Lives Ruined, Bloodshed

Chapter 22

Frederick 'Freddy' Hammond was an intimidating looking guy. He was tall and muscular but in the bodybuilding kind of way. He was escorted onto the floor by Agent Seber, who walked him over and sat him down in an interview room. Just by looking at him, Veronica knew he could have easily caused the damage done to the Kimberley's.

Walsh entered the interview room and took a seat. Veronica wanted to watch Freddy, get a sense of him. Freddy seemed uncomfortable as he waited. His shoulders were tense, his jaw locked; Veronica could tell that he wanted to be anywhere else but with them.

"Thank you for coming down to speak with us, Mr Hammond," said Walsh.

Freddy nodded. "Sure."

"Do you know why you are here?" asked Walsh.

"I assume it has to do with Mandi," he said.

Walsh nodded. "Yes. Mrs Kimberley and her husband were murdered."

"Yeah." Freddy looked down, showing discomfort with the subject, but there is so sign of it on his face. His expression stayed stoic.

Walsh asked, "When was the last time you saw Mrs Kimberley or her husband?"

"I haven't seen Tristan since college. Mandi, I hadn't seen her since college either, but she reached out a few weeks ago."

"And what were your relationships like with the both of them?"

"Mandi, the girl that got away. Tristan, at one point, would have called him a friend."

"But not recently?"

"No, when your college roommate starts dicking your girl behind your back, it kind of ruins things." Freddy's fists clenched on the table, his teeth grinding together.

"So Tristian stole Mandi from you."

"Yeah," he said through clenched teeth.

"A friend of Mrs Kimberley stated that she ended the relationship with you before she started dating Mr Kimberley."

Freddy's brow twitched. "Sure, cause that what she told everyone. She did break up with me, but only after I caught them fucking in the backseat of Tristan's car. I tried to work it out with her, but she was done with me."

"So the relationship ended badly, and you never spoke to them again. Up until a few weeks ago when Mandi called you?"

"Yeah."

"Why did Mandi reach out to you?"

"She wanted to make amends, I guess. We had coffee."

"And that's it?"

"Yeah."

"So, you wouldn't know of anyone who would want to hurt the Kimberley's?"

Freddy shook his head.

Walsh closed the notepad she had been taking notes in and stood. "I will be right back, Mr Hammond." She walked out of the room and joined Veronica in the connecting room.

Freddy had watched Walsh go, his body relaxing as the door shut behind her.

Walsh leant against the doorframe. "There's something he isn't saying."

"I agree," said Veronica. "You had Olivia look into the Kimberley's communications, didn't you?"

Walsh nodded. "Yeah, she is working on it now."

"Alright, let's see if she can find anything in relation to Freddy."

"And what do we do with him in the meantime?"

Veronica sighed. "Send him on his way."

Walsh frowned but nodded. It seemed they both had the same felling about Freddy, but they couldn't hold him without something. They'd just need to keep a close eye on him.

Veronica left the viewing room and headed back towards Walsh's desk. She watched as Walsh escorted Freddy to the elevators before she turned and made her way back over. A few steps from the desk, someone called out to Walsh.

A young woman, who Veronica could almost mistake for a teenager, with blonde hair that had the ends dyed multiple different colours, yellow glasses and nails painted in a rainbow pattern dashed over. She was holding a tablet in her hand and seemed pleased.

"Ollie," said Walsh, "tell me you have something for me."

Ollie nodded. "All of the Kimberley's bank information was released to us this morning, and I've been going through Mr Kimberley's history. I focused on the date and time around those parking tickets you called about, and it seems that Mr Kimberley would withdraw a couple hundred from an ATM located inside Juicy Lucy's."

"Juicy Lucy's?" asked Veronica.

Ollie turned to look at Veronica and smiled awkwardly. "Oh, hi."

Walsh smiled. "Ollie, this is Agent Veronica Mars; she's my partner on this case."

"Right, hi there." Ollie's face brightened.

"Nice to meet you, Ollie. Walsh has claimed that you are the best tech around here," said Veronica.

Ollie blushed. "Aw, that's sweet. And completely true."

Veronica chuckled at her bluntness. "Well, prove it to me. What is Juicy Lucy's?"

"Juicy Lucy's is a strip club owned by Lucielle Butcher. Mr Kimberley has been a reoccurring customer for the last two years. Every Thursday night," said Ollie.

Veronica nodded. "Alright then, Walsh, it looks like we need to go have a chat with some strippers."

