Wow, another update and you didn't have to wait a couple months. Am I on a roll or what? Lets just pray I keep going. I am really hooked to the story right now so I'm typing every spare chance I get. I was so happy to see people still reading my story. I write faster when I get reviews like the ones I got for the last chapter. They inspire me. So I hope you like this chapter just as much. Let me know what you think.
Veronica took a deep breath before stepping back so Logan could enter the apartment, his arms were wrapped around his body like if he held on he could keep all the hurt and anger concealed.
"Veronica, she's not dead," Logan said before she could say anything.
"What makes you think she's still alive?" Veronica asked holding up a hand before he could say anything. "I mean, do you have proof, something that shows she didn't…jump off the bridge."
Logan went on to explain the lighter and what it meant. He couldn't tell by staring into her eyes what she was thinking. For a moment he wished he was talking to the old Veronica because he'd been able to read everything she was thinking before she said anything. But he vetoed the idea just as quickly, the old Veronica wouldn't have been any help with locating his Mom. No, only the new Ronnie would be able to find her…if she was able to be found.
"Okay," Veronica said nodding her head like she just accepted what he was saying. "I believe you. But I have only two more questions, what about the woman who saw her jump? It's been on every channel."
"Don't tell me you believe everything everybody tells you on TV," Logan said shaking his head at her. "God Veronica, her credit cards were missing. Doesn't that just seem…I don't know, a clue? You don't jump off a bridge with your platinum card."
"Not usually no," Veronica admitted. She couldn't help but feel a little hope in the pit of her stomach. She really hoped Logan was right and his mother had staged her death and was going to come back for him…or something. The only problem she had with the idea was it was so far-fetched. It was something you'd see or read about on TV or in a book.
"I know my mother!" Logan insisted.
"I know you do," Veronica agreed. If there was one thing she didn't doubt it was Logan knowing his Mother. He loved and adored Lynn Echolls. God even she adored Logan's Mother. Out of the fearsome foursome's Mothers, Lynn Echoll's had been the one with the biggest heart. She'd honestly loved Logan unconditionally.
"I may not have been the best son," Logan said softly surprising Logan.
"It didn't matter," Veronica said walking towards him. "Lynn loved you Logan. If this is some elaborate plot to get away from your Dad then I'll find out. I promise you." She took his hand in hers as she lead him over to the couch so they both could take a seat. She did have one more question for him. "I heard she left a note."
"Well, yeah, she wants people to think she's dead. But if she was going to really do the deed, it'd be chardonnay and sleeping pills," Logan said smiling but Veronica could tell he wasn't finding anything about the topic funny. "You know, she wouldn't risk being found bug-eyed and bloated in some shrimp net."
"I'll see what I can find out," Veronica said rubbing the back of his hand.
"Did you mean what you said?" Logan asked changing the subject.
"I said a lot of things earlier," Veronica said smiling at him. "Care to be more specific?"
"That you're sorry you told Lilly," Logan said watching as she pulled her hand away and she put another foot between them. He hated that bringing up Lilly always caused Veronica to pull away. He wished…he just wished that they could talk about Lilly and have it be okay that they were touching. Maybe even more than just touching.
"Yeah I did," Veronica said honestly. She looked down at her hands as she explained. "I'm not proud of the girl I used to be." She stood up and paced away. "I was such an idiot back then. Blindly following Lilly and the rest of her posse like what they said or did was golden. I always thought that I had a moral code but looking back, I only had whatever Lilly approved of. It doesn't sit well with me now…who I used to be."
"Oh I don't know," Logan said leaning back, making himself comfortable. "I liked the old Veronica." When Veronica turned to look at him he smiled at her. "You had a fire in you but you never let Lilly see it. I liked that about you. That you could stand up for yourself and do something different but you respected Lilly enough to just keep the peace."
"It wasn't respect Logan," Veronica said shaking her head at him. "I was terrified of not being liked. The only reason people had anything to do with me was the three of you. Do you have any idea what they used to say behind my back? I'll give you a clue, it's pretty close to what they say now."
"They wouldn't have dared," Logan rejected the idea.
"Oh they were sure never to say it when you were around but you guys skipped school a lot more than I ever did," Veronica pointed out. "I was your charity case you know. I was the girl way out of bounds by going after the Duncan Kane. Oh and for Logan Echoll's to be putting up with me…I must be real good in the sack." She stared at him and she could see the truth dawning in his eyes. "That's just a small taste Logan."
"Why didn't you ever say anything?" Logan asked standing up. He'd gone from calm and relaxed for the first time in days to completely pissed off. He wanted to punch something. Preferably anybody who'd said any of that to Veronica.
