Vacation Blues (3 + 4/16)
Part Three
“So, Ms. Lisbon, where were you between the hours of eleven p.m. and eleven a.m. this morning?”
Jane let out an indistinct noise in the corner of the interrogation room and Lisbon shot him a dirty glare before she chose to answer the ludicrous question. Of course he would find the fact that she had somehow wound up as being a person of interest in the case absolutely hilarious. It was just in his nature to act in such a way. Then again, this wasn’t exactly the restful vacation that either of them had anticipated. In fact, it was even less restful than the fact that Jane was here at all.
However interesting she found the workings of other states’ police departments and especially, how they dealt with murder, this wasn’t quite what she envisaged for her vacation. She was meant to be taking a break from thinking about murder, and crime in general. And instead, she was here mentally critiquing the performance of fellow law enforcement officers. If anything, it all seemed a little unprofessional compared to what she was used to. It was like the two male cops sitting opposite her simply didn’t have a clue what they were doing. At the very least, they seemed completely unprepared for any type of interrogation or questioning.
“I was at home, alone, in Sacramento,” she started and drummed her fingers against the desk. “Then, I checked into the airport for my flight at eight a.m. The flight was at nine. I got off the plane at two thirty-three p.m. PDT, which is eleven thirty-three HAST. And before you ask, there were a couple hundred witnesses who can confirm my alibi.”
“And after that?” the first cop, Agent Halligan, persisted.
“I got a cab, went straight to the hotel, where I met Jane and found the body. I called it in straight away, considering it’s not in my jurisdiction.”
“Your jurisdiction? You’re a cop?” Agent Decosta stated, with a note of surprise in his voice.
“Senior Agent for the Serious Crimes Unit with the California Bureau of Investigation,” Lisbon replied clearly and she pushed forwards her badge as proof of identification. “Patrick Jane is my consultant, who somewhat foolishly, decided it would be a good idea to chase me out here.”
“Technically, I didn’t chase you as I arrived here first,” Jane replied hotly.
“Whatever,” Lisbon said coolly and she turned to face the agents in front of her once again.
They were inspecting her identification with considerable interest. Lisbon was used to this. Even with her gun and badge, some people still expressed surprised that a woman of her stature could ever have risen up so high in her career of choice. In some ways, she enjoyed it thoroughly. She loved taking people by surprise and surpassing their expectations. It also meant that criminals had the tendency to completely underestimate her physical prowess. However, it also grew a bit weary after a while. Sometimes, she hated having to explain herself and almost apologize for being who she was.
Halligan quickly excused himself and disappeared with her badge. Jane took the opportunity to take the vacated seat and he smiled broadly. Lisbon had to wonder why they hadn’t dared to ask Jane where he had been during the time of the murder. After all, he had taken his flight approximately twenty-four hours before she had. If either of them had remotely useful information they could share with these hapless excuses for agents, it was him. And even if Jane didn’t have anything useful to share with them, Lisbon knew they could both offer their services in other ways.
But then, that wouldn’t be relaxing. Instead, it would have been taking work away with her, theoretically speaking. That was something she had sworn she wouldn’t do, out of principle. Lisbon had been under direct instruction to relax and that was precisely what she was intending to do. That was as soon as she could escape this place. However, at the same time, something was nagging at the back of her mind. Who was the victim and why had they been dressed like an Egyptian mummy? Why had the body been placed in her hotel room specifically? Or was it just a coincidence that it had been there at all? Why would anyone go to such an effort in bloody murder, why not just keep it simple? And had the organs been removed and placed in the canopic jars as Jane had suspected?
“And Mr. Jane? What about you?” Decosta said, turning to face him.
“Me? I was out til late last night, taking in the sights that Honolulu has to offer. I got back to the hotel at around one a.m. Had an early breakfast, and then went to the Bishop Museum. At around midday, I headed back to the hotel to meet Teresa after her flight.”
“And can anyone verify that?”
