CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Maybe he found her. Even after turning the files over to her dad, with his promise to call the FBI, she couldn't stop thinking that it was Anthony Calabrese who found Lisa and not the other way around. And no one is going to figure out how. It was on her mind when she went to sleep last night and again when she ducked out of the house this morning without waking Logan or Wyatt. Veronica listlessly pushed the shopping cart up and down the aisles at Ralphs tossing in the items from her grocery list.

Her first idea was that Lamb sold Lisa out. Corruption in the Balboa County Sheriff's Department was de rigueur and Lamb's connection to the seedy underworld made her theory plausible. She knew the Marshals Service routinely told local law enforcement about protected witnesses in their jurisdiction. However, her father said it was only done to prevent criminals from using their new identities to continue their life of crime unimpeded. Since Lisa wasn't a criminal, it left a gaping hole in Veronica's theory.

It's not your case anymore, Veronica. She was mad. No, not mad- frustrated. Pausing in front of the freezer, she debated the merits of the different ice cream varieties and settled on Chunky Monkey since it was Wyatt's favorite. She made it halfway down the aisle before going back to add Phish Food and Cake Batter to her cart. If she was still being followed, her plan was to bore them to death with her early morning run to the dry cleaners and now her trip to the market. Gee, maybe I should stop at Armstrong Garden Center and buy bulbs next.

A morning of household errands, followed by an afternoon of gardening and an evening of family bowling was her equivalent to wearing an 'I'm not investigating you' sign. She handed the dreaded coupons to the cashier and paid for the groceries. She needed to snap out of this funk before going home. It wasn't Logan's fault that she gave up the case, but her moodiness last night had him electing to read in their bedroom while she banged around her office.

Veronica loaded the bags into the Audi's trunk. Maybe instead of gardening we can go baby shopping as a peace offering. Since he was deployed for much of her pregnancy with Wyatt, Logan was committed to the 'full experience' with this one, which included picking out furniture for the nursery. He's certainly getting to experience my mood shifts. The only positive result from last night's grumpiness was realizing that they could combine the office and guest room.

Focus, Veronica. She checked the rearview mirror, made another unnecessary turn and reduced her speed. Unlike the movies, driving faster was not the way to spot a tail. Only an amateur would immediately speed up when you did. Whereas, driving slower would force the tail car to stay closer to you and make him easier to spot. Except at traffic lights. Veronica took her foot off the gas like she was slowing down for the yellow light. As it turned red, she jammed her foot on the accelerator and flew through the intersection. A quick glance in her mirror confirmed that no one ran the red to follow her. She made a few more turns and headed home.

A very large truck was parked in front of the house and Logan was standing on the porch with Wyatt as she pulled into the driveway. "One night. I'm cranky one night and he kicks me out." Veronica grabbed the bag with the ice cream. "Sending my stuff to my dad's? Or did you donate it all to Goodwill?"

"Goodwill- you know, for the tax write-off."

"Smart move." She joined them on the porch. "Do I even want to know?"

"It's rubber mulch." Logan put Wyatt down and bounded off the porch. Opening the trunk, he started to unload the groceries.

Rubber? "Why do we need a truckload of rubber mulch?"

"For safety."

The vague answer meant he was up to something and she didn't need to be a detective to put together the clues. "You bought the S.W.I.N.G. set, didn't you?"

"No, I bought rubber mulch." He paused on his way into the house and kissed her nose. "Trina bought the thing you mentioned."

"And you just conveniently forgot it was being delivered today?"

"Nope" —he grinned— "It says so right on the calendar."

Her gaze narrowed. What it said on their family calendar was mulch. Nowhere did it have the word rubber. "I thought that was for my garden." His smile widened. "I almost bought bulbs today," she grumbled.

"Cat, Mama, cat!" Wyatt was hitting Veronica's thigh and pointing at the double-gate leading to the backyard; a CAT forklift was navigating its way in between the two PVC fence posts. It cut a path across the lawn and down the drive to the delivery truck.

