Disclaimer: Still not mine. But they seem happier under my guidance.
I'm pretty sure I'm not the first ff author to ask/beg/blackmail for reviews. As a thanks to people who do review, I'll respond with an extra scene from in the closet. For anonymous reviewers, you'll have to send an email address in the way that fools fanfic (name –space- at –space- domain) if you want the scene.
I'm posting this chapter ahead of my self imposed 10 day deadline because of whoever the reviewer was who blanketed me with random reviews this week. See, reviews do help! Love all your user/reviewer names, I assume the came from songs as you're reading?
Thanks again to Vermouth, my new beta and all kinds of inspiration for a new British character for the (possible) sequel.
This story so far recaplet: Canon up until Echolls Family Christmas. Veronica copied Duncan's laptop hard drive to get his journal. Connor and Veronica were dating for awhile, until she and Logan finally managed to work through their issues enough to get together. Veronica took another paternity test and is a Mars, Duncan wants to date her again, awkwardness ensues. LoVe investigates the rape. Lynn tries to commit suicide, LoVe breaks up, Lynn disappears from the hospital, LoVe work together to find Lynn in rehab. Logan finally removes his head from his ass, but V isn't ready to try again. After some creative courtship methods, LoVe gets back together. Mac is dating Enbom. Casey hooked up with the new girl, Nadia, who has ulterior motives and an unhealthy interest in Logan. Duncan and Meg are dating, and Veronica is worried. Alicia and Keith are going strong. LoVe find Leanne in Barstow, she blows the Kanes alibis out of the water. With Leanne in rehab, LoVe returns to Neptune. Jake asks Veronica to take another paternity test, Veronica refuses, instead pursuing the settlement documents between the Kanes and Able Koontz, only to be thwarted by Weidman, but Jake hasn't given up. Veronica gives Logan 16 wishes for his belated 16th birthday present. Keith finds out about Veronica's investigation, and father and daughter agree to work together. Fun is had in Cabo over spring break. Back in Neptune, Mac's parents tell her about their new plans to address the baby switch, and several teen pregnancies at Neptune High spawn an expanded sex ed program. Keith isn't happy to learn that Veronica is having sex with Logan, and they fight over LoVe's relationship. The Mac/Madison baby switch goes public, Prom is approaching, Alicia got in trouble for the bug V/Wallace planted leading to a fight between Keith and Alicia. Logan found out about V's investigation into Lilly's murder and wants to help. Logan realizes something about the rape after reading Duncan's journal. Logan is at odds with Duncan and the 09er guys are behaving badly. Casey tells LoVe to watch out for an obsessed Nadia, and the kids in NYC back up that sentiment. The party at Chester's reveals Noah's motivation, and Duncan's unraveling psyche. Keith is in Vegas after Abel's call girl. LoVe visit their mothers in rehab, and stop to have bucolic sex along the way.
New poll: All throughout this story I never though of changing the killer, but now I'm flip flopping between having Aaron be the killer or having it be someone new… what do you think? Leave it as is or change it up? Vote at my profile page.
Chapter 36
(Sunday)
Sunday morning is a bright new day, with endless possibilities for the Mars family. Lloyd had made good on his promise to review the evidence Keith and Veronica had gathered and written the article about their investigation into Lilly Kane's murder. County Medical Coroner Lola Martin had backed up their claim about the time of death possibly being altered, which, along with the red-light camera ticket (no reported errors in the computer system according to the Sheriff's office technology), supported the claim that Lilly's time of death had been wrong. Add in the photos of the shoes, and that Cheyenne's statement gave Abel an alibi - while all the Kanes were now without alibis, and the article presented a concise and persuasive argument for a miscarriage of justice in one of the decade's most high profile crimes.
Keith and Veronica took Backup down to the beach, eating breakfast at a small café that opened onto the boardwalk. This trip was much different from their last, with both joking and in a good mood. Several passerbyers paused to give them a second glance, often with the paper tucked under their arms.
Veronica: (tilting her face up to the warm sun) You know, I really do need to slow down enough to take the time to enjoy the simple pleasures. (happy smile) Sunny days.
Keith: (amused) We live in Southern California. Sunny days are as common as freeways here.
Veronica: (continuing in her dreamy voice) Ocean waves. Good pancakes.
Keith: Are you going to wax poetic about picking up Backup's droppings too?
Veronica: No. I'm going to wax poetic about you having to do it instead of me for once. Humm. Ode to doggie do. I love my doggie, I do, but his poo…not so much.
Keith: Short but sweet.
Veronica: Thanks.
Keith: So what should we do with the rest of our day?
Veronica: Well, you could buy me ice cream. Then lunch. Then ice cream again.
Keith: We are having dinner with Alicia today. You should save your appetite.
Veronica: Don't you worry about my appetite, Pops. I got it covered.
Keith: I know you do. It never fails to amaze me how much you can fit in your tiny little body.
Veronica: (scandalized?) Hey! Just 'cause I look like a cheerleader doesn't mean I have to act like one.
Keith: Do you have to eat like a long haul trucker? 'Cause my bank account would be grateful if you could scale back to just two entrées per meal.
Veronica: Fine, but I refuse to give up desert. Desert is the best part of any meal.
Keith pays the bill and they wander down the beach with Backup running around them excitedly.
Keith: So. Today? What's your pleasure?
Veronica: Actually, I know it's not really (air quotes) "your thing." Being a dude and all, but I need to go buy shoes for Prom. (happy persuasive smile) Wanna hang at the mall? We could enter into the father-daughter fashion show?
Keith: Shoes, yes. Fashion show, no. (pause, walking) So Prom, huh? You haven't mentioned it.
Veronica: Well, you see, Prom has been a part of American culture for over a hundred years. Its derivation is believed to be the debutant ball of yore…
Keith: Derivation? Yore?
Veronica: (snooty) Yes. Prom is the pinnacle of the high school social scene. Very important.
Keith: You're missing the important details.
Veronica: I've hardly gotten started. In the 1920s…
Keith: I assume Logan is taking you?
Veronica: (dropping the act) Yes. We're going with Wallace and Shakira.
Keith: Dinner?
Veronica: Italian. A nice place in La Jolla. I forgot the name.
Keith: You'll find out?
Veronica: You can ask Logan yourself at dinner tonight.
Keith: I forgot.
Veronica: No you didn't. (stopping to face him) Dad, I don't want things to be weird between you two. You're both important to me. Don't put me in the middle.
Keith: I know. Believe me with both you and Alicia pounding it in my head every day, I know.
Veronica: (pause, smile) Alicia has been pounding on your thick skull too?
Keith: Yes.
Veronica: Good.
Keith: Where is the Prom?
Veronica: The Neptune Grand.
Keith: (shrewdly) And after?
Veronica: (playful tone) You know, we were having such a nice morning then you gotta start the interrogation.
Keith: It's in the Daddy DNA. I'm required to ask endless questions.
Veronica: (sighs) Rams is throwing the after-party this year. We'll be at his place until late.
Keith: How late?
Veronica: (reproachful) Dad.
Keith: (stern) Veronica.
Veronica: I hesitate to bring this up, seeing as how your head might explode again, but a certain saying comes to mind.
Keith: (playing dumb) A saying?
Veronica: God, you're going to make me say it, aren't you?
Keith looks at her with amused innocence, but his eyes are shining.
Veronica: Something about shutting a barn door?
Keith: Ah. I am familiar with that saying. There's another one, too.
Veronica: Oh?
Keith: About giving away the milk for free.
Veronica: (scrunched face) Gross. I'm not a cow, and if I was charging for it, Logan and I would both be in jail.
Keith: (annoyed) That's not what I meant.
Veronica: Maybe we should drop the farmyard metaphors.
Keith: I accept that you and Logan are…together (grimaces). But I will not drop curfew just because you're already…
Veronica: Yeah. OK. But Prom is special. No curfew. Please? (puppy eyes)
Keith: (sighs, unhappy) Fine. But only because I love you too much to stare at your pouty face all week.
Veronica: Thanks, Dad. Really.
--------------
Mars apartment. Veronica opens the front door and leaves it ajar dragging Backup inside with her, before unclipping his leash and hanging it on the hook on the wall.
Veronica: Come on boy, you gotta stay here. We'll be home soon enough.
She runs back to her room Backup following her and runs a brush through her hair before coming back out again, digging in the hall coat closet for something. She hears a footstep and speaks quickly.
Veronica: I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying.
She is obviously talking to her Dad who was supposed to be waiting in the car to drive her over to the Fennels'. Getting no response she looks up to see Duncan standing in the open doorway staring at her.
Veronica: (cautious) What are you doing here, Duncan?
Backup comes up to stand beside her, silently watchful.
Duncan: I saw today's paper. Your Dad's been busy. Did you help him? (angry tone) Of course you have. You've been investigating my family all this time.
Veronica: I've been investigating Lilly's murder. Trying to find the truth. (accusing) Someone needed to love her enough to do that.
