There's a lot of deception surrounding Gale Bertram.
I'm going to try and put some guesses forward.
Bertram is in Tyger Tyger and working for Red John...
But he's also a player in Patrick's team.
0. If you don't know this. Robert Kirkland's first appearance is in season 2. After a meeting with Minelli, Minelli retires. Gale Bertram becomes the new boss. Why would Robert Kirkland put a guy in Tyger Tyger as CBI Director. Robert's got a plan! 1. Gale Bertram calls Robert Kirkland after Patrick Jane invites him to the meeting.2. Patrick somehow knows about Tyger Tyger and all its details when he's interviewing Smith. Patrick talked to Robert Kirkland too.3. Gale Bertram leaves a list of all names in Tyger Tyger in the Flash Drive.4. Only Kirkland has the authority to call in SWAT team from all Districts in California to help out Bertram. He's even planted a SWAT outfit in there *beforehand.* There's some elaborate plan going on.5. Patrick wakes up just as Bertram arrives... convenient, or they're both playing a trick. But for who? Lisbon?.. She's the only one there. Why did RJ keep her alive, is she bugged or something. Is Patrick helping Bertram keep up his Tyger Tyger appearance to Red John.5. Patrick calls a news conference to say Bertram is Red John. Is he playing the real Red John somewhere out there into believing he thinks Bertram is Red John?6. Patrick barely tries to stop Bertram escaping.7. Bertram kills a Bartender. During this scene, the frame rate slows down. Then you get a crap angle of Bertram killing him. Sure- it could be gory. Or its a perfect chance to deceive the audience. If you listen closely, you can hear Bertram punching ice after the initial unmistakeable smashing of the glass bottle on the guy's head. And he glances back at the Bartender, as he leaves... concerned or something? 8. Bertram is definitely being used deceptively. But the way in which he is playing suggests he is on Patrick's team. 9. Patrick agrees to meet Bertram, "Red John," in a park. Patrick asks for Teresa's gun. If Patrick and Bertram are really in on the same plan, Patrick can do a huge stunt at this point. Patrick can give Bertram his gun and say "I want you to finish what you started 10 years ago. Kill me." Or something really crazy.Then at this point, the real Red John would step out and reach out to Patrick. He would be there initially to watch Patrick kill Bertram. But he'd be so surprised when Patrick unarms himself he'd step out and reveal himself. Then Patrick chases and slays him.
