Disclaimer: The characters are not mine, but most of the witty banter is. No copyright infringement intended, but they say that possession is 9/10s of the law.
RECAP: Summertime in Neptune. The guys were under suspicion for the car accident until they made a deal with the DA and said Chester was driving. Enbom left town to work for his Dad's company for the summer. LoVe are having their ups and downs, but seem to be learning from past mistakes. Keith is writing his book. The class warfare was getting out of hand, but after Weevil kidnapped Logan to play Russian Roulette with him things have died down. V is investigating what happened to Marisol Reyes, and there are disturbing developments. Meg's family goes off the deep end, with one daughter in the hospital with kidney failure and two more in hiding from the crazy parents and cultish reverend.
Voting is open at dotmoon (dot) net (forward slash) awards (forward slash), Some Truths Hurt is in the works in progress category if you want to vote.
Chapter 10: Country Hospitality
(Sunday, August 1)
Sunday morning, Veronica gets up and makes a point of eating a nice leisurely breakfast with the family. Keith follows her lead and seems relieved that the fight is over, or at least temporarily a truce has been called. As breakfast ends and she stands up to leave the table, Keith stops her.
Keith: Veronica, I don't want to fight, but I do want to reiterate my feelings about you drinking alcohol. I know that you are turning 18 this month and you have a mind of your own. And I'm happy you had the intelligence to call for a safe ride. I trust your judgment, but you coming home drunk, refusing to answer my questions about where you were, and then your response when I asked you about Meg's disappearance make me question that. Your attitude yesterday is not what I expect from you Veronica. I raised you better, and I think I deserve your respect.
Veronica looks shamefaced. Though not for the reason Keith thinks.
Veronica Voiceover: Wow. Now I feel really bad for lying, but what were my choices?
Keith and Alicia take Daryl to a little league game meeting, and Veronica gets ready in a hurry wanting to visit Meg before she goes over to Logan's. Exiting the house she sees a nondescript car parked down the street with a man in it reading the Sunday paper.
The headline today was once again about Lamb. Several business owners in the 02 neighborhood had come forward to accuse Lamb of shaking them down (demanding money for service or protection), and residents saying that he had consistently ignored calls for service to certain areas of Neptune.
She pretends not to see him and gets in her car. Driving to a gas station then the ice cream shop, Veronica is certain he is following her as the car appears in her rearview mirror throughout her trip and parks down the street as she returns to the Fennel's. Just as she puts her car in park, she sees a police cruiser pull up in front of the house. She waits on the front porch as Leo climbs out.
Veronica Voiceover: Not good. If Leo is here then that isn't an unmarked police car tailing me. The Mannings really are coo-coo for coco puffs.
Leo: Veronica. Is your dad around?
Veronica: (cheerily) Around? Yep, just not around here. If you need to talk to him, he'll be back soon.
Leo: (looking at his feet, obviously uncomfortable) No. I, uh, I need to talk to you.
Veronica: Is this a friendly visit, or official business? (friendly smile and head tilt) 'Cause you do realize I'm a minor and you can't talk to me without an adult present.
Leo: (abashed) Come on Veronica.
She stares back at him.
Leo: OK. As a friend you should know the Mannings are accusing you of helping their daughter to hide.
Veronica: (blithe) Well, that's hardly the worst thing I've been accused of.
Leo: This could be serious Veronica.
Veronica: Not really. Meg's not a criminal so I'm not harboring, and they can't accuse me of custodial interference 'cause I'm just a kid too. So...
Leo: Lamb is pissed, and he'll take any excuse to come after you.
Veronica: He'd still need some kind of proof. (wide eyed innocence) Especially now.
Leo sighs.
Leo: I saw the video of you at the mall.
Veronica waits expectantly.
Leo: I saw you with (air quotes) "your friend."
Veronica: (smiles easily but her eyes are hard) Why do you say it like that?
Leo: I saw the girl who looks like your friend Meg on the video. I saw what she bought, or rather what you bought for her. (pause) It wasn't Meg.
Veronica: Well, well officer. Look at you. I thought I was the only teenage girl you could pick out of a lineup. Nice choice though. Meg's a sweetheart.
Leo looks even more uncomfortable.
Leo: (ducking his head again, his cheeks flushing a bit) It's not like that. I (shrugs) talked to her, while you were at the hospital with your dad. I've seen her a few times since.
Veronica: (serious) Then you should know she's not the type to runaway for a stupid reason. For Meg to run, especially with her sister still in the hospital, she must have had a good reason.
Leo: Please, just if you know where she is tell me. I can help.
Veronica: You could try, but you couldn't help. Not until someone is willing to stand up to money and influence in this town. You'd try and Lamb would shut you down and Meg would be right back where she started, only worse off.
Leo: Fine. Then know this: if you are hiding her, make sure she can't be found. Don't get yourself in trouble.
Veronica: (smiles kindly) Thanks Leo, but some things are worth a little trouble. Hey, (head tilt) you said you'd help. Did you mean it?
He nods.
Veronica: There is a car parked down the street. The man it is has been watching and following me all morning. I doubt he's one of yours. Go check it out for me?
Leo looks incredulous, then looks down the block to see the man Veronica mentioned. He frowns and moves towards the car, knocking on the window and asking for license and registration. Veronica quickly goes back inside and gets Backup and her other taser, then rushes back out of the house. She is gone before Leo even calls in the guy's plates.
-----VMVMVMVMV------
Veronica calls Mac and asks her to lay a trail quickly making sure anyone looking will find it easily. She calls Meg on her new disposable phone and tells her to pack up and leave the apartment, and meet Veronica at the beach parking lot in twenty minutes.
Veronica parks in the public lot at Dog Beach, waiting for a space to open up, and walks down the beach, throwing the ball for backup and texting Logan. A man trails behind her, trying to look casual. She makes sure to walk far down the beach, beyond the curve that puts the parking lot out of sight.
-----VMVMVMVMV--------
Cut to Logan's phone. It is sitting on his deck alone while Logan and his friends surf the swell just past his house.
-----VMVMVMVMV---------
Veronica wanders back to her car, making a show of unlocking it and putting Backup in the back. Climbing into the driver's seat she looks over her shoulder as she reverses out of the parking spot, and sees Meg crouched low in the back seat.
Veronica: (speaking low and without moving her mouth much) It's OK, they followed me down the beach, and I doubt they have a three man team. Just the one at my house and the one that was with me on the beach. No one saw you.
Meg looks frightened.
Cut to Logan's garage. Veronica parks inside and closes the door behind her car. Letting Backup out , he barks excitedly as Meg crawls out too.
Veronica: Sorry for the dramatics, I thought being extra careful would be better than....not.