Another man emerged from the yard and closed the gate before heading in their direction. He stopped at the foot of the stairs. "All set Mr. Echolls; I just need you to sign."

Putting down the shopping bags, Logan signed the man's clipboard and pulled some bills from his pocket for a tip. They shook hands and the deliveryman returned to the truck. Veronica spent a few seconds watching them load the forklift. Taking Wyatt's hand, she followed Logan into the house. "When I said truckload, I was being sarcastic."

He was already putting away the food. "Really? I thought you were just being observant."

Wyatt pulled her hand away from Veronica. "Me help." Squatting next to the bags, Wy started taking items out and stacking them on the floor. When she found the strawberries, she sat and tugged open the plastic container spilling berries across the hardwood. Picking them up one at a time, she took a bite from each before dropping it into the container.

Veronica bit back a smile. "Did you eat breakfast?"

Nodding, she ate another strawberry. "O's."

"Cheerios? With bananas?"

Wyatt pouted. "No nanas."

"Mommy bought some, why don't you look for them." The suggestion had Wyatt up and rummaging through the bags. Now that she was distracted with her banana search, Veronica scooped up the berries and put them on the counter.

"Nanas!"

Logan materialized from the depths of the pantry in time to snag the bunch of bananas from Wyatt's hands. He broke one off for her. "Do you want me to cut it up?"

"No, me 'key."

Veronica looked at him for a translation and he grinned. "She wants to eat it like a monkey." Peeling it halfway down, he handed it to her and she waddled into the living room making monkey noises.

"That's new."

"We read The Jungle Book." He crouched in front of the open refrigerator to put away the last few bags. "Are you still mad?"

"About the eight tons of mulch and the pile of railroad ties in our yard?"

"Actually it's ten… ten tons." Standing, he closed the fridge and leaned against it. "You need a six inch depth to prevent falling injuries."

When he didn't make any sexual innuendos about six inches and depth, Veronica knew he was being serious. "Someone did their research."

"At least I can keep one of you—" He abruptly stopped talking. Pushing himself off the fridge, he turned his attention to the strawberries, discarding the half-eaten ones and rinsing the others. "Are you going into the office?"

Veronica didn't want to pursue his original line of conversation so she accepted the change of subject. "For an hour, maybe two? I need to create an employee access card for Kane Software."

"I thought you stole Nigel's card?"

"I did, well Amber did." She popped a strawberry in her mouth. The baby may have eaten breakfast, but she didn't and she was starving.

Opening the fridge, she stared at all the newly purchased food and decided she didn't want any of it. Veronica wandered into the pantry for the waffle iron, Bisquick, shortening, and vegetable oil. Dumping it all on the counter, she plugged in the iron and took down a bowl for the batter. Logan got the milk and eggs out of the refrigerator for her

"Nigel left right after I did so there's a chance he didn't notice it was gone until Thursday. If he thought he left it at home, he might've waited to report it missing, but I don't want to take any chances."

While she finished mixing the batter, he greased the waffle iron. "Why bother to steal it then?"

"I wanted the encryption key to make my own." Veronica poured the mix in the center of the hot iron and closed the lid. "Of course it would be easier if I had another original; it would help me decipher the sequence of the unique identifier."

"I guess asking Duncan for his would ruin the stealthy part of your operation."

Duncan. When she confronted Duncan in the hospital after the accident, he said that Lamb came to the house to tell him about the crash. They had their Kane Software ID. Lisa's access card was probably untouchable- locked away in evidence, but Mac's card might be with her personal effects at the hospital.

Logan hip-checked her out of the way and rescued her waffle before it burned. "Syrup?"

A distracted head shake. Her employee ID is probably still active. A stop at the hospital to check on Mac and she wouldn't need to make her own card. Taking the Cake Batter ice cream from the freezer, she put a healthy-sized scoop on top of her waffle.

"Don't let Wyatt catch you eating that."

The mention of Wyatt made Veronica frown. "Why is it so quiet?"

"On it." Logan hurried from the kitchen.