Duncan: Lilly was my sister. I loved her. (Veronica's face pinches) Is that how you show your love for her? By investigating me?
Veronica: I'm investigating everyone who was connected with Lilly.
Duncan: What did you learn about me?
He steps closer to her. The hair on Backup's neck bristles and he lets out a low growl.
Veronica: You have Type IV epilepsy, you have mood swings, violent outbursts, and you're taking medication.
Duncan: How do you know that?
Veronica doesn't answer. He comes closer, extremely angry. Veronica steps back and Backup growls louder, moving slightly in front of her. Duncan doesn't notice.
Duncan: You've been prying into my private life. If I wanted you or anyone else to know about that, I would have told them. (yelling) Who the hell do you think you are?
Duncan slams the hallway closet door shut as Veronica backs away from him. Backup readies himself to lunge at Duncan but Veronica reaches out and grabs onto his collar, not wanting this to escalate to violence.
Veronica: I'm Lilly's best friend.
He stares hard at her.
Duncan: Lilly is dead, her killer is in jail.
Veronica: Abel Koontz didn't kill Lilly.
Duncan: He confessed.
Veronica: He was paid to confess.
Duncan: (incredulous, loud) Oh my God! I mean, do you even hear yourself? Who would pay?
Duncan stops his forward progress, but Veronica's guard is still up. She measures the steps it would take to get to her bathroom and lock the door. Going past Duncan to the door has already been discarded as a possible escape route.
Duncan: Us. Of course. You think someone in my family paid him. (chiding) Now why would they do that, Veronica?
Veronica: (chin tilted up in defiance, not backing down) For the obvious reason.
Duncan: To protect…Me?
He looks upset turning around as if to leave but she can't resist asking him the question directly.
Veronica: Maybe. Do you remember what happened that day?
He is slow to turn around.
Duncan: (quietly)You think I killed Lilly. (much louder, very angry and upset)How could you think that - even for a second?
Duncan marches right up to Veronica. Backup snarls and pulls against Veronica's hold onto his collar
Veronica: (apprehensive expression) Duncan, calm down!
Duncan: (screaming) WHAT? DO YOU THINK I'M GONNA HAVE ANOTHER EPISODE AND KILL YOU TOO?
He grabs her shoulders, roughly shaking her and squeezing her hard enough to leave bruises. Veronica is shocked enough that she doesn't react letting him shake her like a ragdoll for a moment. She loses her grip on Backup's collar in the process. Freed, Backup lunges at Duncan, closing his jaws around Duncan's elbow, jerking his head back and forth. Duncan doesn't release Veronica even as Backup draws blood.
Snapping out of her stupor, Veronica rakes her foot down Duncan's calf, and slams her foot in a kick through his knee forcing him to release her. She stumbles back just as Keith storms in. Veronica relaxes infinitesimally, looking into Duncan's face. He blinks in confusion then becomes confused and terrified, looking at her with regret clear on his face. Keith grabs Duncan from behind in an arm lock and pushes him against the wall, holding him there.
Keith: Backup! Release! You all right Veronica? Honey? Answer me!
Backup lets go of Duncan returning to his guard position next to Veronica.
Veronica: Yeah. I'm OK. Just get him out of here.
Duncan: (begging) Veronica. Please. Give me a chance to explain. Let me explain.
Veronica: There is nothing lefft to explain, Duncan.
Duncan: (angry again) You're only saying that because of Logan. He's no good for you. You belong with me. You're just too stupid to see that he's using you.
Keith: You don't talk to my daughter that way. You're leaving now and you're never coming back. Do you hear me, Duncan? (deadly quiet tone) Stay away from my daughter.
Keith turns Duncan away from the wall, keeping his arm tightly behind him to control the larger boy. He frog-marches him down the hall. At the door, Keith releases him but stands at the ready. Duncan turns around to look at Keith then at Veronica.
Duncan: It's not supposed to be this way.
He looks sad before turning and leaving.
------------
Cut to the Kane estate. Scene opens in the kitchen. Celeste is trying to finish the sitting arrangements for a fundraiser they are throwing for the Governor. She is seated at the counter on one side of a large kitchen island while Jake is standing on the other, mixing a drink.
Celeste: Two fundraisers in two weeks, Jake? What were you thinking when you agreed to this?
Jake: Tony is a good friend of mine, and he is imminently helpful as an ally in the Senate.
Celeste: Your friend uses our parties to fundraise and whoremonger. Senator Rake has certainly lived up to his name.
Jake ignores her, looking at the seating chart for the fundraiser for the Governor.
Jake: Don't seat the entertainment people next to the corporate people. Right? Let's keep it civil.
Celeste: Jake, honey, when did we become Republicans?
Jake: We haven't, we're going with the flow. Besides the governor's very popular and, er, honestly, it's going to be good for business. And his social policy…
Celeste: No. Just… Spare me.
Duncan enters with a limp, holding his arm stiffly. There is a copy of the newspaper in his hand as he comes to a stop next to Jake.
Duncan: So, anyone read the paper today? (overacting) Garfield. I mean, will he ever learn? Oh yeah, and there was this other thing. (high tone, quasi hysteria) I guess Abel Koontz didn't kill Lilly. Let's open the floor for discussion on that one, what do you say?
Celeste: (calm and unaffected) It's hogwash, Duncan. It's an invention of Keith Mars. The woman was a prostitute, for god's sake!
Duncan: (angry)STOP! Quit lying to me!
Jake: Duncan, please.
Duncan: Dad, I can't take it anymore. All the lies… Does anyone ever tell me the truth? Ever? You treat me like I'm six years old, you always have.
Jake: (upset, but still in control of his emotions)You wanna know, Duncan? You want to know everything?
Celeste: Jake, NO!
Duncan: (Stubborn) Yeah, I wanna know.
Jake: Abel Koontz killed Lilly. (Celeste relaxes) He was angry at me, and he killed my daughter to make me suffer. Lilly is dead and it's my fault. Keith Mars is mistaken.
Neither Jake nor Celeste meet Duncan's eyes as he looks back and forth between them.
--
Flashback
The scene of Lilly's murder. Celeste calls from the house.
Celeste: (calling loudly) Duncan. Duncan, come inside.
Duncan is down by the pool, in his soccer gear, cradling Lilly. Jake joins Celeste and they look at each other in confusion.
Jake: Duncan!
Jake and Celeste race towards their children.
Jake: DUNCAN!
Duncan turns his head. His face is covered in Lilly's blood. Celeste screams. Lilly is dead. Both crouch down next to Duncan and Lilly.
Jake: (anguished) Lilly?
Jake stares at his son.
End Flashback
--
Duncan stares at his father, his expression troubled. The doorbell rings and Celeste exits to answer. Jake puts his hands on Duncan's shoulders.
Jake: Look, it was a horrible incident in our lives Duncan. But we have to move on. Lilly would have wanted us to go on. You know that.
Jake pulls the distraught Duncan into a hug. Duncan cries.
Celeste: (coldly annoyed) The media is here. They've already tried to climb over the gate. How are we supposed to have a civilized gathering if they are swarming all over us again? Do something about this, Jake! I will not have our lives drug through the mud again.
Jake looks over at her, a little disturbed by her lack of gravitas over the current situation, and returns to try to comfort Duncan. Duncan pushes his father away roughly and then looks at both his parents with a lost expression.
Duncan: Well thanks for clearing that up for me. Now I really feel like part of the family.
He turns and leaves with shoulders slumped.
---------------
Cut to Veronica surrounded by Keith, Alicia, Logan and Wallace at the Fennels' house, the table is cleared, dinner is over and Keith brings everyone up to speed on what happened earlier with Duncan.
Daryl is visible through the window, playing in the backyard. Their faces are all angry and worried. Veronica looks frustrated, she wasn't sure how she would have hid the bruises, of if she would have tired, but her Dad had taken the decision from her hands.
Alicia: You should go to the police.
Her look at Veronica is long and meaningful. It clearly said that the situation had escalated and Alicia was about to get off the bench and get into the game.
Veronica: (pleading look at Alicia, asking her to hold her silence) Why? Lamb isn't going to do anything.
Logan: I'll deal with Duncan.
Alicia's stare moves from Veronica to Logan.
Alicia: No you won't. Getting in trouble for fighting won't help the situation.
Keith: What we need to focus on is keeping Veronica safe, and that means keeping Duncan away from her.
Wallace: Logan and I can handle that at school, no problem. But I agree with Logan, somebody needs to teach that guy a lesson.
Alicia looks at Keith, who doesn't disagree. She and Veronica share a look.
Veronica: No fighting. I doubt Duncan will try to talk to me again. And I'll be prepared if he does.
Keith: Not good enough.
Logan: I agree.
Wallace: Yeah, that's a bad plan, V.
The males continue talking, considering different ways to get Duncan to stay away.
Alicia: Veronica, I seem to remember you voicing an opinion about how all men think alike. It appears that your opinion is valid.
The guys look at her, questioning.
