Lives Ruined, Bloodshed

Chapter 26

Veronica found it hard to get out of bed when she woke up beside Logan in the morning. She hadn't bothered to set the alarm for Sunday, but her body clock woke her up at five. Even after their late evening, where they had stayed up much later than Mac and Dick and had proceeded to claim another spot in Dick's house – not that they would tell him that – Veronica wasn't tired. Sleeping in didn't happen for her anymore, not unless she had been up all night.

But waking up and feeling Logan pressed against her, his arms around her, Veronica didn't want to move. She shifted enough so that she could watch him sleep; she loved the way his mouth sat open slightly, the quietest of snores coming out occasionally. It was cute, and she had quietly taken a photo that she liked to glance at.

After lying in Logan's arms for twenty minutes, Veronica did decide to pull herself up. She changed into some jogging clothes and decided to run along the beach. The beach length wouldn't be the full length of her normal run, but running on the sand was harder than the pavement, so with the extra work that her legs would need to do, she considered it even.

Veronica's run only took thirty minutes, and when she got back to Dick's house, she stopped in the kitchen for a drink before going back into Logan's room. He was still asleep but had rolled over into the middle of the bed. He'd even pulled her pillow against him and buried his face into it. Veronica smiled at the picture he made and moved to grab her phone to snatch another picture. That one was screen saver worthy.

In the bathroom, Veronica stripped and brushed her teeth. She twisted her hair up into a bun, not wanting to deal with washing it, before jumping into the shower. As she was rinsing her body, she heard Logan's phone ring, followed by his hoarse voice answering. She finished her showered and wrapped a towel around herself before going back into the bedroom. Logan was leaning against the headboard, his eyes closed as he held his phone to his ear.

"Yeah, I can do that. Ten o'clock?" said Logan. He opened his eyes and looked at Veronica. A wide smile lit up his face as he took in her appearance. "No, she was fine last time I took her up. It might just be a faulty warning light. I'll check when I get in."

Veronica smiled when she realised he was talking about a jet. Even during his time off, he still did flight testing with different jets. It gave him something to do while he was in between deployments.

"No, she has things to do today," he said.

Veronica wondered if he meant her.

"You will meet her soon. I just have to get her to agree." Logan locked eyes with Veronica. He was talking about her.

Veronica had no idea who he was talking to, but it had to be someone from his squad. Logan had mentioned he'd like to introduce his second family to her, but there wasn't any rush. She moved towards the bed, untucking her towel and letting it drop before she knelt down to crawl across the bed.

Logan's eyes darkened, he swallowed, and his tongue ran across his lips. "Yeah, yeah. Soon. I swear."

Veronica smirked and continued to crawl up to him before hovering over his waist. She gave him a cheeky wink before pulling the sheet down his body, leaving him naked. Veronica found that her little naked crawl definitely got Logan's attention; his cock was hard and had popped up to smack against his chest. Veronica bit down on her lower lip as she sat down on his legs. Her thighs straddled his knees. She glanced at Logan, whose face was a mix of desire and anticipation. She placed her hands on his thighs and slid them along his skin as she lowered her body to lay along him. Her right hand reached his cock first, and she took his length and ran her fingers up from the base all the way to the tip. Logan bit down a groan, but his eyes rolled back.

"Yeah, I'm good," he said.

Veronica ran her thumb over the head of his cock, swirling the drop of precum before lowering her head and sucking on the tip. Logan's hips jolted against her mouth, and she hummed delightfully.

"I-um…yeah." Logan's voice was strained.

Veronica sucked a little harder, using her tongue on the small point where his cum was leaking from, before relaxing her throat and swallowing his length. She took him all the way down until the head of his cock reached the back of her throat, which wasn't his whole length, but it was most of it. She took her hand and wrapped it around the base, squeezing gently as she pulled back up.

Logan's hand slid around her neck, his fingers cupping the back of her head. With all her hair tied up, he had nothing to grip onto. "Yes—sir." Logan grunted, and his hips moved. "Yes, I'm fine."

Veronica giggled around Logan's cock. He would get her for this, but that only excited her. She continued to bob her head, increasing the speed and adding suctions when she felt like it. Veronica was in no mood to rush her teasing and pleasure; she liked making Logan tremble beneath her.

"I will see you—in a few hours." Logan hung up his phone and let out a loud groan. "You fucking tease."

Veronica pulled her head up, letting his cock go with a pop and smiled up at him. "Tease? Me?" she smirked.

"That was my CO," he said.

Veronica shrugged. "I'm sure he can appreciate that your girlfriend has needs."

Logan chuckled. "You sucking me off is a need for you?"

Veronica stroked his length, making him moan. "It is when you do that," she said. Lowering her head again, Veronica took his length and swallowed, with no complaints from Logan. She continued her slow teasing, Logan moaning and groaning out her name out he spilt down her throat.

Veronica sat out on Dick's deck. She had her knees tucked underneath her as she looked out at the ocean. Logan had left to go to the base, claiming he probably wouldn't see her till later that evening, so Veronica made plans with Mac and Wallace to have lunch together. She looked forward to spending an afternoon with her two best friends, but her mind couldn't stop going back to Carrie.

