DISCLAIMER: All Veronica Mars characters and commandeered dialogue are the creation of Rob Thomas (we must praise him). Situations in this particular story are of my own brainskull. All hail Rob Thomas in all of his epic grandeur and brilliance, may all of us be as genius as him. However, he can keep the second half of season three Veronica, that bitch was a total asshat and I hate her.
Amen.
A/N: This has been a mammoth undertaking. This chapter has morphed into three. There was just so much I didn't think of when I outlined it. The next two should come to you much faster than this one did. So much research went into FBI and how they operate a child kidnapping. I went over videos of parents talking to the press. How cops and Feds work together or not. You should get the whole gang back together in the next installment. I know some of you might not think the little bits of humor as appropriate, but I can't imagine Logan or Veronica's sarcasm ever deserting them. Also, it's very dark subject matter and I felt there needed to be little moments of levity.
LAST TIME ON THE SERENITY PRAYER…
'Hello, 911? Yes. My Girlfriend's house was broken into. 1372 E 52nd St. Our daughter has been kidnapped. Please hurry." That done, he drops his phone, pulls Veronica closer to him, bends his head to hers and cries as well.CHAPTER FOUR PART ONE: Even Angels Fall Song by Jessica Riddle
Logan POV 0h 0 m Since Kidnapping While it felt like hours, I only sat with Veronica upstairs for a few minutes. I knew that the authorities would be here quickly. Veronica was in no shape to walk, let alone traverse the stairs, so I pulled her entirely into my lap and slowly raised my legs up, pushing my back against the wall using it as leverage until I was in a standing position. Veronica proceeded to press her face into my shirt, and continued on with crying, making these horrible little whimpering noises when she forget to breathe. The sounds tore at my insides.
Carrying her into the gray room off the foyer, the first room where I saw Keith and Alicia's wedding portrait…was that only yesterday? I sat her down on the couch in there and made my way to the front door. Her protests were feeble, and I was really starting to fear that she was moving from shock into full on catatonia. Tears still fell from her cheeks, a seemingly endless supply of tears, but she just pulled her knees up to her chest and rocked. It reminded me of how she described Duncan the day Lilly died. That similarity drove spikes of panic through my chest. Veronica was no Duncan. She was stronger, smarter, fearless. Except when it came to Laney.
The door had fallen some more since I had entered. It was held upright now only by its lower hinges. Through the cracks I can see the flashes of red and blue and knew that the police had arrived. What I was not expecting however, were for guns to be drawn, and in my direction no less.
"Freeze! Hands where we can see them!" Feeling like I was in a bad cop flick that Aaron might have been in, I did as I was told, only a little terrified.
"Identify yourself.'
"Logan Echolls. My girlfriend and our daughter live here. I made the call. Laney, Delaney, our daughter has been taken." I began in a ramble trying to get all of the information out, and then ended on a choke. It was still so hard to believe. I had JUST gotten to know her. I refused to believe that last night was the one time, the only time I would ever get to spend with her. She was taken. It didn't mean she was going to…die. I had never done anything quite so terrible to deserve that kind of karma, right?
Normal POV 0 h10 m Since kidnapping
The guns were lowered, and Logan began to regain the feeling in his extremities. It wasn't the first time guns have been pointed in his direction, it probably wouldn't be the last either, but it didn't mean he had to enjoy it every time it did occur.
"Won't you come in?" Logan extends his arm in a bowing gesture and allows the police officers inside. Leading into the front room and Zombie Duncan/Veronica, he didn't know what to do from here. Offer them refreshments? Introduce them to the pod person Veronica had morphed into? Not that he could blame her, not really. He felt like finding the nearest corner and rocking, and he only knew of his being a parent for a few days. Veronica carried that little girl inside of her, bore her, nursed her and cared for her since that first moment. Frankly, the fact she wasn't speaking in tongue and ripping her hair out made him insanely proud of her coping skills.
Before he could open his mouth and insert his foot to his thigh, a tall and formidable dark skinned man entered the room. The entire feel of the room changed swiftly to that of competence and authority.
"Mr. Echolls. I'm Captain Atticus Gunther. I am very sorry this is happening to you and your girlfriend. You have the entirety of the Chicago Police Department behind you, and I will tell you now that we will do our damndest to being your little girl home." Logan notices he doesn't promise to bring Laney home, just his damndest. He would have to hope that that was enough.
The firm tone of Captain Gunther seems to have lulled Veronica out of her stupor, because Logan sees her shake her head, as if there were clearing the cobwebs inside, and gets up to shake albeit with some effort, Gunther's large and calloused hand. "Hello I'm Veronica Mars. Delaney is my—our daughter. How exactly are you going to find her?"
"We already have an Amber Alert out for her with the basic information we have. Young girl, blonde hair, blue eyes. We need specifics; like height and weight, and a current as possible picture. I understand you have had trouble in the past with media and new channels Mr. Echolls, Ms. Mars, but for right now, they are our best course of action. How long has she been missing?" Gunther asks after seeing Logan nod at the media comments. Veronica is already moving to her desk where she has a few current photos of Laney she hadn't yet framed.
