Okay, so I know I promised that chapter 7 would be up Saturday, but evidently fan fiction had some issues. Gosh, it sounds like an excuse even to me, but I swear it's the truth… Really, I wouldn't lie.
Also evidently nobody like my joke about blaming you if you left concrit, I promise all errors are mine and will always be mine. I will continue to make them so please help me by pointing them out. Laughing is also acceptable; I am tough I can take it. But please say something.
Unfortunately for me Veronica Mars, and her cast of characters do not belong to me, they belong solely to Rob Thomas. If they belonged to me we all would still be spending our Wednesday nights glued to the WB, or whatever the network is called today! If you take the time to read please take the time to review!
Chapter 7
Keith Mars steps inside the small white tent that houses the body found earlier outside the newly dedicated Dean O'Dell Journalism Building. Slowly lifting the covering protecting the victim from the elements and prying eyes, he tries to take in the details while pushing the gruesomeness out of his mind. Tries not to think about how this young woman is only a year or so older than his beloved daughter. Tries not to think about how right now, someone is searching for her, hoping to bring an end to Veronica's life, just as this woman's is now tragically over. He takes note of the shaved head, the bruising around the neck, and the impression of a hand across the right cheek. He sees where the tears ran down her face, smearing her make up on their way down toward her chin. He pulls the blanket back further and sees the defensive wounds on the young woman's large hands. He takes note of her nakedness, her lack of shoes. He sees her underwear off to the side, shredded. He tries to take it all in, he jots his feelings down in his small note pad he had in his chest pocket. He takes note not only of what he sees, but what he does not see. There are no other articles of clothing around. He didn't turn the body over but he was told there is a small bullet wound in the back of her head, yet there is not a pool of blood surrounding her.
He quietly and carefully covers her up again, saying a silent prayer for her, for her family but mostly for him, that his daughter is still alive.
Stepping out of the small tent he motions over to Deputy D'Amato.
"Leo, there is a lot that doesn't seem right to me in there, what are you thinking?"
"I agree, Keith. It seems like someone wants us to jump to conclusions, the shaved head, the ripped underwear. Obviously she was moved. I think we have our work cut out for us. The coroner should be here soon, she should be able to tell us what is real and what was staged."
"That is what I am thinking too. It could be a ploy to bring about reasonable doubt in the Mercer Rape Trial, it starts in a few weeks, and this gives the defense time to file motions, maybe get it thrown out before it really starts. We need to find out more about her and talk to her family. Since the body was placed here in front of the journalism building, we should figure out the significance of that, see if she was on the newspaper staff, or taking classes, maybe she was dating someone who was. I am going to make a brief statement to the press, asking for anyone with any information to call the crime stoppers hotline. Then let's get the family notified so we can ID her publically and see if that brings in more specific info."
"Okay boss, what do you want me to do?"
"You are coming with me!"
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Paige closed the bathroom door behind, silently collapsing against it, tears welling up in her eyes.
Damn you Don, how could you—she was 16, what if it had been me, what if--? I can't ask her to forgive you for this. Damn it Don you are screwing everything up! How the hell am I going to get her to trust me now? How can I trust you, what the hell happened to you? Paige wipes her eyes on the back of her hand, mustering the little strength she has to pull away from the door. She tries to push the thoughts from her mind as she goes about the mundane task of preparing for her shower. Setting out a towel, gathering her toiletries from their bag, adjusting the water temperature. Once in the shower, she lets the tears fall. Veronica Mars may not have been able to figure out what the hell you got yourself into, but after I take care of this other mess, I will Don, I will figure it out, I promise you I will.
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"MISTER LAMB! I am a specially trained, highly experienced Registered Nurse. I have been called on to take care of some of the most prominent families in Neptune. I am here to tend to your injuries, to administer your medication, and to make sure you follow doctors' orders so you don't cause yourself any more damage. I am not here as your scullery maid, your personal Cinderella, summoned to fulfill your every whim and request. Now, if there is something MEDICALLY that I can do for you, I would be happy to. If not, stop bellowing my name." Martha Darton, RN stood glaring, her hands on her hips, her nostrils flaring as she breaths heavily.
"Actually, I need to use the bathroom." Don looks at her distrustfully. "You took my cane last time you were in here, remember, you didn't want me up without your permission."
