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I do not own The Mentalist, and no copyright infringement is intended. Thanks, Heller and Co.
AN: After reading that lovely piece by Gray Doll, I was tempted to just quit altogether. If you haven't read it, you must go do so right now. My scribbling doesn't approach that level, and probably never well. But there's a season to finish here…
I'm only including one episode this time, because I needed to address all the "issues" in this one. I hope you enjoy Green Eyed Monster.
A senator's long time personal friend (an art dealer) is abducted by an international thieves' group, and Director Shultz insists on bringing in the FBI's crack Art Crimes unit from DC to assist Cho.
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INT. FBI BULLPEN – DAY
Cho strides purposefully into the bullpen. Wylie, Branch, Ramos and Lisbon all look up.
CHO: We've got one. Abduction of an art dealer. I don't have much yet, but this is going to be political. The dealer is a close friend of Senator Haines.
Looks of dread appear on faces of the team, because they know politics, and inflated egos surely swim like sharks in these waters.
CHO: (CONT'D) Lisbon, we could use Jane on this one.
She pulls out her phone.
LISBON: Hey! (beat) He did!? Can't wait to see that. Yes, other thing is, we've just caught a high profile case and Cho would like for you to work this one. (listens and smiles, glancing at Cho) Yes, lots of big wigs to poke.
She rolls her eyes to the other team members.
LISBON: Wendy's already on her way? Good timing. (beat) Okay, I'll tell him.
She slips the phone back in her pocket.
LISBON: (to Cho) He can be here in half an hour. He already had our regular sitter booked so he could go buy some lumber. That'll wait.
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INT. FBI BULLPEN – DAY
The entire team, including Jane, sits in the conference area of the bullpen. Cho stands before them.
CHO: Stephen Zickle was abducted in the parking lot of a mall.
Picture of Zickle flashes on the screen behind Cho. Well dressed, coifed dark hair. A good looking man.
CHO: (CONT'D) AustinPD says a witness saw a brown van speed off from the scene. Zickle is a close friend of Senator Haines – they've known each other since they were kids, and he is also Haines' art dealer. Haines' office has already received a ransom request from a group of international art thieves. They are offering the return of unharmed Zickle in exchange for three very valuable paintings owned by the Senator.
JANE: Well, that's a new wrinkle. The art is hard to steal, so instead they steal a man and trade it for the art.
He shrugs and wiggles his eyebrows.
JANE: (CONT'D) Ingenious. I like this case already.
Branch and Ramos give Jane a dirty look, but Lisbon stifles a smile and shakes her head.
CHO: The senator is on a plane from DC right now. He contacted Director Schultz before he left, and she's sending the International Art Team from DC to partner with us on this. They've been chasing this ring of thieves for a while and they're familiar with them.
The blood drains out of Lisbon's face. She stares straight ahead. Jane glances at her, concerned.
CHO: (CONT'D) Agent Pike's team will be here in three hours.
Wylie's eyes widen now.
CHO: (CONT'D) We'll reconvene here at 1300. Let's see how much we can find out before then.
.
INT. FBI BULLPEN – DAY
Six members of the International Art Team sit in the bullpen presentation area. Branch sits talking to one of them. Cho and Pike stand at the podium, looking at the contents of a folder together.
Ramos and Wylie walk in, take a seat.
Jane and Lisbon emerge from the elevator. Pike looks up. Lisbon and Pike smile at each other in a painfully polite way. Jane nods to Pike and he returns the gesture. There is palpable tension in the room – no one is breathing. Word has gotten around.
Jane and Lisbon take a seat in the back of the group.
CHO: Let's get started.
Pike takes a seat in the front of the room.
INT. FBI BULLPEN- DAY
Most of the agents file out of the area toward the elevator after the briefing. They have their assignments. Lisbon, Jane, and Pike remain seated.
CHO: You three. In my office.
INT. CHO'S OFFICE – DAY
Cho sits behind his desk. There are two 'guest' chairs. Pike and Jane both beckon Lisbon to sit, and neither of them takes the second chair.
CHO: Okay. I need to know that everyone here can work together effectively. This is a big case.
Jane, Lisbon, and Pike all look at each other awkwardly, but without hostility.
PIKE: We're all professionals.
Lisbon nods.
JANE: Well, technically, I'm…
Jane stops abruptly when Lisbon gives him a withering look.
JANE: (CONT'D) Yes.
LISBON: There won't be any problem.
PIKE: No problems.
CHO: Good. Let's go talk to a senator.
Jane motions to all the others in a circular motion, raising his eyebrows in a question.
CHO: Yup. All of us.
.
INT. SENATOR HAINES' HOME – DAY
Senator HANK HAINES, 60ish, graying but coifed and fit, sits on a plush velveteen couch in a well-appointed living room. His wife CINDY (early 40's) sits beside him.
