Ah, Riverdale. The poor man's Neptune. Which is as misleading as most rhetoric. It's not like they're poor by any means. In fact, it seems like there's some shady dealings that involve Riverdale's elite, including the Blossoms, another family called the Lodges, and a less affluent small construction company run by a Fred Andrews. I could start a Mars Investigations franchise here.

Veronica was making notes in a small reporter's notebook that she kept with her at all times. Not Moleskine. Her dad always teased her about them because she couldn't pronounce the company's name right. It's MOLE-SKIN, Dad!

A series of snaps from the self-proclaimed HBIC broke Veronica's focus. "Veronica, look alive."

The limo pulled up to the school, and Cheryl stepped out first. Veronica scooted out after her and couldn't help but smile at the building. Oh, high school. Every time I think I'm out, you pull me back in.

Veronica had grown in every sense since graduating high school, but now she was back to her roots. Short blonde hair pulled back, olive drab jacket, and her trademark bag (with a taser hidden inside for good measure).

She skipped the first two classes gratefully and used the time to snoop around the boys' locker room. Jason had been the darling of the Riverdale football team, and if anyone had juicy clues hidden right under her nose, it would be his less than cunning jock friends.

Sadly, nothing but jock straps and Axe body spray lined the teenagers' lockers, and Veronica didn't care to stick around for either of them. When second period ended, Cheryl caught her in the hallway. The girl took her by the arm and whispered, "Find anything?"

"No, not yet. I'm good, but two hours is a record for murder solving that even I'm not at yet. Though I did solve a theoretical murder investigation in six minutes…"

"Hush, Vixens incoming."

Two girls approached in gym clothes. The first was a blonde with a ponytail, and Veronica swore she was the real-life inspiration for Brittany from Glee. The other girl seemed like a rival for Cheryl's mean girl crown. She was a brunette, definitely Latina, and definitely pissed.

"Veronica, I want you to meet Betty and… Veronica."

I swear to God, if the blonde one is Veronica, I'm catching the next plane out of here.

"Veronica Lodge," the brunette said hastily as reached her hand out, solidifying herself as runner-up to wear Cheryl's ice queen crown. Lodge, you say? Hello, first suspect.

"Veronica Reynolds," she said taking the teen's hand. In the moment, she'd used her mother's maiden name. It didn't fit her. "Would either of you mind showing me where my next class is? Cheryl has to run."

Cheryl looked like she might protest but caught onto the intent. "She's Vixen material. Take care of her like she were your own embezzled money, Lodge."

She strolled off, and Veronica was left with her two new squadmates. "I'm sorry, I hope you don't have to go out of your way just to help the new girl find her way."

Betty shook her head. "We're headed to history. It's just right there." She gestured to a lone door just behind Veronica's right shoulder. She glanced at the room number and turned back to the girls with mock surprise.

"205? That's where I'm headed!"

Veronica Lodge led them to a group of seats at the back of the room. She put on her best closed lipped smile and focused her attention on Veronica. "For the record, you can just call me Ronnie. It'll help avoid some confusion." She leaned in closer. "You know, I'm a new girl, too. I moved here a couple weeks ago and joined the River Vixens with Betty. It's a great way to get involved, even if Cheryl runs it like a prison camp."

"Were you around when, you know, Cheryl's brother…?"

Ronnie shook her head. "Nope. My mom and I got here shortly after. It's the first local gossip I heard here. People say Cheryl hasn't always been this heartless, so here's hoping she just has a funny way of grieving."

"That's crazy I imagine you didn't just come over from the next town over if that wasn't in the news."

"Not even close. We're New Yorkers, but Mom grew up in Riverdale, so she booked our flights without even thinking about another place to go."

Veronica would have to check into the Lodges' alibis, but it seemed unlikely that Ronnie or her mom would fly into Riverdale just to murder the kid of a family they hadn't yet met.

"Where are you from, Veronica?" The question caught her off guard. It was Betty who asked this time.

"I'm a New Yorker, too. I'm actually hoping to go back eventually to do law school at Columbia." Veronica had learned that half-truths were easier to maintain than full-blown lies. She had knowledge of the city and Columbia University, plus she hoped it would form a connection with Ronnie Lodge. She was right.

The brunette's face lit up. "Oh my god. Someone who understands! I mean, I like it here and all, but sometimes I just crave a slice from Pasquale Jones."

Lower Manhattan. Probably Tribeca. "I've always wanted to go. My dad and I were Upper East Side, so we didn't go to Little Italy much." This way she knows I'm not as rich and won't expect me to be wearing Versace at the next party.

"Well, Veronica, welcome to Riverdale. Maybe after practice today you can come by Pop's with us."

"What's Pop's?"

"That's a great idea!" Betty chimed in. "Pop's is a diner. Best milkshakes in the state."

Ronnie nodded to the blonde. "Text the boys, see if they're free."

Boys. A group. And who keeps secrets better than a group of friends? Hopefully she could find out something then. She certainly didn't expect that the first clique she met was going full-out How To Get Away With Murder. In fact, she doubted a student would be behind the murder at all, but a painful memory of Beaver Cassidy was all it took to remind her that anyone was capable of anything.