19. Blood Money

Complete story — includes the ending

Van Pelt (in a flashforward ) orders a hit on Rigsby. Before, the CBI team arrives on the scene of the murder of ADA Kelly Flower. Jane quickly discovers and identifies her killer as Cale Sylvan, the building contractor at the Flowers' house, whom the CBI team learns is a psychopathic hitman/serial killer-for-hire, but they can find no proof of his double identity. Meanwhile Cho and Van Pelt confront docker Hank Draber whom ADA Kelly Flower was about to get convicted and sentenced to 20 years, in a case that would have made Flower's career and probably the next DA. The CBI believes Hank Draber ordered Sylvan to murder Flower, although Draber seems more concerned about upsetting his disabled mother. The team sets up an undercover operation where Van Pelt orders the hit and exposes Sylvan – Sylvan took trophy film footage of Flower begging for mercy and his killing her. In court, it is discovered that Jane had broken into the suspect's home in preparation for the sting and Judge Hildred informs ADA Odenthal and his prosecution team that the film footage is inadmissible and all charges are dismissed because they are " fruit of the poisonous tree ". ADA Odenthal, who ambitiously expects to be DA eventually, is furious with Jane. Hightower suspends Lisbon for five days for her lack of control over Jane. The CBI team must now apprehend Sylvan on different evidence. Jane engineers a way to pick Sylvan's pocket and a logo on his gym bag indicates the location of Sylvan's secret murder house; the team arrest Sylvan just before he murders someone else. A mysterious skillful long-distance sniper shot kills Sylvan. Jane, assisted by Lisbon, reveals that Hank Draber's invalid mother is faking disability and is the real brains of the Draber illegal operations but the Drabers are not murderers. Back in court, Jane (deliberately) acts in contempt of court and tweaks ADA Odenthal's nose, causing him to be tried before Judge Hildred for battery. Jane elects to defend himself. Kelly Flower's widower is surprised to have been called to watch the hearing. Through his questioning, Jane admits battery but reveals to the court that Odenthal had hired Sylvan to kill Kelly Flower and then shot Sylvan after overhearing Judge Hildred issue a warrant for Sylvan – Kelly Flower had been promoted to the ADA job instead of Odenthal, a job he expected as his right. Hightower is pleased at the outcome and says she will get Lisbon reinstated.