The Mentalist s04e07 Episode Script

- Morning, Lisbon.
- Morning.
You close? - Nope.
Flat tire.
- All right.
We'll talk when you get here.
Just because I'm not there, doesn't mean I can't be of help.
- Hold on a sec.
What do you got? - Victim's name is Michelle Karp.
- I'm putting you on speaker.
- Nineteen.
Left the restaurant where she worked around 11 .
Never made it home.
Looks like she was abducted and murdered and dumped here late last night.
- Dog-walker found her an hour ago.
- Thanks.
The body's on state park land, near a picnic area not far from the road.
- How was she killed? - Throat was slit.
It looks pretty clean, precise.
- Mm.
Blood? - Hardly a drop.
She's fully clothed, so probably no sexual assault.
Her hands and feet are bound with wire.
- Pebbles have been placed on her eyes.
- Mm, nice touch.
- Pebbles from the crime scene? - Looks like it, yeah.
And the? Ooh.
And the wire? It's knotted, neatly, carefully.
Someone took their time.
Yeah, you're right.
I didn't say anything.
No, but you were thinking, "Whoever did this has killed before, many times.
" Yes, but I can't assume that.
Trust your instincts, Lisbon.
Hey, boss, just got off the phone with Fresno P.
D.
The killer's MO fits four other murders they've had in the past 18 months.
Looks like we got a serial killer.
Huh? See? You called it, Lisbon.
You called it.
Fresno P.
D.
sent over their files about an hour ago.
Here's what we got so far.
The San Joaquin Killer abducts young girls, all between the ages of 16 and 20.
He takes them to a location where he binds their hands and feet with wire then cuts their throat before dumping the bodies.
Objects found near the scene are placed over their eyes: Pebbles, pieces of glass, bottle caps.
- Any pattern to where they were found? - Seems random Fresno P.
D.
said they were taken at opportune moments.
Often the only time of day they were alone, meaning he stalks them.
- Does Fresno P.
D.
have a suspect? - Yep.
Eight suspects? Because of the lack of forensic evidence, they haven't narrowed down the list.
Grab Cho, get the list of names and talk to them one by one.
- Okay.
- Eh - What? - You're just going through the motions.
- It's called police work.
- Why not try afresh approach? - Like what, tarot cards? - Go directly to the one that feels right.
These are all viable suspects.
The Fresno P.
D.
did their job well.
So you're just gonna do the same job over again? Take a close look at these guys.
Use your intuition.
Which one is guilty? - I don't know.
- Oh, come on.
What you don't know is how much you know without knowing you know it.
Take a guess and run with it.
- All right, okay.
All right.
- Okay.
Okay.
Not him.
Bow tie? No.
Not him.
Or him.
- It could be him.
- Sneaky eyes.
On the other hand, he's got an education.
Ah, profiling blather.
Forget about that.
Go with your gut.
There.
In seconds, you've whittled it down to a manageable three suspects.
Which one of these guys jumps out at you? - This one.
- Yeah, but it's just a hunch.
- I don't even know why.
- Best kind of hunch.
As good a place to start as any.
Nicely done, Lisbon.
His name is Richard Haibach.
He's 44 years old, lives alone.
He has an alibi for two of the murders but Fresno P.
D.
logged complaints against him for loitering.
He likes to park outside local high schools, including one a victim went to.
- That's all I got.
- All right.
You mind waiting here? I wanna talk to him on my own.
Sure.
- Richard Haibach.
- Who are you? I'm Agent Lisbon with the CBI.
Mind if I ask you a few questions? - Actually I do.
- It shouldn't take long, sir.
- Can I come in? - Not without a warrant.
Okay.
Can you tell me where you were last night? Home alone, all night.
Why, was there another murder? I can't comment on an ongoing investigation.
That means there was one.
I'm not dumb.
I've said a hundred times already -I've got nothing to do with this.
- Sir, I didn't You people just won't let go.
I'm getting so tired of you harassing me.
Mr.
Haibach, I just have a few questions, and then I'll be on my way.
I know the law.
I don't have to answer your questions or tell you anything.
- Hey, boss.
- Anything? Updates? I checked out the other two suspects on the list.
First has been out of state all week.
The FAA flight list confirms it.
Second was with his wife, kids and in-laws.
- Anyone else on the list? - Cho's working those.
Half alibied out.
I'm starting on the other half now.
Hold off.
I want you to canvass the area of the crime scene.
See if you can put Richard Haibach anywhere near there last night.
- So is he our guy? - I didn't get a good feeling from him.
Thanks.
Start with an intro, background on the San Joaquin Killer and then I'll go right into questions for you two.