“Not anyone I know personally, but I’m sure if you talk to the receptionist at the hotel and museum, they would be able to confirm the facts. I also have my timed and dated ticket stub from the hotel, if you think that will help my case.”
“Why do you think we’d do this anyway?” Lisbon added.
“I don’t know,” Decosta answered quietly. “They say that murderers like to watch as their case unfolds, it gives them a thrill…”
“And what better way to get involved than to report the murder?” Jane finished succinctly.
Lisbon let out a derisive snort. It was becoming increasingly obvious that these guys hadn’t been doing this job very long and were feeling out of their depth. Halligan burst in at that moment, almost breathless, with some sheets of paper in his hands. She suspected that this was the research they should have done prior to starting the interview and soon had this hunch confirmed when Halligan apologized profusely.
“What you’ve achieved in California is nothing short of phenomenal. You two, you’ve closed so many cases. Even a notorious serial killer…”
The words died in the air. Red John had been sent to death row approximately one year ago and it was a subject they tried to avoid. Sooner or later, when an execution date was fixed, Lisbon knew they’d have to face those demons again, but for now, it was simply easier to ignore them. She glanced warily over at Jane who squirmed uncomfortably. Once, there had been a time when he had vowed to leave after Red John was dealt with. However, he’d stuck around and she still wasn’t entirely sure why. She never asked, figuring that she would work it out sooner or later, or he’d just tell her.
“You’re free to go,” he added, more to confirm the facts to himself than anyone else. “And once again, I apologize-“
“Thank you,” Lisbon answered primly.
“You know where to find us if you need anything else,” Jane added, smiling once again.
Once they got outside the headquarters of the Hawaii State Police Department, she rounded on Jane. The thoughts had been plaguing her ever since she realized Jane had been around when the body had been placed, in the hotel room, even if the victim hadn’t met his (or her) untimely demise there. From the brief look at the crime scene, she suspected the murder had taken place elsewhere and as far as she was concerned, Jane probably knew as well.
After all, he was a chronic insomniac. He also freely admitted that he had been in the hotel, in close proximity to the crime scene, when it had happened. And he hadn’t breathed a word to the two hapless cops who had tried to insinuate that they had anything to do with it.
“Right, Jane. Tell me, what do you really know about this murder?”
Part Four
When Jane didn’t immediately answer, Lisbon let out an audible sigh and rubbed her temples. Of course, she was used to this. Jane never had the common decency to answer any of her questions, whether they were direct or indirect requests. Instead, he liked to play mind games and tricks in order to eventually reveal the answer, but not without causing a lot of stress and paperwork for her as a result. She knew it was ultimately worth it; she had watched him come from a husk of a man to being the person standing beside her now. However, Lisbon would never deny the simple fact that sometimes, she could have done without all the anger and frustration it caused for her.
“I swear to God, Jane, if you don’t tell me the truth right now, then I am going to drag you back inside this building and leave them to deal with you. In fact, I should probably do that anyway.”
“I didn’t see anything.”
“I know you; you don’t sleep.”
“Much,” he corrected her immediately. “Even you have woken me up from naps before.”
“So, you really did sleep through it?” she asked dubiously.
“No, I was woken. But I wrote it off as some people coming in late, drunk, after a party or something.”
He shrugged noncommittally and Lisbon raised a skeptical eyebrow. She had known Jane for long enough to know it was highly unusual for him to not be at least a little bit intrigued by strange noises in the middle of the night. As they started to casually walk away, she shoved her hands in her jacket pocket before she spoke.
“That’s strange of you.”
“I was tired,” he said defensively. “It had been a long flight and I always fly badly.”
Lisbon nodded; she knew that much was true. She had spent far too many short haul flights across the state of California, with him fidgeting, moaning and generally making a nuisance of himself beside her. It made her question briefly just why he had chosen to take a vacation with her when he knew it involved a much-loathed flight. But then, deep down, she thought she probably knew the answer anyway. He enjoyed her company, and though she would never admit it to his face, the feeling was entirely mutual. Clearly, he had thought it preferable to take his vacation time at the same time as her, and in the same place too, than be stuck in the office with the rest of the team.