Cho and Lisbon sit in chairs. Pike stands behind them. Jane roams around the room, looking at things. Two secret service agents, posted at the doors, eye Jane unhappily. He ignores them.
The interview is in progress. Cho holds a piece of paper in a plastic bag – the ransom note.
CHO: Senator, were you aware of this group of art thieves before today?
SENATOR: I knew there were rings of art thieves, of course, but I wasn't aware of any particular group. Stephen might have been.
The senator looks visibly shaken when he says the name of his friend.
LISBON: How about you, Mrs. Haines?
MRS. HAINES: No, I'm afraid not. I'm not much of an art aficionado. That was always something Hank and Stephen enjoyed together. They could stay up for hours, discussing this painter or that sculptor, analyzing their work.
She glances at her husband.
MRS. HAINES: Hank and I have many other interests in common, but I left those two to their art.
Jane picks up a picture of the senator and his wife off the mantle.
JANE: How long have you two been married?
SENATOR: Twenty one years.
JANE: And how long have you been a US Senator?
SENATOR: Nineteen years. Cindy is my good luck charm. But why is that relevant to this situation?
JANE: Just asking. No children, though?
MRS. HAINES: No, we were never blessed with children. Nathan here (points to the labradoodle lying on the expensive carpet) is our only child.
They both smile, and Nathan flops his tail upon hearing his name.
JANE: Senator, how long have you known Stephen Zickle?
SENATOR: Since high school. Stephen's family moved to my hometown when I was fourteen. Poor Stephen had a rough time of it – his family had trouble making ends meet sometimes. But we hit it off immediately and we were friends through high school. Then I went to Yale, and he worked his way through an art and design school. We didn't stay in close touch at that point.
Jane continues to float around the room, examining things. He notes Pike stealing glances at Lisbon, but Pike is not aware he sees this.
SENATOR: (CONT'D) When I was about thirty or so, we ran into each other at a gallery. He'd become an art dealer and I was a junior state senator. We reconnected and he became my advisor for all my art purchases. He's acquired many pieces for me over the years – most of them excellent investments.
JANE: And you connected him to a lot of potential customers.
SENATOR: Yes, I recommend him. He is very good at his job.
CHO: When was the last time you saw him?
SENATOR: Ten days ago. (laments) Right here at the house.
MRS. HAINES: He was our guest. He and Hank stayed up into the wee hours, talking about art. Stephen left the next morning about noon. His home is in Austin. He runs a gallery there - I'm sure you know that already.
PIKE: Yes, ma'am. Has Mr. Zickle ever been involved in anything illegal, as far as you know?
SENATOR: (incensed) No! Stephen's reputation is spotless.
LISBON: Sir, we have to ask these questions.
SENATOR: (softening) Yes, I know. I'm sorry. It's just…poor Stephen. You must get him back safely.
MRS. HAINES: He does have a reputation – with the ladies.
The senator frowns at his wife.
MRS. HAINES: (CONT'D) Well, Hank, he does. They need to know everything.
LISBON: Thank you, Mrs. Haines. We'll check into that.
PIKE: The pieces they've requested for ransom - they're all housed here?
SENATOR: Yes. All of them are in my private collection. They're in the den if you'd like to see them.
PIKE: Yes, sir. We would.
They all stand. Cho's phone buzzes in his pocket and he pulls it out to check messages.
CHO: I need to take some of these calls. (to Pike and Lisbon) Go ahead, I'll catch up in a few minutes.
Mrs. Haines heads toward the kitchen.
MRS. HAINES: Would anyone like a cup of coffee or tea? I won't be much help downstairs – I can have it ready when you return.
Jane raises a finger.
JANE: I'd love a cup of tea.
.
INT. SENATOR'S DEN – DAY
The den is masculinely decorated in dark, rich colors and abundant wood and leather. Several paintings hang on the wall, each lit by its own light. A few sculptures sit around the room as well.
PIKE: Wonderful collection, sir.
SENATOR: (proud) Thank you.
LISBON: How much are the paintings worth that are being asked for as ransom?
SENATOR: Stephen could answer that accurately, but I'd say roughly three and a half million.
Lisbon's eyebrows go up. She glances at Jane, who is appreciating one painting in particular.
SENATOR: They weren't worth that much when I bought them. I paid less than half that much, I'd guess. But Stephen was right about most of these. They've increased in value very quickly.
He looks at all three of the agents, nonverbally requesting their attention.
SENATOR: (with great sincerity) Let me make this clear. None of this means anything when it comes to Stephen's release. I will gladly part with any or all of these if it gets him back safely.
.
