Lives Ruined, Bloodshed

Chapter 29

Veronica had to bury her face into her pillow. The groan that came out would have woken the dead if she hadn't, but she couldn't stop herself. It seemed Logan still liked to have a little danger in his life because he had woken up before Veronica and had decided that the best option was to go down on her while she slept. Veronica had been roused from her sleep to feel Logan's tongue on her folds, but it had taken Veronica all of two seconds to remember she was in her father's house, and he was just upstairs. She bit down on her lip and tried not to scream because waking up her father would be incredibly awkward.

But even with all that, Logan hadn't haltered in his administrations. He had lapped at her centre until she was panting and whimpering, but he hadn't let her cum. When Veronica was at a point of breaking, Logan had flipped her over – being careful of her wrist – and pulled up her hips. He sunk his length into her centre so abruptly that Veronica's orgasm surprised her, but she managed to smother her noises. And that only started the fucking that Logan seemed intent to give her.

Logan's thrusts were hard but not rushed. His mouth was plastered to her back, kissing and nipping along her spine and shoulders. His hands rotated between her hips, where she was sure his hands were now imprinted into her skin, and her breasts, where he squeezed and pinched at her nipples. He was grunting as her centre clenched around him, her walls grasping at every inch of him, but his groans vibrated against Veronica's body, only adding to the sensations flooding her.

Veronica turned her head as she felt her third orgasm of the morning building. Logan thrusts were becoming more insistent as his breathing grew harsher.

"Logan," she whimpered.

He grunted loudly in her ear, his hand sliding up to cup her chin and pulled her against him so he could kiss her. The kiss was messy but caught both of them as they were pulled into their blissful ends.

Veronica dropped onto the pillow, Logan's body sliding with her but not completely on top of her. His chest pressed against her shoulder, his head right beside hers. She smiled against the pillow and sighed pleasantly.

"That was a good morning," she said.

Logan chuckled softly. "I thought you might like a thorough wake up call. Especially after all your hard work yesterday."

She hummed. "I did, but I don't know if I'll be able to walk now."

Logan kissed her softly, their tongues slowly moving together for a moment. "I'll carry you anywhere."

Veronica touched his cheek and said, "I don't think they'll let you carry me around while I investigate a double homicide."

He huffed. "Well, that just won't do." He kissed her again.

They stayed side by side for a little while before Veronica's late alarm went off. She needed to shower and get to work. Veronica jumped into the shower first, washing her hair and body, rinsing off as Logan stepped in. They shared a long kiss before Veronica climbed out to finish getting ready. Keith met them in the kitchen for breakfast before she said goodbye to both of them.

In the car, Veronica put in the address for the Kimberley's and started her drive there before she called Walsh.

"Good morning," said Walsh, "how's the wrist?"

"Morning, it's alright. I'll be fine."

"You ready to get this asshole to admit it," she asked.

Veronica smirked. "That I am, but first I'm going to the Kimberley's."

"How come?"

Veronica explained, "My dad suggested that I take a second look, and I thought a second look couldn't hurt before we talk to Freddy."

"Alright, did you want me to meet you there? I'm at the office now, could be there in twenty minutes."

"No, that's alright. I shouldn't be long."

"Alright. I'll see you when you get here."

The Kimberley's home had its front door taped over with crime scene tape. No one had gone in since CSI had wrapped up. It seemed that the neighbour had set out a small memorial around the base of a tree that stood out the front of the property; there were flowers and candles all laid out. Veronica thought for a moment if the neighbours had any idea what Mr and Mrs Kimberley had been up to. A couple that had once looked so perfect were, in fact, not.

Veronica didn't go into the home; she didn't think there was anything new to find inside. Instead, she took in the neighbours. The houses were all above average, people who weren't what you would consider wealthy, but they were living above the average joe. The yards were well maintained, and it was fairly quiet.

She walked along the path, glancing at each house, greeting a man and his dog as they walked past. It seemed like the type of place where a nosy neighbour would be watching, but if someone had been sticking their nose where it didn't belong, and they had seen something, they would have already heard about it by now. Veronica knew that those types of people couldn't wait to share everything they knew.

