Kenzie walked outside headquarters with Teresa, Patrick, and Rigsby.
"Her name's Madeleine Hightower," explained Teresa. "She's been running Intelligence down in Fresno."
"New boss?" asked Rigsby.
"New boss. Madeleine Hightower," said Patrick.
"Chief Deputy A.G. says she'll be here sometime tomorrow," said Kenzie. "Word is she's hard as nails... Political, tight statehouse connections."
"So this is good for us. We'll have some real muscle upstairs."
"We'll see."
Teresa and Rigsby walked in front of Kenzie and Patrick. Patrick leaned toward her.
"No need to be nervous."
"I'm not nervous."
"You're an exemplary agent. No reason for butterflies."
"No butterflies. I'm fine."
"Keep telling yourself that."
🙂
Kenzie, Patrick, and Rigsby walked up to the Hopper Banks Estate in Citrus Heights, California. A man greeted them in the front yard.
"Vic Bandino, Alpha Bravo residential security," said Vic. "Appreciate your quick response."
"Agent Patterson," said Kenzie, pointing to the two men next to her. "This is Patrick Jane, and this is Ag..."
"Wayne Rigsby. CBI, huh? You did okay."
"Hi, Bandino. What's up?" greeted Rigsby before turning to his coworkers. "We worked a couple of cases together back in the day. San Diego P.D. Arson squad. Yeah."
"Boy, those were the times, huh? Remember that stakeout in Pismo? You ever call that chick?"
Kenzie grimaced in annoyance. "Hey... can we see the body, Mr. Bandino?"
"Yes, ma'am. Yeah, of course. Please. He's in the pool house. Name's James Smithson... 28, British citizen. He's a high-priced tutor for local kids. Daughter of the homeowner is one of the students. Couple months ago they let him move in here."
"Rigsby, can you find out why the coroner's not here?"
"Yeah, sure," said Rigsby. He walked away.
"Who found the body? You?"
The three of them walked into the house, where a body was lying on the floor.
"The homeowner's kid. She was coming in for a lesson. She called her dad. He called me. I called you."
"Not the local police? Why?"
A man walked into the room.
"What the hell, Vic?" cursed the man. "You were supposed to call me the second they got here."
"Excuse me?" asked Kenzie.
"I'm Hopper Banks," said Hopper.
"Agent Patterson, CBI. This is a crime scene."
"It's my place."
Patrick walked around the room, looking at things.
"Mr. Banks, I need you to leave. Can you do that for me?"
"I'll be in the main house. I'll expect a full report. Let me know when you get the body out of here."
Kenzie tilted her head in confusion. This wasn't the main house?
YOU ARE READING
I Bet on Losing Dogs - Patrick Jane
Fanfiction"I bet on losing dogs, I know they're losing, and I'll pay for my place by the ring, Where I'll be looking in their eyes when they're down, ...
