The Interrogation Specialist
The young man with dirty blond hair sits calmly alone in the barren room waiting. He turns his wrist and glances at his gold watch which costs more than the men coming in to question him make in a year. He has been sitting in the interrogation room just over an hour. Although he is inwardly irritated that he is wasting time, he patiently waits in his impeccable suit sitting relaxed and unmoving on the uncomfortable chair. He knows it is a strategy of the police to make him wait and put him on edge before they question him. That strategy might work on someone else but he has been chairman of the board of his company since he was a senior in high school. If deputy dog thinks he will be able to upset him, he's seriously crazy. He knows when to talk and when to wait for his lawyers to get him out. This is definitely a time for his expensive lawyers to earn their money.
The door opens and Casey looks up barely interested to see what the man looks like that will try to question him. The only thing this person will hear is, "I want to talk to my lawyer."
Casey sucks in his breath as he sees who is entering the door to talk to him. He would know her anywhere. He has not seen her for seven years but it is unmistakably Veronica Mars. Well it was Veronica Mars in high school. She could have married by now. She is still very tiny but instead of short skirts and boots, she is wearing a dark blue skirt suit. Her blonde hair is now long and is pulled back in a loose bun. She has on minimal makeup. She looks neat and professional. He watches as she shuts the door and walks purposefully over to where he is sitting at the table in the interrogation room. Methodically and carefully she puts the folder she is carrying on the table and then pulls out the chair across from him and sits down without making any eye contact with him.
He looks at her badge and sees the unmistakable FBI lettering. He looks at her hand and there are no rings there. It would seem that Veronica is still Veronica Mars and she is an agent for the FBI.
Unsure what it means that she is there, he gazes into her light blue eyes trying to gauge her mood. She gazes at him without speaking. He is disconcerted to find that he cannot read her mood or thoughts at all.
Veronica looking at the rich, powerful young man notes his surprise. Finally when he sees that she is not going to speak first, he becomes uncomfortable and starts, "Hello Veronica."
She looks quietly at him for a few more seconds and then answers, "Casey Gant."
After a brief pause where she gives nothing away on her face, she adds, "Long time, no see."
Casey watching her face cannot equate her with the young, angry girl he knew in high school. This young woman has perfected her professional mask. Well she is not the only one. Calmly he answers, "At least seven years."
In a false cheery voice she suggests, "We should catch up." She claps her hands in a cheerleader manner, "I'll start." Tilting her head at him she carries on, "I graduated high school, interned during the summers with the FBI, graduated college and became a federal agent." Bouncing excitedly she giggles, "Now you. Why don't you tell me what you've been up to?"
Amused at her dumb blonde act, he allows a small smile to cross his face. He is perceptive enough to understand that her question is not just asking about what he has done since high school. She wants to know what has happened and his part in ending up being interrogated by the FBI. Confidently he meets her gaze and tells her in a monotone voice, "I would like to talk to my lawyer."
She easily returns his look and drops her act, "You should." She leans forward so he can see how serious she is and declares, "After you've talked to your lawyer, I'll come back and we'll talk." The tiny blonde waves her hand slowly between them. Then holding his gaze she tells him firmly, "Make no mistake Casey, you will tell me what I want to know. You're not in Neptune anymore."
She gets up and picks up her folder without ever having opened it. Casey realizes that she expected him to lawyer up. He wonders if she talked to Logan and Dick yet or if she decided he was the weak link. Maybe other interrogators are talking to Dick and Logan. He's not worried either way as he knows they won't talk. This whole situation is between them.
The look in Veronica's eyes worries him no matter how carefully he hides it. She is not going to cut him any slack. Her last shot about how they aren't in Neptune is meant to let him know that his money and contacts are not going to get him out of facing the consequences. He watches as she walks out without any further conversation or eye contact. The situation just got complicated; a lot more complicated.