"Less than an hour. I was only unconscious for a handful of minutes before Logan arrived." Veronica replied, as she thrust the photos in his hand.
"You were unconscious?" Gunther asks, and not waiting for a reply, turns to a young officer near him. "Call for a bus, Ms. Mars needs to be checked out."
"No, I'm fine." Veronica insisted.
"It's procedure, Ms. Mars. Everything we learn early on about the kidnapper and his or her methods is crucial." Veronica scowls but acquiesces to his request. In the interim however, she pulls out her phone and presses a series of buttons. She holds it to her ear and begins to gnaw on her lip, her face tight, yet haggard at the same time.
"It's Nancy. DEFCON 1. The cub has been taken from the den. I repeat, the cub has been taken from the den, this is NOT a drill. Jobs, Robin I need all hands on deck. Get wings in the air ASAP." She pauses, seemingly listening to the other end of the line and shudders, her eyes getting more luminous. "I'm barely holding it together. I need you guys. Thanks. Love you too. Bye." She hangs up and presses one button. Logan wonders who it will be now, not that the first conversation she had made a lick of sense to him.
"Daddy? I need you to get here as soon as possible. Laney's been kisnapped. You know I would never kid about something like this." Her eyes dart to Logan, and she replies, "Yes. He's here. No, I'm quite sure he has nothing to do with it. He met her last night. I'll tell you more when you get here. Bring the clan. All hands on deck. Mac and Eli have been informed. Yeah, you're right, I probably should call Dash. Later. I want a brief from the CPD before the Feds arrive. Love you too, bye."
All eyes from Gunter's questioning ones, to Logan's confused ones settle on her. The officers who were taking pictures and cataloging items all pause.
"My father is Keith Mars. You've read his book. He's a top notch PI. We need everyone possible with every skill possible." Veronica shrugs her shoulders, like it wasn't a big deal. Logan could still see she was running entirely on fear, but she was sounding more like the Veronica he used to know. The vengeful Veronica, the one who had a plan and come hell or high water, she would get what she wanted. And she would never wanted anything more in her life than to get her daughter back safely and soundly.
"And the other call, Ms. Mars? That sounded particularly secretive." Gunther inquired.
"I am a partner in a private security firm. All aspects of security. I was calling in my two partners. We have measures in place for clients, as well as ourselves and family. We never wanted to be caught in a situation we couldn't handle. Eli 'Weevil' Navarro code name: Robin. He handles the personal side of our security. Body guards, force and intimidation. Cindy 'Mac' Mackenzie code name: Jobs. She handles technology, programming and…background information. Her work is invaluable she is—"
"One of the best hackers in the world and should be behind bars for some of her 'work'". A woman's gruff and annoying voice sounded from the foyer area. She looked vaguely familiar to Logan, but he couldn't quite figure from where he might have come across a woman such as this.
"Is it me, or did it just drop about 40 degrees, and hell decided to freeze over? Hello, Agent Morris. I wish I could say I was pleased to see you, but we both know I would be lying." Veronica's eyebrows scrunch up on her face, but her words are saccharine, her smile cold.
"Can I assume from the greeting that you both know each other?" Gunther quirks one dark slash of an eyebrow.
"Agent Morris is the FBI agent who tried to lay kidnapping and accessory after the fact charges at my seventeen year old feet when we both lived in California. Isn't that right, Morris? Say, have you heard anything from Duncan over the years, because I certainly haven't."
"Veronica, please. This isn't going to help us find Laney." Logan implores.
"Oh, be realistic, Logan. Morris isn't going to help us find our daughter, she's merely here to gloat that what goes around comes around. Captain, is it at all possible to ask for a new Federal Agent for assistance?" "No can do there, Mars. I have the most seniority in the Chicago office and I requested this when it came across the system a few minutes ago. I was lucky to be so close to your home." The smile is cold and without any sort of comfort or desire to help.
"Morris, just because I'm a lowly cop doesn't mean I don't know the high ups in Fed. Are you entirely certain Director Oppermann is aware of your presence here? It seems there is a history and I don't have to remind you that every moment is crucial in kidnapping cases. If you don't start acting like an agent with the Government, I will be forced to inform your superiors, no matter how high up your seniority goes. You get me?" Gunther spears Morris with a heavy gaze, his eyebrows furrowing further and further over his face until he looks like a Neanderthal, his bulky body close to the woman. His entire form reeks of intimidation as he looks down his nose at the blonde. Her mouth has a sour expression, her eyes still cold.
"Um, sir? The bus just pulled up." A timid young cop pokes his head into the room, not oblivious to the frigid temperature of the room.
"Excellent, thank you Creevy. Ms. Mars, if you would be so kind as to follow Officer Creevy to the ambulance to get checked over? Morris and I will set up the command center in the next room if that is alright. Mr. Echolls, I need for you to give me a detailed run down of the events as you know them to be. We have to keep everything close to the chest. When the public finds out that not only does Logan Echolls have a child, but it's with one of his father's victims, the one that caught him none the less it is going to be bedlam. Look alive people! We have a little girl to bring home!" Gunther dismisses everyone other than Logan and starts to set up camp in Veronica's Dining Room.