Walsh smirked. "That's how a girl likes to spend her Thursday nights."

"Also, it's probably a good thing to go tonight, the same people should be working." Veronica stood from the desk.

"Oh, I have more," said Ollie.

Walsh said, "And that's why you're the best."

"I found the report for Mandi Kimberley's stalker. His name is Perry Armstrong; he is forty-nine and works as a security guard for Weston and Prince Jewellers."

Veronica asked, "What does the report say about the stalking?"

"Mrs Kimberley stated that she met Armstrong in the grocery store; he claimed to be a fan of her blog. She took a picture with him and moved on. Armstrong then showed up at her home multiple times, leading to an altercation with Mr Kimberley, who threatened him. Up until about three months ago when Armstrong just disappeared. Or at least the Kimberley's stopped calling the police about him."

Walsh said, "Or maybe Mr Kimberley did something to him?"

Veronica frowned. It was possible. "Do you have an address for home and business?"

Ollie nodded. "I will send the details to your phones."

"Thanks, Ollie," said Veronica.

"You are welcome." Ollie gave them a wave before heading off, most likely back to her own office.

Walsh asked, "Did you want to find Armstrong or hit Juicy Lucy's first?"

"Let's go to the strip club first, talk before business hours. Then we can track down the stalker," said Veronica.

Juicy Lucy's was a typical strip club. From the outside, especially during the day, it looked like the type of place that one would walk into and never come out of. The neon sign that sat above the door had a busty lady that appeared to kick her legs back and forth. Veronica shook her head as Walsh parked.

"The things we do for this job," said Veronica.

Walsh chuckled.

They made their way across the road and were greeted by a bouncer. Showing their badges, they were let inside and pointed to the owner Lucielle Butcher who was sitting at the bar with a few books open.

"Ms Butcher?" asked Veronica.

Lucielle Butcher was a tall redhead with a lot of curves. She was dressed in a skin-tight black dress that showed plenty of cleavage and heels that looked like they were sharp enough to poke out an eyeball. Lucielle smiled at them, but it wasn't exactly a happy look, more slathered with sex.

"Well, hello," said Lucielle. "You aren't my normal clientele."

Veronica smirked. "Special Agent Mars, FBI. My partner, Special Agent Walsh."

"Oh my, FBI. I must have been very naughty." Lucielle licked her lips and winked at Walsh, who looked slightly disturbed.

"You have nothing to be concerned about, Ms Butcher; we are here regarding a regular of yours. Mr Tristan Kimberley." Veronica held up a photo.

Lucielle took the photo. "Oh, yes. Mr Kimberley was a particular favourite around here."

"Big tipper?" asked Walsh.

Lucielle nodded. "He was."

"And he was here every Thursday night?" asked Veronica.

"Yes, like clockwork."

"Did he ever upset anyone? Get into arguments with any of the girls? Or other customers?"

Lucielle shook her head. "Not that I'm aware of. But you can speak to the two girls who danced for him; they would have a better idea."

Walsh asked, "But there were no circumstances of Mr Kimberley ever being thrown out or causing a scene."

"No, nothing was ever reported."

"Okay, great. If we could speak to those girls, please."

Lucielle nodded. "Patrick, could you please fetch Red and Trixi for me."

A bouncer standing near a staff only door nodded and walked through it.

"They won't be long," said Lucielle.

It was a few moments later that two girls walked out with the bouncer. One girl was dressed in nipple tassels and a red thong, and the other was wearing a silk robe. Veronica frowned as she noticed that both girls had a similar resemblance to Mandi Kimberley. The girl in the nipple tassels said, "Girl on girl, totally hot."

Walsh frowned while Veronica tried not to laugh. Walsh said, "Ladies, we are from the FBI. Have a few questions about one of your regulars."

The girl in the silk robe said, "Sure, go for it."

"First off, what are your names?" asked Walsh.

Nipple tassels said, "I'm Trixi."

"Your legal names," added Veronica.

Trixi giggled. "Oh, right. Elizabeth Rose."

Silk robe said, "Amanda Brown."

"Thank you," said Veronica. "What can you tell us about Tristan Kimberley?"

Elizabeth said, "Oh, he is a handsy one, but he was cute, so I don't mind."

"Yeah, he always wanted the same thing," said Amanda.

"Which was?" asked Walsh.

"He liked to have us both make out with one another, get each other off, them blow him," said Elizabeth. "Then we would take turns giving him a dance."