Um, excuse me, gentlemen, one moment please.
Paul, can you hold the roll, please? Mr.
Jane, how are you? Hello, Karen.
- I understand, but I have a new show.
It's a whole new format, more intimate.
None of that "gotcha" journalism that they made me do.
Oh, what'd they do, hold your shoes hostage? Very funny.
This week, I'm taking an in-depth look at the San Joaquin Killer.
I was hoping you'd join me for the broadcast Thursday.
- Offer your insight and experience.
- You don't need me.
You have Special Agent Wainwright here.
He's a good honest man.
Yes, but he doesn't pop on camera the way you do.
Karen, you flatter me.
Good to see you.
Be well.
Let's go.
Ahem.
With me today is Special Agent Luther Wainwright of the CBI, welcome and James Panzer, an investigative crime reporter and blogger.
Mr.
Panzer, we'll start with you.
You've been tracking the San Joaquin Killer for how long now? Well, it's been, uh, nearly two years now, Karen.
That's when he took the life of Mollie Maier a young girl who lived just down the street from me back in Fresno.
That was his first victim that we know of.
Pursuing him is pretty much your life now.
You've created a website devoted to his capture? That's right.
Mollie's family, they're good people and deserve justice.
All his victims deserve justice.
I'm simply trying to help achieve that goal.
- And Special Lieutenant Wainwright - Special agent.
Special Agent Wainwright, how close are you to that goal to arresting the San Joaquin Killer? Well, Karen, we are absolutely making progress.
Working on a computer? What's next, ray guns, teleporters? Mm Hang on.
- Hey, Cho.
- Haibach wasn't home last night.
He was at a bodega close to the scene an hour before Michelle went missing.
Owner lD'd him.
He was parked in front for 20 minutes before he went inside.
How close is close to the crime scene? How far from the crime scene are we? Six blocks.
What? Six blocks.
- Six blocks.
- All right, I'll work on Judge Waters.
The proximity and fact that Haibach lied should be enough to get a warrant.
Okay.
What? - How do you not feel that on your face? - Feel what? James Panzer? - Patrick Jane.
- Hello.
- Thanks for meeting with me.
- Anything I can do - to help with the investigation.
- So, James, what's your deal? You've devoted your life to the capture of a killer.
That's either very saintly or very weird.
Well, that's an odd notion coming from you.
And I know about you, Mr.
Jane.
Ah.
I thought you might.
Red John did kill my family.
Uh, what is it that gives you cause? What did Mollie Maier mean to you? Well, I didn't know her.
I never spoke to her.
I just saw her at the bus stop a couple of times.
But, uh, it was such a brutal act, and it was so close to home that it had a visceral impact on me that I couldn't shake.
I don't know why.
I mean, people search for reason or meaning behind events in their lives when, more often than not, there is none.
Oh, uh, congratulations, by the way.
Thank you.
For what? - You killed Red John.
- Oh, that, yes.
What was that like? Yeah, uh, not as satisfying as you might think.
You know, something occurred to me while I was reading your website.
The people that post comments on the site uh, have you considered that one of them might be the killer? Well, it's a possibility, albeit a rather obvious one.
You see, the San Joaquin Killer is not like other serial killers.
He doesn't kill for the same reasons.
He commits murder solely for the immediate pleasure that he takes in the act.
The media, other people's reactions, that's irrelevant to him.
- A purist.
- Exactly.
Consider the way he murders his victims.
He slits their throats slowly, carefully so he can watch the life drain out of their eyes.
I apologize if I'm making you uncomfortable.
Oh, no, it's in my wheelhouse.
This killer has come to consume me.
Mr.
Panzer, how would you feel about helping me with this investigation? - Well, there's nothing I would like more.
- Excellent.
Mr.
Haibach, CBI, open up.
I told you, I'm through answering your questions, I'm through being harassed.
I have rights like anybody else.
I don't wanna This is a warrant to search the premises.
Could you step aside please? You clear the back, I'll wait here.
Abuse of power, that's what this is.
Step aside.
I said, step aside.
Lisbon.
Did you ID any of the women in the photos yet? Some, but so far we haven't been able to match any to the victims.
Haibach would've burned them first.
He's not stupid.
Keep on looking.
His lawyer's on his way.
He won't talk without his lawyer.
He's been around the block a few times with Fresno P.
D.
Hmm.
"Hmm" what? He's a meticulous maladjusted loner who's into stalking women and he has no alibi.
Yeah, he certainly looks the part.
I like him for this.
I like him a lot.
Hello.
- Hi, it's Patrick Jane.
What's your take on Richard Haibach? He's, uh, one of the suspects that the Fresno P.