Meg: Yeah. I can't believe they hired people to follow you.
Veronica: Well, now they're really not going to find anything useful. I come to Logan's all the time, so as long as you stay inside, we should be golden. Besides, Mac is laying our first fake trail now, so once I get you set up here, I'll go to the bank then to the bus station.
Meg: The bus station?
Hurrying Meg inside through the door that connects the garage to the house.
Veronica: To leave money in a locker for you to pickup on your way to Portland, silly. You have a bus ticket leaving town in three hours.
Meg: Oh. (swallows hard) You really are good at this kind of stuff. Very Sydney Bristow.
Veronica smiles.
Veronica: It'll be OK Meg. I promise.
-----VMVMVMVMV----------
Cut to the upstairs guest room. Veronica has the shades pulled and she and Meg are unpacking her meager belongings. Veronica checks the bathroom and sees that there is not shampoo or anything besides hand soap and towels. She leaves Meg to go check Logan's bathroom for extras.
Logan comes up the stairs, water still dripping from his hair, a towel wrapped around his waist. He hears something in the guest room and heads that way, pausing in the door.
Logan: You weren't the blonde I was expecting today.
His voice startles Meg, and she spins around her arm knocking the clock radio and small lamp off the night stand and onto the floor.
Meg: (startled, spinning around) Logan.
Her eyes dart down his wet chest to the towel's knot then back up, staying firmly above his shoulders a blush coloring her cheeks. As the awkward silence grows, she kneels down to pick up the fallen items, setting them back on the nightstand, still avoiding Logan's eyes. And his whole body.
Logan: (teasing, hands up like he's being arrested) Hey, it's OK. I'm friendly.
Meg can't help that her eyes dart down to see if the towel stayed in place, before locking somewhere over his left ear.
Meg: (smiles hesitantly) Veronica said it was alright. If I stayed here a few days. (hesitant) If that's OK? I can go...
Veronica: (reentering the room, pushing Logan to the side to get past him) It's fine. Isn't it Logan? (he nods) And go put some clothes on, you're scaring Meg.
Logan: (innocent) I am? How? By standing in my own doorway?
Veronica: By sneaking up on her and standing around half naked. Now, be nice or I won't be nice to you.
Meg watches Logan give in easily to Veronica's order, turning to leave.
Meg: Sorry Logan.
Logan: (genuine) Don't worry about it Meg. Once I'm all decently covered we can sit down and talk. Just the three of us. (singing) Just the three of us, We can make it if we try, Just the three of us, Building castles in the sky...
Veronica shakes her head, Meg looks bemused.
Veronica: You'll get used to it. Him. There is singing, and quoting. If it bothers you just ignore him. He can't stand it.
Logan: (calling loudly) I heard that.
-----VMVMVMVMV----------
Later. Logan's house. The sun is low in the sky showing it is late afternoon. Logan, Veronica, and Meg are sitting on the couch talking about what to do next. They determine that the best thing is for Meg to file for emancipation as soon as possible, and Logan agrees to enlist his former lawyer to file the paperwork. He also insists on fronting Meg the money to get her bank account to a very healthy place, knowing that any large transfers from Veronica while she is under suspicion will lead right to Meg.
To Meg's surprise Logan is more than happy to help. She considered him a friend, kind of, but seeing how far he was willing to go to help her was pretty amazing.
-----VMVMVMVMV---------
Night. Meg's room at Logan's house. Veronica enters to find Meg dressed in a black hoodie of Logan's and dark jeans that Veronica had bought for her the day before. Her hair is slicked back in a low bun.
Veronica: No ski mask?
Meg: You said wear dark colors.
Veronica smiles.
Veronica: We're not breaking into a bank vault in a James Bond movie.
Meg: I don't do this every day.
Veronica: Well after your descriptions of babysitting, I'm more than happy with the PI life.
Logan appears in the door way again and takes in Veronica's dark jeans, and three quarter sleeved dark navy blue shirt along with Meg's outfit.
Logan: Ah. Poetry reading?
Veronica: (amused) No.
Logan: Lesbian night at the coffee house?
Meg looks at their outfits curiously and begins to laugh.
Meg: We better get going. The evening prayer session only lasts two hours.
Logan puckers his lips and leans down towards Veronica, but she ignores him and links her fingers with Meg instead, pulling her out of the room and down the stairs.
Logan peers over the landing at them.
Logan: Hey, if you two do hook up, I at least get to watch.
Meg: At least?
Logan: (lascivious) My first choice would be to participate.
Meg blushes and Veronica glares at Logan playfully.
-----VMVMVMVMV--------
Night. Manning House. Meg leads Veronica to the back door. She hurries up to it as Meg pauses by a small shelf of flower pots.
Veronica: Tell me they leave it open.
Meg picks up keys from under one of the pots.
Meg: No. Lizzy is always forgetting her key. She hid this here awhile ago. I doubt they even know.
Meg uses the key to open the door.
They climb the dark stairs and enter Meg's room.
Veronica: Yeah, this isn't weird at all.
Meg looks at her quizzically while stuffing a bag with her favorite clothes and personal items.
Veronica picks up a stuffed monkey thrown carelessly on Meg's bed.
Veronica: Breaking into your house with you. It's , I'm gonna start with your parents room, see if they left anything incriminating lying around.
She has her camera with her and turns it on, exiting the room. Veronica takes several pictures of the religious paraphernalia on the walls and tables, but believing in God was hardly a crime.
Inside the roll top dresser in the den, Veronica finds a document spelling out the procedure that a doctor would perform to harvest eggs from one patient, inseminate those eggs with another patient's sperm, then implant the embryos into a third patient.
The document does not use names but mentions the age of the biological donors as a factor in their need for a surrogate and how the surrogate's age, health, and familial relation should contribute to a successful pregnancy. There is also extensive discussion on the process that was done to create the most compatible embryos to match their need.
Veronica stuffs it into her waistband, hiding it under her shirt before heading back to Meg's room.
Veronica: I want to get some more pictures of the closet.
Meg nods. Veronica takes several pictures, first of the closed closet, then of the secret room inside.
Veronica: Are you done? We should get out of here.
Meg: Just one more thing.
Meg goes to the air vent.
Veronica: Has Duncan been giving away Lilly's trade secrets?
There is an awkward moment, but Meg continues opening the vent and grabs out a pile of cash.
Veronica: (still awkward) I think she got it from Logan. (self deprecating) And I think I'm the only one not hiding things in my vents.
Veronica looks down and sees one of the journals Gracie was forced to fill, and picks it up. She opens the book. It is filled with the same line written over and over.
Veronica Voiceover: "The path to God is paved with righteousness."