There was always a constant buzz of noise with a toddler in the house. Aside from the toys that talked and made music, Wyatt usually kept up a steady stream of chatter. Plus there was the banging and clatter of things being spilled or dumped. When silence descended, Wy was usually doing something she was afraid they'd stop.

Logan returned carrying his cell. "It's fine, she's fine." Veronica arched a brow and waited for further explanation, but he only shook his head. "It's better if you see it."

There were nanny cams throughout the house even in the hallway, which is where their daughter was and Logan had that camera cued up on his phone. Wyatt was naked except for her tutu and she'd pulled her ducky potty from the bathroom. All her stuffed animals were lined up against the wall and she was making each one go "tee tee" in the potty.

"But wait, there's more." Logan reached over her shoulder to tap the screen and pull up video from Wyatt's room. It was only a few seconds before the baby walked into the frame carrying her stuffed elephant. She brought him to her Little Tikes sink, put his hands under the faucet, and rubbed them together while singing the 'wash, wash' song.

Veronica smiled. "Totally makes up for all the pouting and whining."

"Hers" —Logan smirked— "Or yours?"

"I do not whine." She turned and tilted her head so they were facing each other. "And you find my pouting adorable."

"Sexy too." Lowering his mouth to hers, his tongue grazed her bottom lip. "Mmm you taste like birthday cake."

Burying her fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck, she pulled him back for another, longer kiss. "I missed you last night." Not willing to take her bad mood out on him, she'd stayed in her office until he was asleep.

He waggled his eyebrows. "We could make up for it at naptime."

"I wish." Veronica brushed her lips over his one more time and released her grip on his hair. "I'm going to run up to the hospital to check on Mac and then maybe we can do some baby shopping before Fun Bowl."

"Fun Bowl," he muttered. Dropping into the chair next to her, he leveled her with an unamused glare. "I hate Fun Bowl."

"Now who's pouting?"

"You know what they say, the family that pouts together, etcetera, etcetera."

Veronica rolled her eyes. "It's prays together."

"Well, I'm praying for no Fun Bowl." Pressing his hands together, he gave her a pleading, solemn look and she shook her head. "Great, three sucktastic nights in a row." —he ticked them off on his fingers— "No sex, Fun Bowl, and then Celeste's party."

"You're forgetting the dress." Straddling his lap, she kissed along his jaw. "And me out of the dress."

Logan smoothed his hands down her spine and over her ass pulling her closer. "Okay fine, but there's no way you can make bowling better."

"Challenge accepted." She snagged his bottom lip between her teeth and gave it a gentle tug. "Now why don't you go get your daughter dressed and come with me? She can nap in the car."

Standing, she left the kitchen in search of Wyatt's diaper bag; it was sitting on the bench of the hall tree by the front door and already stocked with the essentials. Veronica tossed in some books and travel toys then went to pack snacks. Logan was no longer in the kitchen, but he'd left his phone on the table and it was tuned to the 'I don't want to get dressed' saga now playing in Wyatt's bedroom.

"No."

There was a moment of silence where Veronica was sure Logan was now praying for patience. "You have to wear a shirt Bean."

"No," she screeched.

"Look, this shirt has a tutu."

Veronica smiled. The man is a genius. She clicked out of the nanny cam app before round two, also known as no pants, could start. The stage of being able to undress herself and live her life naked was cute until you wanted to leave the house. Or you were already out of the house and she decided children's storytime at the library was a fine place to disrobe. Veronica finished packing goldfish and graham crackers and then added a banana and cheese cubes to the diaper bag.

The sound of laughter and running feet preceded Wyatt's arrival in the kitchen. She was wearing the white shirt with navy blue polka-dots and tutu hem, but except for a diaper her bottom half was bare. The offending navy blue leggings were clutched in her hand. She skirted behind the counter island to hide from Logan. As soon as he walked into the kitchen, Wyatt giggled giving away her position.

Putting the baby's ballet flats and lace-trimmed ankle socks on the counter, he asked, "Have you seen a little girl, about this tall" —he held out a hand to demonstrate her height— "Blonde pigtails and big blue eyes?"