At least it meant she wouldn’t have a chance to get bored or lonely. But then, she had a shrinking suspicion that Agents Decosta and Halligan may well offer her a quick courtesy call sooner or later. Once they realized the facts, they seemed a little in awe of them, Halligan especially. Even so, she wasn’t going to spend this vacation exclusively working a case when she should have been taking a break from thinking about murder, nor was she going to spend all of her time in Jane’s pocket. She had every intention of trying to seek out at least a little peace and quiet. Otherwise, there was the possibility that she may end up being forced to take another vacation. And considering this one hadn’t been entirely wanted in the first place, she wasn’t sure if she could warm up to the concept of another one quite so soon.
“And before you ask,” Jane added hurriedly. “I’m certain that the victim wasn’t killed in your hotel room. I didn’t hear anybody screaming for their lives; otherwise I would have paid more attention.”
“I’m not sure whether to be relieved or horrified,” she replied dryly.
“Why?”
“Dealing with murderers armed with nothing but your wits, in a strange state and half asleep? I wouldn’t even count on your chances, Jane.”
Jane brushed her issues aside with the wave of a hand, much to Lisbon’s irritation. Even though Red John had been arrested and convicted of his crimes, Jane had still held onto his slightly reckless streak and it worried her. Sometimes, she wondered if he simply stayed with the CBI out of force of habit rather than anything else. Clearly, he still needed something to live for, but she didn’t know exactly what would help him. All she could do was continue to offer him the (hopefully) calming presence, as she had done so for so many years. He still had so many demons to work through, but she couldn’t help him unless he talked to her. Just letting him know she was there for him was the very best she could do.
Without needing to talk about it, they continued heading towards the hotel. Lisbon was glad for it; she really needed to work out where she was actually going to be staying for the night as her assigned quarters were completely out of the question. Just because the dead body had presumably been removed, it didn’t stop it from being a crime scene. And in all honesty, she was feeling a little bit drawn and tired thanks to the stresses of the day that she’d had to endure.
“You brought your badge with you?” Jane said suddenly, taking her off guard. “Why?”
“Why not?” she immediately countered.
“I’m guessing that it’s a force of habit, and a security measure. As far as you’re concerned, it’s a part of your identity and you feel a little bit lost without it.”
Lisbon shrugged her shoulders in response. She didn’t put much thought into the reason why she had brought her badge with her. He was probably right though; it was something that would have irritated her years ago, but she was so used to Jane reading into her each and every action and decision that it didn’t bother her either way now. She was used to the secondhand embarrassment it occasionally caused and the fact that she could keep little to no secrets from him. Patrick Jane and his antics were something she had had to mold herself around, as there was no chance of him switching off his abilities. Besides, it was those abilities of his which had time and time again proven to be useful. It was those skills sets that helped to close cases.
They fell into a restful silence for a while. Her anger at his sudden appearance during her vacation had slowly dissipated. Now, she was almost glad to have another piece of home to hold onto, to have him by her side. Out of everyone she knew, her family included, it was him that she was closest to by a long distance. Jane knew her inside out and upside down, and she liked to think that she knew him very well also. Besides, she had a shrinking suspicion that either Agent Decosta or Agent Halligan would be calling them up soon to ask for their assistance. And if she was going to work on a case when she was meant to be having a break, then it was going to be useful having him around.
Jane held the door to the hotel open for her, and she quietly thanked him for his not entirely surprising act of chivalry. Whenever he did act like this, it was always spontaneous and part of them. In truth, it was this side of him which had given her hope in his humanity. If she hadn’t seen that innate goodness in him, then she would have given up on him a long while ago. The receptionist looked up as they approached and a frown had knotted between her eyebrows.
“Ms. Lisbon?”
“That’s me,” she said, surprised that the woman had recognized her from the morning.