Everything that Dick had told her was playing on repeat in her mind. Susan's disappearances just seemed off. Veronica knew she could request the file on Susan's disappearance, but looking into it when something was more personal could get her in trouble. Not that trouble had ever stopped her before. She also didn't know what Logan would think if she went digging into Carrie's past. He could think that she wasn't being honest about not letting Carrie come between them, but then again, maybe if she worked out what happened to Susan, she could help Carrie move on. That wasn't completely selfish.

As she contemplated her next step, Mac walked outside and joined her on the lounge. Mac said, "So, we have an hour until we meet Wallace; what shall we do?"

Veronica asked, "What? Dick boring you already?" She smiled cheekily.

Mac shook her head. "No. He has some stuff to do at the 09er, so he's abandoned me."

"Wow, Dick doing work! On a Sunday!" Veronica acted shocked.

Mac laughed. "Yeah, it's still a little strange. But I'm proud of him."

"Yeah, he's certainly not the Dick I remember."

Mac just smiled.

"How do you feel about making a stop at the local sheriff's office?" asked Veronica.

Mac's smile disappeared. "Why?"

"I need to request a file, and I figured, while in Neptune." Veronica tried to sound casual like it wasn't a big deal.

"Okay…is this for your case?" asked Mac.

Veronica sighed. "If I tell you, you can't tell Dick or Logan."

Mac frowned. "This wouldn't have something to do with Carrie, would it?"

Veronica relented and said, "Yes, it does. More specifically, Susan's disappearance."

"Veronica," chided Mac.

"I know. But I can't help it. After what Dick told me, something won't let it go. You can't think that Susan just drowned and no one on that boat heard a thing."

Mac looked dejected. "So, you think Dick's lying?"

"Actually, no. I think Dick thinks what happened is the truth. He passed out and woke up after Susan had disappeared. But I think Carrie, Gia, Luke and Stu Cobbler might know something."

Mac pursed her lips before she nodded. "Alright. I won't say anything. But you should tell them what you're up to."

"I know," said Veronica. "But I don't want to bring it up if I'm wrong."

The Neptune Sheriff's department hadn't changed since the last time Veronica had been there. It seemed there was a new layer of paint, many new faces, and some new furniture, but everything else looked the same. Even as she walked up to the front desk, she found Deputy Sacks standing there. Veronica offered a warm smile as she stopped at the desk.

"Veronica Mars, look at you," said Sacks.

"Sacks, been a while."

"What? Nine years?"

"Have you been counting? Did you miss me?" she teased.

Sacks chuckled. "It's certainly hasn't been as interesting with you gone. I heard you're in the FBI."

Veronica nodded and pulled out her badge. "That I am."

"You here on business, then?"

Veronica nodded again. She technically was and wasn't; she was looking at the whole thing as a grey area. "I was hoping to get a copy of Susan Knight's file."

Sacks looked surprised. "Really? What's the FBI's interest in an old drowning case?"

Veronica said, "Unfortunately, I can't disclose that. But you would be a great pal if you could copy it for me."

Sacks sighed. "Normally, I'd ask the Sheriff first."

Veronica tensed.

"But what the hell. Case is closed. Give me five minutes." Sacks stepped away from the desk, leaving a pleased Veronica to wait.

She stepped to the side and took a seat in one of the chairs after tucking her badge away. Veronica crossed her legs and sent Mac a quick text; she was waiting outside in the parking lot.

VM: Shouldn't be long, Q.

MAC: Q never did fieldwork. I'm thinking I might need a name change.

Veronica chuckled at the text and put her phone away.

"Good afternoon, miss. Is there anything the Sheriff can assist you with?"

Veronica looked up and cringed. Standing before her, in a uniform, was a man wearing a badge that said, Sheriff Lamb. Veronica had heard all about Dan Lamb from her father; the more corrupt and even less useful Sheriff had followed in his brother's footsteps but was more of a menace than Don had ever been. And now, from the leering look on his face, Veronica felt grossed out. He was trying to hit on her.

"I'm good," said Veronica.

Lamb scoffed and placed his arm on the desk and a hand on his hip. "Are you sure? I'm here to serve you in any way." He licked his lip.

Veronica wanted to vomit.

"Veronica, here you go," said Sacks.

Veronica jumped up from her chair and took the file Sacks was holding out. "Thanks, Deputy."

Lamb looked stunned. "Sacks, why are you giving case files out to civilians?"

Sacks frowned. "She isn't a civilian, Sheriff. She's FBI, and the file is closed."

Lamb's mouth popped open. "Did you check her credentials?"

Veronica rolled her eyes and pulled out her badge.

Lamb took it, and his face turned into a sneer. "Mars? Any relation—"

"To Keith Mars? Yep." She snatched her badge back. She felt the need to disinfect it.

"What brings you back to Neptune?" he asked.

"That's above your pay grade, Sheriff," Veronica smirked. "Thanks for your help, Sacks. See you round."