Veronica enters the second interrogation room without a file folder. She has removed her jacket. Her badge is attached to her belt. Dick Casablancas has been at the station the longest. When the LAPD arrived at Logan's mansion to pick him up, the security guard at the gate called the mansion to warn Dick the police were on their way in. By the time the housekeeper opened the gate to let the police officers drive through, Dick had already called Logan and Casey. He knew that they would drop whatever they were doing to come and get him. When the two friends arrived at the precinct to get Dick, the detective in charge of the case had immediately thanked them for saving him the trouble of sending men out to bring them in; he needed to ask each of them a few questions. He put them both in interrogation rooms. Logan's lawyer arrived shortly after Logan. It appears that he was smart enough to call his own lawyer on the way to the precinct.
The tall blonde young man is wearing shorts and a t-shirt and is leaning back in his chair with his feet on the table. Sitting next to him is his lawyer in an expensive suit. Dick is impatient, he wants to go back to Logan's, shower and eat before they head out to the club tonight. He is absolutely ready to drink, dance and find a stacked redhead to bring back to Logan's mansion for some real fun. He has been advised not to say anything and let his lawyer handle all the questions. He just hopes it doesn't take too long. He is bored out of his mind here.
Dick's lawyer realizes immediately that the situation is a lot more serious than he understands. When he sees that the first person sent in to question his client is unmistakably Federal, he inwardly groans. They mean business; they are not on a fishing expedition. He imagines the DA has enough evidence to take the case to court but in his estimation, the case against his client is going to be weak at best. Unfortunately, the items were legally requested by a federal warrant so the FBI is now involved instead of it staying a local case.
Veronica leans over the table and puts out her hand towards Dick's attorney. She says pleasantly, "I'm Agent Mars, FBI."
Lyle immediately shakes her hand and answers, "Lyle Walters, attorney for Dick Casablancas."
She sits back making herself comfortable ignoring Dick's feet on the table. She looks at the lawyer for a long few seconds and then over at Dick. Dick smirks and comments rudely, "Veronica Mars a FBI agent. The writing on the bathroom walls predicted you would be working on your back." He shrugs and adds, "Who knew?"
Veronica smiles a little and it is obvious she is unaffected by his rude jab. She replies, "Dick Casablancas. I am not surprised to find that the writing on the wall of the girls' bathroom was correct about you." She doesn't elaborate on what was written but the agents watching in the next room all smirk at her return taunt.
She sits quietly watching both Dick and his lawyer but asks no questions. Finally she starts, "Mr. Casablancas, I have some questions about a trip you took to Vegas with Casey Gant and Logan Echolls on ..."
Before she can finish her statement, Dick drops his feet down noisily, leans forward and snarls, "I'm not going to talk to you so go fuck yourself."
Lyle Walters interjects into the discussion stating quickly, "What Mr. Casablancas means is that he has been advised not to talk to law enforcement personnel at this time."
She doesn't blink or even acknowledge Dick's anger. She merely raises an eyebrow and responds pleasantly, "Well I want it on record that I gave your client the chance to talk to a federal agent about the stolen records in question today, March 18, 2010 at 4:12 pm and he invoked his right to refuse to answer any questions."
She stands as the door opens and introduces, "I would like you both to meet my partner Derek Hendrickson. He will inform you of the charges and of course read Mr. Richard Casablancas, Jr. his rights."
A tall dirty blond, clean-cut muscular man walks in. He is wearing a dark suit with a white shirt and dark tie. His badge on the lapel of his jacket clearly indicates his FBI status. In a pleasant but firm voice, he begins to formally state the charges. Veronica smiles as she leaves the room. The look on Dick's lawyer's face is priceless. He had not expected his client to be charged today.
Veronica watches impassively from behind the glass as her partner finishes reading Dick the charges and his rights. When her partner pulls out his cuffs and asks Dick to turn around, she doesn't even try to hold her smile at the look of panic on Dick's face. It is clear that Dick never anticipated that he would be charged today either. The young FBI agent would give a week's pay to be a fly on the wall when Dick's lawyer tells him that he will have to stay in jail until his bail hearing.
Dick's lawyer demands time to talk to his client. Derek firmly but politely explains that Mr. Richard Casablancas will have to be processed first and then will be given time to talk to his lawyer.