Don congratulates himself on his quick thinking. He allows the nurse to help in to do his business and then grabs the remote off the dresser on his way back to the bed.
Waiting until Martha leaves, Don Lamb then changes the channel. Fox News had mentioned the body being found on the local campus, mentioning that Hearst College is the school where a serial rapist had recently been caught and also where bad boy Logan Echolls, son of the late Aaron Echolls is taking film classes. Don forgoes the other national news stations and turns it to the local CBS affiliate hoping that maybe they would have announced who the victim is. After hearing the anchor rattle on about the history of the school, the recent killing of the Dean, the rapist, and again mention of famous students and alum, and watching the mundane footage showing the crime scene tape and the deputies pushing the camera's further back, Don realizes no information has been released about the victim. Nothing, age, race, sex, nothing, certainly not a name. He sees his old mentor, a man he once considered a friend, and one time opponent Keith Mars approach a local reporter.
"Sheriff Mars is it true that the Hearst Serial Rapist has struck again, and this time he killed the student." The young reporter shoves a microphone towards Keith's face, trying to get a statement before the other reporters get the chance.
"All I can say now is that, there has been a homicide victim found here on campus. I cannot confirm that it is a student. I will have further information for you after we have notified the victim's family. I ask that anyone who saw anything, or has any information please call 1800CRIMESTOP."
They are not announcing the identity of the victim. How could Jake Kane know? What was he negotiating? And what should I do with this little bit of information.
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Weevil sits outside the Mackenzie home. He's frustrated no one will return his calls. Veronica's voice mail box is full, no one is answering at Mars Investigations, no one at the sheriff's office will connect him to Keith, and now he can't even find Veronica's friend Mac. He is still sitting there contemplating his next move when a flower delivery van drives up. The driver steps out of the van and walks around to the back. After opening the rear double doors, he pulls out a large potted plant. The driver notices the leather clad biker and glances around nervously. When Weevil climbs off the bike he sees the fear in his eyes. Doing his best to look harmless and innocent Weevil approaches the delivery man on the Mackenzie porch.
"Hey man, I don't wanna scare you, I don't mean nothing, I'm just looking for the girl who lives here. I work at her school, and uh…" Think Weevil think, what would V say? " And she filed a report about a missing laptop. It was turned in, I just wanted her to get it before we locked up for 2 weeks, you know before summer session starts?"
"I don't know, I am just delivering these, I don't know her."
"Yeah, I figured that, could you tell me who sent the flowers, then maybe I could check with them, see if they know where she is."
The young delivery guy starts anxiously shifting his weight between his feet. Looking to see if there are any neighbors witnessing this exchange. Seeing no one, he becomes even more timid.
"Look man, I don't want any trouble, they don't tell me anything, they just give me the flowers and an address. I don't know who they are from, I don't take the calls or write the cards, just deliver." He glances from Weevil to the porch entrance and then back. "Really man, I would help you if I could, it would suck to be without your laptop for two whole weeks."
The delivery guy looks visibly relieved when Weevil backs up so he can get past, not even bothering to hide his loud sigh, all the air he had been holding in.
"Sorry, I was just grasping at straws I guess."
Weevil waits while the kid hustles his way back to the van, hops in and drives away. Smirking he leans over and plucks the card from the flowers.
'Logan's gone now, like out of the country gone. Please come back."
Hmmm, DICK? Could Mac and Dick be… No that's just insane. I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask.
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Veronica sat on the bed unconsciously fiddling with Paige's phone. Mac had settled back onto her side of the bed again playing with her necklace.
"Veronica?-"
"Mac, don't okay, I am alright. Listen, I also got an e-mail from Duncan."
"Duncan?" Mac sits up straighter and faces Veronica.
"Yeah, Duncan. He says he ran into Logan, that he knows about my 'difficulties'. That he wants to help. What the hell is he talking about? Logan is the one with 'difficulties.'" Veronica touches the small round button at the bottom of the iPhone's touchpad, the time lights up. "He said to call him today by 4 o'clock. It's a little after, I am going to try anyway."
"Do you want me to go, I could just run out real quick, you know make like a banana and split?"
Veronica shakes her head, smiling, "No stay here, I may need you for moral support for this, and I will definitely need you for moral support for that." Veronica points toward the bathroom. Mac nods and leans back down against the back of the bed.
