Chapter 9 - Unmasked
Jane had prepared a light lunch in advance of Friedman's arrival; Lisbon tried to catch a moment alone with Friedman to talk about Jane's nightmares but no opportunity arose, so they made small talk as they ate before they got down to business.
Friedman brought out his handwritten notes "I didn't want to get these typed up in case there is a security breach, so you will have to listen and make your own notes. I've kept this all very simple, it's not as if I am trying to impress a client by blinding them with psychobabble" he said cynically.
"Come on Doctor - surely your colleagues wouldn't do that" Jane quipped.
"Only when they bill by the hour Patrick. Have you looked at the cars the consultants drive recently?" Friedman said laconically.
Friedman started to outline his thoughts as Jane and Lisbon concentrated on what he was saying.
"From what I gather you were led by the evidence as each case arose which was natural as you were reacting to events; with the luxury of hindsight I have taken a slightly different stance looking at the bigger picture to establish general characteristics and methods, without concentrating on personalities.
Firstly I think it is highly unlikely that all the murders were committed by one person - There may be one Red John figurehead but I wouldn't be at all surprised if some of the more routine murders were subcontracted to franchisees, if you will forgive the term."
Friedman looked long and hard at Jane before continuing "The actual Red John would have saved himself for the more significant occasions, your family undoubtedly being one of them - he was settling a score and would not have allowed anyone else do that."
Jane face clouded over at being reminded of his own culpability but nodded in acknowledgement at the logic of the argument.
Lisbon looked over anxiously at Jane, refraining from reaching out to him knowing he needed to deal with this in his own way.
"This is conjecture but it is possible that when he first started out he was hypothetically exploring the transient nature of human life and may have been contemplating his own eventual mortality - this would be the one thing he could not control in his life and could be conceived as the ultimate challenge. His actions would be slow and ritualised as he observed every stage of the process watching the fear in his victim's eyes as their life ebbed away, wanting to see for himself what happened at that moment when life departed the mortal body."
Jane's face was convulsed with horror as he listened.
"Patrick I am sorry to do this to you but it is all part of the bigger picture. I can go through this with Teresa if you prefer, so long as one of you knows."
Jane looked down shaking his head. "No please carry on - it's not as if I have not gone over this before, it's just painful hearing someone else spell it out."
"Alright Patrick, if it becomes too much just let me know. Red John might talk to his victims throughout the whole process, explaining why they were being subjected to this in an attempt to elicit some feedback from them. It may all have been done in a rational almost regretful way as he explained why he had no choice; his attacks would be more cold and calculated rather than violent and frenzied."
Friedman stopped to ask Lisbon a question "Teresa, I would not be at all surprised if he were adept at hypnotising -caressing his subjects with his melodious voice but I also wondered were there traces of drugs in any of victims? He might have subdued the victims to ease the transition from life to death."
"I cannot say for sure with the earlier cases but there were no drugs used in any of the later victims" she responded.
Friedman considered her reply "I somehow doubt many of the later murders were committed by Red John himself - he may well have commissioned them or his acolytes may have on occasion taken matters into their own hands for housekeeping purposes. They would have stayed true to the method to keep the mythology alive - I don't doubt McAllister was one of those involved, so he was not entirely boasting when he said he was Red John, he was just not 'the' Red John.
The Lorelei Martins murder was almost certainly done by Red John himself as he had a personal attachment and was meting out punishment.
Having experienced the process a few times his interest in the actual killings may well have diminished, they just became a means to an end and he would have been content to leave that to those with a real blood lust."
Lisbon piped up "Doctor do you think that Timothy Carter could have been one of the killers?"
"Almost certainly, the girl he held captive was never going to be released so he had it in him to be one of the Red Johns."
Lisbon looked over to Jane to see if that gave him any comfort - he just responded "Teresa, I have no guilt on that score whether or not he did Red John's bidding, he was an evil perverted killer and would have carried on killing with or without Red John. I am sorry Doctor if that sounds callous but I believed he was Red John at the time and in hindsight I still see it as a righteous kill."
