Scarlet Tea

Like Father, Like Daughter

Disclaimer: If you were to give me The Mentalist for christmas, it would be awesome!!!! Especially because it would be THE ONLY ONE I HAVE BECAUSE CURRENTLY I DON"T OWN THE MENTALIST! 

No one's P.O.V.

Jane stands in the middle of Investagation 1, pacing. Three chairs are arranged in a circle. Eddie Harken, Josephine Meyson, and the park attendant, Lina, sit there, glancing at each other. "You all know each other. It's my job to make you remember. Before we start, I would like whoever killed Victoria Meyson to raise their hand. No takers? Okay here we go....."

"Josephine, I want you to picture your daughter. Her high cheekbones, the slightly arched eyebrows. The dimple, on her left cheek...got it?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I do." She whimpered.

"Okay, now I want you to look across the room."

"Oh....oh my...oh my god, oh my GOD!!!!!" 

"Yes, Eddie Harken is your daughter's father. Now Eddie, I want you to picture the night you met Josephine here. All those years ago. At the bar, across from the Wet~and~Wild water park. Who was there?" 

"Uh, there....there was a woman, who kept looking back and forth between me.....Wait....that was you" Eddie points at Lina.

"Yes. Good. Now Lina. You knew Josephine here. Not well, of course. But, before you worked at the park, you were a lifeguard, at the rec. You taught Victoria's big sister, Melanie, how to swim."

"Yes, she was a natural." Lina replies.

Jane pauses, looking from one suspect to the other. "In the middle of this disoriented, misshapen triangle lies the death of Victoria Meyson. I'll be right back." He quickly exits the room. Lisbon comes up behind him.

"What was that??? I didn't even know half the things you said!!" She shrieks.

"I told you I have a plan. I just initiated it. "

"Okay, fine, which one is the killer?" Lisbon tests. 

"Oh, you'll see. Right about........" he points at the doors, waiting for some dramatic entrance. Lisbon makes a face, but the doors swing open. In walks the male lifeguard. "Ta da!" 

"How- never mind" Lisbon asks. "Sir, can I help you?" 

"Well, I was wondering if you caught Victoria's killer yet?" He starts.

"No, but we've found some very interesting things. Tell me, who knew about the affair ou whee having with Victoria?"

"That's-that's not cool!" The lifeguard defends.

"Pathetic!! Try to convince me better than that." Jane demands.

"She wasn't married or anything. Technically, it's not an affair!" he explodes.

"Well, if you keep it secret from society, then it is." Jane counters. "Lisbon, take him to interogation 1. See how the killer reacts."

"Sir, If you would just come with me...." She directs him toward the dimly lit room.

"Let me handle this," Jane smiles, separating Lisbon and the male lifeguard. Jane motions her towards the observing room on the other side of the one way glass. "Hey, so do any of you know, this guy?"

"Yeah, I've seen him around," Josephine says. The others nod in agreement.

"Oh, okay. Lisbon, arrest Lina, please. She killed Victoria." Jane knocks on the one way glass.

"The rest of you, please wait in my office. Lina, come with me." Lisbon orders. She takes Lina by the arm, ignoring her protests. Lisbon opens the door to interogation 2, and moves so Lina can go in. She shuts it behind her, and storms over to talk to Jane again. "What proof? We can't hold her without proof, and frankly, I'm going to punch you if you don't let me in on this now!"

"Ah, Lisbon. Lina obviously knew about the relationship between Eddie and Josephine, and probably the lifeguard guy and Victoria. What is his name anyway?" Jane ponders. He looks toward the group heading to Lisbon's office. "Hey, lifeguard, what's your name?"

"Uh. Max. Max Wenn." He responds, shaking his chlorine-bleached hair

"Thanks." Jane calls.

"Back to the case, Jane!" Lisbon snaps.

"Give me 3 minutes with her, and I can get a confession," Jane bets.

"Time starts now," Lisbon barks. Jane smiles, and dashes into the room.

"Lina. I know that I said you were guilty. But you aren't. I know it. You wouldn't the young, sweet angel that was Victoria. Innocent, bright, loving. Smart, clever. She was a wonderful person. Picture her in all her grace. Think about how sweet she was..."Lina's face twitched, as if a storm was rising up inside her, and was threatining to break loose. "Keep thinking...Victoria. What a pretty name. She didin't deserve to die...."

"SHE DIDN'T DESERVE TO DIE?!?!?!? SHE DIDN'T DESERVE TO DIE??!?! YOU HAVE KNOW IDEA!!! She was a mean, deceptive little cow!! She was the continuation of a long line of horrible affairs, and put a stop to it!!!!! She didn't DESERVE Max!! SHE DIDN'T DESERVE ANYTHING!!!" Lina screams.

"Put your hands in the air! You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to demand a lawyer. If you cannot pay for one one will be provided. You-" Lisbon continues listing off things, walking Lina down the hall. Lisbon hands her over to Cho, who will take her to a holding cell.

"How long?" Jane asks.

"1 minute, 9 seconds."

"Meh, I could do way better! You just gave me a late start!"

"Oh, I did NOT!"

"Yes, you did!"

"No,no no"

"I can prove it!"