and we questioned him. There was no reason to hold him."
"Why was he in the vicinity", Cho asked?"
"Huh?"
"Why was he there? Did he have friends in the neighborhood?"
"I don't know", Pembroke grumbled.
"You don't know?" Kimball stared at him, his very lack of expression causing the officer to squirm.
"No – I mean, he was just driving around."
"And you didn't find that suspicious?"
"No, why should I?"
"Maybe because it's your job", Cho told him gently.
"Who the hell are you to tell me my job", Pembroke sat up and snarled. "I don't have to take this from you!"
"Actually, yes you do. Your chief has promised to cooperate fully with our investigation. So, let me ask you again. Why do you think Eckert was in the neighborhood?"
Pembroke shrugged. "I have no idea."
Jane was leaning up against the wall, watching the interview, but so far he hadn't said anything. At this he stood up straight and walked towards the table. "Did you look into Eckert – his background, etc.?"
"Yeah, of course."
"And what did you find?"
"That he was nothing but a college student."
Jane's eyebrows rose. "What about his father?"
"What about him?" Pembroke snarled.
"Did you happen to find out that he's one of the wealthiest, most powerful men in Austin?"
The officer shrugged.
"Oh, so you did know. Did you, by any chance contact his father?" Jane leaned forward.
"No, why would I?" the Officer was looking very uncomfortable and shifted in his seat. "Eckert was an adult."
"I see. Then can you tell me why there are three phone calls from your cell phone to Randall Eckert's house?"
Pembroke was silent and, after a moment, lifted his eyes to Jane. "I want to speak with my union rep."
"That's your right", Cho nodded and stood up. "We'll inform your chief as to our investigation."
Pembroke stood as well, pushing his chair back violently "You don't know what the hell you're doing! You're messing with the wrong people." With that he turned and rushed from the room.
"By wrong people do you think he meant Eckert or the police?" Jane asked casually.
"Probably both."
It wasn't that much later before both of them were pulled into a tense-looking Abbott's office. "Have a seat gentlemen."
Jane nodded and sat, used to this kind of thing. Cho glanced over at him, obviously clearly used to it as well. This wasn't unusual as far as 'Jane' cases went.
"You heard from the Chief of Police telling us to back off?" Jane said casually.
Abbott let out a bark of laughter at that. "I gotta say Jane, that since you've been on board with us our solve rate has gone way up, but so have the number of people we've pissed off."
"That's what happens when you work with Jane", Cho informed him stoically.
"Any yes I did hear from the Chief. But not only did I get a call from him, I got a call from the Mayor's office as well, basically telling us to back off."
"And what did you say?" Jane asked, curious to know.
Abbott stared at him a moment, his lips pursed. "I told them both that they were attempting to interfere in a federal case and that if they weren't careful I'd slap them with obstruction charges."
Jane grinned and even Cho looked like a smile was about to happen.
"But I want you two to tell me that there's something in this case? Eckert is a powerful man and his next stop is going to be Washington. That may change whether or not we are able to continue to investigate. So, what do you have?"
Cho looked at Jane, throwing it to him.
"Uh, Jason Eckert did it", Jane informed his boss. "I have no doubt."
"But do you have proof?"
"Only that the investigating officer contacted Eckert senior when he found out that Jason was in the vicinity of the murder."
"And was any investigation done around Jason? Any forensics, checking out other witnesses, etc?"
"No. They dropped Jason like the proverbial potato."
Abbott nodded, looking pensive. "Okay. Let's do a canvass of the area, see if we can find anyone else that saw anything – especially that saw Jason. And ask Wylie to see if he can track down any kind of money trail. I expect that Daddy may have paid to keep everything quiet."
Cho nodded and stood to leave. Jane went to follow but was stopped by Abbott.
"A minute Jane."
Patrick turned around, regarding the other man with a small smile. "You're going to tell me to go carefully, to try and not insult Papa Eckert, to remember the reputation of the FBI?"
"No, I was actually going to ask how things are going? You had a bit of a rough patch and I wanted to make sure you were okay."
This time Patrick looked at him in some surprise. "Uh – I'm doing well, thanks."
Abbott regarded him for a few more seconds and then nodded. "Good, because this is a sensitive case and I need you in top form. And oh, if you do insult Eckert or the Chief of Police or anyone else, try and keep the FBI out of it as much as possible."
"Will do", Patrick grinned. Turning on his heel he returned to his couch, surprised at how much he'd grown to like the man who was his boss.
The next few days were mostly the kind of investigation he hated and avoided, but that he knew was essential. The money was going to be key, but they realized it was a long-shot. Eckert Senior had to be smart to have gotten where he was and would have hidden the trail well.
By the time Jane's next support group came up he was no closer to finding any clues about Christina's murder. He hated having to tell Andrea that they had nothing, but also didn't want to give her any false hope. And the last thing he wanted was to become involved in some long-term quest for justice. He wanted to move on with his life, not get entangled in another search for a sadistic murder.