Veronica: People suck.
Meg: I'm not sure about all people, but my parents for sure do.
Veronica puts the book back in Meg's bag, then looks up at a frame on Meg's bedside table. The frame has a title, "Sisters are forever" and three pictures, one of Meg, one of Lizzie and one of Grace. Veronica takes the frame and shoves it inside Meg's bag too.
Veronica: Come on Meg we're cutting it close here.
Meg: I know I just can't find my computer...
Suddenly the light is switched on. Veronica gasps and turns to see Mr. Manning. She races over to get between him and Meg. He is holding a baseball bat high over his head. He doesn't take his eyes off the intruders.
Mr. Manning: Meg, step away from her please. Meg, sweetheart.
Meg: No.
Mr. Manning: Go downstairs, please.
Meg: I said no.
He looks shocked that Meg is speaking to him like this.
Mr. Manning: Your mother's in the kitchen.
Meg: (hard) I don't care where she is as long as she's not between me and the door.
Mr. Manning: Meg you don't know what you're saying.
Veronica: Why don't you just let us go? She's not going to do what you want.
Meg: Yeah Dad, there is no point in trying to keep me here.
Mr. Manning: No. You will. I raised you to be obedient. You love your sister. You will do as you are told.
Meg: (with finality) Not anymore.
Mr. Manning: Then I won't give you a choice. Get down on the floor.
Meg: What?
Mr. Manning: Get down on the floor!
Veronica: (controlled, but urgent) Meg we have to get out of here.
Mr. Manning: GET ON THE FLOOR!
Meg and Veronica kneel on the floor. Mrs. Manning races into the room.
Mrs. Manning: Honey?
Mr. Manning: Call the sheriff.
Cut to later. Lamb arrives at the door to the room. Mr. Manning is still standing in the same place, bat in hand.
Mr. Manning: I came home from church and found them in my daughter's room, looking for valuables. This one (indicates Veronica) was threatening my daughter to make her do what she said.
Veronica, indignant, rises to her feet. As Veronica starts to talk, Mr. Manning talks over her.
Veronica: I was helping Meg, protecting your daughters, which is more than I can say for you!
Mr. Manning: Shut up.
Veronica: (to Lamb) They've been abusing her. They had her locked in the closet!
Mr. Manning: Shut your evil little mouth.
Veronica: Their daughter is in the hospital with kidney failure because they starved her and locked her in the closet!
Mr. Manning: (to Veronica) Nobody believes a word you say, you filthy, lying whore!
Meg: Go! Go look!
Veronica: Look in the closet, look at the books they make her write!
Mr. Manning takes a step towards Veronica. Lamb puts his hand on Mr. Manning's chest roughly to stop him.
Lamb: Hey, enough, okay? Stop it! (to Meg) Up. Get up.
Meg gets up and Lamb puts handcuffs on Veronica.
Veronica: (quietly) There's a small room inside the closet. They had her locked in. Move the clothes.
Lamb doesn't respond. He handcuffs Meg. Veronica gestures at the closet but Lamb just stands aside.
Mr. Manning: (calming) You don't have to arrest my daughter Sheriff. Now that she has returned home and you are removing the bad influence from her life, we'll be fine.
Lamb picks up the bag Meg had packed and gestures for both girls to leave the room and walk downstairs.
Lamb: (to Mr. Manning) Evidence. And I'll need a statement from your daughter as to her whereabouts for the last few days and what happened here tonight.
With a huff, Veronica passes him to exit. Meg follows her and Lamb follows both of them with the Mannings trailing behind.
(Background: eerie music starts up. Music: Run by Air)
Mr. Manning: Really Sheriff, that's not necessary.
Lamb: Standard procedure, you understand. You can meet me at the station to pickup your daughter in a few hours. Should do her some good.
Mrs. Manning begins to cry as the girls exit the house.
LAMB: I'll be back for a statement.
He closes the door behind himself.
Lamb opens the back door of his vehicle. He sets the bag on the floor. Meg gets in first, and then Veronica, Lamb holding her head to avoid it knocking on the edge of the car. Meg looks scared out of her mind. Veronica's head swivels to see Lamb go back inside.
Mr. Manning is still in Meg's room, sitting on her bed as Lamb re-enters. As he talks, he doesn't initially notice Lamb go straight to Meg's closet.
Mr. Manning: I want Veronica Mars prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I'm not sure if she got anything or not, but even if they...
He notices and stands.
Mr. Manning: What are you doing? You can't do that.
Lamb pushes the clothes aside and slides open the door.
Mr. Manning: I'm the victim here! You have no right to just come into my house and start poking around. I have a right to raise my family as I see fit. A man is allowed freedom within his own home.
Lamb looks at the cavity and then back at Mr. Manning. He walks towards him, pausing in front of the indignant homeowner.
Lamb: It's funny. I heard my father give that exact speech once.
Lamb stares at Mr. Manning for a moment and then leaves. Mr. Manning gazes after him, looking concerned.
Both Mannings watch as the car holding their daughter and their last hope for Grace drives away.
-----VMVMVMVMV--------
Lamb drives around the corner and pulls up in the street. Veronica and Meg look confused. Lamb gets out of the car and walks around to the other side as Meg and Veronica twist their heads to follow his progress. Lamb opens the back door.
Lamb: Out. Let's go.
The girls get out of the car. Lamb takes off the handcuffs. Veronica looks up at him but he is not responsive. He takes out the bag and sets it on the ground, then shuts the back door and walks around the front of the car, getting in and driving away. They watch him go, their faces baffled.
Lamb circles the block to the Manning residence and parks outside. The adult Mannings are in their kitchen. Manning picks up the phone but notices something outside. He walks to the window. Lamb is parked outside the house.
-----VMVMVMVMV---------
Scene opens on Veronica cuddled up with Logan in his bed. Veronica is still wearing her B&E outfit.
Logan: At this rate, I'll never let you leave the house alone again.
She smiles slightly and presses her face into his chest. His hand rubs up and down her back soothingly.
Cut to Meg in Logan's guest room. She is sitting on the bed staring at the wall, a shell-shocked look on her face. She picks up her new phone and tries calling Lizzy again. Getting the same voice mail she'd been getting all day she hangs up. Rolling on to her side she begins to cry, fat silent tears.
-----VMVMVMVMV---------
(Monday, August 2)
Mackenzie home. Mac is sitting on the couch with Beaver. They both have their laptops out.
Beaver: (showing Mac his screen) How's that?
The screen is full of html code.
Mac: (glancing at the lines and lines of code) There is an easier way to find out.
Mac takes the computer and previews the code in a browser window. All the text is oddly skewed to the right margin.
