Previously... Connor Larkin died on Friday, May 13th of an apparent overdose on prescription drugs. Ruled a suicide, it didn't sit right with Marcie, Connor's long term on-off again girlfriend. He had two close friends, Alex Webster and Greg Bua and Greg had had an affair with Marcie. Similar drugs were also found in an actress, Leah Vance, who supposedly committed suicide a week earlier. As Veronica continued to dig further into figuring out the culprit, another actress was claimed a victim. This time, though, there was no mistaking it a homicide. Left inside a room at the Neptune Grand, Evangeline Palmer was found tied to a chair not breathing. She had been a lover of Robert Grimes, the boyfriend of Trina Echolls, not to mention Trina's co-star in a Katelyn Renner directed film. Katelyn Renner had been Connor's scorned ex. It was more than coincidence that Evangeline happened to be good friends with Leah Vance. Robert Grimes had been arrested and would take the fall for the murder. Trina Echolls as his accessory. Veronica refused to believe the Sheriff's Office had the right man behind bars. There were also names on a napkin from a nightclub called Vintage, but hoping for a lead using the women listed seemed futile. It was Monday June 7th, and Veronica finally made a giant discovery; however her next decisions could endanger the people she cared most about...
Chapter 16
Veronica unwrinkled her forehead and took a deep breath. She shifted uncomfortably in the cushioned chair, unable to sit still any longer. Trailing Lyles would have to wait for another time. "I-I gotta go."
Mac's face glowed from the light emanating from the computer screen. She swiveled her chair to the left and looked up at a fully erect Veronica, who was ready to bolt towards the front doors. Veronica had her black leather studded bag over her shoulder. Confused, Mac raised her arm as if she was a student asking for permission to speak. "Did I just miss something obvious? Why are you all of a sudden off in such a hurry?"
"I know who did it. I need you to go to office tomorrow and pull up everything you can find on Greg Bua." Veronica spoke calmly, but with an under current of urgency. "Mac, I mean everything."
Mac's brows furrowed. She responded with skepticism, "That's a giant leap. His records came back clean. I know, I checked twice."
"I need credit card purchases, past family history…anything. He may not be involved for all I know, but what's-her-face, Andrea, from the club. His acquaintance. She's involved. I can feel it with every fiber of my being."
"Dre239...Andrea?" Mac nodded while shutting down the desktop computer and removing her flash drive from the USB port. She had been filled in on the mysterious Andrea right after Veronica and Logan returned from Los Angeles. Mac smirked and added, "it could be someone who's just really into Dr. Dre's lyrical compositions."
"We know nobody from the club seemed clear on what her day job was which I found suspicious. It could be the same thing you studied in college. She could be a computer wiz. However, if she was the one behind the computer...who was at the Grand that night? Robert? I doubt it, but I can see where Marcia thinks he's the villain in all of this."
"If you say so." Mac oozed disbelief in Veronica's theory.
"Andrea gives Xanax to Sean for coke and blow. You said it yourself, Evie's autopsy listed Valium and Xanax. She seemed to know Greg and Connor well enough. She could have easily met the girls at Vintage. It's starting to add up. I just need to connect the rest of the pieces."
"So, what's your plan?" Mac gathered up her things and followed Veronica towards the exit sign. Once outside, she waited as Veronica fumbled in her bag for the keys.
After she had the car keys in her hand, Veronica responded with a clear objective. "I'm going to meet Greg for drinks on Friday."
*x**x**x**x*
The enormous cork board hanging on the back wall had pictures of all three victims with red string attaching them together. The string broke in different directions. Spread throughout, there were images from Connor's apartment complex, crime photos from the hotel room at the Neptune Grand, and a lined sheet of paper with a list of those who were close to the deceased. A yellow post-it note below each victim documented the drugs that were found in each autopsy report. The board served as a quick access. She organized the rest of the research files into folders, which had more in depth detail, on her laptop.