"I knew the truth," Veronica said seriously. But then she had to be honest with herself. "Or I thought I did." She walked into the kitchen so she could grab a soda or some water. She needed something to do with her hands. "I gotta tell ya though. After Duncan refused to have anything to do with me I had my doubts. Then Lilly died and I was even more suspicious. Then you ripped me a new one in the hallway." She filled a glass with water as she stared into the sink looking at nothing. "I didn't know what to think anymore. But the new rumors started again only this time you were at the helm."
"Veronica we had no idea," Logan said speaking for himself, Lilly and Duncan.
"I know you didn't," Veronica said turning around. "I didn't tell you all that just to make you feel bad. You had nothing to do with their antagonism towards me back then."
"But I have everything to do with their antagonism towards you now," Logan pointed out.
"True," Veronica said. She wasn't going to be easy on him. They may have formed a truce lately but she wasn't ready to let go of everything he'd done quite yet. He had a lot to make up for.
"For what it's worth I would have kicked all their asses back then," Logan said walking towards the door. He had to get out of there. He couldn't deal with his Mother's suicide or disappearance, whatever the hell it was and see that far off look of pain in Veronica's eyes. "
"Logan!" Veronica called standing at the balcony as he reached his car. "I'll find out what really happened."
"I know you will," Logan said pausing as he opened the driver's side door.
Veronica turned and headed back into the apartment straight towards her laptop on her bed. The first thing you do in
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Veronica climbed out of her car her mind trying to figure out what else she could do for Logan. She'd already put a watch on all Lynn's credit cards and checked for flights with every airline.
"Hey Veronica," somebody said.
Veronica nodded her head without even looking to see who it was. She headed towards her locker but froze when she didn't get the usual snubs from Shelley Pomroy and Madison St. Claire.
"Hey Veronica," Madison said smiling fakely at her. Shelley just smiled at her as they walked past.
"Okay," Veronica mumbled to herself. She had finally reached her locker and was opening it as Dick and Beaver walked by. She braced herself waiting for the usual insult but stared open mouth as he nodded at her while walking by.
"Hey Supafly," Wallace said leaning against the locker next to hers. "Remember when I told you back on our second lunch together that you should hear what people say about you."
"Yeah," Veronica said staring at him.
"Well, I hate to repeat myself but you should hear what people are saying about you," Wallace said shaking his head.
"What now?" Veronica asked trying to figure out if she'd done anything lately to piss off anybody…well anything more than the usual.
"Actually," Wallace said drawing the suspense out.
"What?" Veronica asked impatiently.
"You are no longer suppose to be messed with," Wallace said staring at her watching for her reaction. He wasn't let down.
"What!" Veronica said loudly. She closed her locker and turned so she was looking out at her fellow students. Nobody was staring at her or whispering. Who knew that it would be more discerning to have her classmates be respectful than rude?
"Yeah, it seems Logan Echoll's started spreading the word that anybody who says anything that you consider to be rude and out of line, they will find out what it's like to be on Logan's bad side," Wallace explained noticing the rising flush in Veronica's face. "So…am I missing something here? I knew you were talking again but are you and Logan…together?"
"We're just friends," Veronica said heading down the hallway. She didn't want to have this conversation right now. She was too busy trying to get used to everybody being nice to her. She really wished they were still whispering behind her back. It was so much easier to deal with.
"If you say so," Wallace said not buying it for a moment.
"This is too weird," Veronica muttered as another 09er smiled at her and asked how she was doing. They'd never treated her like this…not even when she'd been friends with Duncan, Logan and Lilly. She saw Logan standing at his locker down the hallway and made a bee-line straight for him. She grabbed his arm and drug him into the bathroom hanging the out of order sign before turning to face him. "What did you do?"
"Fixing things," Logan said jumping up so he was sitting on the bathroom counter.
"How is this fixing things?" Veronica asked confused.
"Now nobody dares say anything bad about you," Logan explained.
"I don't care if they say something bad to me," Veronica said crossing her arms over her chest. "Do you think I told you…about last year because I wanted you to fix it?"
"Uh, yeah," Logan said it was his turn to be confused. How could he not try to fix it…it was his fault they were treating her like she was a bug that needed constant swatting.
"Logan," Veronica said walking over so she could sit by him. "I didn't tell you because I wanted things to change. I actually like having people not like me."
"But you said…" Logan started to say but he trailed off when she smiled up at him. He really loved her smile. She didn't give it to him anymore, very rarely. He always got the snarky bitchy smile but today she graced him with the true Veronica Mars smile.
"A year ago I needed people to like me," Veronica explained. "This year, I don't care that people don't like me. I don't care that there are new rumors spread about me weekly. I really don't care that the popular 09er bitches hate me. Life is so much easier when I don't have to worry about what to wear and what to say. It's so much easier being an outsider," she admitted still smiling at him.
