Chapter 7 - First Strike
Their new found bonhomie was soon to be interrupted when Friedman called to inform Patrick that one of his patients had been found murdered. They all immediately jumped to the same conclusion that it was Red John and waited to be contacted by the FBI who were now running the operation.
Very wary now of being under surveillance Lisbon contacted Van Pelt on her burner phone to get advice on sweeping her home for bugs. Grace was horrified that Red John had come after them so quickly and urged them to disappear for a while but Lisbon said she and Jane were determined to see this through whatever. After a bit of probing by Grace finally Lisbon conceded that she and Jane had been closer of late but were still not a couple by conventional standards. Grace huffed in despair – they really could not see they were made for each other.
Grace had recommended some professional standard bug detectors and as soon as they arrived they swept their cars and home, Jane and Lisbon were relieved to find neither had been bugged but resolved to be more vigilant in checking everywhere in future.
Jane arranged to visit Friedman at his offices for a follow up appointment, on entering Jane put his fingers to his lips Friedman just raised an eyebrow and watched as Jane took out the anti-surveillance equipment and started to sweep the office. Much to Friedman's discomfiture they found a bug in his office, they maintained their silence until it was removed and disposed of.
Jane looked closely at Friedman "Are you sure you want to carry on with this now you know the extent of Red John's reach?"
"Patrick I assume I am not directly at risk unless he finds out what I am doing. None of our discussions have taken place here or at my home and you say Teresa's home was clean."
"All the same Doctor he may try breaking into your office or home, if they find the Red John files they will know something is up. How much longer do you need the files? The sooner you hand them back the better."
"I've got everything at home, so far I have transcribed the salient details under an alias as a precautionary measure – like most Doctors my notes and writing are indecipherable to other people" he added with a wry smile, well aware of Jane's general aversion to the profession. "I should be finished in a few days, then you can have everything back."
Jane put his hand in his pocket and handed a phone over to Friedman "I know this may seem extreme but it would be safer to use this if you want to contact us in future, I've programmed in our burner numbers if you need them. I assume it won't be unethical to tell me about your patient now she is dead?
"Cheryl Kruger was referred to me for treatment for Gephyrophobia – fear of bridges. It's surprisingly common, perfectly rational people can gripped by anxiety at the prospect of crossing particularly long or high bridges. Their driving can be seriously impaired; in their anxiety they grip the wheel tightly transfixed by the road ahead not daring to use their peripheral vision. The cruel irony is that many people afflicted by this also have a fear of tunnels.
When I spoke to Cheryl about this I felt her responses were learned as opposed to experienced, I see a lot of this sometimes it is Munchausen syndrome which in itself needs treatment so I always give people a fair hearing. I can't be completely sure about this but in the light of what has happened I would not be surprised if she were a plant - is it confirmed that this is Red John yet?"
"Supervisory Special Agent Abbott from the FBI has asked to meet us, so I guess that is as good as a confirmation." Jane responded. "I would imagine you will be on his list of people to talk to before long. I can only caution prudence when you speak to him, ask to meet him here if possible, the FBI offices may well be bugged."
"Prudence is a rich, ugly old maid courted by incapacity." Friedman enigmatically responded, thinking Jane was being over cautious if you could not even trust the FBI what could you trust?
Jane was experiencing some trepidation about meeting Abbott again, he was painfully aware that it was Abbott who had found him at the start of his breakdown and had witnessed him at his low point. Despite his humility with Teresa and Friedman who had seen him with his soul bared, he still liked to put up his usual front with everyone else. Hell they expected him to be arrogant and abrasive, it was part of his act and more importantly part of his armour.
Lisbon knew he was apprehensive and gently squeezed his hand "Jane relax, Abbott's OK. I know he is giving me a hard time but he is just doing his job – he does not really know me and has to explore all options, he cannot assume anything. He's tough but fair he just wants to know the truth."
Jane set his lips in a grim smile and nodded in acknowledgement.
Abbott agreed to meet at Lisbon's home ostensibly to make it more comfortable for Jane but more importantly for Jane and Lisbon they knew it was clean. and could speak freely.
Abbott came alone and greeted them with a professional courtesy, he was looking forward to seeing Jane now he had recovered, he had not seen him since the first few days after his breakdown and was pleased the see the spark back in his eyes.
Jane started on the offensive "Thank you for meeting us here, law enforcement is such an untrustworthy place to be these days, at least here we know no-one is listening in. So feel free to unburden yourself – must be difficult knowing who to trust these days" he added acerbically.
Abbott did his best to hide a smirk, he agreed with Jane more than he cared to admit. "Ah the legendary supercilious Jane I've been told so much about. You're not exactly the most popular guy in law enforcement outside your immediate team there are bruised egos every which way I turn. You never did the tact and diplomacy course I take it?"
Jane smiled "It was optional I believe and not being interested in the politics it was a waste of my time – detection is my business and I believe we did it very well with Agent Lisbon at the helm."
With a nod in Lisbon's direction Abbott acknowledged "Indeed, I am hearing good things about Agent Lisbon it appears she has only one major weakness" he looked pointedly at Jane.
"By the way I am working on resolving your situation shortly" he added to Lisbon.
"Alrighty as we are speaking off the record, although your team exposed Blake it would have been remiss of me to ignore your possible involvement. As my investigations progress I am more than comfortable that you are not implicated and the latest turn of events would seem to back that up. Have you heard about the Kruger case?"