INT. SENATOR HAINES' FOYER – DAY
Cho, Lisbon and Pike are ready to exit the front door (staffed by a secret service man), as the senator sees them out.
CHO: We'll be in touch soon, sir.
LISBON: Wait. Where's Jane?
She walks back through the house, finds Jane sitting in the kitchen with Mrs. Haines, having a cup of tea and petting Nathan the dog.
LISBON: Jane. We're leaving.
JANE: (stands) Thank you so much, Cindy. I have to go, but we'll be in touch soon.
MRS. HAINES: Thank you, Patrick.
Lisbon gives him a 'WTH?' look as they walk toward the front door.
.
INT. FBI BULLPEN – DUSK
Lisbon and Pike are bent over a file on the conference table, talking. Jane walks toward them.
LISBON: So, Kent and LeBlanc are the leaders of this ring?
PIKE: Yes. Since 2011. Kent appears to have the last word.
JANE: (interrupting) Hey, I've got to go pick up Christopher.
Lisbon looks at her watch.
LISBON: Yikes. Oh, okay.
JANE: I'll take care of everything. Stay as long as you need to.
LISBON: Okay. Thanks.
Jane turns toward the elevator and doesn't look back. He trusts her, and he wants both of them to know it. He disappears into the elevator.
Pike and Lisbon look at each other.
PIKE: He did right by you. I'm glad.
She nods hesitantly.
PIKE: You deserved to have whatever life you wanted. (pauses) I was just too late.
Lisbon's flashes a small, bittersweet smile.
LISBON: You're doing well.
PIKE: Yes. I met someone a few months ago. We're getting pretty serious.
LISBON: That's great. You deserve someone wonderful.
PIKE: She is. Her name is Anna. (sits back in chair) I saw the picture on your desk. Of your son.
Lisbon can't help but beam at the mention of her child.
PIKE: He's cute.
LISBON: Thanks.
The awkwardness between them dissipates somewhat. Pike looks down at the file.
PIKE: Guess we'd better get back on this.
LISBON: Right. Kent and LeBlanc.
.
.
INT. SENATOR HAINES' HOUSE – DAY
Cho and Pike's teams are gathered in the dining/living room area, with lots of electronic equipment on the dining table. Both of the senator's security men stand against the wall, looking positively dour. (Haines has insisted on going off without them) Mrs. Haines sits in a chair, listening, looking anxious. Jane lies on the velveteen couch, but he is alert, not relaxed. The drop is going down.
Cho is on the phone with the abductors.
CHO: The senator and our art agent are on the way. They're in a black SUV.
ABDUCTOR VOICE: We have no desire for any violence. The senator gives us the paintings, and you get Zickle back in one piece. We'll give you his location.
CHO: Understood.
The line goes dead. Wylie has a bug in Pike's ear, and he puts him on speaker.
WYLIE: Confirmed from the kidnappers. They say they're waiting for you.
PIKE: (O.S.) We're driving toward the drop spot. The art pieces are secure in the back. The senator is here beside me. Our ETA is about four minutes.
Suddenly Jane rises.
JANE: Mrs. Haines, what happens to all that art here in your house if your husband should die?
LISBON: Jane!
JANE: It's important.
MRS. HAINES: He has it willed to some sort of art trust.
JANE: A trust? Who is the executor?
MRS. HAINES: I think it's Stephen.
Jane rises and hurries over to Wylie.
JANE: (urgently) Call them out.
Everyone looks confused.
CHO: What?
JANE: Abort the drop. It's a trap. They're going to kill the senator. They'll kill Pike too.
PIKE'S TEAM MEMBER #1: What the hell? Who is this guy?
Cho, however, is looking at Jane intently. Jane sees he needs to explain.
JANE: Zickle set this all up. If the senator dies, he gets control of all that art, and nobody will suspect him. It's an abduction gone sour. Zickle escapes and wins the lottery.
Most of Pike's team looks at him in disbelief.
JANE: (emphatically) Now, Cho. Call it off, now.
PIKE TEAM MEMBER #2: Surely you can't be serious!
Cho looks at Pike's man, looks back at Jane, and makes his decision.
CHO: (into Wylie's feed) Pike. This may be a trap. Abort drop. I repeat, abort drop.
PIKE: (O.S.) Understood. Senator, we're aborting the drop.
SENATOR: (heard in background O.S.) No, we can't. They'll kill Stephen!
JANE: No, they won't. It's all his idea.
CHO: (in a walkie talkie to the rest of the teams) The drop is aborted. Set up a one mile perimeter around the drop site. We're expecting them to run.
INT. FBI INTERROGATION ROOM – DAY
Stephen Zickle sits on one side of the table. Jane, Cho, and Pike sit on the other. Zickle is "caught." There's no pretense here.
PIKE: So you planned this starting six months ago.