She would never admit it out loud but she thought it was one of the sweetest things he could have done for her. Nobody ever tried to go out of their way to make things easier for her, except her father. Wallace had to be coaxed and pleaded with half the time, she hadn't been able to knock that out of him yet. But Logan had taken it upon himself to try and make it better, even if it had backfired.
"I wouldn't know what being an outsider feels like," Logan said nudging her shoulder with his.
"Yeah, being Aaron Echoll's son kinda negates being an outsider," Veronica agreed but then she got this look in her eyes that instantly put him on his toes. "Unless…"
"Unless what," Logan said slowly staring at her.
"You could turn Goth," Veronica said giggling when Logan's mouth fell open in shock.
"Yeah, like that's going to happen," Logan said jumping off the counter.
"It could work," Veronica insisted.
"Knowing this school everybody would just go to school Goth the next day," Logan pointed out.
"Yeah you're right," Veronica said shaking her head. "Guess you'll never live the life of an outsider."
"Too bad," Logan said staring at her. The first thought to jump in his head after what Veronica had said was 'what would it be like to date one?' But he immediately threw it out of his head. It was too weird and he needed to think about it later when he was alone.
"Yeah," Veronica said jumping down. She smiled at him before heading towards the door.
"Is there any news?" Logan asked before she could open the door. "About my Mom, I mean."
"I…uh…put notices on your mom's credit cards and on her ATM card," Veronica said.
"Meaning what exactly?" Logan asked.
"Meaning a friend of my father's who works at your family bank will text message me if any of the cards are used. And you know that eyewitness that's been clogging up the airwaves?" Veronica asked already knowing the answer.
"Yeah. Opportunistic hag," Logan said coldly.
"That's the one," Veronica had to agree. "Well, she's giving a statement at the sheriff's department tomorrow. I'll drop by; see if she's up for a chat."
"Well, I'll go with you," Logan suggested.
"Actually, despite popular opinion, you really can't beat the truth out of someone," Veronica said opening the bathroom door so she could take down the sign. She knew Logan was following her and wished the bell would ring already so she could use the excuse, 'I have to get to class.'
"Listen, I'm going," Logan not even making it a suggestion this time.
"You're not," Veronica said seriously.
"Kay, what are you going to stop me with?" Logan finally asked when he realized she was actually serious.
"Force of will, strength of character, tenacity, karate chop…" Veronica said her voice trailing off.
"I will know if she's lying, okay. You won't," Logan said stopping her with a hand on her arm.
"Fine. I've got a plan," Veronica said resigned to the fact he'd go whether she agreed to it or not. At least this way she could keep an eye on him.
"Yeah, I'm sure you do," Logan said laughing harshly before walking away.
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Veronica sat next to Logan later outside the Sheriffs office. She'd been planning on leaving him behind by leaving the school early but he must have anticipated that move because he'd been waiting on the hood of her car.
"So you make a nice hood ornament," Veronica commented getting comfortable on the wooden bench.
"You were at the car a little early," Logan said leaning forward putting his elbows on his knees. "Weren't trying to leave me behind were you?"
"Nah, you kidding me," Veronica lied. She watched as a woman exited one of the offices. "That's her." She watched as the woman headed towards where they were sitting. Logan moves to stand up but Veronica places her hand on his arm to stop him. "Down, boy. Relax, I've got it covered."
Logan watches as Veronica speaks softly into her sleeve. "White trash walking." He snorts as he chuckles but covers his mouth with his hand. Veronica smiled as she hands him an earpiece as the woman passed them. "I know, gadgets and all."
They both listen in as Cliff stops her from passing. Logan tensed up but as soon as the woman made it obvious she was lying he flew off the bench.
"So, what?! You couldn't get on "Springer" this week, so you make lies up about my mom?" he yelled at the woman.
"Logan…" Veronica said softly putting herself between them.
"You know, I am sure the trailer payments must be high. And what with the high price of spam these days…" he continued like Veronica hadn't said anything. When the woman leaves he tried to follow but Veronica held onto his arm. He tries to throw it off but Veronica won't let him.
"I'm sorry Logan," Veronica said as she pulled him away. She lead him out to her car and watched as he climbed in the passenger side without saying a word. She sighed as she got in the driver's side and started the car. She put it into drive but Logan threw open his door and stormed from the car. She watched as he walked off down the sidewalk but decided against following him. She had a phone call to make.
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Veronica stared at the phone as she recited the phone number to memory. After talking to Duncan earlier to get his doctor's name she'd taken a momentary break to throw up in the bathroom one more time. She really needed to deal with the fact that she'd kissed her brother and move on. She was going to see him every day at school…it wasn't going to get any easier.
Veronica held the phone up to her ear as it rang and she took a deep breath as the receptionist answered. "Hi, this is Veronica Mars. I was wondering if I could get in to see the doctor sometime this week. End of the day would be best. I have band practice after school. Five is great. Thanks."
