I Bet on Losing Dogs - Patrick Jane

612 - Golden Hammer

Kenzie sighed as she twirled in the seat. Her eyes glanced at every window in the conference room, messing with her necklaces.

"This room makes me feel like I'm in an aquarium, and everyone's looking at me," said Kenzie.

Patrick hummed. "Well, you could very easily feel like they're all in the aquarium and you're looking at them."

She narrowed her eyes at Patrick, who was staring at Fischer talking to another agent outside. "What are you doing?"

"I'm following the conversation. The G-man says that I don't have adequate security clearance to work on the Whitaker case, and Fischer is arguing."

"Are you reading their lips?"

"Yeah, I would be if I didn't have to answer inane questions."

"Oh, okay, boss."

"I'm not your boss. Why would you say that?"

"It's just that soemtimes now you act like you are."

"But we're equals, partners."

"Okay. You better remember that."

"I will remember that." The door opened. "Oh, great. Now I don't know what they decided."

Kenzie rolled her eyes. Fischer and an older male agent stood next to the long round table.

"Hold on, sir," said Fischer.

"I'm done discussing this," said the agent, turning to Patrick. "Jane, I'm supervising Agent Daniels. I'm in charge of security clearance for the office. I need you to leave immediately. This is briefing is classified."

"Sir, I am in the process of getting him clearance from DC with an FD-258. Jane is a consultant."

"The FD-258 grants temporary security clearance to local officials in the event of a terrorist attack. He hardly qualifies."

"You're right," said Patrick. "And if Whitaker was murdered because of his highly sensitive military work with the Pentagon, I shouldn't know anything about that. So, I'll happily leave."

Patrick got up and started to walk out before Agents Daniels raised his hand in front of him. "Wait. What did you tell him?"

"Nothing," said Fischer.

"Who told you that he works for the Pentagon? And consider your answer well."

"You did," Patrick answered.

"Don't be absurd, I've never seen you before."

"No, but your presence here told me, because you wouldn't be here if he worked for, uh, Pottery Shack or Pizza Barn, would you?"

"Excuse me?"

"You're excused. He's a little slow on the uptake, this one."

Kenzie shook her head in slight disappointment. "Fischer, this is unacceptable.

"I apologize, sir–"

Patrick interrupted Fischer. "No, no. Hust. Don't apologize. Don't take it out on her. She didn't do anything."

Everyone in the world turned their heads at the sound of the door behind Kenzie opening. Abbott walked into the room.

"Good morning, everybody," he greeted. "What's all the rumpus?"

"I was just explaining to Agent Fischer that Mr. Jane doesn't have security clearance for the Whitaker case," Agent Daniels explained.

"Oh. Well, problem solved. I just talked to the Deputy Director, and he approved."