“We have a problem.”
To Part Five
“So, Ms. Lisbon, where were you between the hours of eleven p.m. and eleven a.m. this morning?”
Jane let out an indistinct noise in the corner of the interrogation room and Lisbon shot him a dirty glare before she chose to answer the ludicrous question. Of course he would find the fact that she had somehow wound up as being a person of interest in the case absolutely hilarious. It was just in his nature to act in such a way. Then again, this wasn’t exactly the restful vacation that either of them had anticipated. In fact, it was even less restful than the fact that Jane was here at all.
However interesting she found the workings of other states’ police departments and especially, how they dealt with murder, this wasn’t quite what she envisaged for her vacation. She was meant to be taking a break from thinking about murder, and crime in general. And instead, she was here mentally critiquing the performance of fellow law enforcement officers. If anything, it all seemed a little unprofessional compared to what she was used to. It was like the two male cops sitting opposite her simply didn’t have a clue what they were doing. At the very least, they seemed completely unprepared for any type of interrogation or questioning.
“I was at home, alone, in Sacramento,” she started and drummed her fingers against the desk. “Then, I checked into the airport for my flight at eight a.m. The flight was at nine. I got off the plane at two thirty-three p.m. PDT, which is eleven thirty-three HAST. And before you ask, there were a couple hundred witnesses who can confirm my alibi.”
“And after that?” the first cop, Agent Halligan, persisted.
“I got a cab, went straight to the hotel, where I met Jane and found the body. I called it in straight away, considering it’s not in my jurisdiction.”
“Your jurisdiction? You’re a cop?” Agent Decosta stated, with a note of surprise in his voice.
“Senior Agent for the Serious Crimes Unit with the California Bureau of Investigation,” Lisbon replied clearly and she pushed forwards her badge as proof of identification. “Patrick Jane is my consultant, who somewhat foolishly, decided it would be a good idea to chase me out here.”
“Technically, I didn’t chase you as I arrived here first,” Jane replied hotly.
“Whatever,” Lisbon said coolly and she turned to face the agents in front of her once again.
They were inspecting her identification with considerable interest. Lisbon was used to this. Even with her gun and badge, some people still expressed surprised that a woman of her stature could ever have risen up so high in her career of choice. In some ways, she enjoyed it thoroughly. She loved taking people by surprise and surpassing their expectations. It also meant that criminals had the tendency to completely underestimate her physical prowess. However, it also grew a bit weary after a while. Sometimes, she hated having to explain herself and almost apologize for being who she was.
Halligan quickly excused himself and disappeared with her badge. Jane took the opportunity to take the vacated seat and he smiled broadly. Lisbon had to wonder why they hadn’t dared to ask Jane where he had been during the time of the murder. After all, he had taken his flight approximately twenty-four hours before she had. If either of them had remotely useful information they could share with these hapless excuses for agents, it was him. And even if Jane didn’t have anything useful to share with them, Lisbon knew they could both offer their services in other ways.
But then, that wouldn’t be relaxing. Instead, it would have been taking work away with her, theoretically speaking. That was something she had sworn she wouldn’t do, out of principle. Lisbon had been under direct instruction to relax and that was precisely what she was intending to do. That was as soon as she could escape this place. However, at the same time, something was nagging at the back of her mind. Who was the victim and why had they been dressed like an Egyptian mummy? Why had the body been placed in her hotel room specifically? Or was it just a coincidence that it had been there at all? Why would anyone go to such an effort in bloody murder, why not just keep it simple? And had the organs been removed and placed in the canopic jars as Jane had suspected?
“And Mr. Jane? What about you?” Decosta said, turning to face him.
“Me? I was out til late last night, taking in the sights that Honolulu has to offer. I got back to the hotel at around one a.m. Had an early breakfast, and then went to the Bishop Museum. At around midday, I headed back to the hotel to meet Teresa after her flight.”
“And can anyone verify that?”