Veronica stopped as she noticed a window across the street from the Kimberley's, but one house down. In the window sat a telescope. But it wasn't pointed at the sky. It was pointed towards the Kimberley's home. She pondered the reasons they could have been looking; perhaps they watched when the police showed up and when the Kimberley's bodies were carted away. Or maybe there was someone who liked to watch the neighbours.

Crossing the road, Veronica walked up to the front door. There was a car parked in the driveway, and she could hear a television playing. She knocked before stepping back slightly and pulling out her badge.

The door was opened by a middle-aged woman with long brown hair. She was dressed like a typical housewife, even had the pearls to go with it. "Can I help you?" she asked.

Veronica smiled. "Sorry to bother you, Ma'am. My name is Veronica Mars; I'm a special agent from the FBI." She showed the woman her badge. "I'm investigating the death of the couple just down the street."

"Oh yes, the Kimberley's. I was so shocked to hear what had happened to them."

"Yes, it was very unfortunate. We've been looking to see if anyone saw anything on the night that it happened."

The woman shook her head. "No, I didn't see anything, and neither did my husband."

"Are you certain? I only ask because of the telescope that I saw in your window upstairs. It's pointing right at the Kimberley's."

The woman frowned.

"I'm not implying that anyone is spying on the neighbours, and frankly, I don't care if you are. All I want to do is prove that my suspect is guilty of what he did."

The woman sighed and said, "It's my son's telescope. He's somewhat socially awkward, spends most of his time in his room. He thought Mandi was pretty, liked to watch her."

"Do you think he saw anything?"

"I never asked."

"Could I speak with him?"

The woman nodded. "Certainly. Come in."

Veronica followed the woman inside.

"My name is Amanda, by the way. Amanda Richards. My son, Jeremy, is upstairs." Amanda walked towards the stairs. Veronica followed, taking in the very tidy home. It was almost too tidy.

Upstairs, Amanda knocked on the door at the end of the hall. Inside was Jeremy, sitting at his computer that was right beside his telescope. Veronica smiled warmly at the young boy; he could only be around ten.

"Jeremy, this is Agent Mars," introduced Amanda.

"Hello, Jeremy," said Veronica.

"Hi," he said.

"Jeremy, your mum tells me that you like to look through your telescope."

Jeremy nodded. "Yeah, I like to watch the world through it."

Veronica crossed the room and stood beside him. "What do you like to watch?"

"Our neighbours. They do some funny things."

"Is there anyone in particular who you like watching?"

"I liked Mrs Mandi; she was pretty and always kind to me."

"When was the last time you saw Mrs Mandi?"

Jeremy turned back to the computer and clicked out of his game. Veronica's eyes widened when she watched Jeremy open up a file that had subfiles. Each file had a person's name. Jeremy clicked on the one labelled Mrs Mandi and then hovered over the last file.

He said, "The night she came home before the police arrived."

"You record what you see?" asked Veronica.

Jeremy nodded. "Just in case I see something I want to rewatch. And in case I can't stay up here. Mum insists I eat dinner at the table with her and dad."

"Can you show me your last video?"

Jeremy nodded again. He doubled clicked on the video and let it load. The image on the screen was zoomed in towards the front door of the Kimberley's home. You couldn't see through the windows or the door, but anyone who went in or out was clear as day. The video started with Mandi coming home; she was carrying shopping bags. The video skipped time and jumped to Tristan coming home; he looked a little frustrated.

"The angry-looking man comes next," said Jeremy.

Veronica kept watching, and then another man arrived. Blonde hair and tall, that back looked familiar to Veronica. Mandi opened the door and looked happy. She surprised Veronica when she pulled the man in for a kiss, and as they moved, Veronica saw Freddy Hammond's face. He was their dinner guest. The video skipped again once the door closed and jumped to a darker time. The front porch light was off but flickered on as the door opened. Freddy Hammond walked out of the house looking pissed, and there was something on his face, possibly blood.

"Jeremy," said Veronica, "do you know what time this man left the Kimberley's?"

Jeremy nodded. "I still have the original video for this one; I can find out."

Veronica smiled. "Thank you, Jeremy."

