Chapter Twenty-Five

"So what do we know?" Veronica, Keith, Hudson, and Jason were sitting around the table, looking over all the evidence and papers they had. Hudson and Jason had been there about two hours. It was about four o'clock in the morning. Logan had passed out a few hours ago and was snoring softly on the couch.

"Okay, we know that the other brother, whom we're calling X, wound up in a mental hospital in Virginia around the time he was 35 or so. Aaron's movies would have been getting a lot of publicity around that time. And Hudson, you said you were working on a high profile case around that time, right? We figure he saw you either on TV or in the newspaper and saw that you resembled each other. From what we know by gathering information online, we found out he was insisting he was Aaron's brother, and that's why he was admitted. We'll call in a few minutes and see if we can get a subpoena for his records while he was there. Actually," Jason checked his watch, "I'll call the judge now." He got up from the table and stepped outside. Veronica looked at Hudson. He hadn't said a whole lot through all their research. Jason was taking point on the case because of Hudson's newfound involvement with their top suspect.

"You doing okay, boss?" Like everyone else, Hudson had no idea that he had a long-lost brother, much less two of them, much less one that was a movie star that had died in a high-profile case so long ago.

"Yeah, Mars, I'm doing okay. Just a bit shell-shocked and a little overwhelmed. With all the stressful situations I've been in and trained for, this is different. I do okay with change in the work place because things are always having to change, but I'm not so great at dealing with change in my personal life. And this is definitely a change. And to think that one of the brothers I've never had a chance to know is looking more and more like a serial killer all the time." Hudson just shook his head. Veronica patted his arm, shaking her head. She knew how much of a blow it was to find something like that out.

"Alright! The judge is going to sign the subpoena for the records from the mental hospital, and Cali is going to call me when she gets the signed document in her hand. He's giving them four hours from the time of service to come up with the records. So we should have them a little while after the sun comes up." Jason had that self-satisfied smirk on his face that Veronica knew all too well.

"Cali, huh? Weren't you two supposed to have dinner recently?" Veronica raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, but then all this happened. We've got a rain check for when we get back." Jason grinned. He had been trying to get a date with Cali for months now, and their schedules just had not worked in their favor.

"Yeah, I'll be glad when this is over, too." Jason saw the way Veronica's eyes moved toward Logan.

"Mmm mmm, I bet you will." Jason laughed and winked at Veronica. When Jason and Hudson had gotten there, Jason was all set to give Logan a talking to until Veronica stopped him by explaining to him that Logan had changed since she last saw him.

"Hey Cali, that was quick. Uh huh. Yeah? Okay, sounds good. Talk to you soon." Jason got off the phone with a grin.

"The judge signed the papers, and they're on their way to serve them now. She'll call me back when they've talked to the administrators at the hospital and the info is on its way."

"Awesome! So what can do while we wait?" Veronica asked then yawned.

"Well, I think you two should try to get some sleep until Cali calls us back. They have four hours to comply. I'm sure they will, but they may take their time about it. You guys get some sleep and I'm going to take Hudson and show him where Aaron lived." Keith hugged Veronica and grabbed his keys, nodding at Hudson.

"I'll be alright Veronica. I just want to see where my infamous brother lived." Hudson smiled wryly.

"Alright, we'll see you guys in a while." Veronica stretched and yawned again, and laughed. She walked over to the couch and nudged Logan. He woke up, startled. She grabbed his hand and pulled, smiling.

"Jason, you can have the couch. Blankets are in that closet over there." Veronica pointed at the closet. Jason raised his eyes at her; she smiled and shrugged her shoulders somewhat sheepishly.

"Night." Veronica winked as she walked down the hall toward her room with Logan.

"Alright mister, no funny business. I'm too tired." Logan smiled at her, fully awake by then. Logan nodded in agreement, then laid down in the bed, back against the wall. Veronica laid down beside him, and he put his arms around her, pulling her close. For the first time since all this started, Veronica breathed a sigh of relief and snuggled against Logan. He brushed a kiss across the top of her head. I love you, Veronica Mars.

"Did you say something?" Veronica asked, her voice heavy with sleep already.

"No baby, I didn't. Go to sleep now. I'll be here when you wake up." Logan smiled in the dark at the thought.