Veronica pulled out the top desk drawer in her office. She shifted through the loose papers, receipts, little post-it notes she left for herself, phone numbers scribbled on newspaper or whatever else was handy at the time, until she landed on what she needed: Greg Bua's business card. For a split second, she wondered if Greg was ignoring her specifically. He hadn't answered his cell after Veronica left a voice-mail in over an hour. She figured she'd try his work phone. Although, it was around ten-thirty pm on a Monday, Veronica wasn't going to wait around for him to make other plans.
Right as she began to type the digits into her iPhone, the message icon appeared on screen. It was a new e-mail alert from user, rzellers. Veronica opened up the message without hesitation.
I've been going back and forth deliberating on whether or not I should get involved to be honest. I don't have many regrets, and this sure isn't one of them. However, it's disconcerting to see what has transpired since. I hooked up with Connor Larkin's screen writer friend in early December of this year. Actually, for a few months, I even called him my boyfriend. That did not last long. If you are wondering, Greg had stopped by during the production of the movie I was starring in with Larkin. He would bring Larkin lunch from some random sushi place from time to time. We would all meet up for drinks after shooting...Katelyn included. I think, and I am not 100% sure, but Greg was the one to introduce Connor to Katelyn before he was ever cast lead in her next film, Promises. Greg mentioned he wrote a few screen plays for Katelyn hoping to partner with her for a feature, but none of their ideas ever got the green-light. Or, if they had, they never saw American eyes. Look, I only went on maybe three or four dates total with Katelyn and Larkin. Eventually me and Greg fought more often than not. I couldn't deal with it so I told Larkin I didn't want to see Greg on set anymore. I broke it off at the end of February right as shooting wrapped up. It ended amicably. To be honest, I think he was in love with somebody else anyways. I don't know if any of this will help. I was just as shocked to see the news of Connor's passing.
Tell Marcie it's not her fault.
Rachel
"Shit," Veronica mouthed, eyes glued to her iPhone screen. She felt her heart palpitating in her chest. Tell Marcie it's not her fault? So this information implicates Greg even further. Was this why Marcie didn't want me to bother Rachel? Did she suspect Greg? Protect him? Did he know something Marcie didn't? Veronica shook her head. The information couldn't have come at a better time. After a few moments of silence passed and she mustered back her composure, Veronica tapped the numbers on her screen and called Greg.
It rang twice before she heard a few coughs to clear the throat and then a raspy hello, as if the person on the other line had been smoking a cigarette.
"Hey, I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time." Veronica spoke in an enthusiastic high pitch tone. "How about that dinner? I'll tell you whatever you wanna know about the P.I. business you didn't get a chance to hear last time. Then, maybe Vintage afterwards?"
"Ah. Ms. Mars," the husky voice answered. "What about your boyfriend? He didn't seem too pleased during our last encounter."
"What he doesn't know, won't kill him. Besides, we both have something the other one wants."
"Sounds tantalizing. If you are implying what I'm inferring then we have a date."
Veronica gave Greg a time to meet Friday and hung up. She leaned back in her chair, contemplating her move. It was a giant game of chess and she was ready to say check.
Logan emerged from the hallway and flipped the light switch up in the office. Veronica only had a little desk lamp on, but there was illumination that came from her laptop as well. The added brightness somewhat startled her. She swiftly glanced up for a second and then back down at her screen. Logan looked tired and wore a plain white t-shirt with SpongeBob boxers. An ensemble, Veronica could imagine her eight year old half-brother owning too. "Coming to bed?" Logan asked, with his arms crossed, leaning against the doorway into the hall. "You might want to soon before that furry black minx takes up your entire side. I tried to get her to move, but she can be just as stubborn as her mom."
The clock on Veronica's computer read 11:07 pm. She was restless, though. Her nerves were in overdrive. Still clothed in her work attire from the afternoon, Veronica had her laptop opened in Safari. She sighed without glancing up. "Not yet."