Waking the phone up again, Veronica touches the small green phone icon and dials the number that Duncan had given her from memory.
"Veronica, is that you? I didn't think you were going to call, I thought maybe you didn't want to talk to me." Veronica can hear the relief in Duncan's voice.
"Duncan, how are you? How is Lilly? What's going on, how did you run into Logan."
"Same old V, asking new questions before you even gets answers to the old ones. I am okay, running is hard, harder than I thought it would be. But I still think it was the right decision. Lilly is good, she turned two, we have been able to stay in one place for a while now, so she had some friends over and it was good. And well Logan, Logan and I communicate every once in a while. I contacted him the same way I did with you, an anonymous email, no name, we have chatted on line once or twice in the last couple of years. A few days ago he sent me an email saying he was going to be in Europe, he didn't know where I was but would love to see me if there was a chance. I didn't want to risk it but, he said it was important, so I made it happen. Veronica, I want you to know I am trying to help, I would still do anything for you, you know that right?"
"Duncan, I am not sure what you are talking about. Your email mentioned some difficulties, and yes, in typical Veronica Mars fashion, my life is a little hectic right now, but I certainly don't see how there is anything for you to do."
"Veronica, I know about the-"
"Oh my, someone emailed you the video. Duncan, it isn't what you think."
"Veronica I'm sorry, I did see the video. It's okay though, you didn't know. I heard from Logan though that the guy who umm, the guy who is responsible is out for revenge. I thought maybe, you would want to come stay with me and Lilly for a while. You know, just get away from everything. We could go somewhere for the summer. That way if in the fall you decide to go back to school, Lilly and I could just go back home. If you decide to stay, you could just come back with us."
"Duncan, thanks for the offer, but I don't really think that is necessary. I don't want to disrupt your lives, it sounds like you guys are settling in and I-"
"Veronica, I still love you. I have always loved you, I will always love you. Logan made it sound like you were in real danger. I have never been able to protect you, let me just this once okay?"
"No, this is not what I need right now, you are not helping. I loved you too, Duncan and yes part of me will always love you but I am not IN love with you."
"Logan said you were done with him. That he was giving you up. He said that I could have you. Veronica please? I need you, I think about you all the time. Every time I see a petite blonde on the beach I pray that it is you. Just give us the summer, just give us a chance, it doesn't even have to be the whole summer."
"Duncan, this is over, we are over. I do not belong to you or to Logan. We tried, it didn't work. I told you when you left that it was over. You need to move on Duncan, find someone else. Someone who can be there for you. Goodbye Duncan,"
"Veronica wait-"
Veronica hit the 'end' button before Duncan could say anymore.
Mac looks apprehensively at Veronica. "Not quite what you were expecting huh?
"I don't know what I was expecting, but now I am just confused. Logan told Duncan that I was in danger. I need to call my dad."
Keith's phone goes to voice mail so Veronica leaves a short message assuring him she has yet to jump or get thrown overboard, promising to call and get permission before she does either in the near future. She tell him she loves him and to be careful.
Veronica, her mind racing, begins to fiddle with the phone, checking out the many applications and song lists on Paige's phone. Then thinking it the prudent thing to do she goes to clear Duncan's number from the call history.
"Hey Mac, I can't get this number to clear, it says it needs a password, but when I try the one Paige told us nothing happens. Any ideas?"
"Let me see it." Mac takes the phone from Veronica and tries some of her magic, but she also doesn't have any luck. "No, I can't get it to clear either, and that's weird because only the two numbers you called are in the call history. Paige said she made a call so she must have been able to clear it."
"Who do you think she would have been talking to that she would feel the need to clear the number?" Veronica reaches to take the phone back from Mac.
"I don't know. I figured maybe she finally called Payton. Did you notice she said she still had a boyfriend, I kind of assumed she called him and they worked out their issues."
Veronica's curiosity is piqued now. "But why would she need to clear his number. Did she think we would just look at it, she couldn't have known I was going to ask to borrow it. And all the numbers are gone. Would you think I was a horrible person if I looked at her contact list?"
"I mean really how can I answer that? You are two of the nosiest people I have ever met. If I say no, then that means I think it's okay for you to just go through other people's stuff, if I say yes, then you will do it anyway, but then you feel guilty, and think that I think you are horrible. I think we should just wait. Paige said she would tell us about the call. Why don't you just ask her to clear the number, tell her it is for a famous friend and he is paranoid about his number getting out to his mass of adoring fans."
