Chapter 6: Reflections
To celebrate Jane's formal discharge they had decided to invite Friedman round for a meal, he rarely accepted invitations off anyone but as they were outside his own circle and were not relentlessly fussing over him he happily agreed. There was something about this couple that fascinated him, Teresa was warm and kind and lacking in vanity - so unlike the pernickety clothes horse that his son had married. If he had been lucky enough to have a daughter, he would have been proud if she were anything like Teresa. Patrick was a real enigma - one could write a book about his personality disorders but he was engaging and a faithful if a sometimes inconsiderate friend.
"Teresa you are looking lovely my dear " he smiled and gently hugged her petite frame, noticing she was terribly thin now.
Lisbon had made a particular effort for Friedman's visit letting her luscious locks fall into soft curls around her face and wearing her favourite green blouse that set her eyes off so well. "It's so good to see you again" she said in all sincerity reciprocating the doctors affection. Although Jane had seen him regularly Lisbon had not seen him much since Jane became an outpatient.
"Jane's in charge in the kitchen, let me get you a drink" they settled on beers as it was an informal occasion and proceeded to chat whilst Jane finished up in the kitchen.
"So Teresa, how are you doing - I gather you still have no luck on the job front?"
"No I think I'll have to look at something else in the short term, maybe some part time work just to tide me over. Maybe a store detective, something in security and if all else fails a dog walker - come to think about it at least that would be enjoyable and the clients don't answer back."
"Aah I see you are a dog lover - what better way than to share other people's dogs if you can't have one of your own."
"I love them, feed them, scratch their belly and they're happy - what about you Doctor?"
"Well I'm past wanting my belly scratched but I still like been fed " he teased. Teresa wafted his arm playfully " No dogs Doctor - you like them?"
"I prefer humans but I can see the attraction of their uncritical devotion."
Jane smiled as he heard their banter it was great to hear Teresa carefree for a while.
The meal was ready so Jane joined them, "So Doctor any interesting patients?"
" All comparatively tame Patrick - no egoists, conmen or psychics; barely challenging really" he replied archly.
Teresa smirked looking at Jane who raised an eyebrow and responded "Well I think I can give you a challenge if you want one – but be careful what you wish for."
"That sounds intriguing– do you know what it is Teresa?"
" I do actually but you need to think long and hard before you take it on – you are under no obligation" she replied.
"Hmm well it sounds serious shall we adjourn somewhere more comfortable to discuss it. Who wants to start – Patrick?"
"We have been contacted already" Jane quietly stated.
"Red John?"
Jane nodded.
"I see, how can I help you Patrick?"
Jane got his thoughts together then continued .
"I'm pretty good at reading people but somewhere along the way I was either deliberately misdirected or made a basic error in my judgment about Red John. I ended up with a narrow list of suspects that Red John accurately predicted –they were not all blindingly obvious suspects, so for him to come up with the exact same list of names I can only assume the clues were subtly planted to lead me in that direction."
"Perhaps you were bugged Patrick" Friedman suggested.
"No, the first time I ever discussed the people on the list out loud was when Teresa and I watched Lorelei Martin's video.
Maybe it's self-aggrandisement on my part but I had always imagined Red John to be a worthy adversary – intelligent, sophisticated, a degree of charm, capable of manipulating and organising. Perhaps I was trying to justify my failure over all these years by bestowing him with these attributes - I certainly was not ready for him to be such an unsophisticated brute.
Either way out of the list of candidates only two maybe three had the requisite charm and probably only one had the cunning to match my expectations of Red John. The others fitted the evidence but never felt right and McAllister was so lacking in the necessary attributes it was hugely disappointing, although the evidence trail left no doubt that he was Red John. I am afraid I ignored my natural instincts and followed the evidence trail. Ironic really."
He paused and looked over to Lisbon who nodded encouragingly, she was pleased to see Jane so open and honest in his assessment.
"I may be asking too much of you Doctor but would you consider doing a profile of Red John for us – it is clear he is going to play with us before he strikes and we want to be as prepared as possible. Teresa and I are going to start going over all the facts that we already know ourselves but it would be helpful to get an outside perspective."
Teresa butted in "The only thing I would say is that if you agree please don't discuss it with anyone, if Red John finds out you become a target. You know what happened to Dr Miller – there is every chance that you may be approached in a professional capacity – with a view to finding more about Jane."
Jane looked hard at the doctor wondering if it was fair to involve him - he did not want responsibility for another victim.
Friedman leant forward and squeezed Jane's arm "Relax Patrick - as your therapist I am by all accounts already involved, whether I like it or not."
"To a degree yes but we just want you to know the full risks before getting fully involved." Jane responded.