Walsh frowned but made a few notes.

"What about his behaviour?" asked Veronica. "At any point did he argue with any other customers? Or did you overhear him on the phone when he might have been upset with someone? Or them with him?"

"And is there anything he might have asked you to do that ever made you feel uncomfortable? Or was he ever, perhaps, harsh with you?" asked Walsh.

Elizabeth shook her head, but Amanda's stiffened.

"Amanda?" asked Veronica. "I'm not going to get you in trouble."

Amanda shook her head. "I didn't hear nothing while we were working."

Veronica read through the lines; Amanda was seeing Tristan after hours. She said, "Okay then." She pulled out her cards and gave one to each of them. "Give me a call if anything else comes to mind."

Veronica and Walsh walked outside, but Veronica didn't go straight to their car. She walked towards the alley, where Tristan had parked and been ticketed. As they walked, Walsh said, "Amanda wasn't telling us the truth."

Veronica nodded. "I know. But she implied that she was seeing Tristan after hours, which would be a big no-no."

"You think they were dating?" asked Walsh.

"Maybe. But I think it's more likely that Tristan was paying Amanda for sex." They reached the back door of the club, which opened, and Amanda walked out.

She said, "Glad to know you can read between the lines."

Veronica said, "So, what was going on with you and Tristan?"

Amanda crossed her arms and leant against the door. "I was having sex with him, which is something we aren't allowed to do."

"Especially when the customer is paying for it," said Veronica.

Amanda frowned. "Yeah. But he would pay me three hundred flat, and sometimes, that can be more I make on my slow nights, which a Thursday normally is."

"What type of sex was he after?" asked Veronica.

"Role play."

"What kind?"

Amanda sighed. "Rape."

Veronica's eyes widened.

"Wow," mumbled Walsh.

"So what? You would act like you didn't want it?" asked Veronica.

Amanda nodded. "I would come out here during my break, and he would surprise me. Normally drag me down the end behind the dumpster because no one can see you down there, and I would have to cry and try and fight him off."

"Did he ask any of the other girls to role play with him?" asked Veronica.

"I don't think so. Elizabeth and I are the only two he has ever asked for; I've never seen him approach any other girls. He might have done, but if we got busted, he would get kicked from the club, and I would get fired. Lucielle would be pissed."

Veronica thanked Amanda before turning back to Walsh. Once the door had closed behind Amanda, they walked back down the alley but didn't mention anything until they were back in their car.

Walsh said, "So Mr Kimberley has a rape fantasy."

Veronica added, "That he plays out with a woman striking a similar resemblance to his wife."

"Maybe the sex life at home wasn't good?" asked Walsh.

"They could have been having relationship problems."

"Mandi is unable to fulfil Tristan's desires, so he goes and gets it somewhere else."

"And maybe, he gets caught or propositions the wrong girl."

"You think Lucielle might have killed him before of it?" asked Walsh.

Veronica shook her head. "She doesn't seem like the dirty hand's type. Then again, they don't always. But why would they kill Mandi? She had nothing to do with it."

Walsh seemed unsure.

Veronica said, "Call Ollie, have her check Lucielle's background. See if there is any sort of questionable charges in her history."

Walsh nodded and pulled out her phone.

Veronica didn't see anyone from the club being involved; she still had a feeling that it was someone that knew both Mandi and Tristan, someone who was either jealous or held a grudge. If it was something to do with the Juicy Lucy's, Veronica would imagine that Tristan would have been found beaten to death in an alley. Unless maybe there was someone else who didn't like Tristan's rape fantasy.

"Get Ollie to look into Amanda Brown too," said Veronica.

Walsh frowned. "What for?"

"Tristan is paying to pretend to rape her. Maybe someone saw them or found out. Amanda could have a current or ex-boyfriend that got real pissed about what was happening," explained Veronica.

Veronica and Walsh visited both Perry Armstrong's home and work; he was found at neither. So they returned to the office and put out an ABP on Mandi's stalker. They spent another hour at Walsh's desk, going over case notes and confirming details regarding the Kimberley's and possible suspects. There was a lot to look at, and they had a few possible suspects, but they were both tired and decided to call it a night.

Veronica sent her dad a message letting him know she would be with Logan and drove to Dick's beach house. When she pulled up outside, Logan's car was parked in the driveway, as was Dick's. Veronica knocked and was greeted by Dick, who told her Logan was out on the back deck.