Veronica allows only the barest of minimum's looking over. No ma'am, it does not appear you have a concussion. Yes, the burn seems localized and minor. I suggest rest, Ms. Mars.
"Yeah, I'll get right on that rest and relaxation while someone has absconded with my kid, you twit."
When Veronica gets back into her house, even though it was less than ten minutes since she exited it, it has changed drastically. People filtered in and out, busy with their tasks they had been given. Looking through the front room and into the dining room allows her to witness Gunter once again giving the federal agent a dressing down. Veronica feels a small but sinister smirk flutter across her face. She really likes Gunther. There are two small club chairs against the window, and Logan is hunched into one of them, his long legs up closer to his elbows than would seem comfortable. His hands are clutched together and wringing. Gunther walks back out and immediately goes to the other chair and settles his firm gaze on Logan.
"Please tell me how you came to be here, Mr. Echolls."
"Call me Logan, Mr. Echolls was my father. I would have changed my name long ago, if it didn't give me an in with my current line of work. I walked up to her front door and noticed that the front door had been battered down. I pushed it open and took a look over the rooms I could see. Looking up, I saw Veronica's feet hanging from the top step. Getting to her, I saw that she had been tased and I tried to wake her up. Upon doing so, she jackknifed like she hadn't been knocked unconscious and goes to the bedroom that seemed to be no bigger than a jail cell. She went behind a painting and typed in a code. A panel slide away from the wall and she crawled into what appears to be a panic room. Realizing Laney had not made it into the room, Veronica knew that our daughter had been taken. I called the police and now you are all here. End of story." By the end of the synopsis Logan looked gaunt, pale. His eyes were glassy and haunted. "I understand that you had only become aware of your parentage recently. Is that correct Mr…Logan?"
Heaving a great sigh, Logan nods and continues. "Yes, that is true. About a week ago now. I was having lunch with a friend and overheard two other men. They mentioned Veronica and well… her qualifications as a mother." Logan actually blushes, and then almost immediately pales. Wide eyes dart to Veronica and he gulps. "I uh, when I realized it was possible that I was the father, I hired a PI here in Chicago to see if it could be confirmed or denied. I didn't want to intrude on Veronica's life here if it was clear that I was not...well, it was clear once I saw a picture of her that she was my child. I know she looks exactly like her mother did as a small girl. But, when I saw her picture, I knew, I just knew she was mine. The line of her jaw, the tilt of her mouth. When Veronica told me her middle name was Lynn, my mother's name, there was no doubt." Logan continues to look at his hands, unable to meet Veronica's eyes, terrified of what he might read there. He did something he knew she would find egregiously wrong. Sending a PI after another PI. "I've barely begun to know her. But I can already tell you the way her eyes light up with mischief, the same way her mother's does. The way her lips thin into a playful smirk, just like me. Her laugh is electric and I love her. I may have just met her, but she is my daughter and I would die for her. Find her, Captain. Find the people who did this. I don't ever want their pain and suffering to end." With that, Logan gets up, and makes eye contact with no one. He makes a hasty retreat to the kitchen where Veronica can hear a crash.
She can't even muster up the anger to be mad at him for breaking something in her home. She would like to do the same. She feels though, if she begins in that venture she may never stop until her house is broken around her feet. Just like she feels on the inside.
"Ms. Mars. I have to discuss with you your need for a panic room. As you can imagine, it is not a common requirement in many homes. Especially so for a single woman who owns a relatively small albeit lucrative security firm. It seems…out of the ordinary and it makes me question you. What haven't you told me, or Mr. Echolls for that matter?" Veronica's mouth quirks and her eyes dart to the Dining Room where Morris is clearly listening but trying to remain unobtrusive and make it appear like she isn't listening.
"Please do not mind that woman. Soon enough she will be up to her eyeballs in press conferences and her CARD team. She won't have the time to allow for glares and rude comments. She has a few hours to impress me, and then I will call Oppermann like I said I would and hellfire will rain down upon her. Now. Please. Make me understand." Veronica really, really likes this man. She feels that in the end he will be the reason her little girl comes home. Taking a deep breath as Logan comes back into the room and settles in a corner. Her mouth says the information he gave Gunter is okay. Her eyes say we'll be talking about what you said later.
"My company is not as small as we would like you to believe. You know, of course, that Chicago is only one of our hubs. Neptune, California and New York City also boast offices for CM Mackenzie Security. Everything I told you previously is accurate. Eli, Mac and I hold the positions I stated earlier. We handle a multitude of aspects of security. We are an entirely legal company. However, not all of our clients are…shall we say, patriotic law abiding Americans. We have security measures in place to ward off potential threats. One of the factions of Mac's side of the business is to assess and categorize threats such as this. I can tell you with absolute certainty that we had nothing like this on our radars."
"How unlawfully abiding would you say these clients are?" Gunther asks Veronica, serious but not accusing, yet. Logan's dark eyes zero in on Veronica's face, looking sharp, yet fearful that Veronica has once again dug herself into trouble.