Mr. Walters looks at his watch and sees that it will be after five pm when the charges are filed and there is no way he can get a bail hearing until the next business day now even with all his and Mr. Casablancas' contacts. He tells Dick he will wait for him to be processed and talk to him afterwards. Since it is a holiday weekend, it will be Tuesday at the earliest that the bail hearing can be scheduled. There is no way around it, his client will have to spend four days in jail since Friday and Monday are federal holidays. He will be removed to a federal prison to be held until the hearing. Not even Dick's mother with her governor contacts will be able to get Dick out of jail for the next few days. He opens his phone and starts calling. He needs to get his client an early hearing on Tuesday. The dockets will be backed up after the long weekend.
Veronica notes with satisfaction that Dick does not look as confident with his arms cuffed behind his back as he is escorted out of the interrogation room. She idly wonders if she can get a copy of the video of Dick being cuffed. That would never get old for her to watch. Perhaps she can get a picture made for her mantle. She heads to the break room. She could use a cup of coffee about now.
A little later the freshly caffeinated agent walks back to the room where Casey Gant is now waiting with his undoubtedly expensive and connected lawyer. She quietly opens the door and walks over with her file to sit. She looks at his lawyer and puts out her hand announcing, "Veronica Mars, FBI."
Casey's lawyer looks surprised at the introduction but reaches over to shake her hand. He confidently introduces himself.
Veronica nods at him and sits down. After she is settled she looks at Casey for a few moments. She says very formally, "Mr. Gant, I have a few questions for you about your knowledge of the contents of the box in the trunk of the vehicle belonging to Mr. Richard Casablanca's Jr. during the trip you took to Las Vegas on March 14 through the 17th this year." She looks down at her paper and then looks up at Casey with her penetrating blue eyes. She asks clearly, "When you were riding in the vehicle with Mr. Cassablancas on March 14th this year, did you know there were missing government files in the trunk?"
Casey after looking at his lawyer answers, "I don't know what you are talking about."
Veronica tilts her head and responds, "The question was whether YOU were aware that there were stolen government documents in the trunk of the car the day you rode with Mr. Cassablancas across a state line."
Casey's eyes widen at the way she worded the question this time. His lawyer reaches over and grasps his arm stopping him from answering. He leans in and says quietly in his ear, "Transporting stolen government property over a state line is a serious offense in itself."
Casey asks, "Do I have to answer today?"
The lawyer quietly nods and adds very quietly, "This is a federal investigation. You have to answer their questions." He reaffirms, "They can hold you here until you answer."
Casey looks back at Veronica and answers her question clearly, "I was not aware of any stolen property in the trunk."
"I see," is her only comment. "Who put your suitcase in the trunk?"
Anticipating that she is trying to establish that he had the opportunity to look into the truck of Dick's car, Casey answers, "I don't remember."
Veronica looks carefully at him and inquires, "Did one of your employees carry out your luggage from the house?"
Shaking his head, Casey repeats, "I don't really remember."
"What brand and color is your suitcase?" she asks.
Casey names an expensive brand and tells her he had a garment bag and suitcase. He doesn't know the brand or color of Mr. Casablancas' suitcase.
Veronica nods and quizzes, "Normally do you pack your own suitcase when you travel?"
"Yes," he answers quietly.
Her face does not change expression as she continues, "Who was picked up first; you or Logan Echolls?"
"I was," Casey informs the petite interrogator.
Her face is a mask of calm and she makes a note in the file on her desk. She looks back up at Casey and asks, "What time did Mr. Casablancas pick you up?"
Casey thinks before noon but doesn't know exactly. Next he tells her they drove straight over to his friend Logan's mansion with no stops.
"When you and Mr. Richard Casablancas arrived at Logan Echolls' mansion, who put Mr. Echolls' suitcase in the trunk of Richard Casablancas' vehicle?" the young woman inquires.
Immediately Casey answers, "I don't remember.
Veronica challenges, "Is there a physical reason you are unable to remember the details of the trip?"
Casey easily replies, "I wasn't watching as I was working on my computer." He then admits under further questioning that he did not put Logan's suitcase in the car and he did not see any employees come out of the house with Logan. He also doesn't remember the brand and color of Logan Echolls' suitcase.
"Where did you sit in the vehicle?" she continues.
The rich CEO keeps his face placid and answers easily, "The front passenger seat."
Her next question is also basic, "Did you have to direct Mr. Casablancas?"
