Consultant for the CBI: a vocation for Patrick Jane

Chapter 6

On Patrick Jane:

He breathed. In front of him was the lake Pillsbury. The water sparkled under the sun, and a little breeze made it shudder. He loved the countryside air. After going to the CBI, Patrick had gone back home, had filled a bag and went camping. He adored it. Being in contact with the nature; he found it relaxing. He had planned to stay two weeks near this lake, two weeks of rupture with the city. He had left his phone at home, he wanted to be cut from the world, and told himself that nothing could be more important than revitalizing. Furthermore, no one ever called him, and he wondered why during those two weeks someone would need him. He wanted to spend some time with himself, think, dream. It was a way to relax, and then come back home with the feeling of being a better and new man.

What he didn't know was that, for one, Sacramento really needed him.

On the team:

At the HQ, the atmosphere was tense and the work intense. Obviously they didn't managed to get clues from the crime scene, and Van Pelt was trying to get some by comparing the two murders. Everyone gave all his energy, but the researches led nowhere. Each element of the scene was willing to be examined at the lab. Around the end of the day, as Lisbon's team was exhausted, a man came to tell them than some DNA had been found on the lock. But they had to wait until the next morning to have the results. They spent the night at the office, anxious. It had never happened to them to feel that way, to spend the night not working but waiting, trying to relax and sleep. Lisbon kept pacing up and down in the open space, Cho was sat on a chair, hands clasped on his desk, Rigsby was trying to close his eyes, hoping to fall asleep and Grace, sat against the wall, was enjoying that new experience. The night passed slowly and on the morning, when Minelli arrived, he was surprise to see his team working as it was only 7:30. At 8h37, the man of the lab arrived.

-So? The results? Asked Lisbon quickly.

-Unfortunately...The lab has been set on fire last night...All the leads have disappear...Announced the scientist.

Lisbon sighed, Cho stayed impassive, Grace put her head in her hand and Wayne threw with rage his cup against the wall.

-I'm sorry, he said, embarrassed. I didn't control myself. It's just that...I'm sick of seeing girls getting killed and feel helpless. We keep working so hard and our results vanish! Once again, we have nothing! Boss, I think you're right, we need help.

-Did that Patrick Jane respond? Asked Grace.

-I think we'll do without him. He didn't call me back.

-How are we going to do? You said only him can help us.

-I have no idea.

She went into her office, thought for a few minutes, then took a sheet of paper and wrote him a letter.

Agent Teresa Lisbon

California Bureau of Investigation

Sacramento, May 13th, 2015

Mr. Jane

As you do not answer you phone, I take the initiative to write you a letter. As I told you in my last message, we have to deal with a serial killer. Every single clue we found has been destroyed, and we are desperate. A second young woman has been killed and we are afraid that the culprit could kill again in the next few days. You are the only person who could help us. Please

Teresa Lisbon.

Two never-ending days passed. The team was in a very bad mood. They couldn't work as they have nothing to work one. Nothing. They spent the day bored and playing cards in Lisbon's office, pretending they were working. It was not very professional, but what else could they do? Some agents of other teams went by, and seeing they didn't work wondered how this team could be the best.

On the outside

Special Agent Mike Deford had the same status as Lisbon: he was the boss of a team like hers. He was on his way to ask an information to Lisbon when he saw, through the blinds, the four co-workers playing cards. He preferred not to disturb them and informed his supervisor:

-Agent Deford, what can I do for you? Asked Minelli.

-As I was on my way to ask Lisbon something, I saw her, and her team, playing cards. Don't you find unacceptable that the "best team" doesn't work? I assure you that if you gave it to us, we would find results more successfully.

-Look, Agent Deford, they have been on this case for three weeks, and all their leads are being destroyed by the culprit. I don't really know what they can do, answered the director.

-I know that you want this team to have this case, but I promise you that we would do everything to find who is doing that, assured Deford.

-I'll think about it.

Mike stepped out of this office, proud. He went towards the open space of his team:

-I think I convinced Minelli to give us Lisbon's case!

-Really? Shout Arthur Bed.

-How did you do? Asked Scott Taylor, the new one.

-I saw Teresa and her team playing cards! Laughed Deford.

-Playing cards? Said Rufus Thos. They're going to far!