"Varying degrees of unlawful abidingness. The three of us speak as little as possible of our personal lives. Some of our customers don't even know our real names. The client Logan spoke of? He only knew I had a child because he was trying to play grabass and I could tell he would be entirely put off by the idea of my having a child. We are not a shady business Captain. We have just realized that some of our clientele have varied and unique…needs. I will say though, that most of this particular part of the business is not handled by me, but by our technological teams. I suss out the super undesirables and do as much background as possible, but it is Mac that has the most knowledge in this arena. I just make it my business to know their business. The three of us are smart. We don't take unnecessary risk. I have Laney. Eli has a wife and child on the way. Mac has no such entanglements other than her parents and brother but she is by far the most conservative in our risk taking endeavors. I can't see any of my clients being upset with our services. We boast a very high percentage of pleased clientele."
"Could this be the work of someone not unhappy with your services, but someone removed from employment due to your findings? Or possibly, someone you did not hire? There are entirely too many reasons for someone to become desperate enough to kidnap. Money. Drugs. Blackmail. Revenge. Vengeance. Sexual desires. " Logan's mouth becomes small and pinched. Veronica blanches and closes her eyes, but continues.
"I guess it's possible, but I don't usually live in guesses, maybes and what-ifs."
"Is is possible that someone from Mr. Echolls past is coming back to do him harm?"
"That I highly doubt. Logan has literally been in Laney's life for 36 hours. It won't even be public knowledge that he has a child until news of this breaks."
"I won't lie to you Captain, as a teenager I was a hot mess that collected enemies like pogs. I beat the shit out of people for fun, I had sex with married women, I have been acquitted of murder, which by the way, I did not do…wow does that make me sound like father of the year…I've changed my life though. I graduated with a degree in Creative Writing. I've written speeches for politicians. Articles for magazines and papers. A few TV shows. I don't party anymore and I don't sleep around. I'm as reformed as a bad boy can be." Logan states, with no shame in his voice.
"Why hasn't a ransom been asked for already, Captain?" Veronica blurts out.
"That's a good question. What we need to start doing is asking smart questions." With that Gunter unfolds his tall frame and stands. All three hear screeches of tire on pavement and they look to the windows facing the street.
Three news vans park haphazardly in the street and teams with microphones and cameras and cables pop out. Both Logan and Veronica cringe. Media. The people they have hated and avoided for years are the same people who will be doing most of the work of getting their daughter's story out for the public to be aware of. They will be a large reason Laney comes home.
One van however, parked a bit more precisely does not have logos of TV stations on it. It is entirely unmarked. Three people emerge from it. A man in his late 30s who looks like he was All American in high school. Dark brown hair that has a bit of curl to it at the ends walks up to Veronica's house first. Behind him is a woman roughly around the same age as the first man, possibly a bit younger, her hair and face both a medium brown, and clearly of Hispanic decent. Bringing up the rear is a man she suspects cannot be past the age of 25 with strawberry blond hair and bright green eyes she can see from where she is standing. Despite the media crews and police that surround the area, he has a smile on his face. After talking with the officer stationed at the door and all three flashing credentials of some sort they walk into the room and enter in the room where Gunther, Veronica and Logan are. Gunther snaps his finger in the general vicinity of the next room, and with a witheringly hateful glare Agent Morris steps into the room as well.
"This is my CARD team. Agents Adam Blossfield, Angela Reyes and Tully O'Toole." Morris states. The first two nod their heads as their name is mentioned. Tully O'Toole waves his hand in an exaggerated half circle and grins again.
"I'm sorry, card team?" Logan questions, lost.
"C-A-R-D. Child Abduction Rapid Deployment. What do you think happens, Echolls? That a BAU really does fly over the US solving crimes in a hour long episode and then go about their merry lives?" Morris snips.
"Enough, Morris. This is your final warning. Either become a goddamn professional or get the hell out. Logan, a CARD unit is an invaluable tool to use. They are FBI agents with in-depth experience and proven track records in violent crimes against children. CARD Teams consist of Violent Crimes Against Children investigators who have in-depth experience in child abduction cases. They aid in investigations, especially cases where a child has been abducted by someone other than a family member, which is the assumption we are currently working with, due to a lack of other evidence. This is a good thing." Gunther tells both parents. "Atticus Gunther, Captain CPD. Veronica Mars and Logan Echolls, parents of the missing minor child, Delaney "Laney" Mars. It is nice to see you again Angela, Tully, but as usual, I hate the circumstances. I don't believe we have met, Blossfield, was it?"
"Correct, Captain. Adam Blossfield, I recently transferred teams. I'm from the east coast, specifically Philadelphia." Adam Blossfield seems steady, constant. Like the waves of the ocean, and that comforts Logan. He gives off the same vibe that Atticus Gunther possesses, commanding, steadfast and authoritative, but with less of his demanding force. Blossfield was probably the type of guy everyone in high school liked. He was the Duncan Kane of Whereeverthefuck, USA.