Alicia: (offhand) At least your father and Logan have found some common ground.
Veronica: (disgruntled) Yeah, great.
Alicia: How about us girls go outside to discuss this among ourselves?
She and Veronica walk to the backyard, sitting at the patio table drinking iced tea, while the guys follow along silently.
Veronica: This is nice.
Alicia: Yes. Yes it is. Now tell me why you don't think going to the Sheriff will help.
The guys all chime in, talking over themselves rapidly, but Alicia shushes them with one long, commanding look. Veronica grins at them behind her head.
---------------
At the Mackenzie residence, Mac learns that the Sinclairs were making Madison do chores to earn money for her Prom dress, and that Madison still didn't have a date, having expected Dick to ask her. Mac tries to suppress her grin, but Madison sees it anyway.
Madison: Don't you dare laugh at me you stupid, ugly cow. You'll see, Enbom is just slumming with you. He'll come to his sense soon enough. In fact, (evil smile) I'll see what I can do to help him regain his senses.
Mac: You know what? Go for it, Madison. John's smart. Smart enough to know you have nothing to offer anyone. You're a just a selfish bitch. Maybe getting rejected, again, will do you some good.
Madison: Ohh!
Madison stomps away. Mac turns to go back to her room and sees her little brother standing there.
Ryan: That was awesome. I'm glad you're my sister. (pause) Did I just say that?
He shakes his head and wanders back down the hallway.
-----------------
Mars apartment, night. Veronica enters her room, followed closely by Backup. She pats his head as she sits down at her desk and starts up her laptop. Scratching behind his ears her eyes go to a picture of the Fab Four on her bulletin board. She was still in shock over Duncan's actions. Knowing his medical history and seeing an outburst in person were two completely different things. She had had a hard time dealing with him before; but now… She didn't know how she was going to be able to be in the same room as him.
Entering her password into the computer she opens Lilly's gmail account. Looking at the labels on the side of the page, she clicks on the one that had been nagging her since the last time she'd looked. 'The Man in Black'. She frowns as she sees three pages of messages listed.
Veronica Voiceover: Lilly wouldn't have been one for a Johnny Cash reference, so maybe the guy in question was a fan?
Veronica starts at the beginning, this time sorting the messages by date before she begins reading. At first it's a flirtation, some push-and-pull as Lilly and the guy - who is only referred to by his screen name, The Hammer - feel each other out. He's obviously cautious, and mentions the need to be discreet several times.
Veronica frowns more as she rereads a message realizing that the guy most likely isn't a guy, rather he's a full-grown man. His speech patterns and language are clean, standard English, no slang or internet acronyms anywhere in his messages. Her suspicions are confirmed as Lilly teases him about being an old grump.
Abruptly, the messages change and it's clear the relationship has become physical as the guy writes descriptive messages about what he wants to do to and with Lilly. He has a clear S&M fixation, and Lilly appears more than eager to join in. Veronica looks ill opening a message with pictures attached.
The pictures show a girl in full bondage gear strapped down to a bed and wearing a leather full face mask. But it is Lilly's hair, and Lilly's body. Other pictures show Lilly posed over a post appearing to have just been spanked - if the red switch marks on her butt are anything to judge by. Veronica wants to turn away but she can't, a reference that Lilly makes to Celeste and whether Mommy Dearest had enjoyed his proclivities is what finally makes Veronica step away from the computer.
Veronica Voiceover: Whoever 'The Hammer' is, he must have been one of Celeste's friends or old boyfriends. Lilly really had no boundaries when it came to sticking it to her parents. Did she finally push Celeste over the edge? Or was it Jake?
Veronica's imagination sketches a brief scenario: Lilly is sitting in a beach-chair by the Kane pool and Celeste comes to her, berating Lilly for her behavior. Lilly smart-mouths her, implying that Celeste has no idea about Lilly's behavior, but suggests she check in with her upright friends. Celeste slaps Lilly, and Lilly slaps Celeste back harder. Then Celeste picks up a heavy object and hits Lilly on the head with it. Lilly collapses, her head wound gushing. She is dead.
Veronica Voiceover: Or was it Jake?
Lilly and Weevil are making out in a sun lounger by the Kane pool. Jake runs over as Lilly is on top of Weevil. Lilly gets up and Weevil goes to leave. Jake grabs him; Lilly grabs Jake. Jake pushes Lilly off, causing her to hit her head on a concrete table. Jake threatens Weevil, saying Weevil will take the fall if he tells anyone.
Veronica Voiceover: Or even Duncan? Maybe everything that was happening at the time was too much for him and he just lost it.
Poolside: Lilly screams as Duncan hits her with something.
Veronica Voiceover: One thing is sure. The Kanes were the only ones with the opportunity to alter the time of death. If they were willing to ice their dead daughter's body, they must have had a good reason.
Scenario: outside by the pool, Lilly's body is on the ground. Jake is on the phone, crying and asking Clarence for help. Later, Jake and Celeste come out of the front door. Clarence, with a bag of ice on his shoulder, tells Jake to go to the car and get the rest of the ice. He says they need to get their stories straight and figure out who found the body. He then tells Celeste to show him the body.
Shutting down her computer she goes through her nightly routine and crawls into bed. Picking up her phone, she calls Logan. They chat for awhile, both attempting lighthearted banter, but failing. Falling into silence again, Veronica is the one to break it.
Veronica: Logan, did you ever see any bruises on Lilly? Bruises that didn't make sense?
Cut to Logan's tense face as his free hand curls into a tight fist as he remembers the bruises Duncan had left on Veronica that day.
Logan: You think Duncan hurt her too?
Veronica: Maybe. Or maybe someone else.
Logan: Why? Why are you asking?
Veronica: It's something Weevil said before.
Logan: Weevil?
Veronica: He thinks you hurt Lil, left bruises on her. He said she would never talk about it, but he assumed it was you.
Logan: Do you -?
Veronica: No, of course not. But you two were together. If there were bruises you could have seen them.
Logan: (slowly) Yeah. Sometimes. Bruises around her wrists and ankles. Sometimes on other parts of her body. She always had an excuse, or was able to distract me. But they weren't bruises like she'd been hit or grabbed, I can't really describe it.
Veronica: OK.
Veronica Voiceover: (dark tone) I guess Logan would know what a bruise from a hit would look like.
Logan: Why?
Veronica: I'm just trying to put all the pieces together.
Veronica Voiceover: There, that wasn't a lie. Exactly.
Logan: But if it wasn't me or Weevil, then there must have been someone else. Duncan or another guy.
Veronica: Yeah. Maybe.
---------------
(Monday)
Veronica drives to school unsure of what the day would hold. She had barely been able to calm Logan down the night before. It would be a miracle if there wasn't a fight before the final bell rang.
Under pressure from her Dad, Alicia, Wallace and Logan she had agreed to stay as far away from Duncan as possible at school, allowing Wallace and Logan to keep up their bodyguard routine.
Veronica Voiceover: Finally something Dad and Logan can bond over.
She parks her car and looks around curiously, wondering how it was possible that Logan hadn't descended on her already. Shrugging it off, she steps out of her car and begins walking towards the school. Silence falls as every student turns to watch her progress, several holding the Sunday paper.
----------
Cut to a newspaper which carries the front page headline: "Eyewitness Steps Forward: Escort claims she was with Koontz at time of Kane murder". It's Dick reading the story on the inside pages, with Beaver looking over his shoulder. They are standing by a row of lockers inside Neptune High.
Beaver: (concerned) There's phone records, man. An-an-and how do you, how do you explain the shoes, huh?
Dick: It doesn't mean jack. You need to chill out, Cassidy, right now. To the grave, man, that's what we said.
Beaver is not convinced.
Dick: Look, we'll talk to Logan. He'll have answers.
----------------
Elsewhere in the school Logan exits the Journalism room with the teacher and sees Meg in the hallway.
Logan: Meg, I need to talk to you.
Meg: Good, I need to talk to you too.
He checks his watch the pulls Meg back into the empty classroom.
Logan: Look if this is about what I said, you need to listen to me, Duncan is losing it, he's...
Meg: (interrupting) Dangerous? Out of his mind? Still in love with Veronica in a sick, creepy stalker way?
Logan: What? How did you…What happened?
Meg: (looks tired and unsure) I don't even know how this is my life.
Logan: (loudly to get her attention) Meg! Tell me what happened!
Meg: (looking lost and nauseous) At the party, you and Veronica went into one of the pool house bedrooms. I saw you. And him. I think he cheated on me.
Meg looks like she wants to throw up and Logan is confused.
Logan: You're not making any sense. You saw Duncan cheating on you?
Meg: I was talking to the girls when Britta pointed out you and Veronica kissing. She said you two were so cute.
--
Flashback
Meg is standing with several pretty girls when she looks up to see Veronica and Logan kissing. Logan pulls Veronica closer and it's obvious that they have forgotten all about where they are, only aware of each other. Britta sighs enviously. The girls talk good-naturedly about Logan and Veronica as well as a few other couples at the party. Meg turns to look for Duncan, wistful that her relationship is nowhere near that level. She finds Duncan just as Nadia approaches him.