Beaver: (slightly embarrassed) What? I know I had it right.
Mac: I guess not. Look it's simple...
She goes back to the code and shows him where he went wrong. With a few short keystrokes the web page is perfect. Beaver looks at her with admiration.
Beaver: You're so good at this stuff.
Mac: (shrugs) Yeah. (self deprecating) Computers are easier than people. (Beaver looks confused) Like when you send a communication you don't know how the other person is receiving it, like do they understand what you're trying to say or are they getting a whole other meaning from it that you never intended? (she ends breathlessly, then shakes off her musing, returning to computers) But for email and MIME content, the information - text, graphics, formatting, whatever - are translated into a numerical representation. That way the data stays intact during transport. No confusion. I know some people online that can read pages and pages of binary code.
Beaver just stares at her.
Mac: (shrugs) Everybody is good at something. I'm good at computers. Dick is good at...
Beaver: Being a jackass?
Mac: (laughing) Making people laugh. He said you're great at picking stocks. That must be amazing, to have money at our age to buy stocks.
Beaver: (blushing, looking down) Oh, no, not real stocks. It's FBLA.
Mac: What?
Beaver: FBLA, a club at school, Future Business Leaders of America. We pick stocks and a program tracks our gains and losses.
Mac: Oh. That makes more sense.
Beaver: I do pretty well, I guess.
Mac: Dick said you more than doubled your money.
Beaver: Yeah.
Mac: Hey, you want me to set you up an account on ? I supply the fake identity, you supply the real cash, real trades, you could make some real money.
Beaver: (wowed) You would do that for me?
Mac: (nonchalant) Sure, you pay in cash, I ask no questions. Just tip me off to what you're buying, and when you start your own company, I want insider knowledge of when you're going public.
Beaver: (slowly, still staring at Mac with admiration) You know, I think that might be illegal.
Mac: Still... you're admiring my moxie, aren't you?
Beaver: Something like that.
They both smile, but Mac goes back to his computer screen easily, typing in a few things, while Beaver is still staring at her, lots of emotion in his eyes.
Mac: (turning the computer towards him) There, how about that?
On screen a graphic bursts across the screen like a phoenix flying while on fire. Beaver smiles. Mac looks back down and exits out of the program.
Mac: That one's on the house.
His email pops up.
Mac: Oh, hey you have a new email.
She hands him back his computer, and Beaver's face is very tense. Mac doesn't notice as she gets up to answer a knock at the door.
Beaver clicks on the email from
The message reads: We need to talk. Meet us under the pier tomorrow at 9pm.
At the door Mac laughs and leads Dick back inside.
Mac: Your chauffeur is here.
Beaver: (standing up, nervous) Oh, hey Dick.
Dick: You two brainiacs all done for today?
Beaver: Uh, sure.
Mac: Yeah.
Dick: Excellent, who's up for tacos? I know the best taco stand down by the beach.
Mac: Sure, I don't have any other plans for today.
Beaver: Uh, Dick I thought we were going to hang out.
Dick: We are little bro, I just thought Mac could hang out too.
Mac: (seeing Beaver's discomfort) Oh, it you already had plans...
Dick: No. It's cool. Right Cass?
Beaver: (weakly) Yeah, sure. It's fine. (smiles at Mac) The tacos really are good.
-----VMVMVMVMV---------
Cut to Veronica outside the hotel by the train tracks. She is just sitting in her car staring at it. Some time passes. Veronica doesn't move.
Veronica Voiceover: Marisol was here. Somebody had to have seen her.
An African American woman comes down the walkway a bucket of cleaning supplies in her hands. She knocks on one door before entering. She is inside for a few minutes then reappears with a bag of trash. She glances up to see Veronica and goes back inside. Several minutes later she exits the room, only the bucket in her hands and locks the door behind her.
Veronica Voiceover: It figures that a place like this doesn't change the sheets. (makes a face) Or the towels.
The woman moves down another room, repeating her routine, then skips the next room and opens the one directly in front of Veronica's car. Standing in the doorway, she gestures to Veronica.
Veronica frowns and doesn't move so the woman repeats the gesture, seemingly beckoning Veronica to come inside the room. Veronica checks that her cell phone and taser are with her and exits the car, walking quickly into the hotel room.
Maid: (African accent mixed with a British accent) You are looking for a man, a man who stay here many months ago?
Veronica: Yes.
Maid: I believe I know the man you seek.
Veronica: Who is he?
Maid: He stayed in this room. He frightenend me. He had geen siel, how to say it, no soul. His eyes, I could not look into them, many men from my country have eyes such as his. Blank. Only death and darkness.
Veronica: Can you describe him?
Maid: Yes. He was tall (she holds her hand over her head several inches and Veronica judges his height to be about 6 foot 4 inches). He wore a baseball hat and thick eyeglasses. He was very pale, but not like you.
Veronica nods.
Veronica: Anything else? Any marks that would distinguish him? What color were his eyes?
Maid: No marks. Eyes were blue. He had round nose. Weak chin.
Veronica: How old was he?
Maid: I don't know. He was older, not young. And (gestures around her middle section), but not fat.
Veronica: Pudgy?
The woman shrugs.
Maid: He did not want I to know his name, but he left a magazine here. I saw the name.
Veronica: (eyes lit up with hope) Do you remember it?
Maid: David Morse
Veronica: M-O-R-S-E?
Maid: I believe so. Ja ek onthou. Yes.
Veronica: Do you remember what magazine it was?
Maid: (nods) American Hunter.
Veronica hugs her quickly and thanks her profusely before running back to her car.
Veronica Voiceover: Great a pedophile with a subscription to an NRA publication.
-----VMVMVMVMV----------
Back at Mars investigation Veronica fires up her computer and looks up David Morse. Several matches pop up. Frustrated she realizes she only has a small amount of information to narrow the search. She adds Southern California as a part of her search criteria, but still has over 30 names. Suddenly, her face lights up.
Veronica Voiceover: Cross check with subscriptions to American Hunter...
Five names are left.
Veronica: Bingo.
Sitting back in her chair she picks up her phone and dials.
Veronica: Hi Inga, can I speak to Rogers?
Less than five minutes later Veronica is staring at a Google maps image of Winchester, California. She zooms in to see the image of a house. 1601 Truelson Ave. It's outside of town, far from any main roads. The house is set back from the road, and a good distance from the closet neighbor with a lot of open space around it.
Veronica Voiceover: The perfect place to hide a little girl.
Rogers had matched the name, David Morse, to the registration of a white cargo van. The van was registered in Nebraska, and had never been reregistered in California. Winchester is 60 miles from Neptune, north and east into the foothills.
