Chapter 25

Don Shepherd's financial records looked like so many other philandering husbands, hidden bank accounts, multiple cell phones, but Don was also paying rent every month on a small condo unit at the newly remodeled Sandpiper Hotel.

Veronica sat in her car staring at the Sandpiper, she had not gone anywhere near the hotel since the day she followed Kendall Casablancas, and being back made her stomach squirm, not because Logan's affair with Kendall still bothered her, it didn't. It was just this place was a glaring reminder of another instance she was used by Cassidy Casablancas. She shook her whole body trying to get the memory of Beaver out of her mind.

A very attractive college aged guy in a seersucker suit was working at the front desk when Veronica walked up. "Can I help you ma'am?"

"Oh, I hope so, Dave." Veronica read his name tag. "I am meeting my friend who has a room here but I'm kind of in a bind, I'm super early, and my phone is dead and I can't for the life of me remember what unit she is in and I really don't want to sit around in the lobby for the next hour till we are suppose to get together. Is there any way you could look up her room for me?"

Dave eyed the cute blonde giving him sad puppy dog eyes "I'll do what I can, what is the name?"

"Well that's the thing, she is notorious for using fake names, but I can show you her picture, maybe you'll recognize her." Veronica pulled out an old picture of Carrie Bishop from high school. "I know it's old but I'm in town for our reunion and we are going to play catch up."

Dave took the picture and furrowed his brow then his eyes opened wide, "I'm pretty sure this is Susan Rooks."

"Susan Rooks?" Veronica could barely hide her shock and disgust.

"Yep. I haven't seen her lately, but her husband has been here all week."

"Oh, him?" Veronica handed Dave a picture of Don from the law firm's website.

"That's Mr. Rooks, not always very social, but always a good tipper. Let me get you the room, oh I'm sorry ma'am there is a firm do not disturb not on unit."

Veronica added a pout to her puppy dog eyes. "Really?"

"Well if you happen to find yourself out side of 212 you might find your friend and if you happen to find yourself in the bar at 6 you might find yourself with plans for the night." Dave gave Veronica a knowing look followed by a wink.

Veronica gave a small giggle, "It must be my lucky day. Thank you Dave." She turned her back and rolled her eyes as she headed towards building 2.

Veronica found out where Don Shepherd was hiding out and just how twisted Carrie Bishop could be. Maybe she was capable of killing her own sister, because obviously Carrie was loyal to no one. Veronica heard a door opening in front of her and she quickly ducked in to the alcove holding the ice and soda machines when she heard Don's voice. "Yes, I'd like to place an order for pick up, a large thin crust triple meats, cheesy garlic bread with extra dipping sauce and a small dinner salad, put it under Rooks, yep, I'm walking over now, thanks."

Veronica quickly pulled out her camera as Don's voice faded away to see if she could snap a few shots and see where he was heading. Don was wearing a Hawaiian shirt and shorts with a baseball cap and sunglasses on so he looked just like any other tourist as he started walking towards the pier. Momma's Pizza was just off the pier and had the best cheesy garlic bread on the coast so that was probably who Don was ordering from, and that also gave her about 25 minutes to get in and out of his place and plant a few bugs. Veronica scanned around and noticed the maid's cart by the service elevator and she hoped for the best.

Sure enough the maid had left her master key in the apron hanging off the end of the cart, Veronica quietly slipped it into her own pocket and headed to room 212.

It was billed as a condo but really it was just a suite with a kitchenette which meant it would not take Veronica long to take care of business. She planted bugs on the phone, under the coffee table, in the plant on the balcony and one in the lamp by the bed. Veronica also found two extra pre-paid cell phones in Don's bag that she chipped. She was hoping Don and Carrie were in contact and one if not both of them knew the truth about what happened to Carol.

The trash had already been emptied for the day but Veronica checked the fridge in the kitchen and found it full of beer and to-go containers, all from places located along the pier, Don was sticking close to the Sandpiper but he was still going out in public. Veronica thought about just making herself comfy and grilling Don once he came back to the room, but she did not want to spook him. Besides Carrie probably told him horrible but mostly true things about Veronica after the meeting on Monday and he might get paranoid and start looking for bugs. Nope, she had to play this safe.

Veronica was in and out of Don's room with 10 minutes to spare. She returned the maid's key to the cart and made it back to her car to wait and watch for Don's return. As Don made his way back to the Sandpiper he stopped and looked around a few times to check to see if he was being followed. Veronica decided she made the right decision not ambushing him in his room.

It turns out Don was being followed, as soon as he disappeared into his room, a dark blue locksmith van pulled into the parking lot and Veronica groaned. She knew that stupid van and it's equally annoying contents, Vinnie Van Lowe.