Angela Reyes, although beautiful, seems unassuming. Dark hair kept purposely long to hide her face. Warm intelligent eyes that belay sympathy for both Logan and Veronica. She has seen a lot of these cases, Logan decides. It has made her a bit wary, isolated even, doing this job, but she still sees the purpose in it.
Tully O'Toole is an entirely different ball of wax. The perma-smile on his face, some might call simple, like he had some sort of learning disability, however, his eyes, they are sharp and shrewd. They have bore witness to terrible things. His limbs seem to have a mind of their own, one always moving or twitching, as if there was a song only Tully could hear. Logan was taken aback that he could not get a clear read on this kid. He would have to keep a firm eye on him.
"Thanks for the introduction, Morris. We do do (Tully snickers causing Logan and Veronica's brows to raise and for Morris to close her eyes in quiet shame) all of the things Gunther ticked off. As you can imagine, it takes a lot of resources to keep us up and running. We rely on small teams, and each member must have several qualifications and talents. Team members make sure the investigation moves quickly, efficiently, and thoroughly. We provide our field offices running the investigations with on-site investigative, technical, and resource assistance during the initial critical period after a child is kidnapped." Blossfield, their clear leader informs the terrified parents. "Kidnapping is an outrageously temperamental mistress and no one case is the same. I will say though, that this is the most high profile case I have ever worked." Tully interrupts Blossfield, and with no preamble starts spouting off the IMDB facts of Logan and Veronica's lives. " Logan Echolls, you are the son of two famous and infamous actors. One murdered your girlfriend in cold blood after she stole tapes of them flagrante. He also tried to kill another of your girlfriends, by locking her in a freezer and lighting it on fire. Clearly he did not succeed because she is standing in this room. He got away with murder only to be popped twice in the back of the head in the same hotel you yourself were living in. No charges have ever been filed in his murder. You now manage a successful writing career, and have invested your immense wealth carefully, allowing you to donate most generously. Your pet charities include; RAINN, The Survivors Trust and AFSP, which is the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and several small shelters in your area that specifically deal with re-homing and the adoptions of Pit Bulls. Almost a week ago, you found out, seemingly by happenstance that Veronica Mars had the child you incorrectly assume she aborted and came east, to Chicago to meet said child, and to hopefully fix/resume a relationship with Veronica Mars. Veronica Mars, you are the daughter of a several times over failed sheriff and current Private Investigator as well as an adulterous alcoholic. You, with the help of your father, successfully solved the murder of your dead best friend to the detriment of your own well being. You also were vital to the solving of a bus crash that took the lives of several of your classmates, including your friend, Meg Manning, whom was also pregnant with your boyfriend's child at the time. Somehow, Duncan Kane, a 17 year old, with no higher education and little where-with-all in the real world, and a very cowardly disposition was able to escape the country and capture and run off with his infant daughter, Faith Manning. He has not been seen since. You were questioned pretty hard and are still considered a suspect by people unwilling to let the case go (at this Morris look like she wants strangle Tully with just sheer force of will, or The Force, and Veronica can't help herself and smirks just the tiniest bit) but have never been brought up on charges. You resumed a relationship with the son of the man who tried to kill you, and as a result fell pregnant. After a public alternation of you informing Logan Echolls of his impending fatherhood, you and friend Cindy 'Mac' Mackenzie left Neptune California and moved to New York. There you stayed in a tiny apartment while Mac and you formed the company now known as CM Mackenzie Security. You had several problems throughout your pregnancy, including Edema and Gestational Diabetes, possibly due to poor diet and stress. You delivered a healthy daughter at the end of that year. Your business with Mac was primarily web based for some time and you were able to make ends meet. Eventually you were able to expand, first to Chicago where you took over, and then finally in Neptune where you brought on Eli 'Weevil' Navarro. You had a long term relationship with an English Lord, he proposed marriage and you ultimately said no. Have I missed anything?"
Bossfield and Reyes wear tiny smiles, used to Tully's odd sense of bringing everyone on the same page with all past transgressions in his normal detached manner. Morris is once again shaking her head. Gunther remains passive. Only Veronica and Logan are utterly at a loss. Neither have ever met another person like Tully and not sure how they feel having done so. A pregnant pause fills the room as all six adults and the random people milling about struggle to get back to work. "Well, that is pretty much the cliff notes version of my life." Logan finally remarks after realizing his brain was not going to take most of what Tully divulged. Logan and Veronica stare at one another and simultaneously speak. "You had a difficult pregnancy?" "You donate to RAINN and shelters?" Veronica sighs. "I'll tell you more about it later. I suspect that we have more pressing current matters." "Correct. Let me bring everyone else up to speed." Gunther commands the room once more, but speaks quietly with the three newbies. Blossfield and Reyes look on attentively. Tully has an ear cocked in Gunther's direction, but his eyes sweep the room, and Veronica gets the suspicion that he is memorizing everything he sees. "It seems that Ms. Mars went ahead and called in the cavalry. She has extended family including a father, step-mother and two step brothers that are currently in the air heading this way, or will be doing so shortly. Her two business associates, one from the west coast and one from the east will be joining us. I don't believe you have any reason to suspect them, correct?" Gunther asks Veronica. "No, not at all. My parents and brothers adore Laney. They visit us out here often. My dad operates his own business and works as a Private Investigator. He is also the former sheriff of the town that Logan and I grew up in. My 'business associates' as you call them, are also Laney's godparents. Mac was in the delivery room with me. None of them would harm a hair on her head."
