Chapter Four

Detectives Lassiter and O'Hara were on the opposite end of the interrogation room that they were normally used to waiting for the experts to arrive so that they can retell what happened in the previous weeks case.

"Does this feel a bit odd to you?" O'Hara asked trying not to squirm in her seat by sitting up straight and placing her hands on her lap.

"While it seems a bit ridiculous to be at this end of an interrogation, just remember that we didn't do anything wrong and all they really want is for us to tell them what happened."

"Seems rather redundant considering we wrote our reports already. Also why would the Lightman Group be interested in a case like this?"

"I reached out personally to the DA, apparently he is friends with Lightman's ex-wife and both knew the attorney that passed so she pulled a favor."

It was at that point that the door opened and Cal entered. He had spoken to Torres and told her to pay close attention to the partners interactions during their interview while remaining on the opposite side of the glass.

"You are right on that end. Lucky for the DA, I owe Zoe a few favors. Hello. I am Cal Lightman. You can call me Dr. Lightman. I need to know everything that happened. I will then be able to confirm with the DA that everyone is being truthful and that there will be no surprises from the opposing council to overthrow the case."

While Lightman questioned the detectives Torres zeroed in on any micro expressions provided by them. One of the things Torres noticed was that both detectives were honest about the case however both showed two different spectrums of emotions whenever the psychic consultant was brought up. The lead detective showed disdain, contempt, and anger while the junior detective showed feelings of content, awe, and slight undertones of infatuation.

She made sure to inform Lightman as he informed her of his own observations in the breakroom waiting for the psychic consultants to arrive. They were already over ten minutes late. Hopefully Foster and Loker were close to wrap things up on their end at the Santa Barbara's DA's

Foster and Loker are at the DA's office.

After having spoken to the district attorney and the psychological expert on record, Dr. Morey, for the Bainsworth case all that was left was to speak to the man himself. Foster and Loker were both able to understand and reassure the DA that they would do their best and even allowed for the psychological expert to sit in and observe outside of their Cube set up. Foster nodded to Loker signaling to speak with him privately.

"You should take lead on this. If he is indeed pathological and Dr. Morey's original diagnosis of Ryan Bainsworth escalating his lies so people believe him, then it would be better to have someone who he thinks might believe him."

Loker blinked, "You really mean that it would also be better if he spoke with someone he doesn't see as a clear threat or an authoritarian figure. You think I'm the weak link."

"Of course not, Loker. You are not the weak link, but in this case our power dynamics is something that he clearly didn't miss, so in the best interest of the truth it would be best if you conducted the interview. Not only that, but I will be able to really listen to what he is saying which you know is more my area of expertise."

"Of course. Besides I wanted to get a crack at him anyway. Did you know that there are only 5% to 13% of people on the planet who are diagnosed as pathological liars?"

Foster smiled, "No I didn't. So were good to go then? Ryan should be done being moved into the room in a few minutes and there will be an officer awaiting outside the door incase of emergency."

After the cube was set up and Mr. Bainsworth was inside, Loker let him stew for a few minutes before walking in a manilla folder in his arms.

"Hello Ryan, my name is Eli. We didn't get to properly introduce ourselves earlier did we?"

"You sure your name is Eli? You look more like a Monica or Phoebe?"

Eli blinked. "Umm pretty sure it's Eli."

"Oh. If you say so." Ryan said with a sharp wink at the end. "So are you here about the aliens? They say that they are down in Roswell, but really I swear I saw one of those flying saucers in Santa Barbara. I had a good friend too he had great hair and had a parrot. He said that his sister was once abducted by aliens and they took her…"

"No. I. That's not what I am here to discuss. We mentioned earlier the case with the assassins. Remember there were two of them who were after you? The police arrested you until you were released on bail by Shawn Spencer and Burton Guster."

"Ah mis amigos. Yes I have known them for a long time. We have bonded over our love of deep fried cheesy goodness. Have you heard of the infamous Fries Quatro Queso Dos Fritos. It is a delicacy of the highest order. Although it does not travel well."

Eli sighed turning to look at where Gillian would be sending her a micro expression of frustration before schooling his features and trying to get the interrogation back on track.