Friedman replied "I am not here to pass judgement Patrick, who knows what any of us would have done in your position."
He paused looking long and hard before continuing "Patrick I was struck when I tried to form a picture of Red John how many similarities there were between the two of you. Charismatic, charming, more than capable of manipulating people to your own ends and ruthless when the need arises, both used to being the cleverest man in the room - perhaps a touch of narcissism at times?"
Jane could not disagree; his erstwhile persona definitely could be all of those. "Many people thought I was Red John Doctor and this was all a cover up to hide my actions, the FBI were actively pursuing this theory even while I was working for the CBI. Understandable in many ways, quite often people who proffer opinions are involved in the crimes themselves."
Friedman was relieved this had not caused offence and continued.
"The furore created by the murders would have appealed to his narcissism; the Red John persona was created to perpetuate the myth. He would get amusement from all the publicity this would generate enjoying, the speculation and fear that was being whipped up – he would not take criticism well, as Patrick and James Panzer both found out. Incidentally I doubt Red John personally killed Panzer – not his style.
Patrick there would seem to be some sort of link between you - maybe he sees you as a kindred spirit or worthy adversary, either way he seems determined to keep you in the loop and will do whatever is necessary to keep you engaged" he glanced at Teresa at this point.
"Now if we turn to the organisational side of this I would suggest Red John is successful in his chosen career whether it is politics, business, law enforcement, the legal system whatever. This is someone who knows how to utilise people to his own ends and is capable of vision - probably more of an ideas person than a detail person by inclination; he is able to quickly home in on problems and effect a solution. He would surround himself with a small group of able lieutenants to do the day to day operations reserving himself for the key decisions, by nature he will be a loner but understands the necessity of delegation of non essential tasks."
Teresa interjected "we had a fairly narrow focus on law enforcement - you are suggesting it is probably someone from outside?"
"Look how Blake was organised, it was strictly on a need to know basis. Everyone would have assumed Blake was conceived within law enforcement but the figurehead only needed to manipulate the higher orders to do his bidding. It was just another means of putting a stranglehold on law enforcement for his own ends."
"But what about the symbolism of William Blake - would Red John truly be a disciple?" Jane asked.
"It's possibly just a ruse, people attracted to secret societies revel in the esoteric nature of an organisation restricted to an enlightened or initiated minority - something akin to but less benevolent than Freemasonry with its own system of morality veiled in allegory. The secret handshakes replaced by Tyger Tyger and the red tattoos would appeal to those weak minded enough to be willing to be lead.
He would exploit the general themes; the mission of love and enlightenment would draw people into him appealing to their baser instincts with Blake's talk of free love 'Abstinence sows sand all over the ruddy limbs & flaming hair but desire gratified plants fruits & beauty there.'
He would probably find all of this quite ludicrous, allowing the likes of Bertram and McAllister to be the self appointed Grand Masters.
I seriously doubt that Red John himself would bear the red tattoo – he would not want his association with Blake to be known.
To the outside world Red John would appear to be a successful, high profile man appearing magnanimous in his generosity attracting a horde of attention but unable or unwilling to form long term relationships.
The difference between you Patrick and Red John is that you are capable of deep and unconditional love; Red John is driven by desire he wants to own people and when he has what he wants he loses interest and moves on to the next challenge.
Teresa not being the usual female stereotype unwavering in her belief in justice and forthright in her opinions would not be the usual easy prey and would be quite a challenge to him and if you will forgive me for saying so your rather attractive appearance would certainly add to the allure."
Freidman paused while they took this all in before turning the question back on them "So Patrick, Teresa have you formulated any ideas of your own?"