D.
identified.
Antisocial, underachiever.
Viable, but doesn't have the intelligence I'd be looking for in our man.
Thanks.
I don't disagree.
It's said that the truest motive for a serial killer lies with the first victim.
- Mollie Maier.
- Yeah.
I was wondering if you could introduce me to her family.
Yeah, I'd be happy to.
Give me an hour or so.
Great, and then maybe we can go over some of your research? Yeah, sure.
You could come by my apartment after we visit the Maters.
- Thanks.
- Okay.
Mollie had just turned 16 when she was killed.
She didn't even have her driver's license.
She was walking home from her girlfriend's house, never made it home.
We've been following the investigation.
Jim's been good enough to keep us up to date with the others.
All those girls.
I can't believe nobody's been able to catch up with this monster.
We will.
Soon.
I don't know.
I don't know.
Now, don't lose hope.
Mollie wouldn't want that now, would she? No, she wouldn't.
This killer will be brought to justice.
You have my word.
- Could I take a look at Mollie's bedroom? - No, I don't want Of course.
Tom, will you show him upstairs? Thank you.
Sorry about the mess.
We really should get around to cleaning up.
Truth is, neither of us has the heart for it.
"Crap recital practice.
" Do you? - Do you mind, uh? - Oh, uh, sure.
Thank you.
She loved to dance.
That was, uh, her thing.
She worked really hard at it.
I see trees of green Red roses too I see them bloom For me and you And I think to myself What a wonderful world Once she decided she wanted to do something there was no stopping her.
Single-minded.
Determined.
Just like her mother.
And clouds of white The bright blessed days Must've heard this song a hundred times.
The dark sacred night And I think to myself What a wonderful world The colors of the rainbow So pretty in the sky Are also on the faces Of people going by Counselor, we found dozens of pictures of young women in your client's house.
That's your justification for holding him for murder? He's a photographer.
Sexually suggestive photographs taken without consent.
Taken in public without any complaints.
That's not even a misdemeanor, that's a hobby.
- He lied about his whereabouts.
- I was out taking photos.
Shh.
Ahem.
Not exactly a capital offense.
Meanwhile, my client has had to endure continued police harassment for a crime he didn't commit.
- I did not kill those girls.
- Richard, do not say another word.
Agent Lisbon, either release him now or I'm bringing an harassment lawsuit against you and the CBI first thing tomorrow morning.
Mr.
Haibach, you're free to go.
Thank you.
My apartment's upstairs Uh, pardon the mess.
Wow.
Newspaper articles, background on the victims interviews with the victims' families.
- Enjoy.
- I don't know where to start.
- Uh, water, soda, coffee? - Water would be great.
- Can I just dig in? - Be my guest.
Thank you.
"Crime scene.
" I see trees of green I hope you don't mind.
Music helps me think.
Oh, not at all.
I'll put the water over here.
For me and you And I think to myself What a wonderful world The more I think about it, the more I'm starting to believe that your analysis of the San Joaquin Killer may be wrong.
- How so? - Well, you said he's a purist.
A man who kills simply for the pleasure of it.
Uh, I'm starting to think he's a deeply damaged man who kills out of a need for attention.
What a wonderful world Neglected as a child, I'd guess.
What do you think, Jim? Well, I think you couldn't be more wrong.
So pretty in the sky I know the San Joaquin Killer better than anyone.
As you yourself have said, I've spent over a year inhabiting his mind.
This man is brilliant.
He's a genius who's run circles around the police.
He's killed at will without repercussion.
They're really saying This is a man to be feared, not pitied.
Excuse me.
I watch them grow - Hello.
- Jane, S.
F.
P.
D found another body.
It looks like the San Joaquin Killer.
Okay.
What a wonderful world It's him, isn't it? He's killed again.
Name's Jill Reisert, 18.
It's the San Joaquin Killer.
Hands, feet bound with the same wire, tied in the same knot.
Killed elsewhere, dumped randomly.
- Pebbles on the eyes? - No.
No eyes.
Only days after the last murder.
He has a taste for attention now.
Bigger city, bigger stage, bigger violence.
He's getting more excited by it all.
Uh, what time was she killed? Coroner thinks it was sometime this morning.
Haibach was free by then.
He could've done it.
No.
I know who did this.
- James Panzer.
- Panzer? The reporter covering the case? Fresno P.
D.
would've checked him out.
They did.
He had an alibi for two of the murders.
Both faked somehow.
Look into them if you don't believe me.
Or don't, I don't care.
I know it was him.
- Evidence.
- That's the problem.
We don't have anything linking him to the crime.