"Yes my doctor called me" Jane responded.
Abbott perked up at that "Why would he call you Jane?"
"We had forewarned him Red John may use someone to try and get information from him. We found his office had been bugged and assume his patient Kruger planted the bug and had outlived her usefulness. I assume this has the hallmarks of Red John?"
Abbott sighed "Yes, classic Red John I am afraid. What made you warn your doctor Jane?"
Lisbon intervened "In the light of what happened to Sophie Miller we were obligated to warn Friedman. Also we have been contacted by Red John once by text and more lately he just left his calling card to let us know he is watching us. I assume Blake has agents watching us on his behalf. In some ways we probably owe him for our safety – there must be many Blake members lining up to take a pot shot at us, ironically we are fortunate to be under his protection."
"I thought as much" Abbott replied "are there specific threats?"
"No just the usual taunting, although he has made it clear that Teresa is most definitely a target as well as me." Jane said with a frown.
"I wish I could offer you protection but there are so few people I trust at the moment I couldn't be sure I would not make things worse. Cho must have at least a couple of months left on his training before I can call on his services." He handed Lisbon a piece of paper "This is my private number call me if you need to – I can still sort out a few decent agents in an emergency."
Lisbon and Jane gratefully accepted this knowing some backup might be useful when Red John made his move, although they would continue to work alone in the short term.
"I know this might sound presumptuous given your position but I am guessing you are still looking over the Red John case – you understand that you can't be seen to be involved with our investigation but I am sure we can work out a mutually beneficial exchange of information off the record if you are willing to reciprocate."
Lisbon considered what he said then looked over to Jane before saying "Rosalind Harker."
Jane's head shot round to look at her "Rosalind?"
"Yes, I have been thinking about her the last few days – does anyone know where she is these days - was she taken into witness protection?"
"I can find that out" Abbott responded "Why do you ask?"
"In hindsight it I think we missed the obvious tactic with her, we asked her about his physical attributes but she could surely have identified his voice. Red John would not have affected that high pitched voice with her in private, she would have known the real man. When we put together our next suspect list perhaps we could get Harker to identify the voice."
"Good thinking Teresa." Jane said appreciatively. "Whatever we do we must not raise any suspicions about her - please be circumspect when you enquire about her Abbott, although Red John shares a connection with her he will have no compunction dealing with her if he perceives she is a threat."
Jane had always had a soft spot for Rosalind despite her unsavoury connection, in fact that was one of things that planted the seed in Jane's mind that Red John was a cultured man with his love of music.
Finally alone they mulled over the day's events Lisbon opened a bottle of red wine as Jane prepared their meal. She watched him as he cooked, every movement was so controlled and deliberate – there was a feline quality to him everything was sleek and languid and almost appeared in slow motion. Sometimes Jane caught her watching him and he would just turn away with a satisfied smile on his face without saying anything.
Their relationship was still largely platonic a situation that seemed to suit them both at present, there were moments when the situation could have escalated but one or the other would have the presence of mind to cool the situation. They had re-established an easy relationship enjoying each other's company, it seemed perfectly natural that they were sharing the same home now the tension between them had eased.
Their evenings would be spent on the sofa listening to music or Jane would read while Lisbon watched TV, Lisbon would curl up alongside Jane more often than not falling asleep against his shoulder.
Jane had been rattled by the news that Red John had struck again and despite his false bravado in front of Abbott he was worried about Lisbon's safety. He fell into a fitful sleep that night tossing and turning as his subconscious went into overdrive, he broke into a cold sweat as he saw a vision of Lisbon's mutilated bloodied body under a smiley face he must have cried out in his sleep because he was awoken by Lisbon's small hands gently shaking him. His face was wet with tears, Lisbon leant over him stroking his brow "Patrick it's ok, I'm here calm down now no need to worry." He raised his face to look at her the anxiety etched into his face "Teresa let's run away somewhere where he can't find us – we can make a life together abroad out of his reach. Say yes Teresa please say yes…"
She shook her head sadly "Tempting as that sounds, we both know that would not work. My brothers and their families would become pawns in his game. I cannot put them at risk to save myself. We have to see this through, whatever the conclusion."
She took Jane in her arms gently rocking him planting soothing kisses on his head, she was seriously worried he may start to regress if he could not handle the stress. She lay alongside him hoping her presence would help allay his immediate fears, she would have to tell Friedman about this to see how best to handle this.
Lisbon resolved they would have to get organised in their deliberations about Red John they needed to meet this head on in an organised way. She rose early leaving Jane asleep, he looked pale and exhausted she hoped he would sleep in for a while. She quietly got dressed and made herself a coffee before going out for a quick run to clear her head.
When she returned she found a distraught Jane waiting for her, he encompassed her in a bear hug "Teresa where were you I tried phoning you but got no answer – I was starting to fear the worst."
"Jane I am so sorry, I should have left you a note - I can't believe how thoughtless I am. I just wanted some fresh air before we started working on the case and you were fast asleep when I left."
Jane huffed with annoyance at both his own paranoia and Lisbon's oversight before turning to make some breakfast. He knew he needed to pull himself together but was worried Red John may escalate matters before they were prepared, he wanted to meet with Friedman at the earliest opportunity to get his input.
A/N I was not entirely sure what happened to Harker so may bend this to suit my story.