The Mentalist 4X1: Scarlet Ribbons
Added 2025-10-01 18:00:12 +0000 UTCPatrick Jane is detained for killing Timothy Carter (Bradley Whitford) at Pinewood Shopping Mall (recap season 3 finale). Jane cannot prove Carter told him he was Red John, but believes Red John's gun, along with the record of a cell phone call from FBI Agent O'Laughlin, would prove otherwise, but Carter's phone shows no calls from O'Laughlin and no gun is found.
D.A. Ardiles obeys CBI Director Bertram's instructions to keep Jane in prison, away from the media, getting bail set at $1 million.
Bertram suspends Lisbon and her team.
Jane thinks someone took Carter's gun and switched his phone and Cho, Van Pelt, Rigsby, and Lisbon agree to investigate. The mall's security footage shows three possible culprits - a waitress, a security guard, and a forensics tech.
The security guard is found dead. Lisbon and Van Pelt visit Sally, Timothy Carter's wife of 3 years, who insists Tim was a good man; he even got an official commendation last month for organizing a search party when local girl, Debbie Lupin, went missing. Carter was the only child of missionaries, grew up in Africa, and moved to the US 5 years ago.
Jane is suspicious and wins bail money in an inmates' poker game.
Lisbon acquires Carter's personal effects to meet Sally again.
Jane shows Sally an extra key in Carter's set and hints that Carter had secrets from Sally. While Lisbon leaves, Jane hides in the Carters' home. Sally fetches Tim's keys and goes to a secret room where Debbie Lupin is chained up. She hits a scared Debbie, accusing Tim and her of keeping secrets.
Lisbon and Jane rescue the girl and arrest Sally.
In court, Debbie testifies against the Carters and thanks Jane. Jane tells the jury he is not guilty of killing Timothy Carter, as he never existed. In a shock verdict, the jury finds him not guilty on all charges.
Later Jane tells Lisbon that Carter was evil, but he was not Red John.