“Not anyone I know personally, but I’m sure if you talk to the receptionist at the hotel and museum, they would be able to confirm the facts. I also have my timed and dated ticket stub from the hotel, if you think that will help my case.”
“Why do you think we’d do this anyway?” Lisbon added.
“I don’t know,” Decosta answered quietly. “They say that murderers like to watch as their case unfolds, it gives them a thrill…”
“And what better way to get involved than to report the murder?” Jane finished succinctly.
Lisbon let out a derisive snort. It was becoming increasingly obvious that these guys hadn’t been doing this job very long and were feeling out of their depth. Halligan burst in at that moment, almost breathless, with some sheets of paper in his hands. She suspected that this was the research they should have done prior to starting the interview and soon had this hunch confirmed when Halligan apologized profusely.
“What you’ve achieved in California is nothing short of phenomenal. You two, you’ve closed so many cases. Even a notorious serial killer…”
The words died in the air. Red John had been sent to death row approximately one year ago and it was a subject they tried to avoid. Sooner or later, when an execution date was fixed, Lisbon knew they’d have to face those demons again, but for now, it was simply easier to ignore them. She glanced warily over at Jane who squirmed uncomfortably. Once, there had been a time when he had vowed to leave after Red John was dealt with. However, he’d stuck around and she still wasn’t entirely sure why. She never asked, figuring that she would work it out sooner or later, or he’d just tell her.
“You’re free to go,” he added, more to confirm the facts to himself than anyone else. “And once again, I apologize-“
“Thank you,” Lisbon answered primly.
“You know where to find us if you need anything else,” Jane added, smiling once again.
Once they got outside the headquarters of the Hawaii State Police Department, she rounded on Jane. The thoughts had been plaguing her ever since she realized Jane had been around when the body had been placed, in the hotel room, even if the victim hadn’t met his (or her) untimely demise there. From the brief look at the crime scene, she suspected the murder had taken place elsewhere and as far as she was concerned, Jane probably knew as well.
After all, he was a chronic insomniac. He also freely admitted that he had been in the hotel, in close proximity to the crime scene, when it had happened. And he hadn’t breathed a word to the two hapless cops who had tried to insinuate that they had anything to do with it.
“Right, Jane. Tell me, what do you really know about this murder?”
Part Four
When Jane didn’t immediately answer, Lisbon let out an audible sigh and rubbed her temples. Of course, she was used to this. Jane never had the common decency to answer any of her questions, whether they were direct or indirect requests. Instead, he liked to play mind games and tricks in order to eventually reveal the answer, but not without causing a lot of stress and paperwork for her as a result. She knew it was ultimately worth it; she had watched him come from a husk of a man to being the person standing beside her now. However, Lisbon would never deny the simple fact that sometimes, she could have done without all the anger and frustration it caused for her.
“I swear to God, Jane, if you don’t tell me the truth right now, then I am going to drag you back inside this building and leave them to deal with you. In fact, I should probably do that anyway.”
“I didn’t see anything.”
“I know you; you don’t sleep.”
“Much,” he corrected her immediately. “Even you have woken me up from naps before.”
“So, you really did sleep through it?” she asked dubiously.
“No, I was woken. But I wrote it off as some people coming in late, drunk, after a party or something.”
He shrugged noncommittally and Lisbon raised a skeptical eyebrow. She had known Jane for long enough to know it was highly unusual for him to not be at least a little bit intrigued by strange noises in the middle of the night. As they started to casually walk away, she shoved her hands in her jacket pocket before she spoke.
“That’s strange of you.”
“I was tired,” he said defensively. “It had been a long flight and I always fly badly.”
Lisbon nodded; she knew that much was true. She had spent far too many short haul flights across the state of California, with him fidgeting, moaning and generally making a nuisance of himself beside her. It made her question briefly just why he had chosen to take a vacation with her when he knew it involved a much-loathed flight. But then, deep down, she thought she probably knew the answer anyway. He enjoyed her company, and though she would never admit it to his face, the feeling was entirely mutual. Clearly, he had thought it preferable to take his vacation time at the same time as her, and in the same place too, than be stuck in the office with the rest of the team.