More giggles. Veronica tapped her chin. "She sounds familiar, but I don't think I've seen her recently."

Logan shrugged. "Guess she doesn't want to go with—"

"Me bye-bye." She jumped from her hiding spot and threw herself at Logan's legs. "Me bye-bye."

"Then you need pants." Scooping her off the floor, he sat her on the island and finished getting her dressed. She banged her feet together and frowned at the leggings. It was a look that said if they didn't leave now she'd be naked again soon. Correctly reading the expression, Logan picked her up and headed for the front door. "Let's go Mars before we miss our window."

Veronica grabbed the diaper bag, set the alarm and followed him from the house. By the time she reached the car, the baby was already strapped in her car seat and her shoes were gone. She shook her head with a smile. Logan was circling the car toward the driver's side and Veronica blocked his path. "Let me drive."

Without question, he handed her the keys and returned to the passenger side. Veronica slid behind the wheel and passed him the diaper bag. He balanced it in his hands, weighing it. "How long are we going to be gone?"

"I put some books and toys in there to keep her entertained."

"And what's going to entertain me?"

"Thoughts of me?"

"That could get me arrested." She could hear the smirk in his voice. "Then again, I've never been arrested for indecent exposure before- it would really round out my rap sheet."

Veronica kept her eyes on the road and the rearview mirror. "Don't forget the lewd act charge."

"Hmm… do you think they've remodeled my cell? I loved its austere simplicity and the ambiance of desperation - I gave it five stars in my Yelp review."

"I'm sure it's just the way you left it."

"My cot had this perfect squeak to it, very soothing."

There was nothing soothing about the slight edge in his voice. Her reason for wanting to drive wasn't lost on him and she could feel his tension. Shifting in his seat, he leaned into the back ostensibly to check on the baby, but it was surely to scan the road behind them. Veronica pulled into the drive-thru at In-N-Out. "Double-double, animal style?"

"Sure."

No one followed them into the fast food restaurant. She inched the car closer to the window and surveyed the street. No familiar cars and nobody parked to wait for them. She ordered the same thing for herself and got a plain single burger for Wyatt. "Switch with me so I can eat?"

Logan dutifully obliged her request. Using the same caution she did, he drove slowly and took a circuitous route to the freeway. Once they were on the 5, he stayed to the right and kept his pace steady. "Have you talked to your dad?"

"I'm sure he's called them."

He nodded. "What time are we getting Laurel?"

"Five. I thought we could eat dinner at the bowling alley."

Chuckling, he glanced at her decimated burger. "Already thinking about dinner?"

"Mmm… sweet chili wings, mac and cheese bites, and the chocolate chip cookie melt."

"Have you memorized every menu in a ten mile radius?"

His question was drowned out by the shouted, "Cookie," from the backseat.

"I thought she was asleep," Veronica whispered. "You can have cookies later after dinner."

Logan pulled to the curb at the front entrance of the hospital. "Text me when you want to be picked up; we're going to each lunch at the P.A.R.K."

"Have fun." She shoved the last bite of burger in her mouth and stole a handful of his fries before getting out of the car. Pausing at the back window, Veronica blew kisses to the baby and waved.

The emergency entrance to the hospital was on the other side of the building leaving the main door for visitors. Aside from the two women behind a reception desk and a security guard the space was mostly vacant. It created a false sense of quiet that said focus on this beautiful, nicely appointed space and forget about the life and death battles happening beyond its reach. The lie made Veronica uneasy.

Not bothering with the elevator, she took the stairs to the second floor. Mac's personal things were probably in her room and the only people with access to her room were immediate family. It created a conundrum for her. Sneak into ICU to steal her friend's things and risk getting caught. Or, ask her family for them and have to explain why she wanted them. Good job thinking this through, Veronica.

She made her way to the waiting room hoping for Mr. Mackenzie or Ryan only to find Natalie. Mac's mom was sitting at the table staring out the window. She turned her head at the sound of the door. "Veronica."