Casey frowns as he knows that Veronica is well aware that Dick knows the way to Vegas having driving there many times, "No. He knows the way."
Easily she inquires, "Did you guys stop on the way?"
"We usually stop for something to eat but I can't remember if we did on that trip," he answers, his voice disinterested.
Without further comment, the FBI agent turns the questions to Vegas. She asks carefully, "When you arrived in Las Vegas did the hotel staff get the suitcases out of the trunk?" She asks more questions about when they arrived in Vegas, what they did there and if Dick took the car out of the valet parking area during their visit.
Casey continues with his vague answers, "I don't remember."
Surprisingly Veronica stands and states clearly, "I think that covers it for now. Thank you for your time." She hands Casey her card and advises, "Please call me if you think of anything about this case you think I should know." After Casey takes her card she puts out her hand to shake his. He takes it after an almost imperceptible hesitation and they shake. She reaches over and shakes his lawyer's hand as well. Without any further comments the young blonde agent walks confidently to the door of the interrogation room and opens it. Before Casey exits the room she questions, "You don't have any trips planned in the next week do you?"
Casey's gaze snaps to hers and he continues to see no expression in her eyes. He reports, "Nothing planned right now."
She nods and informs the two men, "I might have some more questions as the investigation progresses."
The arrogant CEO nods and leaves the room followed by his lawyer who gives Veronica his card and asks her to call him if she needs to talk to Mr. Gant again on this matter.
She states blandly, "Of course.
In truth Casey is unsettled about his time with Veronica. She had been completely business like and respectful but he had a feeling that she was setting him up. He had been impressed with her investigative prowess in high school. He can't imagine how dangerous to him she is now.
When he gets outside he calls Logan and Dick. Neither answers. He heads home to wait for their calls.
Veronica meanwhile goes to an empty desk and looks again at the video of Dick's vehicle arriving at the hotel in Las Vegas. She reviews Dick's card charges, bank records and phone records. She looks at both Casey's and Logan's card charges, bank records and cell phone records. She makes notes in her file. She works for over an hour researching on her computer. She looks up their luggage and notes the characteristics noted on the website for each of the young men's bags. Finally she opens her phone and dials. She says, "Hello, it's me. Did you look up the names I gave you?'
She listens for a few moments and then sweetly requests, "Send me the information?" The beautiful young agent smiles and signs off with, 'Thanks, I owe you."
She waits a few minutes and then looks at the new information on her computer adding it to her file. After reading she sits back and closes her eyes in thought for a few minutes. Once she is clear on what she can prove happened on that trip, she heads in to interview the last person on her list.
Logan sits in the interrogation room with his lawyer. As rooms go, this is a standard sheriff's department room. It is painted an off white color and the paint is chipping in the corners of the room. The furniture is obviously old and he imagines purposefully uncomfortable. He idly wonders how long they are going to make him wait. He smirks as he thinks about how bored Dick and Casey are now.
When the door opens he looks up to see which deputy is coming in to question him. He is shocked to see the tiny, blond FBI agent walk in with a file folder. Last he heard she was an agent in Virginia. Apparently she is still an agent but she now lives here in LA.
Quickly masking his face into calm he sits up when she walks over to the table. Veronica puts her file folder on the table and greets, "Logan Echolls."
He meets her blue gaze. Of course she is not surprised to see him but he imagines he has a look of shock on his face. "Veronica," he pauses and then asks, "is it still Mars?"
Tilting her head a little and smiling she snappily answers, 'Yes, it just wouldn't be me if I wasn't a Mars."
Logan has to smile. He has always enjoyed her saucy attitude. Veronica reaches her hand out to shake his lawyer's hand. She introduces herself, "Veronica Mars, FBI."
Logan notices his lawyer is surprised as he usually doesn't shake law enforcement's hands. Nonetheless he reaches over and takes her hand saying, "Allan Sanders, council for Mr. Echolls."
Veronica nods respectfully at him and then sits down across from them at the table. She looks at them both gently tapping the folder and then starts, "Thank you for coming in to answer some questions we have. In case the local police did not inform you, this is regarding the trip from Los Angeles to Vegas you took on March 14th of this year with Richard Cassablancas Jr, and Casey Gant."
