Shadows of the past

missing

Author’s note 1:

The story is set during 4x24. Jane and Lisbon never met in that episode, and the plot is not focused on the CBI office scenes. The story is based on what happened in Las Vegas, and on a secret case of Teresa Lisbon.

Patrick Jane and Lorelei Martins meet at the casino in order to discuss about Red John. Patrick had been looking for an opportunity like this, to finally get close to the man that haunted his mind for so many years. Now, such an opportunity presented itself to him, through Lorelei. She had offered him the chance to make a new start.

Jane was sitting across the table, with Lorelei on the other side. He looked thoughtful as the gears of his mind span. With his gaze still on the floor, he took a break from biting his thumbnail and spoke in a low tone.

“I’ve been thinking about what you said about your friend.”

“Yes,” answered Lorelei, in a calm and composed manner.

“You said that he could help me start a new life.” He paused.

“M-hm…” she responded softly. Patrick was looking straight in her eyes now and spoke again.

“What does that mean, exactly?”

“A new identity.Money.A place to live. A job, if you want one.”

“And I-I do what in exchange?”

Her face warmed up and her smile widened. “Accept his friendship.”

He looked at her again and his expression showed some confusion and disbelief.

“It’s that easy?”

“Sure. He’ll want to speak to you first… make sure you’re on the level, if that’s alright.”

“…yeah.”

“And you’ll need to bring him a gift… to show your respect for him.”

“What kind of gift?” He asked curiously. Lorelei blinked one or two times and spoke in a perfectly composed tone.

“Well… Teresa Lisbon’s dead body would be the perfect thing.”

For a moment, Patrick’s expression froze, then it turned into a nervous smile and he chuckled with some hints of shock.

“That’s absurd…” he looked at her, secretly hoping she was just messing with his head. Some seconds of silence passed by and when he understood she was serious, his smile gradually fainted from his face. That moment, she smiled and shook her head.

“What did you tell me…? There is no right or wrong. There’s just stuff that happens.”

Patrick shook his head as he spoke, then leaned closer on the table.“No, no, there has to be something else.”

Lorelei sighed and shook her head too. “I can’t think of anything else that would please him.”

“Well, I can’t do that.”

She placed her hand on his and talked in a calm and comforting tone.

“I understand you’re not there yet. But look at it from his point of view. How else would he know you’ve truly had a change of heart?”

He didn’t answer. His gaze remained pinned on the table as a parade of thoughts and chaos reigned in his mind. She got up and, before leaving, she left a small piece of paper with a number on.

“This is my number. Think about it.” On the last words, she had leaned closer and her voice echoed softly in his ear.

~~~

CBI office. The elevator doors open and Jane steps out, walking in a quick and slightly nervous pace. Agent Wainwright approaches him, barely managing to greet him by calling his name, but Patrick hurryingly passes by him, stating a simple “not now.” He heads to Lisbon’s office, knocks on the door twice and there is no answer. He slightly opens the door and he surprisingly finds she is not there.

“Jane…!”

He turned to the familiar voice of a certain redhead and saw her standing next to Cho and Rigsby, all practically staring at him with their jaws hanging open. Patrick walked towards them in an easier pace, as the other two members of the office spoke his name in greeting.

“It’s good to see you all.” He paused for a bit. “How are you?”

Cho answered, as he took a quick glimpse of the others, then looked back at Jane.

“We’re good. How are you?”

“Never better… never better,” he said with a slight smile. He looked around and his eyes wondered in every inch of the room. Rigsby talked.

“Looking for something?”

“Where is Lisbon?”

Cho answered in his always plain tone. “She is not here.”

Jane rolled his eyes and spoke again.

“Well, I can see that. Where is she? She wouldn’t pick up the phone.”

Cho spoke as he returned his attention to the paperwork in front of him.

“She took an indefinite leave of absence two months ago.She went to Chicago.”

Patrick’s eyes widened. “What? Why?”

Rigsby spoke, folding his arms together and leaning back on his chair.

“It’s kind of a long story… and a bit strange too.”

Patrick took a seat next to Cho and leaned on the front, supporting his elbows on his knees.

“Explain to me.”

Cho granted him his request.

“A man paid her a visit about two months ago. Then she got really upset and stormed out without speaking a word to any of us. We had to trace her phone to find out that she went to Chicago. We haven’t communicated with her for a while now and she hasn’t shown any interest in letting us know of what happened.”

“We worry about her, though,” said Van Pelt with a troubled expression. “Why are you looking for her?”

Patrick dropped his gaze for a few moments as he spontaneously played with his ring on his finger and the parade of thoughts was on again. Soon, his pause ended and he spoke softly. “Never mind.”

He raised his gaze and smiled as he got up and placed his hand on Cho’s shoulder.

“I’m leaving. It was good to see you, guys. Take care of each other.”

~~~

He walked out of the office, bearing even more questions than before, not sure of what to do next. And that was something upsetting for a man like Patrick Jane, who always had a plan. He walked in a calmer pace as the gears span in his troubled mind.

Should he go to Chicago and find Lisbon? Should he try to convince Lorelei to provide him with the information he needed? What exactly happened two months ago? And who was the man Cho spoke of?