It was evident in his facial expression that he was slightly concerned. Logan sensed something off in her voice. "Are you okay?
"I'm fine, really." Veronica murmured while scrolling through various webpages.
"You don't look fine."
"Then stop looking," Veronica snarked. She hadn't checked herself in the mirror since earlier that day. There were dark circles under her eyes from not receiving enough rest. The whole day had her none-stop running errands.
"Veronica, let me help." His jaw tightened slightly. Logan wasn't asking permission.
She raised an eyebrow. "Could you beat the truth out of him, Greg Bua, that is?
Logan cocked his head to the side. "That was the old me if you recall. I've turned over a new leaf."
Except when Logan relapsed and placed his fist squarely into Sean's lower jaw.
The corners of Veronica's mouth curved up into a faint smile. "Riiiight," she emphasized, "so what does handsome-action figure Lieutenant Logan do instead now?"
"Save the world, one helpless blonde at a time." Logan gestured with his hands in the air after each word.
"Well then, that excludes me." Veronica was staring directly at her boyfriend, distracted away from her computer screen and the task she had created for herself.
Even in her disheveled state, Logan gazed at her with loving, lustful eyes. "Did I forget to mention, he also has a crime-fighting petite blonde ally to shake up the status quo?"
"Sounds like a best seller."
"So the question remains, what do I need to do to get you out of this room and into bed with me?"
Veronica could feel her own reserve slipping. How do you tell your boyfriend you have a date with another man without sounding like a horrible girlfriend? What did Dad always say, honesty is the best policy or was it little white lies don't hurt anyone? Logan could see through hers. He could see right through her tough exterior. Veronica wanted to avoid the subject, but it wouldn't end well if she waited until after the fact. "Don't be mad, but I need to go back to Vintage with Greg as my date Friday night." She wanted him to accept it and not let his feelings about the matter interfere.
A hush settled over the room. Logan let what was said marinate in his mind. "Hmpht, not exactly what I had pictured."
"Sorry," Veronica paused feeling the tension in the air, "it's all I could think of doing to find Andrea. That brown hair girl you saw with them...she's the key."
"You're going to subject her to your bullshit detector? See if she's full of crap? Play the guy like a fiddle?"
Veronica finally smiled wide. "As always."
"Okay." Logan shrugged his shoulders."Now, I get to drag your cute butt to bed."
Veronica hopped out of her leather seat in submission and grabbed his hand. She quickly brushed her lips against his. She knew better; Logan was not okay with her plan. He didn't trust anyone who associated with Sean Friedrich. However, Veronica was out of ideas. Greg steered Katelyn in Connor's direction. If Katelyn or Andrea committed the crime, Greg served a part in it unknowingly or not.
*x**x**x**x*
The data compiled led Veronica to her next source. No matter the distance, your best friend would be there for you. The one person who knew you inside and out. Veronica used to tell Lilly everything. Lilly had known Veronica wasn't just frilly pink blouses and skirts. That girly girl façade had shattered on October 3rd, 2003. She bet on her life Leah mentioned Evangeline and maybe some juicer bits of drama from on set to her grade school friend, Deanna.
Veronica drove on the highway towards Layola Marymount in Los Angeles. The college where the twenty-one year old, Deanna Conti, attended school. Veronica had gotten Deanna's address from her P.I. search engine. As she drove, the AC blasted. Anyone with eyes could see the heat waves radiating off the hot pavement. The temperature was nearing 100 degrees. The sun sat high up in the sky burning bright. Veronica felt like she was melting into her car seat.
Just after one pm on Wednesday, Veronica parked in the visitor's lot. She quickly tied her hair up into a loose bun and walked the rest of the way toward the apartment complex where Deanna rented a one bedroom with her boyfriend. Even though the semester ended weeks ago, Deanna stayed at her place for summer break.