Nadia places her hand on Duncan's arm, saying something that draws his attention to his best friend and ex-girlfriend kissing passionately. Duncan looks disturbed but his eyes stay on the couple until something Nadia says captures his attention again. Meg frowns as Nadia takes Duncan's hand and leads him towards the pool house. Meg's frown deepens as she follows them.
Inside the pool house Meg sees Duncan go through the door that leads to the bedroom.
End Flashback
--
Meg: I thought he was cheating on me. That that's what you were warning me about.
Logan: Meg, I'm sorry, I -
Meg: (continuing in a daze) He probably did. But that's not the worst of it.
--
Flashback
Meg marches towards the door, looking angry, but before she can get close Logan and Veronica sweep through the door and close it behind them.
End Flashback
--
Logan: (dully) He was in the room. With us.
Meg: (so low it's nearly a whisper) And Nadia. I though he would come out, or you guys would. (barely audible) But you didn't.
--
Flashback
Meg pauses waiting for someone to come out of the room, but no one does. A deep V forms between her eyebrows as she moves closer to the door; standing very close to it she can hear Logan inside the room.
Logan: I hate to repeat myself.
Meg frowns, confused.
Logan: The only repeating here will be you calling out my name.
Meg's face goes slack.
End Flashback
--
Cut to Logan's tight angry face.
Meg: I heard Veronica next. (smiles brokenly, still happy for her friend to have found happiness) She said your name. Well, maybe not said. It was obvious what you two were doing.
A light stain of red covers Meg's cheeks as she looks at the floor, too embarrassed to meet Logan's eyes.
Logan: (stunned) They must have been in the closet.
Meg: (swallowing and looking back up at Logan) They came out after you guys did. I… (she breaks off shaking her head) That's sick.
Logan: Meg, you can't tell Veronica. At least not yet. Let me think about this. Figure it out. I don't…
Meg: OK. (dark tone) No problem. This isn't actually a conversation I want to have twice.
Logan awkwardly rubs Megs shoulder, trying to be comforting.
Logan: Meg, stay away from Duncan. I mean it.
Meg: I know.
Logan: No, really. Stay away from him
Meg: I know. Trust me, I get it now.
Logan: What else happened?
Meg: Well, I broke up with him for one - after he destroyed his car with a shovel.
--
Flashback
Meg watches as Duncan wails on his BMW SUV with a shovel, unaffected by Meg yelling at him.
End of Flashback
--
Logan looks more worried than ever.
----------
Cut back to Veronica. She continues to walk towards the school, ignoring the stares and whispers. Duncan is standing with Hank and Harry Didden by the flag pole/coy pond. He sees Veronica and moves to intercept her.
Veronica: (under her breath) Shit.
Duncan: Veronica.
She changes direction, heading for another set of doors farther away from Duncan. Everyone watches with avid interest.
Duncan: Wait! We need to talk.
He is still following her, trying to catch up. Veronica doesn't respond and walks faster.
Duncan: Veronica!
Suddenly Weevil intercepts him, getting directly in Duncan's way and pushing him back. The Diddens hesitantly approach, unsure of the situation, but used to backing up a friend.
Weevil: She heard you. And from her reaction, I'd guess she's not interested in talking to you.
Felix and Hector fall in behind Weevil. Veronica pauses looking over her shoulder; she smiles quickly making for the school.
----------
Cut back to Logan and Meg.
Meg: So, you don't have to worry about me being with Duncan now.
Meg takes a few steps past Logan, but he pulls her back into the empty classroom.
Logan: That might not be true. You know what happened to Veronica. (pause) Duncan is the one who hurt her.
Meg gasps, holding one hand over her mouth, her eyes huge.
Meg: (horrified) No! No way. Duncan would never - not that. He loved Veronica!
Logan: She was drugged. Passed out. (eyes dark, shaking his head as if he doesn't quite believe it himself yet) Duncan had sex with her anyway.
Meg: No. I can't believe that. I just - can't. If that was true Veronica wouldn't let Duncan anywhere near her.
Logan waits for her brain to catch up with her mouth, sees it cross her face as she realizes Veronica doesn't let Duncan near her. That she tenses up anytime he's around.
Meg: Oh my God! Are you sure? (tearing up) You're positive?
Logan: (looking pained) I'm sure. Veronica, she doesn't remember what happened.
Meg: Then how? How do you know?
Logan: Duncan admitted having sex with her.
Meg: (trembling) Oh God.
Logan: Look, Duncan says she was awake that it was consensual; but I think… I think she passed out again and he didn't stop. And it was after they had broken up, so just be careful, OK? If he does anything or something happens - call me. Gimme your phone.
He takes her phone and programs his number into it.
Meg: (hollow) Who is he?
Logan: I don't know. I really don't know.
-----------
Cut to the front of school, Weevil and Duncan are still facing off.
Duncan: It's not your business.
Weevil: Is that so? (loudly, playing to the audience) What we have here is a difference of opinion.
Duncan: (low) I just want to talk to her.
Weevil: (aggressive, getting close to Duncan in a threatening manner) She doesn't want to talk to you.
Duncan: You don't know that, you don't know her.
Weevil: (amused now, head tilted down, his look suggesting he knows her well, Duncan bristles) Blondie? It's like this. Veronica is my friend.
Duncan: (indignant) She's my girlfriend. (pauses, tries to recover) She was my girlfriend.
The Diddens share a worried look. Duncan was antagonizing the bikers and claiming Veronica was still his girlfriend. Not good.
Weevil: (eyes wide, expression implying that Duncan was sorely mistaken) Your ex? Way back, right? Yeah I remember now. (serious) Seems like you forgot quick enough, though.
Duncan: We're friends now.
Weevil: Doesn't look like it to me. Hector, do your friends run from you?
Hector: Only if they owe me money.
Felix laughs and he and Hector bump fists.
Weevil: How 'bout you, Felix? Do the chicas run when they see you coming?
Felix: Nah, man, they come running. Ellas siempre quieren más del papi'. White boys at this school got it all confused. Now, Blondie and Echolls? (salacious smile) They're friendly. I bet she runs to him. (quirks his mouth and shrugs in a large gesture) I don't get it, but there you go.
Duncan: (glowering) Look, I just want to talk to her.
Weevil: (stepping closer, getting in Duncan's face again) You're not hearing me, man. She doesn't want to talk to you. I thought your momma would have taught you some manners. (low menacing, grabs hold of Duncan's shirt in both fists) Stay away from V. If she wants to talk to you, she knows where to find you. We clear?
Duncan: (stepping back) Yeah. OK.
Weevil: Good. (shaking his head) I get tired of having this conversation with you white boys.
--------------
Veronica's day doesn't get better in first period. Meg enters and sits several seats away from Veronica refusing to look at her. Meanwhile, Dick keeps casting worried looks at Veronica.
--------------
Later that day, Mac and Enbom are walking with Veronica down the hallway. Mac is reading from the newspaper.
Mac: (reading)Since his removal from office, Keith Mars, the ousted sheriff, has tirelessly and single-handedly continued his own investigation, despite being shunned by the community at large.
Veronica: (happy) You'd think it might be gross to read a love letter to your Dad, but I kind of enjoy it.
Mac smiles but Enbom looks worried about the whole situation; at least he looks worried when he doesn't seem sappy and ridiculously happy when he's looking at Mac.
Wallace falls in step with them.
Wallace: All I know is if I were him right now, I'd be I-told-you-soing all over Neptune.
Veronica looks up sees Duncan. She forcibly veers Wallace and herself off course, into the girls' bathroom. Leaving behind a still amused Mac and a frowning Enbom.
Wallace: My blonde-pulling-me-into-the-girls'-room fantasy? Ruined!
Veronica looks at Wallace.
Veronica and Wallace: (simultaneously)Do me a favor?
Wallace grins, then sobers.
Wallace: Seriously; no need to call in a favor for keeping Kane away from you. This one is on me.
Veronica: Thanks, Wallace. The less I see of Duncan, the better - and the less likely Logan is to get suspended for fighting.
Wallace: Girl, you trippin' if you think your boy isn't gonna go after Kane before the end of the day.
Veronica: (rolls her eyes) Just go outside and tell me when Duncan's gone.
Wallace exits as Veronica leans back against the door.
----------------
Duncan is absent from Journalism and Veronica looks at Logan, wondering how he accomplished that, but lets it go without comment.
--------------
In fourth period PE, the class is supposedly playing soccer, but really more than half of them are standing around talking. Veronica is standing alone in midfield. Meg finally meets Veronica's eyes and hesitantly approaches the shorter girl.
Veronica: Hey Meg. I wasn't sure we were still friends.
Meg: Sorry. I just had to think about something.
Veronica: Something?
Meg: (unemotional tone) I broke up with Duncan. I think he's still in love with you.