Walking through the house, Veronica placed her bag on the couch and kicked off her shoes. She wiggled her toes, taking a second to be glad that her day was over before walking outside. The firepit was burning, and Logan was laying across one of the couches, scrolling through his phone.

Veronica said, "So, find any other possible girlfriends that aren't paranoid?"

Logan glanced up and smiled softly. He held out his hand, which Veronica took, and pulled her down onto the couch on top of him. He said, "I don't want any other girlfriend." Logan pressed a kiss to her forehead and laid his arms around her back.

Veronica smiled and snuggled into his chest. "I am sorry for running off."

"And I'm sorry for not thinking how you would feel." Logan stroked his hand down her back.

"Mac told me what happened between you and Carrie," she said.

"When? Last night?" he asked, confused.

"No, she told me why you broke up with her."

Logan sighed. "Oh."

"Don't be mad at her; she was just trying to give me some peace of mind."

Logan squeezed his arms around her and pressed his nose against her head. "Even if Carrie hadn't cheated on me, I don't think we'd still be together. And I would still want you more than anyone else."

Veronica turned her head to look up at him. She grinned. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Veronica pulled herself up his body and cupped his face. She leaned in and kissed him, slowly opening her mouth and tasting him. Veronica felt so comfortable and safe in his arms, and she wanted to give her heart to him completely, without fear, without doubt. And she felt like she was getting closer to that.

The two of them stayed by the fire, kissing slowly for a while. Only stopping when Dick asked what they wanted for dinner. They made the quick decision of Chinese before Veronica decided to shower and change into something comfortable.

When the food arrived thirty minutes later, Veronica had damp hair twisted into a bun, and she joined Logan and Dick on the couch to eat. She took great pleasure in stealing Dick's egg roll, who grumbled but managed to steal Logan's before Veronica could. It still surprised Veronica how different Dick seemed; while he still seemed to enjoy making childish comments, he wasn't acting like a total dick, and when he wasn't being a dick, he was very funny.

Logan and Veronica had an early night; both of them were tired but not too tired. And afterwards, when they were lying naked, Logan's head pressed between Veronica's bare breasts, and Veronica drawing lazy patterns over his shoulders, did she bring up Carrie again.

She asked, "You said that if Carrie hadn't cheated on you, you don't think you two would have lasted."

Logan nodded, his lips pressing tenderly against her skin.

"Why?"

He looked up at her and said, "One of the things that made Carrie fun to be with was her careless attitude. In some ways, she actually reminded me of Lilly."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah." Logan chuckled softly. "I think those similarities were what drew me in, but just like my relationship with Lilly, the one I shared with Carrie wasn't healthy. And when she tried to escape whatever demons she had, she would go too far, and there were a few times I thought she'd drag me down with her."

Veronica frowned.

"Seeing Carrie with Sean broke my heart, knowing while I'd been away, she was with someone else, but I also wasn't surprised. On her worst days, she would use sex to distract herself, more so if I tried to push her to open up." Logan pressed his forehead to Veronica's chest. "I ended our relationship not just because she cheated but because I knew that there was nothing I could do to help her. Carrie was going down a path I've been down and knew I couldn't go back there."

Veronica didn't know much about the path Logan was referring to. She knew he had drowned his sorrows with alcohol and possibly drugs. She knew it had led to him being hospitalised, but what she didn't know was what he felt. Veronica had no idea what was running through Logan's mind.

He said, "I just can't seem to completely give up on her. I want so bad for her to find a way to beat her demons and be happy."

She cupped the back of Logan's neck and indicated for him to move up. Logan lifted himself so he was kneeling up over her and their heads were level. "I'm proud of you," she said.

"For what?" he asked.

Veronica smiled. "For pulling yourself out. I can't imagine what it was like for you; my own black hole didn't lead me to addiction, but I found another way to bury it. But you made it out. You pulled yourself up and look what you've achieved."

Logan smiled, his eyes sparkling with glee. "I got you back." He pressed a kiss to her nose.

"You did," she said.

"And I'm never letting you go." He pressed a firm kiss to Veronica's mouth. "Because you are it for me."

Veronica pulled Logan back down on top of her, feeling the weight of his body and tasting his tongue. This was what they both needed and what they both wanted. And Veronica was going to make sure that no one could ever break it again.

Thank you so much for reading.

I would love to hear what you think. Even if it's as simple as a 'can't wait' all feedback is appreciated.