"What do you need to see a doctor for?" Logan asked as he threw a tabloid on her desk.
"I have my reasons," Veronica said quickly. She sat down in her chair behind her desk and stared up at him. "Can't say I was expecting you."
"Yeah about that," Logan said pacing away. "I just needed to get away. To try and deal I guess you could say but while I was dealing I found this. There's a woman who saw my mom get out of her car and get in a van with a mysterious stranger." Logan had used air quotes when he said mysterious stranger.
"There's also a jungle tribe that worships Donald Trump's hair. It's a tabloid," Veronica pointed out.
"What, so the girl with the pig arm can't really bowl?" Logan said smiling.
"I just don't want you to get your hopes up," Veronica said hesitantly.
"Don't worry about my hopes Veronica," Logan said honestly. "Just find my Mother." He walked back over to the desk and pointed down at the tabloid. "The woman said my mom was laughing and having fun. Go do your Nancy Drew thing and find out if it's true."
"Sondra Bolan of Sunset Springs. How am I going to find her?" Veronica asked but then she picked up the phone. "In Sunset Springs. Sondra Bolan. Hi, Sondra, this is Veronica of "The National Instigator." I had a few follow-up questions on your Lynn Echolls story. Actually, in person is a lot better. No, Tuesday night's no good, newspaper work night."
"What are you doing?" Logan asked leaning forward on the desk.
"Any chance you're available right now?" Veronica asked staring right into Logan's eyes. She hung up the phone. "We have a date."
Logan followed Veronica into the coffee bar ten minutes later. He still couldn't believe Veronica had turned into such a good detective. He never would have believed it if he hadn't been witnessing it for the past couple weeks. She was really good at it.
Veronica took her seat and waited impatiently for Sondra to arrive. She just wanted to get this over with. She had this sense of foreboding and she knew it wasn't going to end well. After Sondra arrived and started talking Veronica listened but kept one eye on Logan who was sitting directly behind her. She knew the moment Logan realized it was another dead end.
Logan stood up and smiled sadly at the woman. She was no witness, just some deluded fan seeking her fifteen minutes of fame. He looked at Veronica before turning and striding from the coffee bar.
"Excuse me," Veronica said before chasing after Logan but she was too late. She watched him run into Weevil and make a sarcastic comment before leaving.
"Hey! Manners, Opie!" Weevil yelled. He turned to Veronica and asked, "What, did he lose a puka shell?"
"No. Just the last ounce of hope that his mother was still alive," Veronica said sharing a concerned look with Weevil.
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Veronica waited in the doorway of the classroom the next day. She didn't know what this freshman had to show them but if Weevil thought it deserved looking at then she had to trust it. She saw Logan walking towards her and she gave him a half-hearted tense smile.
"Hey. You paged?" Logan said stopping in front of her.
Veronica leads the way into the classroom where Weevil is already waiting along with Hart the freshman. "It seems Hart here has something to show us. Spill."
"Me and my friends were filming out by the bay. We were making this war movie, "Storm on the Beach." It's just on high def, but it's pretty cool. It's these two brothers who get sent to war and-" Hart said getting excited he could finally explain it to somebody other than his friends and family.
"Don't care. Point," Veronica said interrupting him.
"We were editing it together, and we noticed something," Hart said putting a disk into the computer. They all watched the video but nobody noticed anything except Hart. "Did you see it?"
"Yeah, it sucks, and?" Logan said sarcastically. He was already bored but if Veronica thought this guy might have something to offer than he had to stay.
"Rewind it. Play it frame by frame," Veronica ordered.
"There! Check out the right side of the bridge," Hart said pointing at what appears to be a body falling from the bridge in the background of the movie.
"Holy…" Weevil said but cut himself off as he looked at Logan who was just staring at the computer. He couldn't even hide the shock that was written all over his face. Veronica just shut her eyes.
"The video's time stamped 4:37 pm. Exactly the time when…" Hart said but stopped as he looked at Logan. "…she supposedly jumped."
"This footage better never make it out into public consumption," Veronica warned but she was already looking at Logan worried to see how he'd take this.
"Don't worry about my boy, Hart," Weevil said deciding to clear the room. He drug the freshman out giving V a little privacy with Logan. He didn't like the kid and he wasn't sure he liked Veronica getting so close to him but she was helping him with a case. And Veronica could handle herself.
"I'm sorry," Veronica said softly once they were the only two in the room.
"Yeah, so am I," Logan said before turning to leave the room.
Veronica dropped her head but pulled her cell phone out of her bag as it begins to ring. She had to read what it said three times before she understood. She took off running out of the classroom calling Logan's name.
"Logan! Logan," she said as she caught up to him. "Your mom's missing credit card was just used." She watches as the look of horror disappeared from his face to be replaced with hope once again.