Veronica: I'm so sorry Meg.
Meg: No. I'm the one who is sorry. (teary-eyed) I should have listened to you.
Veronica: No. I -
Meg: Veronica, I'm sorry… Sorry I didn't listen, sorry I believed Duncan's good-guy image when I should have believed my friend when you tried to warn me. (voice cracking) Sorry for everything.
Veronica: (fighting emotion) Meg, I -
Meg: (hollow-voiced whisper) You said Duncan was responsible but I didn't want to hear you. I wanted to believe in the fairy tale, wanted to believe that the handsome Prince had come to rescue me. (shoring up her strength, strong, resolute tone) You said he was responsible for what happened to you. But what you meant was that he was what happened to you.
Veronica: (whispering) Yes.
Meg: I'm so sorry, Veronica. So, so sorry.
Both girls try to hold in their tears. Their PE teacher approaches and yells at them before seeing two tear-streaked faces. He grimaces then waves them off the field muttering about female emotional issues.
----------------
Leaving PE, Veronica and Meg are met by Luke.
Veronica: Ah. My usual lunch escort.
Meg: You have a usual escort?
Veronica: I do. You see Meg, we're female. Genetically disadvantaged to the point of needing protection; which is provided by the male of the species.
Meg: Oh. Right. (playing along) Wait, I'm confused.
Veronica: That's natural. In addition to being the physically weaker sex, we are also weak-minded.
Luke grins.
Meg: That explains my confusion.
Veronica: Maybe big, strong Luke here can help you?
Meg: Sure. I guess my confusion stems from the issue of who you are protecting us poor females from.
Luke: Huh?
Veronica: I think what she means is the inherent paradox in that a male is required to protect us from another male.
Luke: (slowly)Yeah. Why don't we let Dick answer that one?
Meg: Dick?
Veronica: No, Luke is right. Dick is bound to have the most interesting, preposterous reasoning for it.
Meg: (smiling) I guess you're right. (shakes her head) I mean, Luke's right. How could you be right? You're not just female, you're blonde.
Veronica pouts.
Veronica: I must be befuddled by my femaleness. I thought you were both blonde, too.
Meg smiles genuinely for the first time since Friday, and Luke grins, tossing an arm around each girl.
Luke: I missed you, Veronica. I'm glad you're back.
Duncan is absent from lunch as well making Veronica wonder where he is, but Logan and Meg both just seem relieved.
--------------
At the end of fifth period Physics, Veronica is the first one out of the class leaving a startled Mac behind her. Waiting in the hallway directly outside the door is Weevil. She pauses, cocks her head to one side and then smiles.
Veronica: You're not my normal escort.
Weevil: Escort? Echolls not doing it for you anymore? He's got to bring in outside help?
Veronica: Not even.
Weevil: Oh. You mean the fact that rich boy's bitches have been swarming around you like a strippers on a pole?
Veronica: Nice.
Weevil: Those boys are on you tighter'n a bulls ass in fly season.
Veronica scrunches her nose at that description.
Veronica: That was grossly descriptive.
Several more students have exited the classroom while they are talking and Duncan comes out next. Weevil arches one brow at him in challenge, stepping forward to drape an arm around Veronica's shoulders and walk her down the hallway.
Veronica: See now, you claim that you're not my escort, but you act just like they do.
Weevil: I'm insulted. Comparing me to those gringos.
Veronica: Well, if the zapato fits.
Weevil leans in closer to her lowering his voice.
Weevil: What that article said, it's true? Abel Koontz didn't kill Lilly.
Veronica: Seem like that is a possibility.
Weevil: You gonna give me a straight answer?
Veronica: (flatly) No. He didn't.
Weevil: You know who did?
Veronica: Not yet.
Weevil: Well when you do, let me know. I got my own form of justice ready and waiting.
Veronica: I'll keep that in mind.
She sees Logan down the hall ahead of them.
Veronica: Oh, look! Here's my stop.
Weevil looks amused as Logan stares straight faced at them. They come to a stop forming an awkward triangle. Veronica shrugs off Weevil's arm, smiling tightly at Logan.
Veronica: I see you got a new recruit, Love Muffin.
Logan: Weevs here volunteered, what was I supposed to do? He needs the community service hours for his parole officer.
Weevil smirks.
Veronica: Aw, seeing you two play nicely together warms my heart.
She smiles and cups both hands over her heart in sarcastic display.
Weevil: Whatever. Look, V. I need a favor.
Logan: Chug-a-lug.
Veronica smiles at him.
Veronica: Of course. Who got arrested?
Weevil: Nobody.
He ducks his head, looking down.
Veronica: Nobody?
Weevil: My Grams really wants me to graduate from high school, and Math… It just ain't my thing. Since you're usually so smart, (looks at Logan with a smirk, implying V wasn't so smart when it came to him) I thought you might be able to (mumbling) tutor me.
Veronica: You want me to tutor you?
She looks back and forth between the boys. Weevil shrugs and Logan looks annoyed, so she pushes aside her suspicion.
Weevil: Yeah, who else?
Veronica sighs.
------------
Mars Investigations office. Night. Veronica is tutoring Weevil. He borrows a pencil from Veronica who tells him to be prepared. She tries to get him to pay attention but Weevil is uninterested.
Veronica: You're wasting my time. If you want to learn you actually have to try.
Weevil: How about we make a deal?
Veronica: (rolling her eyes) Seriously. For how much you and Logan don't get along you sure do have a lot in common. (sighs) What's the deal?
Weevil: For each problem I get right, you answer a question.
Veronica: No deal.
Weevil: Fine, I'll just ask anyway.
Veronica slaps down her pencil and glares at him.
Weevil: Why's Echolls so worried about you and Kane lately?
Veronica: That's none of your business.
Weevil: The way I see it, either Echolls is worried that Kane is coming after you to date you, or just plain coming after you.
Veronica is stubbornly silent.
Weevil: He was the one?
Veronica: (giving away nothing) What one? What are you talking about?
Weevil: Playing dumb don't suit you, V. We both know what I'm talking about.
Veronica: Leave it alone Weevil.
Weevil: Like hell I will. These white boys think they can do whatever they want, but they're about get a little lesson in reality.
Veronica: What white boys? Duncan is the only one…(she breaks off)
Weevil: Well, that answers that question. I got another one. How come your boy-toy hasn't already resolved the problem?
Veronica: (frowning) It's complicated.
Weevil: Uncomplicate it for me. 'Cause it seems real simple.
Keith comes in before Veronica can respond and isn't happy to see Weevil with Veronica.
Keith: Hey, honey.
He walks slowly towards them.
Keith: Eli.
Weevil: Sheriff.
An uncomfortable silence ensues as Keith stares down at Weevil and Weevil stares steadily back at him. Veronica glances from one to the other.
Veronica: I'm just giving Weevil a refresher for his quiz tomorrow.
Keith stands there, silent, until Weevil decides to leave. Veronica leans back in her chair and folds her arms. Keith waits to watch Weevil go out the door before turning his attention to his daughter.
Keith: Honey, do I need to recap my Concerned Dad lectures?
He takes Weevil's seat.
Keith: No running with scissors, no candy from strangers, no smartening up the local criminal element.
Veronica: So it's not just my boyfriend you don't like, it's all my friends.
Keith: That's not fair. I like Mac, Meg and Wallace. And Logan has his moments.
Veronica: (sighs) He helped me out in the past. I'm just returning the favor.
Keith: What do say you call it even?
She rolls her eyes as he gets up and heads into his office. She calls after him.
Veronica: I'll be at home. With the only sane member of the Mars family.
Keith: The one who eats from the garbage and keeps bringing me dead birds?
Veronica pauses from gathering up her books and looks at her over-protective father.
Veronica: That's the one.
Keith sighs heavily and closes the office door between them.
Veronica sets the phone to go to voicemail and looks around the office to see if she forgot anything. Seeing a pencil on the floor she bends down behind the desk to pick it up when Beaver comes in.
Beaver: Hello?
Veronica: (standing up) Cassidy?
Beaver: Hey Veronica.
Veronica: What can I do for you?
Beaver: Well, there's something that you should know, it's for your own good.
Veronica frowns, moving closer to him.
Veronica: Spill.
Beaver: Well, the weekend that Lilly was killed, me, Dick and Logan, we were down in Mexico, surfing.
Veronica: (realization dawning) I know this.
Beaver: Yeah, well Logan, he, uh, he got - he got all worked up, you know, talking about how he that Lilly was seeing somebody new.
Veronica: Yeah.
Beaver: So he got up early that morning, the day that Lilly was murdered, he drove back to Neptune to see her.
Veronica stands perfectly still her eyes blank then she smiles.
Veronica: Well, thanks Beaver. That is good to know.
Beaver: Uh, it's Cassidy.
Veronica: Right.
Beaver: Uh, OK. Goodnight then.
Veronica: Night.
Beaver leaves and Veronica looks at her father's office door praying he hadn't overheard. As she looks the door opens and Keith levels a serious look at her.