FBl's pushing to take over this case.
I'm doing everything I can to hold them off, but I don't have the pull.
- We need an arrest.
- I'll get him, I just need time.
- Time we don't have.
- I said I'll get him.
Okay.
How long do you need? I'll have him in custody by the morning.
I'll give you till the morning.
Good luck.
What I'd like to do is shoot this.
Panzer knows everything about this case.
We've got no forensic evidence and no eyewitnesses.
- How do you propose we catch him? - We take away what he wants most.
Yeah, that'll work.
Hold on, just a sec.
Mr.
Jane.
- Any news? - Uh, no, not now, Karen.
Please, give us a morsel, anything.
We have a suspect.
We'll be making an arrest sometime tonight.
- We'll announce it first thing tomorrow.
- Who is it? - You'll find out tomorrow.
- Come on, Patrick, I need more.
Just tell me if it's one of the previous suspects.
It is, isn't it? You didn't hear it from me.
- You can trust me.
- I mean it, Karen.
You can't go public with this.
I'm only telling you so you're not caught off guard tomorrow.
Thank you.
Wait, Patrick.
The offer's still open if you wanna come on my show.
Uh, yeah, thank you, but no thanks.
- Just think about it.
That's all I ask.
- Sure.
- Diane.
Diane.
- Yeah? Call the office and clear the 7:00 open.
I've got a breaking story.
All right, what's going on? Panzer committed these murders out of hubris.
He wants to create a mythology around the killer.
That's why he started the website.
He doesn't just wanna kill - he wants people to be in awe of him.
- Yes? We arrest someone else for the murders.
Someone pathetic and unworthy.
Thus destroying his mythology with one fatal blow.
Panzer will go out and kill again, just to prove us wrong - and we will be there waiting for him.
- Arrest somebody else? Oh Are you sure, boss? I got this.
Come on.
You people just don't quit, do you? - You're under arrest.
- Ah.
For what? We'll think of something.
Hello.
- Mr.
Panzer, it's Patrick.
I have some information.
We got him.
San Joaquin Killer.
Made an arrest.
I heard about it on the news, but I didn't believe it.
Who? - Richard Haibach.
- I thought he had an alibi.
Faked.
Lied about the whole thing.
Which is not difficult to pull off - if you know what you're doing.
- You're certain it's him? We found pictures of young women in his home.
Two of the victims amongst them.
- That doesn't prove he's the killer.
- We found something else.
I can't comment on specifics, but the AG's office is confident that it along with Haibach's proximity to the Karp murder, and the photos will be enough for a conviction.
We'll announce it to the press tomorrow morning.
I wanted you to know first, given your personal attachment to the case.
And I just wanted to stop by and say thanks for your help, Jim.
Oh, yes, of course.
Look, can I get you a drink or something? No, thanks.
Do you mind if I use your restroom? Sure, sure.
Right over there.
- End of the hall here? - Yes.
You sure you don't want a drink or a snack? Oh, no, I have to get going.
- You know, it's funny, isn't it? - What's that? We were both wrong about the San Joaquin Killer.
He wasn't a purist, nor was he a man desperate for attention.
He was just a sick, sexually deranged man that likes to take pictures of little girls.
Simple-minded pervert.
Good night.
Come on.
There he is.
Wait.
I'll call S.
F.
P.
D.
for backup.
Jane.
Ladies first.
Uh, Lisbon.
Couldn't stay away, could you? Put your hands in the air.
Step back from the table.
- What are you doing here? - I said, put your hands in the air now.
Look, you don't understand, I j What are you doing here? - Turn the camera off.
- Karen called me about an hour ago.
She gave me this address.
She asked me to meet her here.
I have never been here before in my life.
- I said, turn the camera off.
- Turn it off.
You called him? He's the expert.
I wanted him to authenticate that this was the kill room used by the San Joaquin Killer.
How did you know about this place? She was contacted by him.
By the San Joaquin Killer.
Yes, just after my 7:00 broadcast, during which I announced the CBI had someone in custody someone texted me from a blocked number said he was the SJK, gave me this address.
All right, out.
This is officially a CBI crime scene.
Let's go.
I tried to tell you you had the wrong man.
You set this up.
- You knew we were following.
- I don't know what you're talking about.
But I have to admit, I'm very hurt by all this.
I thought you were seeking my help, that we were kindred spirits.
Where all along you were just lying to me.
You were using me.
That kind of duplicity leading a double life, I don't know how you do that.
Agent Lisbon, Jane, I'd like you to meet FBI Special Agent Susan Darcy.
She and her team will be taking over the investigation.
- Sir - No, it's okay, it's fine.