"And your biological mother?"
"She ran out on my father and me when I was 16. I have not heard from her since." All eyes go to Logan.
"I have no family, immediate or otherwise. My best friend Dick, uh, Richard Casablancas Jr. made the trip with me here. We are currently staying at The W."
"Dick. Dick is here. Now. In this city? In MY city?"
"Yes?"
"If he steps foot in my home, I will taser him. I swear to God Logan, I don't want to fucking see him."
"I know he isn't your favorite person Veronica, but he is the closest thing to family I have." Logan tries to reason with her.
"I'm not sure you realize this Logan, but MY DAUGHTER IS MISSING. THIS IS NOW OFFICALLY THE WORST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. DICK IS HEAVILY FEATURED IN THE SECOND WORST THING TO HAPPEN TO ME. HE IS NOT WELCOME HERE. EVER."
"I'm sensing some hostility." Tully speaks for the first time.
2 h 35 m Since Kidnapping
Logan felt like his head was in a vise. Everything had happened so fast. Seeing Veronica. Meeting Laney. Laney being taken. Police and Feds showing up. It was like he had held the world in his hands, everything he never even dreamed of wanting, never thinking he deserved any of it, and it all just slipped away, like water in his hands.
The front yard was a madhouse of police, investigators, media, the weird looky-loos that follow media trucks looking for their fifteen minutes of fame, as well as the poor fucks who lived on this street. Beat cops have been canvesssing a several block radius; knocking on doors, talking to passerby, and buses and the ilk that were often in this area. Had anyone seen a little blonde girl with persons unknown? The resounding answer seemed to be no.
How had whoever that took Laney be able to get in and out without being seen? Does that mean he/she/they had a car? Logically that means there must have been more than one because someone would have had to subdue Laney while the other drove. The word subdue makes Logan gag and he leans over and finally vomits into a lilac bush.
2 h 50 m Since Kidnapping
Veronica is curled onto Laney's bed, holding the pillow to her face, breathing Laney in. It smells like her, like coconut shampoo. Clutching the pillow to her chest, Veronica keens and begins to cry. Great heaving sobs wrack her small body.
This is where Logan finds her. In his daughter's room. Police tape cuts across the doorway. Logan enters slowly, making his way through the tape to look at Veronica, in his daughter's bed, looking small, like a child herself. The wall behind her bed is a lighter pink color with small iridescent circles painted over it. The wall the shares the window and window seat has a white wall with black lined circles. Many of them are drawn in by hand with a multitude of colors. The window seat looks whitewashed and well used. Several stuffed animals and even a few dolls feature on in. A whitewashed dresser with a small flat screen rest on the wall opposite the bed that can be seen with a clear vantage point from the window seat. A fuzzy salmon colored rug makes its way across most of the floor, protecting the hardwood from wear and tear, as well as cold feet on winter nights. It is clearly a girl's room, but not the diaphanous Pepto-Bismol the Veronica had as a young teenager. From what Logan was able to gather on Laney, the room suite her. Colorful and happy, but all girl.
He approached Veronica in the same way one might approach a wounded animal that is known to be dangerous. His socked feet are silent in the carpet as he approaches her. Slowly, he raises a hand and gently touches her back. The sad little sniffle snuffle noises make Logan's heart stammer. This particular organ has had a work out the past handful of days, and he fears it may actually give out before this whole ordeal is over with.
"I want her home, Logan." Her voice cracks and falters on his name. His eyes begin to tear at the helpless tone of her voice. Sad and small, just like how she currently looks. He nods his head, even though she can't possible see him, facing away from him and towards the window.
"I know you do, Ronnie. I want that just as much as you." His hand travels up her back until it rests gently on her neck.
"I can't lose her. She's all I've had for so long. It's always just been her and I. She's the Thelma to my Louise. You know, without all of that murdering, robbing and driving a car off a cliff stuff." Logan can't help himself, his lips quirk up just the tiniest bit.
"Yeah, I know. But you aren't alone anymore, Veronica. You have me." His hands begin to flit through her hair, amazed that she's allowing this intimacy.
"I know we have so much to talk about, so much to do. I am still so mad at you. I don't know what will happen when this is all over…but right now…"
"Yeah Ronnie?"
"Can you just lay with me? For a few minutes? I—I can't."
Without acknowledging what Logan is sure cost Veronica so much to say out loud to him, he crawls into bed with the only girl he's ever loved. His arms encircle her and pulls, bringing her back to his chest. Then, they lay their quietly, in their missing daughter's bed, taking in her room, her things, and her smell. Comforted by the fact that finally, they aren't alone. Both cry silently.
"You might want to think about getting out of here before my Dad gets here. Or Eli. Or Mac. Yeah, no one coming is a member of The Logan Echolls Fan Club."