There was security at the front desk, but Veronica still looked like a grad student. She acted like she knew where she was going and continued toward the elevators where she was right in her assumption. There was no need for a key card to activate. The complex hadn't had a lot of renovations since it's initial built in the seventies.
Up on the third floor, six doors down, Veronica arrived at her destination. She wiped the beads of sweat off her forehead and remained poised. Veronica knocked twice before a girl in a stained purple camisole and black Soffe shorts answered the door. She appeared less put together than the evening Veronica met her at Leah Vance's funeral. Deanna's blonde hair was also pulled up into a messy bun, humidity be damned. Her bangs were clipped back with a few bobby pins. Deanna's mouth gaped open in shock. She hadn't expected any visitors.
"Hi, Deanna?" Veronica played it off like a question.
"That's me." She gave a puzzled look. "Hi, uh-do like I know you? You look kinda familiar."
"I have a few questions for you about one of your friends. Do you mind letting me in for a moment?"
Deanna double blinked. "What do you mean? Who are you?"
The hallways were not air conditioned. The heat was leading to Veronica's impatience. "I'm just going to cut to the chase here. My name is Veronica Mars, I'm a private investigator looking into Leah Vance's death."
"What?" Deanna's eyes widened further. This was not how she wanted her day to go.
"I'd rather not do this out in the hallway."
"Well, my boyfriend is still asleep."
Oh, to be in college and sleep past noon. "I promise this won't take long."
Deanna shifted her weight on one foot and contemplated letting this stranger in. "Let me see some identification first."
"Smart girl." Veronica rummaged inside her bag. She took a step closer, her P.I. badge outstretched.
Deanna glanced down at the credentials. Her mouth formed a hard line. Deanna shook her head. "Fine. Come in."
"Thank you," Veronica responded as she followed Deanna inside who then shut the door behind her.
Deanna blushed as she noticed her apartment hadn't been tidied up for guests. There were empty cans of beer and glass bottles of wine stacked in a pile by the trashcan. An empty pizza box still laid on top of the beer cap decorated table in the living room. The apartment, overall, was nice with up to date appliances. The kitchen had definitely been updated. There were a few furniture pieces that easily belonged in an Anthropologie or Pottery Barn catalog. It ultimately screamed that Deanna came from money. Hadn't Veronica seen that Leah and Deanna's parents were from the 90909 zip code? Of course, Deanna could afford something like this.
Deanna ushered Veronica to take a seat on the couch. She then sat to Veronica's right on a brown cushioned recliner. "So?"
"You went to high school together." Veronica waited for Deanna to nod. "So, you must have met Evangeline Palmer."
Deanna recognized the name. She kept up with news, but seeing that name flash across the TV screen and mentioned by numerous newscasters wasn't the only time. "Evie? No, never. But, when we Skyped, Leah used to talk about her, a lot. So, I guess I kinda knew of her. She was one of Leah's theater friends. They filmed a movie together a while back and stayed friends. I never met Evie in person though. She was too cool to hang around the college scene. Evie would rather crash Hollywood parties if you know what I mean. She would drag Leah along even after I had already made plans to meet Leah."
Is that bitter resentment I hear? I can work with that.
"That sucks. You must have been annoyed. What else can you tell me about Leah's relationship with Evangeline?"
"Leah basically worshiped Evie." Deanna frowned. "Evie was like two years older I think and had more experience."
"Well, you're 21, how does it feel to be almost done college." Deanna was a senior. Veronica hoped the change in subject would let Deanna relax her shoulders a little bit. She could see Deanna didn't like drudging up the past.
"I have one more year. Then it's probably two years of grad school, so I don't really see the light at the end of the figurative tunnel, yet."
"That's exciting, though. What major?"
"Psychology."
"Awesome, that was mine. So, did Leah have any other theater friends besides Evie who were actors that you knew of?"
Deanna thought for a moment. "Yeah, a few I supposed. Damien Finn, Craig Schremmer, and then there was Sasha Tedesco. The three of them, I mean, Evie, Leah, and Sasha were all filming some movie together back in high school. That's when they first met."