The man you want is James Panzer.
- What sort of evidence do you have? - Well, nothing Nothing concrete.
Not, uh, your kind of evidence anyhow.
How about your kind of evidence? His medicine cabinet is too neat.
That's an interesting perspective.
I'll absorb the case files, and if Panzer looks like a good unsub rest assured that my team and I will be on him.
No, you won't.
- Jane.
- While she's absorbing the case files - Panzer will kill again.
- You're not being constructive.
- I'm being honest.
- It's okay.
I understand you're upset.
You have every reason to be upset.
I would be too if someone was taking over my case.
If he kills again, it will be my responsibility and I will answer for it.
But let me be very clear this investigation is now under the jurisdiction of the FBI.
It's all yours.
I need those case files as soon as possible.
Yeah.
Jane.
Jane, you heard Wainwright.
Our hands are tied.
Yeah.
Maybe yours are.
Well, Karen, no disrespect to the CBI or the FBI but it's not a good sign when a case as complex and important as this one is shuttled from agency to agency.
There's a lack of communication and consistency.
There's a pointless replication of effort.
You see the same problems in the search for the Zodiac Killer.
Uh, hold that thought, James.
We'll be right back after a quick break with our guest, James Panzer and a surprise special guest, CBI consultant Patrick Jane.
And clear.
- I hope you don't mind.
- Okay.
- What? Patrick, thank you so much for coming, really.
Hi.
- We're getting Mr.
Jane miked, yeah? - Yes, we are.
In five, four, three, two Joining us now on this SJK special edition is Patrick Jane a consultant with the CBI who has his own amazing story of terrible tragedy and cold revenge.
Patrick, thank you for joining us.
- It's my pleasure, Karen.
James.
- In a nutshell why has the San Joaquin Killer proven so difficult to apprehend? Well, James is exactly right.
There are too many cooks in the kitchen.
But I'd also like to add that the San Joaquin Killer is very likely someone that has attached themselves to the investigation somehow.
- Someone, uh, hiding in plain sight.
- That's interesting.
Is there anyone in particular that you're thinking of? - We have our suspicions.
- Well, that sounds promising.
- Can we expect an arrest anytime soon? - Very likely.
- Uh, Karen, if I may ask Jane a question? - Uh, could you hold that thought, James? - Well, I - Can you elaborate on that, Patrick? What makes you think the San Joaquin Killer will be caught soon? Well, he's become wrapped up in his own mythology.
Uh, he's drank his own Kool-Aid, so to speak.
There is absolutely nothing to suggest that.
You're right, James.
I have no evidence.
Uh, just a good sense of the man.
The San Joaquin Killer is a sad little person living in a fantasy world of power and prestige.
It's only a matter of time before he makes a mistake.
- Jim? - Well, I'd like to say l believe what Mr.
Jane is saying, but I can't disagree more.
I mean, this man is smart, he is rational, he's brilliant, in fact.
Hmm.
I mean, I respect your skills as a journalist and as a blogger, James but I do this for a living and I don't think you know or understand this man at all.
That's absurd.
I mean, that's just That's your opinion, and I respect that but, Patrick, I think you should consider the plain facts.
- James, hold that thought.
- If I could just respond And you'll have that chance when we come back with more on the search for the San Joaquin Killer.
We're clear.
Thirty seconds, everyone.
- Great stuff, guys.
I know what you're doing.
You think I'm stupid? Yes.
You're not gonna ruin this for me.
When we come back, Jim, you're up.
Ten seconds.
In five, four, three, two James Panzer may be the man who knows the San Joaquin Killer best.
Tell us, Jim, will he kill again? Well, Karen, I hate to say this, but yes, I think this man will strike again and I think that there will be many, many more victims.
A dark prediction.
Uh, what makes you think that? Well, he is growing more bold and more confident every day.
More sure of his abilities and his greatness.
And why shouldn't he be? He's been able to evade detection so easily, he is too good to be caught.
Patrick, thoughts? Patrick? It's funny, Red John thought exactly the same thing.
Somehow I don't think the San Joaquin Killer will be quite as easy to kill as Red John.
You're very much mistaken.
Red John was an accomplished killer, no doubt and I applaud you for ridding us of him but there is no comparison to the San Joaquin Killer.
Red John was a common sociopath.
Lazy, sloppy, delusional.
You really have no idea what you're saying.
- Red John - Red John is dead.
The fact he allowed himself to be caught and killed by you just proves my point.
Compared to SJK, Red John was nothing, an amateur.
Already forgotten.
You, uh You were very good out there.
Well, thank you.
I was good.
Hello.
Where? What's happened? Panzer.
See for yourself.