"I've always been the charter member of that club. I'm not going anywhere Veronica, ever. Terrifying friends and family be damned." Veronica nods, but not sure she can believe it.
3 h 30 m Since Kidnapping—Still no ransom "There still hasn't been a ransom made, or any contact from the kidnappers?" Angela asks aloud, even though she is desperately aware of the fact.
"Yes, that is true, and the more time that elapses without contact being made…well, I am sure all of you know how bad that looks." Gunther replies back.
"Are we entirely sure that the child has been taken? Mars is a media whore from what I recall, Lilly Kane, the bus crash, the Aaron Echolls trial, Cassidy Casablancas, she's always where the action is. Logan Echolls is no better from what I see. This could be a huge media stunt. I say we investigate both thoroughly." Morris's voice is snide and acidic. Her team looks at her in varying stages of incredulity. Gunther doesn't even deem a response. He merely pulls out his cell phone, scrolls through his contact list and brings the phone to his ear.
"Yes. This is Atticus Gunther, Captain of the CPD. I need to speak to Robert Oppermann. Yes, the Director of the Chicago Field Office. Interrupt him then, he's just sitting at his desk, with his tie tucked into his shirt eating a meatball sub. Yes. Thank you, I will hold."
Morris looks green.
"Hello, Bobby. Yes, it has been awhile. I'm sure you have heard that there has been a high profile kidnapping this afternoon. Indeed, it never gets easier, but that is not why I am calling you. I have a serious bone of contention with Agent Morris. Since the moment she has walked in the victim's home she has been combative and downright rude to the parents, the mother in particular. It seems they have a history concerning the kidnapping of Faith Manning, from Neptune, California. We are approaching four hours into this and all she has done is brow beat the poor woman and has done little to nothing to actually find the little girl. The sun will be going down soon and we will have to call off searches when it does. I would appreciate if there could be a new leader before the sun rises. I feel that Morris would not care either way if Laney Mars is found at all, and would rather try and piece together an old case she could never solve. You know this is out of character for me, and I always welcome any and all help you Feebs offer. She seems to think that she has the most seniority at your office. Is that so? Hmm. Eddie Lowry would love to help? That's most excellent news, Bobby, thank you. Yes, I will Email over all of our findings ASAP. Keep you in the loop? Sure, not a problem. Oh, I will certainly let Clementine know that your wife wants to get together. Alright, I will let her know. Until we talk later. Bye."
The room, and every single carbon based life form on the first story has frozen in shock. Logan and Veronica had perched by the open French doors just as the call has connected, having heard the entirety of Gunther's side of the conversation. The CARD team looks whatever beyond shocked is. Tully has his entire face crunched together to contain what is surely a huge guffaw. Morris looks apoplectic with rage and fear. She had figured Gunther was more or less bluffing knowing Robert Opperman. It is clear not only does Atticus Gunther know the man, but it on close terms with him.
"You should be expecting a call, Morris. Your 'help' is no longer wanted here, and I will ask you nicely once to remove yourself from the premises. If you resist, I have some pretty bracelets that you could wear if you would rather."
If this day hadn't been a shit storm of fucking awful, Veronica would have been rolling around in pleasure. She did take a small amount of sadistic pleasure in the ultimate dressing down that Gunther gave Morris, knowing that an even bigger one was on the horizon. Okay, who was she kidding? She took a large amount of sadistic pleasure watching that terrible bitch squirm.
Morris rose to her feet and attempted some bluster as she made a slow exit. Before she reached the front door her phone started to ring. She immediately came to a halt and flinched. Removing the phone from her jacket pocket and looking at the caller ID her shoulder tensed visibly and she swiped to answer.
"Hello sir.
4 h 05 m Since Kidnapping
"This is Tandie Martin live in The Hyde Park neighborhood. A young girl was taken from her home earlier this afternoon after a break in."
"Jensen Michaels here! Logan Echolls has a love child! This child, Delaney Mars has been kidnapped from her mother's home on the 1300 block of 52nd Street."
"That's correct Barbara, she is a six year old blonde haired blue eyed little girl by the name of Delaney 'Laney' Mars. Her mother is Veronica Mars, you may recall her as the daughter of Keith Mars who together solved the murder of software heiress Lilly Kane. The childs' father is none other than prodigal son, Logan Echolls." Tandie speaks into her microphone.
"Assailants unknown at this time broke down the door and then proceeded to taser the child's mother. They took the girl and literally disappeared. Nothing has been heard from the kidnappers or the child since. Her parents are justifiably terrified." Jensen can see his own reflection in the camera and attempts to look upset.
"Her mother owns a successful security firm here in the city, with hubs on both coasts. Atticus Gunther, Captain with the CPD will be having a press conference in front of the Mars home within the half hour. It is yet unclear if Mars and Echolls will be in attendance."
"I have it on good authority that Logan Echolls was unaware of the child until just this week. It seems that there are a lot of questions that need to be answered. Foot searches will continue until 10:00 pm this evening, and then resume at 6:00 am unless the girl is found in the mean time. Back to you in the studio, Neil."