At least it meant she wouldn’t have a chance to get bored or lonely. But then, she had a shrinking suspicion that Agents Decosta and Halligan may well offer her a quick courtesy call sooner or later. Once they realized the facts, they seemed a little in awe of them, Halligan especially. Even so, she wasn’t going to spend this vacation exclusively working a case when she should have been taking a break from thinking about murder, nor was she going to spend all of her time in Jane’s pocket. She had every intention of trying to seek out at least a little peace and quiet. Otherwise, there was the possibility that she may end up being forced to take another vacation. And considering this one hadn’t been entirely wanted in the first place, she wasn’t sure if she could warm up to the concept of another one quite so soon.
“And before you ask,” Jane added hurriedly. “I’m certain that the victim wasn’t killed in your hotel room. I didn’t hear anybody screaming for their lives; otherwise I would have paid more attention.”
“I’m not sure whether to be relieved or horrified,” she replied dryly.
“Why?”
“Dealing with murderers armed with nothing but your wits, in a strange state and half asleep? I wouldn’t even count on your chances, Jane.”
Jane brushed her issues aside with the wave of a hand, much to Lisbon’s irritation. Even though Red John had been arrested and convicted of his crimes, Jane had still held onto his slightly reckless streak and it worried her. Sometimes, she wondered if he simply stayed with the CBI out of force of habit rather than anything else. Clearly, he still needed something to live for, but she didn’t know exactly what would help him. All she could do was continue to offer him the (hopefully) calming presence, as she had done so for so many years. He still had so many demons to work through, but she couldn’t help him unless he talked to her. Just letting him know she was there for him was the very best she could do.
Without needing to talk about it, they continued heading towards the hotel. Lisbon was glad for it; she really needed to work out where she was actually going to be staying for the night as her assigned quarters were completely out of the question. Just because the dead body had presumably been removed, it didn’t stop it from being a crime scene. And in all honesty, she was feeling a little bit drawn and tired thanks to the stresses of the day that she’d had to endure.
“You brought your badge with you?” Jane said suddenly, taking her off guard. “Why?”
“Why not?” she immediately countered.
“I’m guessing that it’s a force of habit, and a security measure. As far as you’re concerned, it’s a part of your identity and you feel a little bit lost without it.”
Lisbon shrugged her shoulders in response. She didn’t put much thought into the reason why she had brought her badge with her. He was probably right though; it was something that would have irritated her years ago, but she was so used to Jane reading into her each and every action and decision that it didn’t bother her either way now. She was used to the secondhand embarrassment it occasionally caused and the fact that she could keep little to no secrets from him. Patrick Jane and his antics were something she had had to mold herself around, as there was no chance of him switching off his abilities. Besides, it was those abilities of his which had time and time again proven to be useful. It was those skills sets that helped to close cases.
They fell into a restful silence for a while. Her anger at his sudden appearance during her vacation had slowly dissipated. Now, she was almost glad to have another piece of home to hold onto, to have him by her side. Out of everyone she knew, her family included, it was him that she was closest to by a long distance. Jane knew her inside out and upside down, and she liked to think that she knew him very well also. Besides, she had a shrinking suspicion that either Agent Decosta or Agent Halligan would be calling them up soon to ask for their assistance. And if she was going to work on a case when she was meant to be having a break, then it was going to be useful having him around.
Jane held the door to the hotel open for her, and she quietly thanked him for his not entirely surprising act of chivalry. Whenever he did act like this, it was always spontaneous and part of them. In truth, it was this side of him which had given her hope in his humanity. If she hadn’t seen that innate goodness in him, then she would have given up on him a long while ago. The receptionist looked up as they approached and a frown had knotted between her eyebrows.
“Ms. Lisbon?”
“That’s me,” she said, surprised that the woman had recognized her from the morning.
“We have a problem.”
To Part Five