Note: Some thoughts for the end of the day....

Epilogue

When Patrick left Cho, he headed for his couch. Lisbon was still working and the buzz of the functioning office was relaxing and comforting. It had become so familiar, a home away from home, a place he felt a relative peace.

Stretching out, he thought back over the day. He really did find it difficult to imagine Cho's position as he peered through the scope of the high powered rifle, deciding who would live and who would die. No wonder he had been showing signs of stress. No one can have that sort of responsibility and not feel the weight of it. "I'm going to have a talk with Lisbon and see if she can give him some slack, maybe even let him lead on a fairly softball case. Let the poor guy catch a break." He nodded. "I should do that," he thought, but the ceiling Elvis was becoming him and his eyes were getting heavy.

oOo

Jane squinted, the sweat burned his eyes, but he shook his head and focused. Yes, it was Red Jane, but the cross hairs on the scope seemed to be wavering and would not hold a good sight picture. And Red Jane was moving. If he couldn't take the shot, he'd lose him. One more time Red Jane would walk away, laughing.

Jane took a deep breath to steady him self and watched as Red Jane turned to face him and smile that mocking smile he'd imagined so many times. Jane grimaced, steadied the weapon, and pulled the trigger.

BANG!

Jane gasped and came to an erect sitting position, the CBI office slowly coming into focus as his pulse slowly returned to normal.

"Sorry, Jane. I dropped a book. I didn't mean to startle you." Lisbon looked at Jane and frowned. "You look horrible. What's wrong?"

Patrick shook his head deliberately exerting his iron will to calm himself. "I'm OK, but we need to talk." He grimaced. "I just got a wake up call and maybe a little insight into what goes on in Cho's head."

Teresa smiled. "Yes, a book that size can be a wake up call, but if you have some insight into the Cho psyche, please, do enlighten me!" She bent and picked up the book she'd dropped, turned and headed to her office. "Come on in and educate me."

oOOOo