Red Raging Rapids (Sequel)

Stolen

"There's a handbook for this job?" He incredulously asks. I bury me face in my hands, internally groaning. 

"While I'm doing that, you go and talk to the parents. I'll be right with you, and then we can talk to the neighbors." I demand, walking out of the room. He follows, going ahead, as I pause and talk to a police officer. Afterwards, I see him talking to who I think is the dad.

"I couldn't get the ambulance, there were too many cops," He's in the middle of saying.

I walk up behind Jane, "Hello, sir, I'm Agent Lisbon, do you need directions to the hospital?"

"I'm Randell Lossi, is my daughter going to be alright?" He questions.

"We don't know that yet. Why don't you get your wife, and go to the hospital" I kindly order.

"My wife was killed in a car crash five years ago. Now Evie is gone, too!" He exclaims. I feel Jane's eyes trained on my skull, but I'll be strong. I will be strong, I will be strong. This makes things a lot more personal for me, but right now isn't the time or place.

"She's at Ivyleaf Medical Center," I tell him. He nods and rushes towards his car, speeding off after the ambulance. I head towards the crowd of neighbors gathered around the tape. 

"Do any of you know have information on Evalyn Lossi? Two nights ago, she was attacked in her home. Where any of you there? I want you to all close your eyes and remember. Okay, now I want you to put you hand in the air if you were home?" Jane announces. A cluster of people raise their hands. "Now, did any of you see anything unusual? I don't want you to tell me, but you can reach us at this number..."

I tune out, mainly because I'm focusing on not being overwhelmed by the tidal wave of pain and hurt. I imagine Evalyn talking to us at the crime scene, then her voice on the phone, then her her lying broken on the ground. I picture my mom, and that look that was always on her face, like she was holding back a smile. I hear Mr. Lossi's voice, 'My wife died in a car crash...'. Then, Evalyn dead again, pounding on her chest with no responce. Jane gets down from the boulder he was standing down to address the crowd. I drive us home. If we talked, I don't remember it. I don't know why I'm so affected, but at the same time it's crystal clear. As I walk the final steps to my office, the pent-up tears slide down my face, and my shoulders quake. I shut the door behind me, sitting down on my couch, crying in silence. Alone. 

 ~

Jane's P.O.V.

I watch Lisbon as she slips into her office. I almost follow her, but....I just have stuff to do. I had a break in the teacup scheme, I should go and work on it. Lisbon won't want to be bothered, anyway. I make a cup of tea (not in my blue teacup, obviously) and head slowly to my attic. I reach the top of the stairs, and waiting for me is Van Pelt, glaring daggers at me.

"Hello, Grace," I say, dunking my tea bag into the hot water.

"Can't you see how much Lisbon needs you!? Are you blind?! " She explodes.

"If I go in there, I won't come out alive." I explain, smiling. 

Van Pelt gives me a look, and suddenly this wasn't just about today. Or any day in particular. She takes a deep breath, "Look, Jane. The thing is Jane,you and Lisbon are meant for each other, even if your to scared to see it. Two broken parts, two broken hearts that come together. You've been hurt beyond belief. THAT'S NO EXCUSE FOR YOU TO BE A TOTAL IDIOT!! Lisbon has been hurt, too, and she needs you more that she's willing to admit. You dance together, you laugh together. She pretends not to notice how much she affects you. She pretends not to trust you, but she does, and she always will. She's your dream that hasn't come true, so you better chase that dream before you forget it, or worse, talk yourself out of it. Don't be someone who talks himself out of their destiny. You're always able to see the smallest detail, to the big picture, but for this.....you're blind. I know she can help you, you can help her. Aren't you supposed to be partners?! There won't be another Teresa Lisbon if you blow your only chance with this one. She'll stand by you, she'll blow up bad guys for you, she'll be your angry little princess. Will you be her knight in shining armor? She saved you in more ways than one, she brought you back to life. If you don't figure this out, Red John will come and crush this dream before you ever find it. You need to admit it, you need to realize that you love her. Will you be her knight in shining armor? Be her knight in shining armor. Otherwise, you're a coward."

~~

I wake up the next day with Van Pelt's words still ringing in my ears.  I could hear them over and over again, it kept me up all night. She's right. Every word. 

Suddenly, I hear a knock on the door. It seems more forceful than Lisbon's, like a big hand, and Rigsby never comes up here, so it must be..."Cho?"

"No, I'm actually Lady Gaga. Lisbon wants all of us in the bullpen."

"Why?" 

"She didn't say, she just told me to get you," Cho states. I think for a second, then unlock the door, following Cho to the bullpen. 

"The hospital called. Evalyn was pronounced dead at 12:56 last night." Lisbon declares. The bullpen goes deadly silent as we digest the information.

"That's horrible," Van Pelt sighs. It's quiet for another minute.

"Anyway, I need Jane, Rigsby and Cho to go with me to talk to the neighbors. Van Pelt, you do a search of everyone who applied to Julliard from around Crescent City in the last three months. We're looking for someone who didn't get in." Lisbon orders, chestnut hair bouncing as she turns toward the elevators. 

"Okay boss," Rigsby responds. I do a little salute with my hand.

They four of us load into the van, Lisbon driving, Cho in shotgun, and Rigsby and I are shoved in back. Lisbon quickly briefs us on the case so far, as a review, "So, as you know, Leroy Garcia is dead. The girl who found the body, Evalyn Lossi, called saying she remembered something important, and was killed shortly afterwards, which may be involved with the murder, or it could have something to do with Julliard. This is all possibly tied together with rafting, because Leroy was pushed out of a raft, in the river surrounding the Whiteridge river, famous for whitewater rafting. Or it could be totally unrelated. Leroy worked at Northern Coastal college, and he was on the tenor team, essentially meaning he fires a lot of people."

"So, we have no solid leads?" Rigsby interjects.

"More like we have to, any solid leads. Jane, your thoughts?" She asks.

"Well," I start. My previous assumption about the murder, which was that he was killed about his job, goes out the window. I have a whole new bucket of theories, and all of them are equally plausible. "No idea."

"Meaning that you don't want to tell me?" She clarifies.

"Precisely." We pull over and get out, and the whirlwind begins. It's a tornado of Lisbon flashing her badge, questions, answers, moving on, more questions. Nothing is putting up the red alarm bells, screaming 'suspicious'. By the end of the day, we're all exhausted. No one saw anything, or more likely, no one is brave enough to come forward, considering what happened to Evalyn. In my head, I noticed a couple of people who seem to be hiding something, but I'll visit them tomorrow. I could always get Cho or Rigsby to do it. The thoughts make a whirlwind inside my head, changing, every so often gonig back to Van Pelt's speech. I lean my head against the car window, every so often glancing at Lisbon as she drives. I doubt I'll get any sleep tonight, and for once, Red John isn't the reason.

-----------------

Comment, Vote and Follow!!!!!! Pweeesseeee!

-Razzl3