Complete story — includes the ending
Amber, a documentary filmmaker is found dead in her home. Some of Amber's stolen equipment is found in the home of Ron Crosswhite, who is thought to have killed his wife years previously but got off due to a paperwork error by Officer Rowley. Before he can be arrested, a desperate Crosswhite takes hostages at City Hall. Lisbon tries to resolve the hostage situation while also dealing both with interference from the Mayor and a sniper attempt on Crosswhite by a guilt-ridden Rowley. Lisbon also has to contend with Police Chief Arnold Nail who wants to go in with all guns blazing. Meanwhile, Jane tries to solve Crosswhite's wife's murder and persuades Crosswhite to surrender, setting a trap for the real murderer by announcing that Amber left a letter in the Mayor's office. Crosswhite surrenders and Nail reports there was no letter revealing he is the real murderer. Nail doctored evidence to implicate Ron Crosswhite, but Rowley's paperwork error meant that Crosswhite's case was dismissed. Amber realized the discrepancy in the evidence, so Nail killed her too.
Sources and content license
Source and revision history · Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, The Mentalist season 3. HTML formatting and reference markers removed. · Content license