Veronica: Dad, it's not what you think.
Keith: No? Because it sounded like Logan doesn't have an alibi for the time Lilly was murdered. And he lied to the police. Innocent people don't lie, Veronica.
Veronica: Everyone lies. You taught me that.
Keith: Not about their alibis in a murder case.
Veronica: He didn't lie. Dick and Beaver did.
Keith: (louder) Veronica.
Veronica: He didn't. Dick told you Logan was out of town before you even talked to Logan, and Lamb didn't ask him where he was he told him, Logan just didn't correct him. You never asked about his alibi. He didn't lie.
Keith pauses trying to recall the order of interviews, and realizes Veronica is most likely correct. Logan had been too drunk to interview for several days, and Keith had given the boy some space. By the time he questioned Logan, Logan's alibi had been accepted as fact.
Veronica: He didn't kill Lilly, Dad. He couldn't.
Keith: You don't know that Veronica.
Veronica: (emphatic) I do!
Keith: You don't. He had motive and opportunity.
Veronica: (louder, desperation tingeing her voice) Which is all circumstantial and crap! Logan never would have hurt Lilly! I know she was cheating on him, but that's just motive for Logan to get drunk and act like an ass, not become a murderer.
Keith: There was a shot glass…
Veronica: (interrupting) In Lilly's car that day. I know. It was from Logan. He saw us at the carwash. He left the shot glass and a letter for her, then went to the beach and got wasted until he passed out. Why would he buy her a gift if he was going to kill her? Think about it, you know him - do you really think he's a killer?
Keith: Under the right circumstances…
Veronica: (desperate) No. Not Logan. Not Lilly.
Keith: When the investigation is reopened this will come out Veronica.
Veronica: No. It doesn't have to. Why waste time on a dead end? Logan didn't kill Lilly. You have to trust me, believe me.
Keith looks unsure. Veronica looks at him pleadingly and leaves the office.
----------------
Mars apartment. Veronica enters, still looking upset. She calls Logan.
Logan: Is your tutoring session over?
Veronica: Yeah.
Her tone alerts him that something is wrong.
Logan: Veronica? If Weevil said something to upset you…
Veronica: It wasn't Weevil, but he did ask about Duncan.
Logan: Then what?
Veronica: Who.
Logan: What?
Veronica: It's a who, not a what that upset me. Beaver.
Logan: Beav?
Veronica: He showed up at the office. Told me he had something to tell me for my own good.
Logan: What?
Veronica: He told me your alibi was fake.
Logan is silent.
Veronica: My Dad was there, Logan. He overheard.
Logan: Fuck.
Veronica: Yeah. I tried to talk to him, but he might still go to Lamb. I don't know.
Logan: It's OK Veronica. I knew it would have to come out eventually.
Veronica: No it didn't.
Logan: Well, we can't control that now.
Veronica: Logan, if my Dad goes to Lamb and Lamb actually gets off his ass for once to do something, they'll search your room. Anything you don't want found I suggest you move.
Logan: OK. (light tone) So where should I look?
Veronica: For what?
Logan: Well, for all I know you could have planted another bong in my stuff.
Veronica: How can you joke at a time like this?
Logan: What else is there to do?
Veronica: I don't know.
Logan: See?
Veronica: Why aren't you upset?
Logan: There is nothing I can do about it now Veronica. I'll handle Beaver. As for your Dad, well, he's your Dad. He's gonna do whatever he thinks is best.
There is a lull in the conversation.
Veronica: It's only Monday and I'm already tired. What should we do for date night this week? I need some relaxing time.
Logan: I have an idea. How's Thursday?
Veronica: Too far away.
Logan: You know. I do know some relaxation techniques I'd be more than willing to share with you.
Veronica: (smiling) You're always more than willing.
---------------
(Tuesday)
Veronica drives Wallace to school on Tuesday, valiantly trying not to roll her eyes as he walks her protectively to her locker. They're met there by Logan who walks her to English. She looks sad and annoyed, but more with the need for the round the clock patrol than with the boys.
Veronica: This sucks.
Logan: Didn't we have a conversation about things that didn't suck once?
Veronica: I believe we did. For example…
She lifts onto her tippy toes and kisses along the underside of his jaw.
Logan: Hmm, and…
He frames her face with his hands and kisses her gently. He keeps the kiss light, but lingers with their lips pressed together.
Veronica: Yeah. That's the opposite of things that suck. I knew I kept you around for a reason.
Logan: (walking away now that Dick has arrived) Just one?
In English, Noah smiles at Veronica and comes back by her desk to talk to her. Dick quickly shoos him away, using his larger size to force Noah to retreat.
Dick: If that guy doesn't back off he's gonna get Voltaire's Angry Glove.
Veronica: What?
Mike: Trust me, you do not want to know.
Meg and Veronica look perplexed.
---------------
Dick walks Veronica to her locker, Mike and Meg heading in the other direction. Once there, Dick hands her off to Wallace. Wallace ignores her annoyance, relating a story to her and Enbom about some white trash girl offering to make out with him for cigarette money that morning as the boys flank her in History.
---------------
Enbom walks her from History to Journalism and a not-so-patiently waiting Logan.
Veronica: This is getting old, really fast. No offence, John.
John Enbom: None taken.
He walks away with the same happy, unshakable smile he'd had all day.
Veronica: Who spiked his juice box with E?
Logan: I think he's just happy.
Veronica: I deduce things with him and Mac are going well?
Logan: Your powers of deduction are uncanny.
Veronica: Are you mocking me?
Logan: If I am, will you punish me?
Veronica: You wish.
Logan: Well, there was that one item we bought this weekend…
She shakes her head and walks into the classroom, with Logan following closely.
-----------------
Luke once again meets her and Meg outside the gym, walking them to lunch.
Meg: Oh, hey Luke. Nice to see you again.
Veronica: Again?
Meg: It seems I now fall under the Logan Echolls Security System too.
Veronica smiles, amused that Logan is taking this so seriously, and touched that he's taking an interest in Meg too.
----------------
At lunch, Rams, Chester, Dick, and Luke all join Veronica, Logan, Mac, Enbom, and Meg at Veronica's table. The table now covered by a large new umbrella.
Veronica: Nice umbrella. Where'd it come from?
Dick: The school. Ronnie, I thought you were smart.
Veronica: Yes, but it's only 09er tables that have umbrellas.
Meg: Uh. Look around you Veronica. I think this is an 09er table now.
Veronica frowns.
John Enbom: Come on, tell the truth and shame the devil: you like us. You know you do.
Everyone laughs until Veronica's narrowed eyes relax and a smile they've come to fear crosses her face.
Logan: Watch out.
Veronica: Well, John. I admit it, I do like you guys - sometimes. Other times? Not so much. Like for example, when I learn that you guys have been amusing yourselves with a bet designed to hurt and humiliate several girls. Yeah. I don't like you quite so much then.
Mac and Meg join Veronica in giving the guys disappointed looks. Veronica stares at Logan hard.
Logan: I'm not going to apologize, Veronica. We weren't hurting anyone.
Veronica: Logan, you know that's not true. When you treat people like shit you think that doesn't affect them? Hurt them?
Logan: Have I done anything recently that you have a problem with?
Veronica: No.
Logan: Then let it go.
Veronica: Just 'cause you haven't done anything doesn't mean you weren't involved. Who did you put you money on? Did you win?
Logan looks uncomfortable, as do the rest of the guys.
Rams: It was dumb. I get it. But it's just a game.
Chester: Yeah. No biggie.
Mac: So the girls know it was a game?
Meg: Those girls bought Prom dresses, made plans. You wasted their time and money, and then you're just not gonna show up? Nice.
Chester: All right. You made your point. But it's too late now. Nothing we do is gonna make them feel any better.
Mac: You won't know that until you try.
Chester: (standing up to leave) If I wanted to be yelled at, I'd spend time with my Mom.
Mac: Wait -!
Chester: Later!
Veronica: Mac, never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
Logan: Nice usage of a Napoleon Bonaparte quote, Ronnie.
Mac: (to Enbom) I know he's your friend, but he's a real jerk.
The guys shrug like it's expected.
Rams: So should I expect my car to blow up or something? (good-natured) The Veronica Mars brand of justice is about to be delivered.
Veronica: (smiles) Nope. We decided that karma has a way of working these things out.
Rams: Karma?
Meg: Yep, you know, whatever you put out in the world you get back threefold.
Rams: I thought karma was about you coming back in your next life as either a Prince or a dung beetle.
Mac: That too.
Veronica: Aww. Don't be so hard on yourself Rams, I'm sure you'll be something better than a dung beetle.
Rams: (deadpan) Great.
Dick: Dude, you could be a girl's bicycle seat.
Luke: Or the best baseball player ever.
Dick: Dude, Laird Hamilton.
Enbom: (to the girls) See what you started? I'd be an astronaut. Logan?
Logan shrugs.
Mac: Bill Gates, only better-looking. And without the whole SEC thing. And female.
