Veronica, Dick, and Mac were all huddled around her laptop screen. She had easily hacked into Charlie Lester's credit card information and they were now scrolling through billing from the past seven years. It seemed that anything Logan didn't want anyone finding out about, went on this card. This included donations, doctor's bills, and the occasional hotel.
It took some time to scroll through, but finally, they landed on June 1 of that year.
"Okay. Let's see when things start getting strange." Said Veronica.
"Well here's one. June 10th is a payment to Neptune Hydro & Gas. Looks like an amount to turn some services on or off." Said Mac. "Maybe he's still in Neptune, hiding out."
"Ummm...and one to some website selling temporary tattoos." Said Dick.
"Then nothing and then they start up again on June 17 – two days after Logan 'died'" Said Veronica. "Gil's Grocery - $75.82. Gas n' Sip - $40.00. Both in Neptune. And the times are at 10 pm and 10:17 pm. He's coming out at night."
"He must be. Look at all the times. Every night he is out after dark, at some little shop or coffee shop or greasy spoon." Observed Mac.
"No look! He went out once during the day. The day before the memorial service. He went to Ben's Camera Shop at 10 am." Dick pointed excitedly at the screen.
Veronica took a deep breath. "What if he was there? With the photographers? What if he was at the service?!"
"He dropped $10,000 on a camera set-up. He could have easily blended in. And if he was wearing a disguise..." Countered Mac.
"Wait! Then he may have seen Veronica and me when we were there!" Dick jumped up, almost knocking the two girls off the couch. "What if he saw Veronica, put two and two together, and bolts?! We know he's in Neptune right now! Let's go find him."
"Fuck. Dick's right. Mac, can you hack into Neptune Hydro's database and find out the address for someone paying for an activation? There can't be that many in one day." Veronica instructed. "I'm going to change and get some equipment together."
"What should I do?" Asked Dick.
"Wait." Instructed Veronica.
When Veronica returned from her room, Mac was frowning at her computer and Dick was pacing with a drink in his hand. She had changed into tight black yoga pants, a t-shirt, black hoodie, and sneakers. She carried a satchel slung over her body. "How's it going?" She asked.
"Well, this is my second..." Replied Dick.
"Not you! Mac!"
"I'm just getting the last couple of people. Unfortunately, Logan didn't use his alias, so we have to figure out who's name the house he is using is under."
"Let me see the list." Veronica plopped herself down next to Mac again and started scanning the screen.
"STOP! I've got it!"
"What? Which one is it?" Dick lunged at them.
"Leticia Navarro! Logan once told me that he went back and bought the house from Mrs. Navarro's landlord. He put the property in her name so she wouldn't have to worry about money."
"Mrs. Navarro died a few years ago. Logan went to the service." Dick interjected.
"So now what do we do?" Questioned Mac.
Veronica paused. Then she smiled. "We surprise him!"
Veronica adjusted her earpiece. Mac sat in the driver's seat, adjusting her listening device. "Dick is pretty pissed." Mac said.
"Okay, (A) he had three drinks by the time we left...he couldn't have driven even if I wanted him to and (B) none of his cars would blend-in in this area."
"What are you saying about my car?"
"It ain't no BMW, Q." Veronica teased. "Do you remember our codes?"
"You say 'normal' and it means you found him and everything is good. You say 'contemplate' and I call the cops. I will drop you off near the back yard and circle in a random fashion until I hear otherwise."
"That's the plan! Wish me luck!"
"Good luck. And Veronica, when you find him...go easy on him."
Veronica made a scoffing sound. "I'll just be happy to find him alive."
Mac snorted. "Yeah. Okay."
Mac pulled along beside the block where the Navarro house stood. The air was stifling hot. The pavement had heat waves rising from it and everyone had hidden indoors to find shade from the afternoon sun.
Veronica quickly made her way to the house. Most of the windows were boarded, but the door was clean and the windows washed. She easily hopped the chain link fence to the back yard and surveyed the scene quickly. All the windows had ornate bars on them. She would have to go in the back door. Keeping low to the ground, she got out her lock pick set and slipped up to the old door. It opened easily, with a low creaking. She slowly slithered in to the crack so she wouldn't have to open it further.
The air was dusty. She realized some of the windows where open and the shade and the soft breeze cooled her. She put up her black hood and tucked in her hair, trying to blend with the shadows. The kitchen was clean and there were several cans of Pepsi sitting around catching flies. She moved through the living room and heard footsteps above her. She held her breath as she heard a door creak upstairs and the shower start. Someone was home. Was it Logan? What if it was Wevil? Or another one of Letty's grandkids?
Veronica inched up the stairs and saw steam coming out of the doorway of one room. She started to approach, glancing at the open doors around the second floor. She stopped at the entrance to the bathroom. Her heart beat wildly. Slowly, she started walking towards the shower curtain, one hand raised. Just as she grasped the edge of the fabric? She heard a mechanical "click." Her instincts made her freeze.
"I don't like to be interrupted when I'm in the shower." A low voice came. "Lower your hood and turn around so I can see you."
Veronica turned slowly, pulling back her hood and letting her long hair fall. She met the eyes of her captor. He lowered his gun and smirked. "You found me."
Veronica was shaking. "I always will."