Friedman waved his hand dismissively. "Patrick people often avoid making decisions out of fear of making a mistake. Actually the failure to make decisions is one of life's biggest mistakes. I'm fully aware of the risks and would be delighted to help in some way, after all I have a vested interested in making sure my smart ass patient and his lovely lady stay in one piece."
If anyone else had said that Lisbon would have recoiled at being called Jane's lady but she knew Friedman meant no malice by it and perhaps it was wishful thinking on his part.
Lisbon kissed him lightly on the cheek "Thank you doctor - you don't know how much we appreciate this."
"For you Teresa anything."
Lisbon blushed and flashed him her sweetest smile then looked over to Jane who watched on contentedly.
"So Doctor how do you want to handle it?" Jane asked.
"Ok let's set some ground rules.
1) I want to read the unadulterated case files - I assume you can access them.
2 ) I will ask you when I want to know anything , do not try and influence my thought process.
3 ) Patrick you will keep your opinions to yourself until I have finished my evaluation at that point and only then may you question my reasoning.
At the end we can see if the profile fits anyone you may have crossed paths with."
Despite the threat hanging over them Jane and Lisbon both felt re-energised at the prospect of finally having something to focus on. Lisbon in particular had missed the absence of routine - she was not given to lounging around and on top of all the pressures from Abbott's investigation and Jane's illness she found the unstructured days very difficult to cope with. She knew she had spent too long dwelling on Jane's barbed comments when he was ill but in the absence of anything else to think about she had just been unable to shake them off.
Nothing like the threat of a serial killer to make you feel better again she wryly thought - shaking her head at the irony of it. Jane's lips twitched as he watched her machinations, though terrified at the thought of what might be coming he could not help but be amused at her getting her head back into gear.
Lisbon set herself a daily routine and went about things with a renewed vigour her exercise was now structured and purposeful not just a means of burning nervous energy.
Jane had retained some copies of the case files and got the information to Friedman, meeting him at the William Land Park to play a few games of chess - they arranged the exchange of the files after a few closely fought games.
Jane had noticed a softening in Teresa's attitude towards him and ventured to suggest a trip to the coast, to his surprise she willingly agreed so they set off towards the San Francisco coast. It was one of those hazy autumn days where the sun gently warmed them as they strolled barefoot on the beach carrying their shoes. Jane's wardrobe was woefully short of casual clothes but he still managed to look unbelievably dazzling in his crumpled linen shirt with rolled up sleeves and his open vest. The breeze caught his loose and slightly shaggy golden curls; Lisbon quivered at the sight of him having to swallow hard to hide her open admiration which he seemed happily oblivious to as he soaked up the Californian rays. He turned and gave her one of his megawatt smiles before rushing off to chase the seagulls at the tidemark, then turned and coyly smiled at her again.
His joie de vivre was infectious Lisbon dropped her "responsible adult" stance for a while and joined in the fun skimming stones with Jane and they both paddled in the water with their trousers rolled up, running every now and then to avoid the breaking waves, Jane delighting in Lisbon's little squeals when they got caught by the waves.
Jane loosely trailed his arm around her shoulder as they wandered in amiable silence towards the cafe; he halted and turned her towards him and seeing no discouragement he wrapped her gently in his arms and kissed her windblown hair. Lisbon relaxed in his arms returning the hug deeply inhaling his natural musk before they broke away without saying anything and resumed their walk holding hands along the beach.
Both content with the companionship at this stage, they felt remarkably relaxed considering the situation they were in.
"Teresa I know it seems crazy feeling so free at this time but I just feel I need to feed my soul with light and goodness before things turn again." He turned her to face him looking closely at her "Teresa never doubt - you are my light. You illuminate my days and show me the way, without out you there is only darkness" he said huskily.
Lisbon swallowed hard as she felt her eyes start to brim with tears - unable to get the words out she nodded and gently squeezed his hand in acknowledgment as she bashfully smiled at him. She finally uttered "Thank you Patrick". Whereupon he pulled her towards him again taking in the essence of her and savouring their connection as they gently held each other.
They resumed their walk both feeling refreshed and relaxed after their day out. After a light seafood meal they slowly made their way back to the car - Jane picked a leaflet trapped under the windscreen wipers with a view to discarding it before suddenly dropping it as he saw the characteristic smiley face. Lisbon saw it and like Jane she started looking frantically around, feeling they had been violated in their moment of relaxation.
"We've been followed" she said rather obviously. Jane bit back a sarcastic riposte "I think it is fair to assume we are under constant surveillance one way or another. Let's give them something to report back." He pulled her towards him planting his lips gently on hers and held her in a languid, sensual kiss gratified that she responded in kind.
When they parted Lisbon looked at him one eyebrow raised he shrugged and said "well it felt right to me, I've been wanting to do that for a long time. It's life affirming Teresa - let's live for a change he has ruled our lives for too long now."
A/N Bit of a filler chapter - time is at a premium at the moment.