"Bye, Veronica," called Sacks.

Outside, Veronica climbed into Mac's car and huffed. She said, "That Dan Lamb is a creep."

Mac nodded. "Yep, I could have told you that."

"He hit on me," groaned Veronica.

"Did you at least get the file?" she asked.

Veronica scoffed. "Please." She wiggled the file in her hands. "I'll have a look at the pathetic steps taken by this department later. But for now, I think I need food."

Mac smiled. "Of course, couldn't let you get too hungry. You'd probably start eating me."

Veronica scrunched up her nose. "That was funny in school, but now that I've dealt with bodies that are more parts because they were eaten – by other people – it's not so funny now."

Mac's face turned sour. "Yeah, maybe not."

The restaurant picked by Wallace was a busy Indian restaurant; most of the tables were occupied with customers, and the smells wafting from the kitchen had Veronica's already hungry stomach grumbling. Veronica arrived with Mac and found Wallace already seated at a booth on the far wall. Mac slid into the side opposite Wallace and smiled.

Veronica followed and said, "I am ready for one of everything." She opened the menu to look over all the different curries.

Wallace smirked. "Don't worry, Superfly, I gotcha covered. I already ordered entrees with lots of nan bread for you."

Veronica clapped her hands.

Mac laughed. "You have to share."

Veronica shrugged. "Get in quick then, or lose a finger."

"Yeah, maybe you can just have it," said Mac.

Wallace said, "Mac, since when do you back down? You always fight her for nan."

Mac said, "Yeah, that was until she told me that she's dealt with cannibals."

Wallace screwed up his face. "That is not something you bring up around food."

Veronica said, "I didn't. We were in the car. And I've dealt with them. I didn't become one."

Mac shrugged. "Can't be too careful."

Wallace said, "Okay, new topic."

Veronica smiled. "Gladly. So, Wallace. Shae's nice."

Wallace's face turned slightly pale. "Yeah, she is."

"When are you going to ask her out?" asked Mac.

Wallace shook his head. "I never said I liked her."

"Please, you practically drool around her," said Veronica.

"I do not," he exclaimed.

Veronica nodded. "You kind of did. All you did was stare at her yesterday. If you were a dog, you would have been humping her leg."

"You two are just wrong."

Mac chuckled and said, "You don't deny it, though."

Wallace sighed. "Okay, fine. I like Shae."

"So?" nudged Veronica.

"So, what? I don't even think she likes me like that."

"Well, you won't know until you ask."

"Or I can find out."

Wallace's eyes went wide, and he shook his head vigorously. "Don't you dare."

"Why not?" Veronica frowned. Then smirked and said, "I can take her out for a drink, bring you up and see what she says."

Wallace pointed his finger at her and said, "No, 'cause you're more likely to scare off any chance I do have."

"I wouldn't do that. I just want you to be happy."

"And while I appreciate that, I do things in my own time."

Mac said, "Shae is one of a kind. Wait too long, and some other good looking fella will snatch her right up."

Wallace frowned but didn't disagree. "Okay, I'll talk to her."

Veronica smiled. "Yay."

"And then we can all do a triple date," said Mac.

Wallace shook his head. "Oh, no. I think I'll keep her away from all of you."

Veronica smirked. "I'd like to see you try."

Mac laughed again while Wallace just looked concerned as Veronica's phone started ringing. She pulled it out to see Ollie's name. "Sorry, it's work." Veronica jumped up from the table and answered, "One second, Ollie. Let me get outside." She made it to the restaurant's front door and stepped out of the bustle onto the mostly quiet street. "Sorry about that."

"No problem, boss," said Ollie.

Veronica chuckled. "What have you found?"

Ollie explained, "I did as you asked and checked Jenson Kimberley's credit card charges. There were multiple bookings at the Neptune Grand for a single night, along with the occasional two nights. So, knowing that Mandi Kimberley wouldn't have anything on her statements, I reached out to the Grand, used the FBI speech – which I know I'm not supposed to use, but I used your name, so no one will know – and got them to send me all of the footage they had for the last charge before the Kimberley's were killed. I ID Jenson and Mandi in the Neptune Grand lobby when they arrived; they also went at it in an elevator – which is just stupid. Do people not realise they have cameras in there – before heading up to their room where they remained for the night."

"Okay, so that confirms the affair. Anything for the night the Kimberley's died?"

"Not so far. I'm still looking into his alibi. However, while checking through Mandi's records, I did find another hotel that she had frequented. She charged it to a credit card she had under her maiden name; she was booking a room at a motel just outside San Diego once a fortnight."

"Were you able to find out who she was meeting?"

"According to emails and text messages, as well as other appointments, it wasn't Kimberley or Armstrong. It seems there was someone else."

Veronica nodded. "Alright, good work. See if you can find out who this other guy is."

"Will do, boss."

"Thanks, Ollie." Veronica hung up and sighed. How many people was this woman sleeping with? It was becoming somewhat annoying tracking down each affair. She was glad they had something else to go on because she still didn't think that Jenson was guilty.

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.