They all laugh.
The lunch continues cordially, with Rams throwing hopeful smiles at Veronica, who shakes her head sadly at him.
When they are done eating, they sit in the cool shade, just talking. Logan pulls Veronica closer and nips at her ear. She smiles and turns her head to kiss him fully.
Breaking the kiss, Dick nods towards something behind Logan. Logan tenses, knowing what he'll find before he turns. Duncan is staring at them, his gaze focused on Logan's hand on Veronica's back. Logan shifts to stand up, something dark and primitive in his eyes, but Veronica stops him with a hand on his arm.
Veronica: I changed my mind. You can walk me to and from all my classes. No need to delegate. Really.
Logan: (briefly refocusing on Veronica) What?
Veronica: You need to be not suspended to walk me to all my classes. No fighting, Logan.
Logan: I'm not going to start a fight. I just want to talk to my friend.
Veronica: Right.
She lets go, but looks anxious.
Logan gets up and nods to Duncan who follows Logan over to a grassy area next to the lunch quad. Sitting with several guys in lettermen's jackets, Wallace notices and stands up, ready to do whatever may be required. Logan nods at him before looking back at his oldest friend with a hard look.
Logan: You got a problem, DK?
Duncan: Yeah. Maybe I do.
Logan: Good. 'Cause I have a few problems, too. Like you touching Veronica.
Duncan: What are you talking about?
Everyone in the quad has taken notice now, including Weevil, who stands up but looks casual and relaxed as he watches the drama unfold.
Logan: (acting as if he's being helpful, but obviously angry) You don't remember? You went to her house. You put your hands on her. (jaw so tight his words pass through his teeth) You left bruises on her. I can't have that.
Duncan: My hands? What about what you did to her? What you turned her into?
Logan steps closer to Duncan, getting very close.
Logan: (quiet dangerous tone) So you did see us at the party. Who knew that best and all-around good-guy Duncan bloody Kane was into voyeurism.
Duncan: You…
Logan: (interrupting, antagonizing Duncan on purpose) Slept with my girlfriend? Fucked like bunnies? Made her come over and over again while she begged me for more? What? (Duncan looks like he'd been hit, Logan smiles) You jealous 'cause she wouldn't let you touch her when you were dating?
Duncan is vibrating with anger, his fists clenched. Logan keeps his voice low so no one can overhear.
Duncan: She deserves better. She deserves to -
Logan: (interrupting) That's the difference between me and you, DK. You put Veronica up on a pedestal. To you she's not real. For me? I know she's flesh and blood, she loves it when I touch her. But I don't need to tell you that, (smirk) you saw it for yourself. Did you get off on it? Watching us?
Logan's words hit their mark and Duncan's tenuous control breaks. He lunges at Logan, who is caught off guard. He had expected Duncan to try to punch him, not strangle him. So, Logan is surprised when Duncan's hands close around his neck, cutting off his air supply. Still, a small smile spreads across his face. Duncan had made the first move.
Logan quickly covers both Duncan's hands with his grabbing his thumbs and twisting them back, forcing Duncan to release his hold. Logan shoves him away, causing Duncan to stumble. Then it's on. Logan follows after Duncan plowing a punch into his cheek and eye. Duncan staggers back. Neither boy pays any attention to their audience. At her table, Veronica stands up, but Dick and Luke both take hold of her arms, making her stay put.
Righting himself, Duncan swings at Logan, who turns his head so the punch glances off his cheek. Logan takes another swing at Duncan but Duncan rushes him, causing the blow to land on Duncan's shoulder instead of his face. Both boys go down, Duncan on top of Logan, and Duncan manages to land his first punch to Logan's ribs. Logan grunts then rolls them over, coming up on top and smashing his fist into Duncan's face again. They roll again, and again, neither landing a solid punch.
The surrounding students sit quietly, stunned, and not sure whom to support, or what to do to stop the fight. Most take their cues from the boys' friends, who watch with resignation.
The fight continues, but after only a few minutes both boys are losing their energy, Duncan more so than Logan. Duncan throws a weak cuff at Logan's kidneys, and throws Logan off of him. Both struggle to their feet, Duncan's eye already swelling, and Logan's lip bleeding.
At her table, Veronica is angry.
Veronica: It's enough. You go stop them or I will.
Rams nods and heads towards his friends, with several of the guys following. Enbom remains with the girls. Logan isn't ready to end the fight yet and both Dick and Rams have to hold him back from lunging at Duncan again. Casey and Hank Didden have the easier job of keeping Duncan back. Both boys are glaring at each other. Rams and Dick manage to maneuver Logan back towards the school to get cleaned up, hopefully before Clemmons comes out.
Veronica falls in step with them, walking to the nurse's office.
Duncan watches her take Logan's hand with a tender smile on her face. His face twists with rage then falls, showing only sadness.
Duncan: It wasn't supposed to be this way.
Casey: I know, man. I know. But it is this way. You gotta get used to that.
Duncan's shoulders slump with defeat and he walks slowly out to the parking lot, leaving school.
-----------
Nurse's office.
Nurse: Well, I can tell you one thing: whatever or whoever it is you're fighting over, she won't be very impressed by this.
The nurse walks Logan out to the waiting area where Logan sees Veronica's earnest face, her hand reaching up to trace over his swollen lip.
Logan: You never know with this one. She tends to reward me for the strangest things.
Veronica smiles but her eyes are still sad.
Veronica: Happy now?
Logan: I am, actually.
Nurse: You're done. Take it easy for today, and put ice on the bruises. I expected to hear from Principal Morehead, but I guess not.
Everyone in the room knows that a fight between Duncan Kane and Logan Echolls is a loser for the school. Punishing either or both boys would endanger the school's fundraising efforts; so as long as neither boy pressed the issue, the institution would ignore it as if it had never happened.
Logan and Veronica exit the nurse's office together, walking down the empty hallway towards her Calculus class.
Logan: Actually, I disagree with Nurse Ratched, I think you were quite impressed.
Veronica: Nope.
Logan: Maybe a little turned on too?
Tilting her head up inspect the damage again, she sighs unhappily then reaches for the doorknob to her classroom.
Veronica: Too bad for you, you're too injured to find out for yourself.
Logan: I'm not that hurt, Veronica.
Turning back to him, she makes a sad, too-bad-for-you face, as she leaves him in the hall.
Logan is sitting in his History class next to Meg when his phone vibrates with a text message.
--
From Veronica
Fighting doesn't turn me on, but my boyfriend does.
Sent May 10, 1:22pm
--
Logan sits back with a happy grin. He flinches a bit as his smile pulls at his split lip.
--------------
Cut to Mars Investigations, Keith is watching a television screen and hits pause on a remote to freeze the screen on a picture of Logan crossing the US Mexico border. The date on the tape is October 3, 2003, the time 8:57am.
Keith sits on his desk staring at the screen, allowing his mind to review the evidence in the case. Logan had freely admitted that Lilly had been seeing someone else around the time of their breakup and that the last breakup had been the worst. In Keith's mind, Logan would have been an obvious suspect if he hadn't had an airtight alibi. Now that alibi was gone and Logan had freely admitted to Veronica that he had found Lilly that day.
Keith tired to imagine how it would have happened. Logan saw Lilly at the carwash. Angry and sad he breaks into her car to leave the shot glass. And Veronica had said he left a letter too. Keith double-checked the inventory logs. No letter. But remembering Lilly's lax habits for security, Logan wouldn't have had to break in, just open the door and leave the shot glass.
So Logan leaves the shot glass, as what? A parting gift? To scare her that he had been watching her? That also didn't ring true. Lilly wouldn't have cared that Logan was watching her, most likely she wanted him watching, wanted him to hurt. Maybe he had left a letter and Lilly, careless as she was with other people's emotions, had just tossed it out. Maybe hoping that Logan was watching at the time.
Regardless, if Lilly hadn't died until after 6:03pm, no-one had any idea what she did between leaving the car at some point between 3:30 and 3:45 pm and being snapped by the red-light camera on her way home.
No cell phone calls were placed to or from her phone during those hours. So where had she been? And where had Logan been? They had never run Logan's credit cards or phone lugs since he had such a solid alibi. Obviously that was an oversight. But the honest-to-God truth was Keith couldn't have imagined the kid killing Lilly.
Logan had a wild side, that was incontrovertible. There was just something uncontrollable about him. But he seemed to have a wide swath of protectiveness in his character. For Lilly. For his mother. And now for Veronica.
--
Flashback
Sunday dinner at the Fennels'. Keith had just dropped the bomb about Duncan assaulting Veronica. Alicia's face was stunned, her eyes searching Veronica's face and then her body for injuries. Wallace had surged off the couch, more alarmed than Keith would have expected. But Keith's eyes were focused on Logan. Logan looked angry in the way the always led to trouble, his breathing was erratic, and his body tense, but as he reached out to touch Veronica - to reassure her or himself, Keith wasn't sure -, his touch was gentle.