"Fine, the shower is off now, she will probably be out soon." Veronica pouts.
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"Dick you are coming, you need to stop moping around this hotel room. You are a Casablancas. We do not sulk, we do not cry, and we certainly do not wait around for a piece of tail to call. Now put on some clothes, CLEAN CLOTHES, grab your gear and let's go." Richard Casablancas stands waiting, he did not expect to see his son wearing the same board shorts and torn shirt that he had seen him in the day before. He thought he had made it clear to his one remaining son that they were going to spend the few weeks of freedom he had left together. Doing father son stuff.
"Dad she was not, she is not a piece of tail. Don't call her that. I'm not going, go without me."
"Dick, son, we only have a couple of weeks, and then I will be gone for six months. I don't want you to visit me while I am in jail. I don't want you to see me like that. So get you shit together and let's go." When Dick Jr., doesn't move off the couch, his father starts pacing in irritation. He looks around, noticing the wilting flowers, the stuffed animals, and boxes of candy that still cover every inch of space. He notices a small jewelry box on the coffee table and walks over to pick it up. Opening it up, he sees that it is empty but that it had held a pendant and chain. Taking note of the jewelers name he looks at his son incredulously. "Harry Winston? You spent my money on a Harry Winston necklace for some hussy? She must have been a great fuck."
"Dad, it's not like that, she's different. I am different when I am with her. She makes me want to be better, to actually, I don't know, it's like when I am with Mac I want to be a good person, not such a…"
"Mac? Mac as in Beaver's leftovers? You are brood-" Dick Sr. didn't see it coming. One moment Dick was curled up on the couch, practically lifeless, and all of a sudden his son was right in front of him, his fist crashing into the side of his face.
"Get out dad, just go. Go do your jail thing. Call me when you get out, or have your assistant call me. Maybe by then I will have forgiven you. But right now just get the fuck out of my room!" Dick leaves his dad standing there as he storms off into his room slamming the door behind him.
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Logan stretched out in his big leather chair, raising his arms above his head, urging his muscles to extend as far as possible, working out the kinks that come from sleeping soundly in one position, especially one awkward position. Getting the blood flowing again he takes stock of his feelings. He finally feels rested, something he never quite was able to accomplish on his couple days of transatlantic travel. He briefly considers ordering another drink, but thinks even with several hours of flight still ahead of him he wants to be clear headed. Deciding to go over his notes one more time, he pulls his laptop out of his carryon. After booting it up he opens up his Word program, a balloon pops up above his task bar and says there are available networks, would he like to sign on. He successfully connects to the internet and opens up his iGoogle home page. He glances about, noticing there is no new pressing mail since he checked before boarding the flight. He smiles appreciatively at the picture of the camels crossing the Moroccan desert on his Places to See gadget. I have been there, and as cool as that picture is, it is better in person.
He scrolls down, stopping to play with his pet spider gadget, scanning quickly the box showing the latest movie box office numbers. Damn, I can't believe that stupid Connor Larking movie is on top again, that's three weeks, when will the girls figure out his abs are painted on. I should take an ad out. Truth in advertising! He continues to scroll down when something at the bottom makes him stop.
"Oh Shit!" Logan glances around to see if anyone heard. Thankful again for his rather private first class accommodations he clicks on the local news gadget he has set to zip code 90909.
Scanning the headline he wishes he would have ordered the second drink.
Hearst Student found Raped, Murdered!
Logan realizes he has stopped breathing and struggles to take in air. Tears start falling from his eyes blinding him from being able to read the article, he tries to brush them away, but as soon as he wipes some away they are replaced by more.
Breathe Logan breathe. It's not Veronica, it can't be Veronica, if it were Veronica you would feel it, you would know, you wouldn't need to read about it on the internet. You would just know.
Grabbing the napkin that had come with his drink, he continues to wipe the tears away, taking slow deep breaths, concentrating on calming down enough to read what he notices is a very short news blurb.
"The body of a young woman was found this afternoon at Hearst College a small private institution located in Neptune, California. The details at this point are sketchy, and coming in slowly we will update as we get more information. The local sheriff has refused to confirm that the victim is indeed a student, however initial reports from witnesses indicate that this is the case. Hearst College made National news earlier this year when a serial rapist was preying on local students."