Bingo. "Do you know the title?"
"I-I don't know. I don't think it ever got made. It just, like, stopped production. Then, Leah returned to school and somehow managed to graduate on time even with missing all those days. Like, she should have gotten totally held back, but I think the administration felt bad for her."
"How come?"
Deana paused for a moment and sighed. "Sasha died."
"Oh, I'm sorry." An apology escaped from Veronica's lips automatically.
"It was over four years ago and it's not like I knew her personally."
2013. The movie Leah skipped school for. The one that was never listed on IMDB. Evie was also attached to it.
"So, what happened to Sasha?"
Deanna gritted her teeth together. "She, uh, killed herself."
Veronica wanted to ask how but went the more concerned route. "I assume Leah was extremely saddened by the news?"
"To be honest, no, not really. Sasha and her weren't friends. They would always audition for the same parts. They were...competitors."
Deanna, who still up to that moment believed Leah had committed suicide, started to tear up. "I know what you're thinking, but it didn't affect Leah. Leah was really good at compartmentalizing. She moved on from the whole thing. She was in a really good place. If Leah hadn't...then... what really happened? Why Evie? I don't-I just don't..." Deanna trailed off, unable to finish her last thought.
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out. Believe me."
"So-so...is that all?" Deanna's blubbering had woken up her boyfriend. Veronica could hear him stirring in the bedroom. It was her cue to leave.
"Yes. I'm so sorry to have bothered you." Veronica stood up and handled Deanna a business card. "Thank you for your time. Call me if you remember anything else."
With that, Veronica grabbed a box of tissues from the shelves and placed it by Deanna before exiting.
Veronica had a pretty clear idea on what to do next. She needed to figure out who else was attached to that film and what had truly happened on that set. The title of the film was still a big question mark. The director? Well that's easy guess.
*x**x**x**x*
In the evening, the sun was finally setting below the horizon line. The cloudless blue sky now had a few streaks of pink and orange. It had been another day, another dollar. Veronica had cooked herself a meal for one as Logan was still at the base in San Diego. She situated the plate of salmon and broccoli on top of the coffee table. It was turning into a ritual. She planted herself on the couch and watched the six o'clock news as she ate.
Even with Logan gone, Veronica still had company. Pony laid next to the couch and chewed on a rather large sized bone.
The TV in the living room flashed with images. After the weather announcement, a newscaster relayed a breaking report in Neptune. Apparently, younger PCHers who attended Neptune High keyed Deputy Lyles' Crown Vic the night before. Scratched into the side of his car was the word, CROOK. A statement that was caught on camera in front of the local Sac-n-Pac where Wallace used to receive his first paychecks.
A couple of minutes later, Veronica heard Marcia Langdon's voice, which instantly caught her attention.
"After some deliberation, I have opened back up the case involving Leah Rebecca Vance. Although first ruled a suicide, it is come to our knowledge there may have been indeed foul play. We have recently brought in film director, Katelyn Renner, for questioning in conjunction with the previous murder. From what she has discussed, it is seemingly more likely that Leah Vance and Evangeline Palmer's deaths were both planned in advanced. We can not confirm or deny the resemblance to that of acclaimed actor, Connor Larkin's recent passing. If the incidents are linked, we have reason to believe both girls met Robert Grimes together at a club in the surrounding areas..." Veronica thought back to the night at Vintage. Sheriff Langdon kept talking about the details of the case, which Veronica knew by heart. "He is currently awaiting trial for the murder of Miss Palmer. No further questions. Thank you." The newscaster then appeared back on screen and announced, "We will update the public as the story develops."
Veronica hadn't realized her jaw dropped. Marcia got Katelyn to talk albeit probably reluctantly. The Sheriff actually used the information Veronica supplied. Was it opposite day? Did I forget to wear my shirt inside out?