It was the irrefutable truth that Logan's touch was light and tender as he inspected the bruises on Veronica's upper arms. And Veronica showed absolutely no fear to his touch. She had flinched back when Keith had inspected the bruises, but she had no hesitation, no withdrawal as Logan skimmed his fingers over the blue and purple skin.
Her face softened as she reached out her hand to offer him comfort, even though she was the injured one. Logan cuddled her tightly to his body as Wallace came over to inspect Veronica for himself.
She had stayed in his embrace until moving away to glare at all of them for demanding her compliance in their various safety plans. Even when they weren't touching, the connection Alicia had spoken of was apparent.
End Flashback
--
Keith sighed deeply. He didn't like it. He wanted Veronica to remain his little girl forever. But he knew that wasn't fair. He had to let her go. While some of his reservations were to do with whom she was letting go to be with, most of it was just the cautious nature of a father who had spent a career seeing the worst of human behavior.
Sitting down in his seat Keith picks up his cell phone and dials a number.
---------------
Cut to Veronica exiting Calculus with Mac. Duncan had been absent from class so Veronica is somewhat relaxed as she hears her name called.
Karen: Hey Veronica!
Veronica: Hi, Karen.
Karen: You all right? That was quite a lunch time show.
Veronica: Yeah. I guess.
Karen's boyfriend Keith comes up to them and places a loose arm around Karen's waist.
Keith: Hey, babe. Veronica. (he looks around quickly) Where's Logan?
Veronica: Oh, God. Not you too.
Karen: Too?
Mac: Veronica has round-the-clock security detail here at school.
Karen: Oh. Yeah, I guess I did hear something about that.
Veronica: Great.
Karen: (shrugs) Anyway, I just wanted to say congratulations about Prom Court.
Veronica: (one brow arched) Why would you congratulate me? I know it was you and Meg who orchestrated the whole thing.
Karen: (smiling) I don't know what you're talking about.
Veronica: You're not a very good liar.
Keith: You really aren't, babe.
Mac: Oh, hey Veronica, I gotta go set up that thing we talked about earlier. (she starts to walk away then spins back around, teasing) You'll be fine by yourself right? I can call in reinforcements.
Veronica looks at her sourly as Mac walks away.
--------------
Cut to another part of the school hallway. Logan is walking towards Veronica's class to meet her when his phone vibrates. Students throw furtive looks at him whispering excitedly to each other. Looking at the display he frowns and nods to Rams.
Logan: Rams, I gotta take this. Veronica's coming from D27. Can you get her?
Rams: Sure.
Rams takes off, walking fast through the teeming students. Logan leans against the wall and answers as his phone buzzes for the third time.
Logan: (answering) News travels fast.
Keith: What?
Logan: Your network of informants is good. Veronica told me, but I…
Cut to Keith's alarmed face, sitting forward in his chair ready to spring into action.
Keith: (interrupting) I don't know what you're talking about, Logan. Did something happen?
Logan: Nothing major. Duncan and I got into it.
Keith: (sitting back in the chair) Ah. You sound all right.
Logan: I am. Duncan never was a good fighter.
Keith: I assume Veronica was nowhere near the fight?
Logan: She was safely away. Annoyed, but safe.
---------------
Cut back to Karen, Keith and Veronica.
Karen: Uh, what thing?
Keith: Don't ask, you probably don't want to know.
Still not seeing Logan, Keith keeps Veronica close, pulling Karen along after the small blonde down the hallway.
Veronica: Plausible deniability.
Keith: Right.
Veronica: Like if I asked, Keith would have a good reason for following me to my locker right now.
Keith: We're talking. It's rude to walk away in the middle of a conversation.
Veronica smiles at Keith who looks down the hall and relaxes, relief clear on his face. Veronica turns to see Rams bearing down on her.
Veronica: Looks like you're relieved of duty. I'll be sure to tell Logan you were a great pinch-hitter.
Keith: Take it easy, Veronica. Hey Rams!
Rams: Keith, my man (they bump fists, good friends from the football team). Hey Veronica.
Karen: See you later Veronica.
Veronica: Yeah. You too, Karen. I'd say thanks, but - (she holds her hands out like she's holding something she doesn't know what to do with)
Karen smiles as she and Keith head back the way they'd come.
Rams: Where to?
Veronica: Where's Logan?
Rams: He had a phone call he had to take. No biggie.
Veronica: (frowning) All right.
-----------
Cut back to Logan.
Keith: Good. Logan. I assume Veronica told you that I know your alibi for the day Lilly died was a lie.
His body tenses, but he stays leaning against the wall, nodding to Hank and Harry Didden as they pass by.
Logan: She did. Should I be expecting a visit from the intrepid Sheriff?
Keith: No. Not yet. But I would like you to come in to talk to me.
Cut to Logan's surprised face.
Logan: You want the chance to interrogate me yourself before you turn me in?
Keith: I don't know yet. That depends on you and the answers you provide.
Logan: (unsure) You're actually going to give me the chance to explain?
Keith: Veronica trusts you. And I trust my daughter's judgment. I may not approve of your relationship, but I am willing to hear what you have to say before making any decisions.
Logan: Thanks. I kinda expected to be hauled into the station at any time now.
Keith: Don't get me wrong, Logan. If at the end of our conversation I suspect that you had anything to do with Lilly's murder, I will turn you in, and you and Veronica will be broken up effective immediately.
-------------------
Rams and Veronica walk down the hallway to her locker, passing by Kate Rakes. She glares at Rams and slams her locker shut. Chin held high she marches up to them and Rams looks like a puppy who is about to be yelled at, which is comical since he's a built six-foot three-inch guy and Kate is a willowy brunette who is at least eight inches shorter than him.
Rams: (smiling hopefully) Hiya, Kate.
Kate: I'm not talking to you right now.
Rams slumps a childish pout on his face. Karen turns her head to Veronica.
Kate: Hi Veronica. I got your message. I'm in. Just let me know when and where.
She issues a tight smile enjoying Rams' look of alarm.
Veronica: Great. We should have the details down before school lets out today.
Rams: What message? What details?
Kate: Don't you worry your pretty little head about it, honey. (smiling fully at Veronica) I've been meaning to talk to you.
Rams: (mournful) Oh God. I'm screwed.
Both girls ignore him. Kate takes Veronica's arm and they walk together down the hall, Rams following a few feet behind them. Kate explains to Veronica that the Junior League is putting together a fashion show fundraiser for the local women's shelter.
Veronica: Um, I don't really have the funds to donate, Kate.
Kate: No, we want you to volunteer.
Veronica: I'm about eight inches too short to be a model too.
Kate: You're right, but actually I thought you could take pictures at the event. We have a deal that for each picture or mention we get in the press the designers who are lending us the clothes will donate $250. Having a good photographer would go a long way.
Veronica: Um, I guess. It depends on when it is.
Kate: (breezy) Oh, don't worry. I'll send you all the details.
She stops, her smile falling as she glances back at her on-and-off again boyfriend, with a hard look.
Kate: Besides, we can talk later.
Rams: So screwed.
---------------
AN
I hope this chapter clears up the issue of Meg watching LoVe at the party. That scene was so clear in my head I might not have done a good job in the last chapter of explaining it to y'all. It's all there in this chapter, except of course what happened when Nadia and Duncan were in the closet. Review if you want that scene sent to you. If not, you won't need it to understand anything in the story from this point forward.
Thanks for the reviews. A few readers without accounts who review every time are Bella and Nichole. Thanks. To the anonymous reviewer who spammed with me reviews this week, your made up user names were very amusing. From Date Rape to Coal Mine, they did amuse me. Thanks. I think. As for your last question, the tapes Logan found somewhat hidden were of him, but 'we' don't know who might be in the tapes with him. If they are Veronica, and he lied to her, I'm sure you can understand why…as for whether that (maybe) lie causes problems later, to be honest, I haven't decided yet. You idea of when the tapes might be watched (if they are of LoVe) is perfectly in sync with mine.
So there is this whole carrot/stick debate as to what motivates people to action. The blackmail worked nicely (stick) so now I will try a carrot. If you want to know what happened in the closet with Nadia and Duncan, review, I'll send the scene as my reply. Aw, hell, just review anyway.
Bakel's review changed my mind about something pretty major. All through this story I'd been planning on having Keith turn in Logan once he found out about the alibi issue. But Bakel wanted to see the family dinner between the Fennels, LoVe and Keith. That got me to thinking and I decided to go the route you read here instead. Sorry Bakel for not showing more of the dinner, but I did make Keith see LoVe more clearly.
Finally, I also went through the whole story up until a few chapters ago never thinking about changing the killer. You'll have to wait to see how I present it, but let's just say Aaron will get his, but Veronica will have some well founded doubts about the conclusion of that investigation.
I thought I'd get farther in this chapter, but it kept growing (not unlike this Author's note). I hope to get to Prom in the next one, maybe just to them getting dressed and ready though. We'll see.
Word Count: 12,523