The River With a Crimson Current-The Mentalist

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

Wayne Rigsby

I hold open the door for Grace to come through and then shut it behind us.

"Hi, sorry we're so late," I tell Mandy, Ben's childminder.

"That's not a problem! Benjy's in bed and asleep although he didn't eat much of his dinner... I tried, but he wasn't having it," she explains from in the kitchen where she's washing up some of Ben's bowls.

I go to join her. "Oh, okay. Well thanks Mandy. Here, I can finish that," I offer, referring to the grubby bowls.

"Usually I'd say no, but I really ought to leave. I'm hoping to pick some food up on the way home."

"It's fine, don't worry. Thanks again."

I walk her to the door where she turns to face me.

"Is everything alright?" She mutters, nodding towards Grace on the couch.

"Sure, yeah... Everything's fine. She's probably just tired, it's been a hectic day."

"Right... Well you take care," and she walks away. I shut the door, but this time lock it, then go to the kitchen to continue the washing.

Once I've finished I head to our bedroom where I change into a white top and boxers, but Grace still hasn't moved. When I return to where she's sitting she gets up and looks at me as though my existence has only just occurred to her. She smiles then walks straight past me and into the bedroom, probably to do the same as I had.

Half an hour later she still hasn't resurfaced so I decide to check on her. When I peep round the door she's already curled up in bed but it's too dark to tell whether she's asleep, so I just go back to the lounge... I'll take the couch for tonight.

"Wayne..." Someone gently shakes my shoulder. "Agent Rigsby."

I sit up quicker than I should have so the room spins for a second.

"Grace, don't ever do that to me again."

"Why?"

"Because-because I thought Lisbon was here."

"You're saying I sound like Lisbon?"

"No, but I thought she was in the room."

"She's not."

"I can see that..."

"We need to go," she informs.

"To work?"

"Where else?"

I drag my body off the couch then go to shower and change. When I turn back to look at her she's stood fiddling with her phone, as if deciding whether to call someone or not.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

She jumps and turns to face me. "Oh, nothing... Do-do you want me to call Ben's childminder?"

"Please."

The journey to work was okay, but we drive separately just to make sure there's no chance of any witnesses who could see us together. When I reach the bullpen there's no sign of her so I come to the conclusion that she must have taken the long route to get here.

"Any news?" I ask Cho who's sat reading a book, probably with fairy princesses in or something.

"About what?"

"Brinston. Or the case."

"No. And no."

"Are you sure the BOLO was sent out?"

"Van Pelt's responsibility."

As if by magic, she appears at her desk.

"Van Pelt, did you send out the BOLO?" I question.

"Sure, and I even covered all of Oregon's airports."

I nod and sit back in my chair. What to do?..

"Anyone for a coffee?" I ask.

Cho shakes his head and Grace doesn't reply. "Van Pelt? Coffee?"

This time she looks up and replies with a quiet 'no'.

Because I'm so lazy I can't be bothered to get up and make one for myself so I remain seated. I can see Boss in her office sat at her desk but Jane's no where to be seen.

"Where's Jane?" I ask anybody who's listening.

"Don't know," Cho mumbles, engrossed in his book. Looks like it's going to be a fun day in the office today...