Veronica zooms out again and adds Victorville and Indo to the map as destinations.
Veronica Voiceover: (ominous) X marks the spot.
If you drew a line from Neptune to Victorville and Victorville to Indio, Winchester was practically at the intersecting point. Veronica sits back in her chair again and contemplates her next move.
She is drawn from her revere by her phone. It's Logan's ringtone.
Logan: Hey, Veronica, you never said if you wanted to come with me today or not?
She is silent, confused for a moment.
Logan: To LA? To watch my mom?
Veronica: (shaking her head) Oh, uh...yeah. Of course. Pick me up at home? One hour?
Logan: Sounds good.
Veronica Voiceover: I'll go with Logan to LA, then tomorrow make a quick visit to Winchester.
She packs up her stuff and is out the door.
-----VMVMVMVMV-----------
Cut to the Dancing with the Stars studio. Logan and Veronica talk to Lynn backstage before the show, then find their seats as the show begins.
-----VMVMVMVMV-----------
Cut to Keith, coming home from Gant Publishing to find a note from Veronica on the refrigerator. He reads in and pulls it down, crumpling it up in his hand. He takes out his phone to call her, his face an angry thundercloud, but he quickly ends the call as Alicia, Daryl, and Wallace come in carrying boxes full of Chinese takeout.
Alicia: (happy) Where's Veronica? We ordered extra moo shu pork.
-----VMVMVMVMV------------
Dancing with the Stars studio. After the show, Lynn is very animated, having received good scores from the judges for her Samba. She is bubbling over with excitement as she convinces Veronica and Logan to join the cast for a night out again.
-----VMVMVMVMV----------VMVMVMVMV-----
Cut to Keith, leaving Veronica an angry voicemail.
-----VMVMVMVMV------------
Scene opens on the strobbing light on a dance floor. Logan is standing above the dancers in a VIP area, several of the cast and celebrity dancers visible behind him. He watches as Veronica walks back towards him a frown on her face and her phone pressed to her ear.
Logan: (shouting) What's wrong? Is it Meg?
She shakes her head in the negative before hanging up. Then she stands up in her toes to reach his ear.
Veronica: Can we go?
Logan nods and goes to say his goodbyes before coming back to collect Veronica.
Outside the club a few cameras flash in their direction, capturing their image, but they keep moving and don't respond to any questions. Or insults or innuendos. They just keep moving until they arrive at Logan's car.
Safely inside the Audi he turns to her.
Logan: What's wrong? You've been quiet all night.
Veronica: I know. Let's get to the hotel. I'll tell you then.
Driving down the road she reaches out her hand and slides it over his knee.
Veronica: (winningly) Logan, do you think we can stop for some food?
He laughs.
Logan: There is room service at the hotel. Unless you want something else?
Veronica: No. Room service is fine.
-----VMVMVMVMV------
Cut to later in the hotel. Veronica and Logan are in their room. She is dressed in a white hotel robe and is sitting at an en suite table with her legs curled under her and a silver platter with two empty plates before her.
Logan pulls her up out of her seat and over to the bed.
Logan: Had enough?
She nods.
Logan: Then it's time to talk.
She takes a deep breath then expels it, before launching into her story.
Veronica: I thought that tomorrow we could go check out the house.
Logan: (incredulous) You want to walk up to the house and meet the guy?
Veronica: (calmly) No I thought we could drive past, maybe ask around town...see if there is anything to see.
Logan still doesn't look happy with her plan.
-----VMVMVMVMV------
(Tuesday, August 3)
The next morning, Logan and Veronica meet Lynn for breakfast then head east. The trip is mostly silent. Once they get closer to town Veronica turns to Logan, all business.
Veronica: OK, we go into town then make a left onto Winchester Road. His house is a few miles north.
Logan slows as he enters town, making the left at one of the town's few stoplights, just past the Winchester Store a large building with a wooden storefront that looks unchanged from the days with the stagecoach was the best way to travel and the Pony Express was just being replaced by the telegraph.
Veronica takes in the whole town, noting the store and a diner that looks like a place everyone in the community probably comes through on a regular basis. Both are likely places to get information if they need it.
Heading north the houses get fewer and farther between. Logan follows her directions again and turns onto Stowe Drive. One more turn and they're on Truelson Avenue. Veronica spots the house, 1601 and waves for Logan to stop. She peers out the window looking for the white van or any signs of inhabitants.
Logan: Now what, Sherlock?
She turns to him.
Veronica: That my dear Watson, is elementary. (dropping the banter) Get out and act like something is wrong with the car.
Logan: Maybe the tires.
Logan smirks.
Veronica: Fine. (no nonsense expression) Under the hood. (sweetly) You do know how to open the hood don't you baby?
Logan maintains his smirk.
Logan: Oh, I think so. I haven't had any complaints so far.
Veronica rolls her eyes and climbs out of the car. Logan scrambles to do the same.
Veronica: Calm down, I'm not going to run off after him. Even if I saw him. The house looks vacant.
Logan: (opening the hood) Then what are you going to do?
Veronica: (calmly despite her rapidly beating heart) I'm going to take some pictures of the scenery snookems. While you check the radiator. You're a bit hot under the collar.
She wanders past him focusing on the foothills behind him, not on the farmhouse they came to see. He hooks his arm around her and pulls her in close, dropping a kiss on her surprised mouth.
Logan: We have an audience. A neighbor.
Veronica wraps her hand around his neck and kisses him, before breaking away and exclaiming loudly.
Veronica: (happy vapid voice) Oh, honey, it's perfect. This is exactly what I need for my photo assignment.
Logan: (dryly) Good. Otherwise we drove a long way for nothing.
The neighbor approaches. He is a tall man dressed in well worn blue jeans and a thin flannel shirt despite the temperature of the day being in the 90s. His face is tanned and well lined from many years in the sun. Veronica's eyes drop to his feet and her suspicions are confirmed. Real cowboy boots. Not the kind people wore as a fashion statement, but the kind you wore to protect your feet and legs while working the land.
Neighbor: Having engine troubles?
Logan: Yeah. Maybe. A light on the dash came on, then went off. I'm not sure what it could be.
Neighbor: Huh. (whistles as he gets a look at the engine) This kinda fancy machine, I imagine you got all kinds of problems.
Logan: Not usually. German engineering. They seem to have it down.
Neighbor: (scoffs) Don't know about that. Granddaughter of mine, she got herself one of those Volkswagens. The real round ones?
Logan: Beetles.
Neighbor: Damned if I know. Nothing but trouble with it from day one. I told my son, buy American, at least then you know where it was made.
Logan: (nods) I'll consider that.