Lisbon took the lead "Let's start with the people we have put away, it's unlikely any of them are Red John as most of them are languishing in jail but we'll run quickly through them. Linus Wagner has an uncanny knack of knowing what Red John is up to but I think that is just his survival strategy; he's not Red John and will be incarcerated for the rest of his miserable life. Rand Faulk Jane?"
"No compunction about killing but too insular only interested in how things affect him and his business" Jane responded.
"Gary Filo our Shakespeare loving murderer, arrogant for sure but I can't say he was a fan of mine Jane, if I recall he called me a silly little girl."
Jane picked up the thread "Aah Tommy Volker, a real shame he is languishing in jail because he would have made a great Red John - he has so many of the traits required. However my dear you were a serious thorn in his side and I doubt you would be here discussing him today if he had his way - he would have had no compunction about putting you away for good - he was definitely not a fan, also I did not get a flicker of recognition from him the first time I met him."
"Walter Crew had the political clout" Lisbon suggested.
"True but his interests did not go beyond his family - not a serial killer Lisbon."
"Well assuming Haffner and Stiles really were killed in the explosion that does not leave many suspects in law enforcement" Lisbon ventured.
Jane looked at her with a twinkle in his eye "Mancini - he definitely had the hots for you and was certainly not my fan."
"Gabe's too much of a hot head and I'll have you know he was most helpful in telling me what had happened to you, when nobody else would help me" she responded reprovingly.
"Ardilles another one of your admirers - but seriously would a serial killer wear tasselled loafers?"
Friedman was starting to look a bit bemused at this stage.
"Let's look at organisations like Visualise, members of the judiciary, even lawyers we may have crossed in court, no one springs to mind what about you Lisbon?"
"Well I was never particularly keen on Judge Manchester but would never suggest he was Red John. Now Sean Barlow from your Carnie days, I would have thought he could have been a contender Jane."
"Uum it would not go against his character to commit the murders he's one mean son of a bitch and vindictive with it. He fell out with the Jane's so there would definitely be a personal element but I could never see him colluding with law enforcement - that would really go against the grain. Still I would not rule him out entirely."
"JJ? He was certainly capable of violence." Lisbon was clutching at straws now.
"Aah the Tupperware - you never did tell me what was inside the box, though I know for sure you found out. You had that smug little look when you think you've outfoxed me. No JJ is not a serial killer no matter how horrible the contents of that box."
She sighed "We are really drawing a blank now; we have reviewed all the cases we have worked - would it have to be someone we both know Doctor?"
Friedman responded "My instinct is that this is someone who knows or admires Teresa now at least, I am still inclined to think this is someone you both have met, although he was probably a stranger to you at the time that Patrick's family died."
Jane went very quiet as was his wont when he was thinking his way through a problem; a frown appeared on his face as he did not seem at all happy where his thought train was leading him. He took a long hard sideward look at Lisbon before he decided whether to continue or not.
"I hardly dare to say this because Teresa is not going to like this one bit but there is one person who meets most of your criteria." Lisbon looked at him dubiously.
"Believe me Teresa this is the very last person I would want to be Red John for reasons you will well understand but have you ever considered Walter Mashburn?"
"No Jane! Never!" she exclaimed angrily. "You are letting your jealousy cloud your judgement, how can you even say that? I never thought you would stoop that low to score points off Walter."
He shrugged it all off, fully expecting her tirade. "Just saying Teresa - think about it."
Friedman stepped into the fray "Teresa before we analyse this in detail, can you tell me why you are so implacably opposed to this suggestion?"
"Because I slept with Walter Mashburn" she said falteringly. Lisbon's eyes were wide open at the implication of what she had said.
Jane reached over for her hand "Teresa do you think it gives me any pleasure to suggest this - I all but encouraged you at the time."
They just looked at each other the full horror of the situation overwhelming them, they did not need to analyse any further, as the final piece of the jigsaw fell into place.
A/N I hope my own psycho babble was not too self indulgent, it was very difficult to work out a rational way forward.