She is watching him carefully and is impressed that when she pauses he doesn't feel the need to fill the silence with words. He sits and waits for a question to answer. If he is nervous, he is not going to show it. A tiny smile turns the corner of her soft lips up briefly. She knew he would a challenge to interview.
Logan notices her small smile and the twinkle in her eyes. He can see she is going to enjoy this. He can't believe he is being questioned by Veronica Mars, FBI.
Her first volley is, "The three of you decided to drive there. Isn't that a bit unusual?"
Logan having been told by his lawyer that he has to answer. Right now he doesn't have the right to refuse to answer questions. "I've driven there before."
She knows he is referring to a trip there they took before college. Without opening her folder she comments, "True. The last eight times you went you flew and stayed at a different hotel."
She keeps eye contact with Logan sitting almost perfectly still. She sees his eyes flash. She knows he hates to be watched. She asks, "Whose idea was it to drive to Vegas this time?"
Immediately she sees Logan is on the defensive. He smoothly answers his voice arrogant and superior, "I am not sure. We are all wealthy so often just decide to go somewhere on the spur of the moment."
"So you don't remember whose idea it was?" she clarifies.
He can see that he is not going to be able to put her off by playing the bored, rich playboy card. Shaking his head he says regretfully, "Sorry, we were all pretty drunk when we decided. I am really not sure."
Veronica pursues, "Do you remember what day you decided to go?"
Immediately shaking his head he says without any real apology, "Sorry."
"So Mr. Cassablancas wanted to drive?" she asks.
Logan looking puzzled tells her, "I'm not sure why we decided to take his vehicle."
Nodding Veronica says, "I was wondering about that. Mr. Gant has a new Town Car and you have a SUV that would be more comfortable for three big, men such as yourselves to ride in."
Logan is a little unsettled when she changes the subject. He knows her and she already knows the answer to a lot of her questions before she is asking them. He is guessing that she left him for last.
"Mr. Cassablancas came and picked you up first?" she asks.
Shaking his head he answers, "No, he went and got Casey first."
Murmuring, "I see," she continues, "So they came and got you after. Do you remember what time they arrived at your mansion?"
Logan shakes his head and says, "It was around noon but you'll have to check with security to get the exact time."
He knows she has already checked. She nods and inquires, "Did you pack your suitcase yourself?"
Logan openly smirks and tells her, "I did."
Veronica's expression does not change at his tone. She quizzes, "Did you carry it down to the front door or did you have one of the servants take it downstairs?"
"I can do some things myself," he dryly tells her. She looks at him obviously waiting for a real answer. He adds, "Yes, I took it downstairs myself."
She looks at his lawyer for a second and then back at him as she continues, "Who put your suitcase in the trunk of Mr. Casablanca's vehicle?"
Logan also picks up that she is trying to establish that he had the opportunity to see what was in the trunk at the start of their trip. Like Casey, he elects to answer vaguely, "I don't really remember. I might have or perhaps Dick did."
"I see," she intones. She asks if a servant came out of the house with him. He denies that his housekeeper helped him with his suitcase.
Knowing he knows the way to Vegas well she carries on, "What route did you guys take?"
Logan taunts, "I slept a lot of the way. I had a date the night before."
She continues to meet his gaze without any discernible change in expression. He can see that she has become very good at questioning suspects. However he knows her well and can see that she is not impressed at his reminder about his prowess with women. "You don't remember what road you started on?"
Logan tells her what interstate they took out of LA. The interrogation goes on in the same manner for the next hour with the sharp FBI agent asking about what his suitcase looked like, Dick's suitcase looked like and what Casey's suitcase looked like. She is also interested in who booked the hotel suites, when Logan's assistant learned about the impromptu trip, if they stopped on the way to Vegas, if Dick drove the whole way, the weather, how the luggage was all settled in the trunk and if he saw any boxes in the trunk other than the garment bags and suitcases. Logan answers readily on most questions except the inquiries about the trunk of the vehicle citing poor memory due to his late night and a hangover.
The rich young man is also vague when the questions turn to the group's arrival at the hotel and what the men did while in Vegas. He doesn't remember if the group used the vehicle to leave the hotel or if Dick left the hotel without him. He does remember joining an all night poker game.