Veronica struggles to keep from smiling as Logan fiddles under the engine with the man looking on with pity. It's obvious Logan has no idea what any of the parts do.
Veronica: I don't care if you ever get it fixed. It's so beautiful here. Don't you just love it. (adoring look to Logan) Can you imagine us living in a little farm house some day, baby? We could have chickens and goats, and horses and sit on the porch every evening and wave at the neighbors.
Neighbor: You spend all your life in a city, honey?
Veronica: Yep. (long sigh) I wish we could have lived out in the country.
Logan shoots her an incredulous look.
Logan: Really?
Neighbor: There's good folk in the country. Town like this we all know each other, and we look out for our neighbors.
Logan: Wow. It's like we've walked into a western baby.
Veronica: (giggles) Maybe we can get you some cowboy boots and a stick to chew on.
Neighbor: The general store in town would kit you out, right easy.
Logan looks at Veronica wondering how much longer they're going to play their roles. She turns away and focuses on the house they came to find.
Veronica: Look at how much character there is in these old houses. So much life. I can just imagine a whole bunch of kids running around playing in the yard. Can't you baby?
Neighbor: (grinning) You kids looking to settle down? You're kinda young by today's standards ain't ya?
Logan: (glib) When you know, you know.
He stares at Veronica adoringly and she smiles back, her expression eager.
Neighbor: That's the way of it isn't it. Saw my Maybelle and I knew I'd marry her. We raised our kids right here. They've all moved away now. Jobs and bright lights of the city.
Veronica: Aww, that's so sad. There should be kids here. This is the perfect place to raise them.
Neighbor: Yep. We was surprised when this fella moved in. No wife or kids. Not even a dog. It's a big house to be alone in. Thought he'd marry, but it never happened. Never even saw him with a ladyfriend. He lived here a few years then just up and moved out. No goodbye or even a see ya later.
Veronica: Huh. The house doesn't look vacant.
Neighbor: He's been gone close to three months now. Left right when we were bringing in the harvest. Good crop this year...
-----VMVMVMVMV-----------
Neptune. A little league team is practicing on a baseball diamond. Their coach gives them a pep talk then sends them out to practice throwing and catching.
Keith walks up to the fence along first base line with Daryl. Daryl runs ahead to join another team practicing on another field.
The first coach turns and sees Keith, coming over to meet him.
Woody Goodman: Keith. I'm glad to see you. I've been meaning to call you.
Keith: Hello Woody.
Woody Goodman: You've made a full recovery.
Keith: Just about.
Woody Goodman: (smiles) I hope I can count on your support for my campaign.
Keith: (reserved) I thought you were still exploring the possibility.
Woody Goodman: You know how it is.
Keith: So you're definitely running?
Woody Goodman: I am. This town needs a change. And I think I'm just the man to help lead Neptune forward.
Keith smiles, but he doesn't agree or disagree.
Woody Goodman: Neptune is a great town Keith. I know you've had your difficulties here, but that's all in the past now. Imagine it: a cleaner, safer Neptune. Safe for our children.
Keith: Words are easy Woody. Real change takes a lot of work.
Woody Goodman: You're absolutely right. And I think I know just the man to really set me on the right path with my plan.
He stares at Keith obviously.
Keith: Me?
Woody Goodman: You Keith. You're a good man. This town owes you, and I think you have it in you to come back. Come back and help me make Neptune a town we can really be proud of.
Keith doesn't look interested.
Woody Goodman: Think about it Keith. Think about it and come see me again.
-----VMVMVMVMV----------
Winchester. Logan and Veronica drive into town where Veronica's cover story evolves. In the general store where she forces Logan to try on several cowboy hats, she chats with the clerk about the house, saying she had seen it and since it was vacant, wouldn't it make the perfect spot for her family reunion that summer? If only they knew who to contact to arrange a short term lease.
Store Clerk: That must be David Morse's house. Nobody knows where he went. The man was here one day, then gone the next. Not that anybody should be surprised. Kept to himself mostly. Didn't ever mix with the locals. Why he never even came to our fourth of July parade.
Veronica: How long did he live here?
Store Clerk: Bit more than two years I reckon. Hard to say. The man didn't make much of an impression. Real quiet like.
-----VMVMVMVMV---------
Winchester. At the Breadbox Café, Logan and Veronica get a slightly different story. The waitress seats them at a window booth.
Waitress: Y'all aren't from around here are ya?
Logan: (dryly) How'd you guess?
Waitress: Oh, I grew up here, pretty much know everyone in town. Even the visitors who come in for more than a few days.
Logan: (sarcastic) You're good.
Veronica kicks him under the table.
Waitress: (laughs) New faces stand out. And new faces that come with a car like yours? Yeah, we noticed you.
Veronica: Ignore him, he's grumpy because there's too much clean air out here.
Waitress: Well, let me be your guide. We got pretty much anything you can imagine on the menu. If you're hungry for a meal, I'd try the Hot Browns. Our cook came here from Louisville, and it's his specialty.
Logan: What, no sushi?
Waitress: (smiling) Sorry, no. But the Hot Browns is a must have if you've never tried it.
Veronica: What is it?
Waitress: An open-faced turkey sandwich smothered in a rich cheese sauce and topped with crisp bacon strips.
Veronica: Sounds delicious. We'll have two.
After the waitress leaves to put in their order Logan looks at Veronica.
Logan: Cheese sauce? What is that? Cheese whiz?
When the waitress brings back the sandwiches, Veronica restarts the conversation.
Veronica: Hey, if you know everyone in town, maybe you know how we can reach David Morse?
Her open smile fades instantly.
Waitress: Why would you want to find him?
Veronica: We saw his house, thought it might be fun to rent it out, come stay for a few weeks.
Waitress: (brightening up) I'm sure there are other houses you could rent. You should ask Sharon Ritter. She's the real estate agent in town.
Logan: Veronica really loves that house.
Veronica: I REALLY do! Maybe you know of some family or a friend that might know where the owner is?
Waitress: No. I don't. Sorry.
She leaves quickly, no smile on her face now.
Veronica: That was odd.
Logan: Do you think she killed him and buried his body in her basement? Or maybe this isn't bacon. Maybe it's David Morse and this town is full of cannibals waiting for us to drop our guard so they can cook us up for dinner.
Veronica: (distracted as she watches the waitress) Well as long as we don't run out of gas, I think we'll be OK.
The waitress returns to give them the bill, smiling again.
Veronica: Hey. Thanks for the recommendation, that was fantastic.
Waitress: Oh, I'm glad. (handing Logan a business card with a little floral border) Here's Sharon's card. Give her a call.
Veronica: Is there something about that house that you're not telling us? 'Cause unless there is a good reason, I don't see why we shouldn't try to rent it...