She got him.

Freddy sat in the interrogation room silently. His hands were cuffed to the table, and his nose was bandaged and purple. Veronica felt a little smug as she walked in and took in his roughed-up appearance. She placed down the file with everything she needed on the table and took a seat. Behind her, watching was Walsh and Whitaker. All of them were ready to charge him without the confession, but after the crap he'd pulled the day before, Veronica wanted to watch him crumble.

"That looks like it hurts," said Veronica.

Freddy glared at her. "You're one mean bitch."

She smiled. "Thanks."

"I wasn't complimenting you."

"Enough about me," she said. "Let's talk about you and Mandi and Tristan."

"I didn't hurt them."

"Sure you did. I mean, this is you isn't it?" Veronica opened the file and pulled out the image of Freddy leaving the Kimberley's home. "When you left Mandi and Tristan's home after you killed them?"

Freddy didn't speak.

"I have my theory as to why you did it, but perhaps you'd like to tell me your reason, and I can see how close I got?"

Silence.

Veronica shrugged. "Okay. You loved Mandi, and when she dumped you for Tristan, you hated them both. But you reconnected. Mandi wanted to have an affair, and because you never stopped loving her, you fell back into her arms. Mandi strung you along for a few years, but you weren't aware that she wasn't only screwing you, no. She was having an affair with Tristan's older brother, Jenson. And then there is Perry Armstrong, a man who stalked her. Mandi was screwing all of you, and when you found out, you got mad. So you go over to their house, playing the old friend who has forgiven past sins, but really you're there to take what you want. So you beat Tristan, tie him up, and then rape Mandi in front of him to show him and her who she really belongs to. Then when Tristan mocks you, you stab him to death, leaving you with just Mandi. You can't leave her alive because she's just watched you murder someone, so you enjoy what you can one last time while also brutalising her so she feels that regret at ever hurting you before you strangle her to death."

Freddy looked impressed but a little smug.

"How'd I do?" she asked.

"You missed one thing," he hissed through his teeth.

"And what's that?"

"Mandi loved it," he snapped.

Veronica raised an eyebrow.

"She begged me to fuck her after I beat the crap out of Tristan; she got so hot by it she practically ripped my pants open to get at my cock." He laughed.

"You want me to believe she enjoyed watching you beat up her husband," she asked.

Freddy shrugged. "You wanted the truth."

Veronica licked her lips.

"She even handed me the knife to stab him with it," he said.

"Why did you kill her then? If she wanted you to kill him?" she asked.

Freddy chuckled darkly and sat back in his chair. The tension faded from his body. "The bitch cheated on me. Couldn't get enough dick inside her."

Veronica wouldn't say out loud that she was surprised. It hadn't been the confession she had expected. Standing up, Veronica grabbed the photo and headed to the door. Freddy just continued to chuckle as she walked out.

Walsh and Whitaker met her outside the room. Whitaker said, "That was unexpected."

"Yeah," said Veronica.

Walsh asked, "Do we really believe him?"

"About Mandi, who knows. That woman could have done anything," said Veronica.

"You never found a murder weapon, did you?" asked Whitaker.

"No, the knife wasn't at the scene," said Walsh.

"We could search Freddy's home. If he kept it, that's just another nail in the coffin," said Veronica.

Whitaker nodded. "Have the house searched and charge him."

Veronica and Walsh nodded. "Yes, sir," they said.

Walsh left, heading to deal with Freddy, but Veronica stopped. She had something she needed to talk to Whitaker about.

"Was there something else?" asked Whitaker.

Veronica nodded. "Yes, sir. I wanted to talk to you about the job."

Whitaker said, "Of course. Your office is nearly ready for you; I hope you will be moving in."

Veronica said, "Yes, sir. I'd like to accept the position."

Whitaker smiled. "That is wonderful to hear. I know you'll need to work out moving from Virginia to San Diego, so no rush. I'll still be here for another few months while I sort some things out." He held out his hand for Veronica to shake. "Oh, and it will be good to have you here, Supervisory Special Agent Mars."

Veronica couldn't hold back her grin. "Thank you, sir."

Thank you so much for reading.

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