Sick of Love (A Mentalist/Jisbon Fanfiction)

Chapter Nine; Hope

"Charlotte? That's a pretty name." he murmured, contemplating whether he should just stand up and leave, be gone from this woman as soon as he can, or if he should hear her out. She might have something important to say considering his family's death, or Red John. Even though the serial killer has been dead for years now, news about the man still takes Jane's attention somehow. As Lisbon and the team had said before, he's obsessed and he's aware of that, but he keeps on denying it. 

"Don't play dumb with me now Patrick. You know who i'm talking about."

"I never play dumb. Sometimes, I cheat, but that is in fact still not dumb." he mocked, trying to think about how his angel could ever be alive. There was no way, right?

"Shut it already. I have your daughter." 

"Correction, she's been dead for a long time, woman." 

"And what if I told you that isn't true? Imagine Patrick, a world in which your daughter is still alive, running around, playing with toys, calling for you. Seeing her grow up would grant your biggest wish wouldn't it?" 

"Maybe."

"Then come with me. I'll take you to her."

"What if I don't trust you?" He couldn't read the woman, how hard he tried, he just couldn't do it. There was something about those emotionless eyes, those green eyes that were supposed to spring full of life once you looked at them, but they didn't. It was almost as if she was wearing some sort of lenses that prevented any light from coming in and preventing every emotion from coming out. Was it a disguise perhaps? He didn't know. 

"Seems like you don't have much of a choice, do you?"

"And why's that? You're armed or something?"

"Do I really have to explain?" she grinned, stood up and looked at him with a slightly tilted head, as if she was trying to empathize with him. Disgusting.

He knew what she meant, there was no explanation needed. Cases about his family were his biggest concern. If he'd get the chance to see his daughter again, he'd be so happy. The thought of just being able to hold his daughter in his arms again always brightens up his day, but realizing this'll never come true just makes him depressed right after. He had always had hope, the hope his family was still alive, a dream.

"But no one may know about this. Deal?" 

"Deal." she smiled, friendly, but kind of evil at the same time.

Parents would tell their kids not to go with strangers who offered them candy or money or other treats, and normally, they'd obey. Jane on the other hand had heard enough information to go with this stranger to a possibly unknown place. He was never the one to obey anyway. Although normally, he wouldn't take such a big risk, he did it this time because this time, he felt hope. There was this sparkling feeling dwelling inside of him that encouraged him to take this huge risk, to go with the inscrutable woman even though he barely knew her. He had given her the benefit of doubt.

He checked his surroundings, got up from the park bench and followed the woman, wondering if she'd take him to his 'dead' daughter or to someone he had pissed of badly. 

-

Lisbon, who was still 'resting' in her chair finally sat up straight to do some work on her computer. She opened her e-mail and checked her mailbox for updates. She had received an e-mail from a fellow co-worker who she used to work with in Sacramento. She clicked on the file to open it and read the message, smiling as she read that her co-worker was celebrating her for finally having a relationship with Jane. Cute.

She opened another mail after she had clicked the other one away - she would reply to them later. This one was from... Marcus? What did he want to e-mail her about? He works in the same building!