4 h 30 m since Kidnapping
"Earlier this afternoon Laney Mars was taken from her home. She is just six years old. She has bright blue eyes and sunny blonde hair. She stands at 3 feet four inches tall and weights forty pounds. While small and slight, Laney is an exuberant child. As you can see from this photo (Gunther holds up a photo of Laney and pans it across the people that have collected to hear him speak. The photo portrays Laney resting her head on her hand, her hair a controlled riot of waves. She is wearing a dark navy smock dress and perched on her head is a large and ornate headband with a large golden flower on it. Her eyes are huge and her smile is comical in that it is mostly a smirk and the spitting image of her father's own patented smirk. Her cheeks are still baby fat chubby and they blush a becoming rosy color in youth and vitality. She is clearly a gorgeous little girl) she is loved and cared for. Her parents are understandable heartbroken." Veronica and Logan stand beside and slightly behind Gunther on his left side. Veronica is clutching a ratty brown bear that is wearing a sweater. Her eyes are wide and luminous with unshed tears. She is tucked into Logan's side his other hand uselessly clutched into a fist at his side. He stands stoically, but his eyes are screaming.
"Currently, no ransom has been made. While we implore Laney's kidnappers to let her go safely, we ask them to make contact so as to assure her parents that she is safe and well. Having her gone is a horrific enough; please do not make them suffer in silence. If anyone has any information as to the whereabouts of Laney Mars or anything concerning her kidnapping please call Cook County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-535-STOP. All calls are anonymous, and with your help we can bring a scared little girl home to her mom and dad. I am now going to introduce Veronica Mars and Logan Echolls to read a statement they prepared. No other questions will be answered at this time. When we know something, so will you. I thank you for your time and diligence."
With that Gunther steps aside and briefly cups a hand on Veronica's bony shoulder as they move forward. The flashes of the cameras blind them. A humming silence fills the front yard of Veronica's home as spectators, and media personnel wait for word from the parents. Microphones are thrust at the twosome, hopeful field reporters waiting for a sound bite.
"My name is Veronica Mars, and my daughter has been taken from me. She's just a little girl. My only child. All I want is for her to come home, where she belongs. Laney is my entire world. Laney, sweetheart, if you see this, hear this, mommy loves you, daddy loves you and we are going to make sure you come home. Please please please, just let our baby come home…" Veronica dissolves into tears and Logan brings her into his chest as she continues to bawl. Logan looks down at Veronica briefly and then looks forward into the crowd.
"I've just only gotten to know my daughter, and that is no one's fault but my own, but I implore you to not remove her from my life. Ask for whatever you want and it's yours. All we want is our daughter back safely. Please, whoever you are…just let her come home. Laney, I am so very sorry this is happening to you, but I swear, I will find you, if it I the last thing I ever do. Just…stay strong. You are too much your mother's daughter. Strong and sure. I love you kid." Amid the flash of cameras once again, Logan ushers Veronica into the house as she continues to weep brokenly. Upon closing the front door, Veronica clamps a hand over her mouth, thrusts the bear into Logan's hands and runs for the bathroom. The door slams as Logan looks over the raggedy teddy in his hands. The bear is missing an eye and clearly well loved. Its little red sweater has faded, but the words on it are still clear enough for him to read with ease.
It says 'I luv u beary much.'
A/N: If you haven't guessed, Tully O'Toole is probably my favorite (original) character as of right now in the story. Personality wise, I kind of based him off of first season Dr. Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds. All nervous energy and knowledge that he doesn't know what to do with. For some reason though, when I imagine him, I see Robin Lord Taylor from Gotham.
A/N RANT: I've gotten several questions about how Dick is really a dick. I realize that Dick became a fan favorite on the show, and then even more so through the channels of fanfiction. Many great authors here have made unbelievable and entertaining Dick's. Moreover, Ryan Hansen seems to be a legitimately decent and cool human being. That being said;
I HATE DICK.
I hate Dick so hard. Cannon Dick is a shitbag. He tries to slip GHB to his, albeit craptastic girlfriend. She hands it off, and he doesn't care. He then carries a totally unconscious girl into a room where several guys come in and out. He then pokes, prods and humiliates his little brother. He ENCOURAGES Cassidy to rape Veronica. His only concern is his little brother losing his virginity and getting his dick wet. With what we have seen in the how AND the movie he has NEVER shown remorse. He has NEVER apologized. He has NEVER tried to come to terms and accept his responsibility for what happened that night. Furthermore, there has never been an issue with Logan vs. Dick concerning this. If there is anything I know to be true about Logan, when/if he finds out Dick's involvement in Veronica's rape he would have/should have gone batshit. I concede that when Veronica did tell Logan about what Duncan did to her (WHICH IS A WHOOOOLE OTHER ICKY STORY) she left out information. But, everything in me says Logan would have thought about this endlessly. He could have followed the evidence and came to the conclusion of Dick being the druggist. So yeah, I hate Dick. I don't feel bad. While I cannot say what will happen to Dick at the end of this story, I will continue to write Dick as I have, because cannon movie Dick seems to be as shallow and unconcerned as my current one.
END RANT.