It's not Veronica, it's not Veronica, it's not Veronica. If it were Veronica Keith wouldn't have made any sort of statement, he would be paralyzed just like me, it'snotveronica. I need a drink, just a little drink. I shouldn't drink, I need to think. Who is it? Is it just a coincidence? Is it just the curse or Neptune striking again? I really want a drink.
Catching a flight attendants eye, he turns back to his computer, refreshing the screen, seeing no changes he opens a new tab and starts searching other news sites.
The flight attendant leans down, lifting up the side tray that is attached to Logan's chair, flashing her ample cleavage as she does so. "Would like anything else, Mr. Echolls, something to nibble on perhaps?"
Logan ignores the flirting, his eyes fixed on the drink in her hand. It is a duplicate of the one he drank earlier. He swallows deeply.
"Actually some food would be good, and could I just get some coffee please, black is fine."
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Paige comes out of the bathroom wearing a pair of white capri's that Veronica can't help but imagine would still hit the floor if she were to wear them. Her hair is combed but still wet. Her face is freshly scrubbed and her eyes are still red.
Paige takes note of the open and empty food trays on Veronica's half of the bed, she sees there is one still covered plate on the cart and that Mac's side of the bed is clear and plate free.
"I ordered you a pizza, it should be here soon."
Paige smiles lightly and thanks Veronica. How can she look so calm? She walks over and clears the debris off the bed. She grabs her pillow off her bed and then sits, her feet tucked under her on Veronica and Mac's bed.
"Mac, Veronica, there is a lot we need to talk about, a lot I need to tell you. I have tried to think of a way to do this simply but nothing seems quite right. So I am just going to jump right in, rip the band aid off like you said earlier Mac. Can I have my phone back?"
Veronica picks up the phone and hands it over to Paige. Both Veronica and Mac watch, first casually and then with more and more interest as Paige wakes up the phone, pushes a few 'buttons' on the touchpad, makes a few swipes and then places her thumb on the center. They can see a thin red line glow, reflecting on her face as it starts at the top and works its way down. When the red light reaches the bottom Paige removes her thumb and punches several more buttons quickly. The phone beeps, an electronic female voice says, "code accepted." A small thin card seems to slide out of the seam of the phone, wordlessly Paige waits until it is all the way out and then hands it to Veronica.
It is smaller than a credit card, a little thinner too. The card is tall and thin the opposite of a credit card. It is some sort of clear plastic, there is a picture of Paige seemingly floating in the right side of the card, yet although you can see it perfectly it too is transparent. In the bottom right corner of the card there is a small platinum colored microchip. The top portion of the card is dominated by three large blue letters. F B I. The left side of the card contains the FBI seal, also clear and flawlessly detailed. Each color and symbol in the Seal completely visible and discernable. Veronica knows that the colors and symbols each have a meaning, portraying the values of the FBI and the United States. The blue field and the golden scale represent justice. The infinite circle of 13 stars represents unity, as portrayed by the original 13 states. The laurel leaf represents academic honors, distinction and fame. In the two branches, there are 46 leaves, since there were 46 states in the U.S. in 1908, when the FBI was founded. The importance of the red and white parallel stripes is not in the stripes themselves, but their colors. The red in the stripes symbolizes courage, valor, and strength, while the white symbolizes light, cleanliness, and truth. Similar to the American Flag, the red bars out-number the white bars by one. The motto "Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity" describes the high moral standards and high level of motivation it expects from its men and women. The beveled edges around the seal convey the severe challenges that the FBI faces every day, and the ruggedness of the organization. The gold color represents its overall value. Veronica knew this Seal well, had studied it carefully, loved everything it stood for, hated that her chance to be a part of it had been taken away.
Along the bottom of the card was the name Paige Daniella Lamb.
Veronica hands the card to Mac, looks up at Paige and says, "You're FBI?"
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So I was planning on revealing the identity of the murder vic in this chapter but you got a couple of answers so you are going to have to wait. I would love to hear your guesses. Virtual kudos and marshmallows to the first person to guess correctly. If it is you I promise to direct message you and let you know you are right. You will get to know before everybody else!!!
FYI the info for the seal came from wikipedia they copied it from the fbi dot gov site and well i mostly copied it from them.