She doesn't comment on any of his answers and shows no expression on her face as she questions him beyond professional interest. Not once did she appear upset at his non answers and she did not consult her paperwork at all. She did not even open the file folder.
Logan was impressed at her ability to stay focused and question him.
Veronica near the end of their talk asks, "Did you know that there was a box containing government papers in the trunk of Richard Casablanca's vehicle on March 14th when you got in it, anytime during the drive or when you arrived in Las Vegas?"
"No, no and no," he answers.
Veronica smiles and comments, "You know that reminds me of a game we used to play in Hearst College." She prods when he looks questioningly at her, "You remember, two lies and a truth."
He frowns a little in thought and replies, "I thought it was two truths and a lie."
She tilts her head and slowly says in a contemplative voice, "Weird but I thought there was more lies than truth."
She sees his eyes widen a little and knows that he understands that she knows he is lying. He doesn't say anything.
Her coworkers watching through the one way window smirk as they recognize her way of telling him she knows he is lying.
Shrugging as if she's not sure about how the game goes, she comments, "You used to be a master at that game."
"Actually I remember you being better at it," he shoots back at her.
He is surprised to hear her laugh and he knows she appreciates his quick wit. She shares, "You know I think that game helped me become better at picking out the lies." Leaning forward she puts her hand on the table and gently rubs the worn surface. "Let's try it once." She bounces a little in her seat in her excitement. "I'll go first."
After a short pause she starts, "I have put a lot of guys in the Federal Penitentiary, my favorite color is green and what goes around really does come around."
Logan is truly puzzled by what she is saying. She emphasized the word around. He knows she is telling him something and by her smirk he knows that soon he is going to find out what she meant.
The guys watching through the window smile in genuine amusement. They think she is telling him that she can put him in prison with her little word game. They like how she challenged Casey Gant by telling him that he wasn't in Neptune anymore and that he would be telling her what she wanted to know. Then changing courses she made him sweat by being polite and obviously letting him go when she knew he was lying. He is off balance and doesn't know what to think. Then she made Logan Echolls wait hours to talk to her and then she grilled him for a much longer period than she talked to Casey Gant. They have been watching Logan's cell phone and Casey Gant has called him five times already. He's definitely spooked.
Without waiting for Logan's reaction to the game, she looks at her watch and exclaims, "You know I've probably kept you long enough."
She stands and puts out her hand to Logan's lawyer and intones, "It was nice to meet you. Next she puts her hand out to shake Logan's and adds her voice upbeat, "It's too bad we are meeting again under these circumstances. Perhaps I'll see you at the next reunion."
Logan takes her hand and shakes it without comment. She pulls out a card and hands it to him while telling him, "Here is my card. If you think of anything you forgot to tell me that pertains to this case, please feel free to call me."
She walks over and opens the door for them to leave. She makes no farther eye contact with Logan or his lawyer as they leave. She goes back in and makes notes in the file before she picks it up and walks out with it.
Meanwhile Logan gets his belongings and leaves the Sheriff's office with his lawyer. When they get outside his lawyer says quietly, "That FBI agent, Miss Mars..." He pauses as he thinks about how to word what he wants to say. "She is quite sharp. She asked very specific questions and later she went back and asked the questions she wanted to double check in a different way." Logan nods his agreement. Mr. Sanders continues, "She looks like a cheerleader but she is a very skilled interrogator." He asks Logan what he wants to know, "How do you know her?"
"Well I met her when I moved to Neptune when I was twelve We dated on and off in high school and college," his client answers carefully.
Pointedly the young lawyer asks, "Is this personal? Is she going to go after you?"
Immediately shaking his head, Logan comments, "I don't think so." The young man sighs and then looks around the parking lot before he looks back at his lawyer. He adds honestly, "She is the only woman I would have married." Seeing his lawyer's concern he adds, "We didn't leave things badly. I don't think she would ever deliberately hurt me. She is one of the few people I totally trust."
His lawyer advises, "Stay away from her for now. I don't believe the DA will charge you with anything but you never know. I will call you if they call me."
Logan nods and shakes his hand. He didn't tell his lawyer that he didn't even know Veronica was back in California. If she has been back awhile, she didn't choose to contact him. That is a little upsetting.