Waitress: Look, it's nothing. I just, well, Mr. Morse. He was creepy. (looks at V) You know the kind, when they look at you your skin just crawls. He scared me. Most people just thought he liked to be by himself, but if you ask me, he wanted all that space so no one could see what he was doing out there.
Veronica: (lightly gossipy tone) What do you think he was doing?
Waitress: I don't know. And I don't want to know. The day he left town was a good day, and if I never see him again it would be too soon.
She moves to another table.
Logan gives Veronica a hard look.
Logan: That's it. We're done with creepy town. Let's go.
He throws down a fifty dollar bill, leaving a very generous tip.
Veronica: Logan...
Logan: Now Veronica. I want to be out of here before it gets dark.
Veronica: (sliding out of the booth) You've watched too many horror films.
Logan: Come on. We have to be back in LA for tonight's show anyway.
Veronica: (grumbling) Right, 'cause there are no cautionary tales about LA.
-----VMVMVMVMV------------
Fennel home. Daryl is in front of the TV in the living room.
Daryl: Hey, look Veronica is on TV again.
Veronica and Logan are sitting I the front row of the audience on Dancing with the Stars.
Keith comes into the room and sits on the couch. His look is not happy.
Keith: Yep. That's our Veronica.
Alicia: (coming in to sit down next to Keith) Have they found her friend Meg yet?
Keith: No.
Alicia looks with concern from Keith to the TV where Veronica looks a little tense despite her smile.
-----VMVMVMVMV------------
(Wednesday, August 4)
Veronica and Logan arrive at his house to find Meg eating breakfast in her pajamas on the couch. Veronica checks in with Meg quickly then leaves, stopping by the office to check messages, again deleting one from Detective DeBraal, before heading home.
Entering the house, Veronica is met with a stony faced Keith.
Keith: Veronica, I think we need to talk.
Veronica doesn't look happy with that idea.
Later, the conversation is continuing. Veronica has obviously copped to the truth about Meg. .
Keith: You lied directly to my face Veronica.
Veronica: (unrepentant) When the deputies where here.
Keith: And after.
Veronica: (squirmy) Well...
Keith: Well, what? What is your justification for playing me?
Veronica thinks for a moment, then screws up her face.
Veronica: I was protecting Meg. And I was mad that you were questioning me like the Spanish Inquisition!
Keith: That's it? (seeing the humor in the situation) You were mad.
Veronica: (passionate and unapologetic) You knew the situation with Meg. Once you were on their side, what was I supposed to do?
Keith: I was on your side Veronica. I'm always on your side.
Both stop speaking, letting their emotions settle.
Veronica: I'm sorry I lied to you.
Keith: (faintly amused) But you were mad.
Veronica: Yeah.
Keith: Huh.
Veronica: So how long are you going to be mad at me? (Keith opens his mouth but Veronica interrupts him) And don't say you're not mad that you're disappointed. Just be mad. OK?
She issues a hopeful smile.
Keith: OK. How about we both admit we could have handled the situation better...
Veronica: (quickly) OK.
Keith: And you agree that you had options other than lying to me.
Veronica smiles warily and shrugs.
Keith: (groaning) Veronica.
Veronica: What?
He shakes his head, but he is clearly not mad anymore. She smiles happily.
Keith: Now, when are you finally going to stop running interference between Logan and me?
Her face falls again.
-----VMVMVMVMV--------
Cut to later, Veronica lets herself into Logan's house to find Meg and Logan watching Napoleon Dynamite and laughing.
Veronica: Hi kids, I'm home.
Meg: Oh, hi Veronica.
Meg is smiling and happy. Veronica smiles back.
Veronica: Glad to see you two getting along.
Logan: Why wouldn't we, I've been friends with many a blonde.
Veronica: (dryly) Yeah, I'm aware.
Meg: (getting off the couch) Veronica, have you had time to look for Lizzy?
Veronica: Actually yeah. And it was easy enough to find her.
Meg: (alarmed) Oh no! Do you think my parents can find her two?
Veronica: Only if they know she goes by Hott2TrottNeptuneBabe on gmail. Lizzy emailed me. I'm guessing your parents don't know about that email account.
Meg: Where is she? Is she OK?
Veronica: She's fine. She went to stay with a friend in San Diego.
Meg: Who?
Veronica: Brandon?
Meg: Oh. Yeah. My parents didn't know about him either. She should be safe.
Veronica: And she has your computer. I'll see if I can't get someone to pick it up from her so you can get it back.
Veronica goes into the kitchen to get a glass of water and Meg hugs her then heads for the bathroom. Logan pauses the movie and comes into the kitchen with Veronica.
Logan: You do realize you've moved a hot blonde in her with me, and 9 out of 10 advice columnists advise against that.
Veronica: It's you and Meg. I trust both of you. (cheerful smile) Besides if something did happen the ocean is conveniently close for disposing of your bodies.
Logan: I love you Sugarpuss.
Veronica: Homicidal tendencies and all?
Logan: It's all part of the Veronica package that I do so love.
He moves in for the kiss, but Meg has reentered the room.
Meg: Would you two like me to leave so you can consummate this little foreplay?
Logan: Wow Meg. Using grown-up words like consummate and foreplay.
Veronica: And to answer your question, no. We're fine.
Logan pouts, but manages to get his arms around Veronica and steal a kiss anyway.
All three sit on the couches to watch the rest of the movie. As soon as the movie is over Meg goes upstairs and makes a show of closing her door loudly and turning on music.
Logan: So you know what today is, right?
Veronica: (cheeky) Wednesday?
Logan: Not just any Wednesday.
Veronica: (affecting vague disinterest) Oh?
Logan: (frowning) You know we've been together for 6 months now.
The statement is affirmative, but his tone is questioning.
Veronica: How could I not be cognizant of that knowledge with you wanting to celebrate every minuet milestone.
Logan: Like what?
Veronica: Like our five month anniversary?
Logan: Five months is not minuet.
Veronica: Or our four month anniversary?
Logan: Four months is a long time when you're 17 and hot, (tone saying it's obvious) like both of us are. (she stares at him, one eyebrow raised in challenge) One month is forty-three thousand and two-hundred minutes.
Veronica: What?
Logan: (proper French punctuation) Minuet (\min-yə-wet\), from the French menuet. A slow graceful dance in three-forths time characterized by forward balancing, bowing, and toe pointing. (he demonstrates the bowing and toe pointing much to her amusement) More commonly used as a synonym for small. Miniature. Tiny. Like my tiny blonde girlfriend.
He mimes putting a tiny Veronica into his pocket.
