I Bet on Losing Dogs - Patrick Jane

201 - Redemption

Kenzie and Patrick walked down the escalators in a department store. They stopped in front of the officer in charge.

"Morning, Captain," greeted Kenzie. "Agent Patterson. Jane, consultant. What do we have here?"

"Thanks for stepping in," thanked the captain. "Homicide unit owes you one. Jane. You're that psychic fella."

Kenzie sighed. Here we go.

"Right," said Patrick.

"Me? I don't buy into that E.S.P. Crap. No offense."

"None taken.:

"Here we have Ivor Rassmussen, age 34, address River Park, no sign of the murder weapon. Store security was on the scene pretty fast. We were able to detain everybody who was in the section at the time. We're holding them over in the furniture department. So, Carnac, what does Ivor say? He tells you who done it?"

"Leather pants, musky cologne, phallic jewelry. A ladies' man. Went after high-end cougars with moderate success. Casual cocaine user. Plays guitar - not well. Works in the noncreative end of a creative business. Advertising, maybe. Nothing worth killing anyone over anyway. So he died from romantic reasons."

"The witness?"

"Whatever."

Kenzie turned to Patrick. "Take it down a notch. Actually, three. Three notches."

"Okay. Under control, we'll get this done quickly and be on our way." The two of them walked over to the area where all the witnesses were seated. "Hello. We're from the CBI. It may well be that one of you is the murderer. If that's so, I'm gonna find out who."

Patrick pointed to two people. "These two are innocent. They can go."

"Uh, stick around," said Kenzie, turning to the two. "We're gonna need a statement."

"Neil. What's the worst mistake you've ever made? Quick."

"Uh, first marriage," said Neil.

"Good answer. Why so nervous?"

"I'm not. I just–I..."

Patrick turned to a woman. "You. Your name?"

"Candice."

"Candice. That name. Here. Thank you. It's okay. I'm a consultant; take my advice. Forgive your mother. Maybe the headaches will stop."

"I love my mother."

"Oh, I'm wrong. Ignore my advice." He turns to another person. "You. Your name."

"Reed."

"Excuse me. This is a joke, right?" asked a woman.

"A joke? A man has been killed. Is that funny to you? Are you amused?"

"No, but–"

"Then sit. Reed, quick question. Green Lantern vs. Thor– who wins?"

"Thor."

"Oh, yeah. Why'd you kill Rasmussen?"

"I didn't."

"All right." He walked over to the older woman. "Now, you, Miss Grumpy and Entitled, what's your story?"

"My name is Mandy Shultz. And I'll have you know that my–"

"Let me guess. Your husband is a very important person."

"He is, as it happens. John's on the Modesto city council. And this is totally unprofessional and disrespectful. I'll have my husband talk with your superiors," said Mandy.