Chapter 6
Monday, June 11, 2007
"The charges have been dropped against Former Balboa County Sheriff Keith Mars for evidence tampering in the recent Kane burglary. After Kane Software President and CEO Jake Kane announced that the burglary had simply been an inventory error, newly-elected Sheriff Vinnie Van Lowe announced the investigation was closed. The District Attorney's office announced that there was insufficient evidence to charge Keith Mars with evidence tampering in light of the investigation being moot, and that others had access to the evidence room. This is a sudden change in attitude from the District Attorney's office, which, just last week, issued a statement saying they intended to pursue the case against Mars as aggressively as possible. Further, Deputy Leo D'Amato has been relieved of duty in connection with the destroyed evidence. D'Amato, who was previously discharged for tampering with evidence in the Aaron Echolls case, had been the last one to handle the Kane burglary evidence. He had been rehired by Mars during his recent stint as interim Sheriff, and previously dated the daughter of Keith Mars, while she was an underage high school student at Neptune High…"
"I've heard enough of this garbage," Keith Mars turned off the TV.
"I really don't get it, Keith, but hey, you're a free man. Cheers," Cliff clinked beer bottles with him, as they sat in the living room of the apartment. "Ever figure out what it was Veronica was doing breaking into the Kane mansion in the first place?"
"Not a clue. But whatever she was looking for, she apparently found it. She said before that Jake Kane was no longer a problem, and she was right."
"I hate her going up against the Kanes. They're dangerous people. But she certainly made my job easier. And there's your precious snowflake now."
"Hey, sweetie," Keith greeted Veronica as she walked through the door. "Heard the good news?"
"I did. Congratulations. I promise I won't get you into any further trouble in the future," she said, coming over to kiss him on the head. "Cliff, I guess this frees you up to concentrate on your more reputable clients."
"Absolutely. Particularly the ones who pay me in dollar bills. Well, you kids enjoy your afternoon, I am due in court," he said, chugging the rest of his beer.
"So, whatever you have on Jake Kane, it must be pretty good," Keith said, taking another swig of beer.
"It's enough to get the charges dropped, at least. But I don't understand why all of a sudden. Last week, they were ready to crucify you."
"No clue, honey. Just grateful that things will be back to normal. I was thinking we'd go out and celebrate tonight?"
"Sounds wonderful. Let's go soon, I'm starving!"
"Okay, I'll just go hit the shower and we can hit the early bird special."
Veronica sat alone in the living, enjoying the peace and quiet. Until someone knocked on her door, that is.
"Weevil, hey, I didn't expect you back so soon."
He held out her keys. "No problem, Vee. Here are your keys back, and everything's good to go. Just a minor problem with the transmission, it was only a few hours' work. Hey, by the way, heard the news about your dad. Tell him congrats for me on beating the rap."
"Thanks, I really appreciate it," she smiled. "Come in and hang out for awhile. You want something to drink?"
"No, no, thanks, but I've got my grandmother waiting for me. She's about to head into work. I'm sure you know, she's working for Jake Kane now."
"Really?"
"Yeah, she's been working there for a few weeks now. I figured you knew that, since your boy Logan was over there the other night. I guess he's never been one to notice the help."
"Uh, he's not my boy, I haven't actually spoken to Logan since classes ended. He was over at Jake Kane's? Which night?"
"Let's see… Thursday night. He wasn't there very long. Anyway, I gotta run. Good seeing you, Vee. Again, give my regards to the Sheriff, would you?"
"Yeah, thanks again, Weevil, I owe you," she closed the door behind him, then sat back down on the couch. Logan went to talk to Jake Kane? They hate each other. Jake had hated Logan dating his daughter, had hated the unmotivated Logan lounging around his house being a bad influence on Duncan, and since Logan's father killed Lilly and Logan destroyed the only evidence linking his father to Lilly's murder, he especially hates him. Logan doesn't think much of Jake Kane either, particularly after the truth came out that Jake had covered up the evidence of Lilly's murder and paid a former employee to confess. Logan believes if his father had been arrested sooner, his mother might not have committed suicide. Logan believes a lot of things that might have been different. They even share some of the same delusions.
It couldn't be a coincidence that two days after Logan visits Jake Kane, the charges against her father are suddenly dropped. Charges that Jake swore to her would move forward, that there was nothing he could do. So what did Logan say to him to convince him? More likely, what does Logan have on him?