Logan: Minuet often mistake for minute – just pronounced more pretentiously. A moment, 60 seconds. One minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day, 30 days on average in a month. Forty-three thousand and two-hundred minutes. Times six is....
Veronica: Enough.
Logan: Two hundred fifty-nine thousand....
Veronica: You've made your point.
Logan: ...Two hundred minutes.
Veronica: (archly) What is it after you subtract the times we broke up?
Logan: Never happened.
He wraps his arms around her loosely, keeping her in the circle of his arms.
Veronica: Oh I see, you're a math whiz, but history escapes you.
Logan: As long as you don't escape me.
They lock lips, a long slow kiss that ends with their arms wrapped tightly around each other.
Veronica: You know, your math skills are pretty impressive.
Logan: (dark sexy tone) Not as impressive as some of my other skills.
Veronica: (innocently flirtatious, looking up through her lashes at him) Like what?
Logan: Well, I speak several foreign languages. Je défie tout ce qui est beau, vivant et simple, de ne pas m'impressionner.
Veronica: Am I going to have to learn French in order to date you?
Logan: I defy all that is beautiful, and simple living, not to impress me.
She smiles softly, but her response is challenging.
Veronica: While you may be fluent in French, I doubt greatly that your Spanish would pass as fluent.
Logan: (in French) Je sais comment commander une bière et des tacos. (in Spanish) Desea una cerveza y un taco, por favor. (German) Wann ist das Oktoberfest? (Italian) La mia ragazza ama la pasta.
Veronica: (slow open smile) You are constantly surprising me.
Logan: (looking at her face searchingly) Is that a good thing?
Veronica: Right now it is.
Her hands cup around his face and pull him back for another deep kiss. Her hands move under his shirt sliding up his back, feeling the warmth of his skin and kneading the muscle she finds there..
Logan: Just to be clear. Am I getting laid because of the anniversary thing, my math skills, or the French thing?
Veronica: Who said I only have to have one reason?
He begins walking her backwards towards the stairs.
Logan: But if you had to pick.
Veronica: Well, the math thing was totally going to get you laid. But then you upped the ante with the French.
Logan: Oui. En savoir plus.
Veronica: Once you start speaking French to me, I remember all the other things you excel at.
Logan: Comme quoi en particulier?
Veronica: (putting on a French accent) En particulier?
Logan: Oui.
Veronica: The way you kiss me.
Logan: La façon dont je vous embrasse.
He kisses her softly, nibbling on her lips.
Veronica: The way you touch me.
Logan: La façon dont je vous touchez.
His hands slide down her sides, briefly caressing over her breasts, to cup under her butt pulling her up and around him, letting him carry her up the stairs easily. She locks her hands behind his neck, her legs wrapped around him.
His head drops and he kisses along her exposed neck.
Veronica: (sighing) That you always find that spot on my neck.
Logan: La façon dont je trouve l'endroit sur votre cou qui vous fait gémir.
Veronica: Mm. Yeah. Definitely that one.
Logan: Quoi d'autre?
She looks at him blankly.
Logan: What else?
Veronica: The way you love me. The way you make me feel. Je t'aime.
Logan: Car, vois-tu, chaque jour je t'aime davantage, Aujourd'hui plus qu'hier et bien moins que demain.
They reach the bedroom and Logan carries her through, kicking the doors shut behind them.
-----VMVMVMVMV----------
Scene opens with Logan and Veronica lying the wrong way in his bed, the blankets completely messed up. Both are sprawled out on their backs, the ocean visible behind them. She turns her head to face him, her hands holding a sheet close to her chest.
Veronica: What did you say earlier?
Logan: When?
Veronica: After I said I loved you.
Logan: Car, vois-tu, chaque jour je t'aime davantage, Aujourd'hui plus qu'hier et bien moins que demain. For you see, each day I love you more. Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.
Veronica: That's beautiful.
Logan: (staring into her eyes) You're beautiful.
Veronica: (smiling) Would it be impossible for you to let me have the last word?
Logan: (incredulous) I'm the one who always gets the last word?
Veronica makes an 'it's obvious' face.
Logan: I'm going to have to disagree with you there, Sugarpuss.
Veronica: (faux affronted) Oh, please, if you...
Logan: Peace! I will stop your mouth.
A long kiss ensues and Logan rolls Veronica over onto her back, following her with his body.
Veronica: My point exactly. You have to have the last word. Even if you have to steal it from Shakespeare.
Logan: (wicked grin) I thought you liked going first. Or coming first at least...
Veronica: Enough!
This time she does get the last word as their mouths lock together again, making speech impossible.
-----VMVMVMVMV----------
That evening Logan takes Veronica out to dinner, Meg ushering them out of the house, reassuring Veronica that she will be fine on her own.
They eat at Bertrand at Mr. A's, and Veronica manages to slip the waiter her credit card to pay for the meal on her way back from the bathroom. Logan gets suspicious when the bill doesn't arrive before they move out onto the outside deck for drinks.
Veronica just grins seeing the speculation on his face and when he opens his mouth to say something she covers it with her finger.
Veronica: Just enjoy the view.
--AN
I moved the entrance to the Secret Room in the closet from Grace's bedroom to Meg's. I also added a line to Mr. Manning's speech.
Most of the language translations are from Google Translate, so if they are horrible, I apologize.
New Code:
TWFjIHdpbGwgaGF2ZSBhIGJ1c3kgQXVndXN0IGFzIEVuYm9tIGNvbWVzIGhvbWUsIGFuZCBFbWJvbSwgRGljayBhbmQgQmVhdmVyIHdvbid0IGJlIHRoZSBvbmx5IG9uZXMgY29udGVuZGluZyBmb3IgaGVyIGF0dGVudGlvbi4gIA==
Clue: this is a Code Mac would use/choose. Appropriately the code is a teaser about Mac.
Hmm, musings for this chapter...the first part came fast, then not so much. I had to rework my whole summer timeline and a few things got pushed into Senior year. Also from the comments on the poll for who to kill I realize that some of the secondary characters aren't as well developed for y'all as they are in my head.
There is Meg/Logan fan among the readers, and this chapter has a gift for her. I hope you enjoy.
Lastly, someone asked who would be on LoVe's sex without consequences lists. And the answer for that was not so readily apparent. But on V's list would for sure be Jensen Ackles. Apparently ShowVeronica liked Josh Hartnet, but he's not my flavor. For Logan, I guess Scarlett Johansen. Blonde. Not a complete dimwit. Maybe someone like Catherine Zeta Jones. Really don't know. If you have strong ideas, send them to me and I'll see if I can work them in as a running joke. Maybe V should like Edward Norton. He and Jason Dohring kinda resemble each other, no?
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