A/N: So, I know it's been a while since I updated this story. I'm sorry about that, but what can I say, my students' final exam grades need to be in on time, and that took priority. Anyway, here's the next chapter. Thanks again for all the feedback, positive and negative alike. And for those who are worried that you know exactly where this story is going, and that you already know the ending, let me just say that I think I'll have a few surprises for you in upcoming chapters.

September 28, 2004

6:32pm

"So," Celeste began as she put down her fork, "I was thinking it would be nice to have a video tribute for Lilly at the fountain dedication next week."

"A video tribute?" her husband asked. "Do we still have time to get something like that set up in five days?"

"I don't see why not," Celeste replied. "I've already spoken to Principal Moorehead, and the Vice-Principal, Clemmons, about it, and I found a company that would rent the video equipment. And I've been going through all our old home videos, so we should have plenty of material."

"Well then," Jake answered, "I think it sounds like a fine idea." Turning to his children, he asked, "What do you two think?"

"I think it sounds cool," Duncan said.

"Yeah, I think Lilly would have liked something like that," agreed Veronica.

"It's settled then," their father replied. "You know what, though? I think you two should make it."

"Us?" asked Duncan.

"Sure," answered Jake. "The two of you can go through all the footage and pick what you think the best moments would be. You two really knew her the best, so who better, right?"

"We'll do it," answered Veronica quickly. "We can even ask Logan to help us. What?" she asked, "you know he's great at this stuff."

10:12pm

Veronica sat alone on the couch in the den, watching the news on television.

"Yo, sis," Lilly asked as she walked out from behind the couch and began to sit down, "How can you watch this crap? It could not be more boring." Reaching up to feel the bloody wound on her scalp, she exclaimed, "Oh, what the hell?"

"Lilly?"

"Yeah, what, you forgot about me already?"

"Why are you here?"

"Don't you watch any horror movies? My soul is doomed to walk the earth until justice has been served."

"Really?"

"Yeah, that, and, as kind of a side project, I dispense fashion advice. Speaking of which, I've been noticing that you've been letting your hair grow out again."

"Yeah, I know, I know, you always thought it looked better short, but—"

"Cut it."

"But—"

"Call Vincenzo, make an appointment, get it cut."

"Okay, okay," Veronica conceded with a laugh. "You know, I'm glad to see you haven't changed much."

"What, with the being dead and all?"

Veronica only nodded, no longer smiling.

"Yeah, see, that's thing. You know what makes absolutely no sense? My disappearance. Murder. Whatever. How it supposedly went down. So bogus, right? And here's the thing. The truth is gonna come out."

"Did Koontz not do it?"

"Clue in, V. It doesn't add up. You know that deep down inside. I wish you'd just admit it to yourself. Break out of your stupor."

"Why would he have wanted to kill you?"

"I know. I was awesome, right?"

Veronica smiled and nodded again. "I miss you, Lilly."

"Ohh. Hey, look, I'm on TV!"

10:15pm

Suddenly, Lilly was gone and Veronica was awake again, still sitting on the couch in the den, the television news still playing.

"The Lilly Kane murder case," a newsreader was saying, "took an unexpected turn this morning as convicted killer Abel Koontz fired his public-appointed legal council. Forfeiting further appeals, the defendant is scheduled to die by lethal injection as early as next year…."

As the voice droned on, the television displayed stock footage of Koontz' arrest. Then the cameraman went in for a close-up on the Sheriff, who was holding up two evidence bags, one of which contained a pair of Lilly's sneakers.

Oh, no. When the crime-scene footage from my sister's murder leaked onto the internet, I only saw a little bit of it in the library, before Logan slammed the monitor off. But the part I did see, I'm pretty sure showed those shoes in the corner of Lilly's bedroom. And I'm betting that Koontz didn't break back into our house just to steal them.

Veronica ran to her room and switched on her computer, and began looking for a copy of the crime-scene video.

Thank God for streaming video.

After finding a copy and starting to download it, she picked up her phone.

"Action News, this is Hank."

"Hey, I'm a journalism student from Neptune High and I'm doing a follow-up story on Abel Koontz. I'm wondering if you could send me a copy of the piece you did on Koontz tonight."

October 3, 2004

7:33pm

"Hello, America! You wanted Lilly? You got her. Now sit back and enjoy the ride."

Standing up here with my family, with my father's arm around me, watching the memorial video of Lilly that Logan made, should make me feel better. After all, even the experts agree. A girl needs closure. But all I can think about are those shoes, and that traffic ticket, and the fact that someone went to a lot of trouble to cover up what really happened a year ago. I used to think that Keith Mars was just some vindictive moron, but what if he was right? Did my father, or someone else in my family, kill my sister? If it was, I bet I know who.

As Veronica and Duncan comforted their crying father, Veronica spared a glance at her stepmother. Celeste was as stone-faced as ever as she watched the video, barely concealing her grimace at the fact that her daughter had managed to embarrass her one last time.