"Hi." Crossing the room to join her, Veronica couldn't help but frown. "You're here by yourself?"

Natalie nodded. "I sent the boys home; they were a little… too much for me." She nudged the paperback sitting on the table. "I have a book."

It was doubtful that she'd even opened the book, never mind actually reading it. Her gaze was watery and there were dark circles under her eyes, but she looked better than she had a few nights ago. Natalie used her thumb and forefinger to twist at her wedding ring. Glancing at her hands, she forced them apart and hid them under the table.

"Can I get you anything? Coffee?"

A slight head shake. "If I have anymore coffee, I'll…" Her voice trailed off as if she forgot what she was going to say. Her eyes darted to the window and back to Veronica. "The swelling has gone down."

"That's good."

Natalie's hands were back on the table and she resumed the twisting of her ring. "They've started to wean her off the…" She clutched at her neck, a stricken expression at having forgotten the name of the drug.

"Propofol?"

She shook her head. "No, that wasn't… they wanted a longer sedation period." Twist, twist, twist of the ring. "Midazolam" —she nodded at the name of the drug— "Yes, that's it- Midazolam.

"So they stopped waking her up during rounds?"

"Not since Monday."

Veronica sat down. Four days in a deep coma and I didn't know. "But they're weaning her off; that's a good sign, right?"

"Yes." A fleeting smile. "Once she's awake and can follow commands, they'll take her off the ventilator." She glanced at the clock and then the door. "I'm going to go back in and sit with her. I've been talking to her, reading." Natalie nudged the book again and then picked it up.

Veronica didn't know how to respond and she didn't know how to ask for Mac's things. When Natalie stood, she did too. "I'll walk with you."

"Thank you." She squeezed Veronica's hand as they left the waiting room and made their way down the hall toward ICU.

"I'm sorry I haven't been here."

"Richard said you were investigating the… trying to find the person responsible?"

Thanks, Dick. "I am."

As they approached the doors to the unit, a man in black tee shirt, jeans, and windbreaker stepped forward, nodding to Mrs. Mackenzie and staring at Veronica. Ignoring him, she stopped walking and turned to Natalie. "It might help if I could see Mac's things. The stuff she had with her when they brought her in."

Confusion clouded her gaze and she frowned. "How could that help?" At first her tone was uncertain, but then she nodded. "Yes, yes, of course. If you think it'll help, I'll get them for you." She pushed open the swinging door and paused. "They're in her room- you'll wait?"

"Right here." Veronica took a step back, but the guard didn't seem to relax. She introduced herself to him, "Veronica Echolls."

An appraising look. "Logan's wife?" The fact that he knew Logan was a little jarring. It was another reminder that her husband had an entire life separate from her. "Nice to meet you, I'm Chris."

She shook his outstretched hand. "Same." Awkward.

"How's Wyatt?"

"Good." Please hurry up, Natalie.

In answer to her silent plea, the door swung outward and Natalie was back holding two large white security bags. They were designed to let you know if someone tampered with the contents by using a two-inch blue VOID tape to seal the bag. She gave them to Veronica. "You keep them. Mac won't be…" Natalie forced a smile. "She'll just get them back from you when she wakes up, won't she?"

Without waiting for a response, she disappeared through the doors. Veronica stared at the bags. Mac's name and room number were written on the outside label and it was signed by the person who originally sealed the bags, one Iris Schafer, R.N. She started back the way they came.

The guard, Chris, called after her, "Tell Logan I said hello."

"I will." Logan. She didn't want to wait for him to pick her up before opening the bags. The waiting room is empty. Returning to the room, she put the bags on the table and took out her pocketknife. She sliced open the blue security tape and dumped the contents of the first bag: Mac's purse, watch, shoes, and a lariat with her Kane ID card.

What else was she carrying? Opening the second security bag, she peeked inside and frowned. It was a familiar, worn leather knapsack, but it didn't belong to Mac. Veronica pulled out the knapsack —Lisa's knapsack— and set it on the table.