ZICKLE: (arrogant and unrepentant) I contacted LeBlanc and his clowns six months ago. I've been planning this for years. (bitterly) Years.
PIKE: Haines thought you were friends.
ZICKLE: Hank is a silver spoon fed buffoon – always was. I got tired of his pawing.
Pike and Cho look a bit confused.
JANE: Haines was in love with you, but you didn't swing that way.
ZICKLE: Yes.
Now Pike and Cho really look confused.
JANE: (to Cho and Pike) Haines marriage is a nonsexual one. The butch den, the frilly living room. It was obvious. They are very fond of each other, however. The senator is in love with Mr. Zickle here, who prides himself on his female conquests. (looks at Zickle) But you had to play along, because too much of your livelihood depended on Hank Haines. The connections, the circles of wealthy clients. You needed them. How far would you go for those?
Zickle glares at Jane.
JANE: Oh, that far.
ZICKLE: He owed me a lot more than what those three paintings were worth.
JANE: (realizing something) That's what you tell yourself. But that's not enough reason for you to kill a man. No, you were afraid you were falling for Haines yourself. And you didn't want to admit that.
ZICKLE: That's bullshit!
JANE: (looks smugly pleased with himself) Bingo.
Cho and Pike look at each other, amazed yet again at Jane's 'work.'
INT. FBI HQ FOYER - DAY
Jane walks down the steps toward the front door of the building. He's unaware when Pike emerges from the elevator and hurries after him. Jane is ten feet from the door when Pike catches him. From the open mezzanine above, Lisbon watches the two men. Neither Pike nor Jane realizes she is watching.
PIKE: (a little out of breath, calls after him) Hey Jane.
JANE: (turns, surprised) Pike?
PIKE: Teresa said you were leaving to pick up your son.
Jane looks at him as if to say, "And?"
PIKE: (CONT'D) We're – my team - is leaving tonight. I wanted to thank you. I'd be dead right now if you hadn't seen through this case.
JANE: No need. I'm glad no one was hurt. I really should have figured it out earlier.
PIKE: That's not all I wanted to say, though.
Jane frowns. He's not sure what's coming next.
PIKE: (CONT'D) What I said to you before – back last year. About what you were offering Teresa. I…I was out of line. She is obviously very happy now.
JANE: I hope so. Making her happy was always my intention.
PIKE: I was skeptical. I was wrong…and jealous. But things have worked out for all of us and I wanted to apologize.
JANE: That's kind of you.
Pike offers Jane his hand. They shake.
JANE: (CONT'D) Be well.
PIKE: Take good care of her.
Pike disappears back into the elevator, and Jane exits the front door, with Lisbon watching from above.
INT. JANES' CABIN – NIGHT
Lisbon walks into the living room where Jane is reading a book, and sits down on the couch beside him.
LISBON: Finally - he's asleep. I had to read him three books.
JANE: He didn't get as much exercise today, with the rain. Now that this case is over I'll see to it that he's worn out everyday.
LISBON: I'm kind of glad we worked with Marcus on this one. Leaves things on a better note, you know?
Jane puts down his book. She is working toward asking him something, he can tell.
JANE: What is it that you want to know?
She doesn't even bother being irritated that he read her so well.
LISBON: I saw you talking to Marcus before you left.
JANE: Yes. (knows she wants to know what was said, but is going to make her ask, just because)
LISBON: You seemed on good terms.
JANE: Yes.
LISBON: (getting annoyed at how coy he is being) Well. What did he say?
JANE: He thanked me for saving his life.
LISBON: That's it?
JANE: Well, there was something else.
LISBON: (not bothering to pretend any more) Tell me, dammit.
JANE: Before, when we talked back a year ago…
LISBON: You mean when he asked you if you had a plan for me.
JANE: You seem to remember that well.
LISBON: I do. (unapologetic) You said we were going to do what feels right.
JANE: Back then, he asked me what I was offering you 'besides Patrick Jane.'
LISBON: Huh?
JANE: It wasn't a compliment.
LISBON: Oh. (thinks a moment, then frowns, looking angry) Oh.
JANE: He was hurting.
LISBON: He's got a new girlfriend now, you know. A serious one. He rebounded pretty quickly, come to think of it.
JANE: Meh, he's still a little in love with you.
LISBON: No, he isn't.
JANE: Yes, he is. Can't say that I blame him.
Jane returns to his book, and Lisbon flips on the TV. A few minutes later she looks intently at Jane. He puts down his book.
JANE: (curious) What is it?
LISBON: (with affection) It would have been enough, you know.
JANE: What?
LISBON: Patrick Jane.
JANE: (moved) Oh, Teresa.
Jane looks at her with moist eyes and pulls her close.
FADE OUT