However, the news solidified Robert for the public and not just for one, but two recent deaths. Case closed. It was good enough for Petra Landros. Good enough for everyone in Neptune but the Mars clan.
*x**x**x**x*
All during the week, Mac tried to figure out how Greg could have been involved with the mysterious Andrea. She was coming up empty. Nothing she found on him from credit card purchases to emails seem to raise any red flags. Either he was innocent or a very neat monster. Greg was probably oblivious to Andrea's outside life. It wouldn't be the first time a man didn't bother finding out more about his one-night-stand or whatever the relationship between the two was beyond the drug trade.
Eventually on Thursday during her break, Mac decided to go ahead and double check on Veronica's hunch. She went back to the library during the day with a picture of Greg. Veronica had her hands full in another case where she had to prove the the maid stole twenty grand from the homeowner's security box. She wouldn't have taken the bait but the man was willing to pay the premium. Easy cash in Veronica's pocket. It also meant Mac would be getting her bi-weekly check on time.
While Veronica set up surveillance across town, Mac left the library without anyone recognizing Greg. Of course, it was the outcome she predicted. She got in her car and looked out the rear-view mirror. There was the pizza place and a CVS. Before she had turned on the engine, Mac took her keys out of the ignition and headed toward the pharmacy.
When she went through the double doors, Mac glanced around the store, down the hair care aisle, before just walking up to the cashier.
"Hi, how may I help you?" A woman in her early sixties with grey whiskers asked while putting on a fake smile. She wore a blue button down polo shirt and khakis.
"I'm looking for this man. Has he come in here recently within the past week or so? He's, uh... in real trouble and...I'm trying to, um, help." Mac didn't know how Veronica could easily come up with some story that would make others quickly buy. Mac stumbled just trying to get the last sentence out. What was she thinking coming here? This was hopeless.
"No, sorry but I only work the day-shift." The woman replied. "I can ask my manager or the pharmacists in the back might have."
"No need." Mac was two seconds away from heading out the door, but rolled her eyes and headed to the pharmacy in the back.
She waited by the counter for a few minutes before a beautiful woman with high cheek bones and lush, long dark hair wearing a white coat appeared.
"Hi, I'm not here for a prescription. Um, have you seen this man recently?" Mac held up the photograph.
"No." The pharmacist said coolly. "What's this about?"
"I believe he may be involved in a crime."
"I see. Let me look at the photo again." The pharmacist's piercing hazel eyes stared at the photograph intently. "No, can't say that I have."
Mac handed her Mars Investigation's card. "If you happen to jog your memory," Mac glanced at the pharmacist's name tag, "Amanda, please don't hesitate to call. I'm there nine to five every weekday."
"Got it, alright Ms. Mars."
"Oh, that's my boss…I'm just the...secretary." Mac frowned slightly.
"Okay. I promise to call if I remember anything Ms-whatever-your-name-is."
"Mackenzie. Mac. Thanks." Mac ambled out of the CVS having wasted a half hour and with no new information to give back to Veronica to boot. There really wasn't much else she could do at that point. Frustrated, she headed back to the office to see if Keith needed her specific talents for a different case.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'M BACK! HELLO THERE! WE'RE DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE FOLKS, NO TURNING BACK.
I HOPE YOU'VE ENJOYED THIS LONG (seriously its almost 5000 words) OVERDUE CHAPTER. If you are wondering why I've skipped days in between chapters, this fanfic is focused solely on the overarching mystery even though I do try to tack on a few more day to day events than the books. More Logan/Veronica interaction in the next chapter! It's almost June 13th, which means a month has gone by since the start of this story. Veronica has obviously solved mini cases during that time. Now, I'm going to be slowing down time. These next few days are it. IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET MORE INTENSE FROM HERE ON OUT. FOUR CHAPTERS TO GO. STAY TUNED.
PLEASE REVIEW, I'D LOVE TO READ YOUR FEEDBACK! :)