Chapter 44-Worlds Collide and Hearts Get Broken
Saturday, July 11
11:30am
Logan
After twenty-seven hours, Logan finally understands something Diego once said—that grounding is harder on the parent than the kid. It sucks being the full-time heavy. When tactics change to the quiet game, at which Logan sorely outmatches Gai, he would be amused.
Except, the change came right after he passed on the message Veronica is on standby, waiting for a flight. Gai responds to the secondhand message with the vibrating enmity of an Echolls in full pissed-off mode. Thereon, Logan's methodical plan for his house becomes slapdash as he seeks jobs to exhaust Gai and let him put his obvious anger somewhere useful. They spend the morning smashing apart old veneer and pressboard cabinets and cracked porcelain sinks, then dragging loads to the dumpster outside. When that doesn't work, Logan goes for monotony, and assigns Gai to sanding baseboards upstairs.
The kid is good, methodical and pays attention to detail. Once Logan explains the different grits and when to alternate them, Gai plugs into his old iPod and set to the wall with the sander as if it's his life's mission. More than once, though, Logan catches the kid checking out the oversized watch on his wrist.
"Hey." Logan knocks on the wall to get Gai's attention. Gai rests back on his heels, clicks off the sander, and pulls an earbud out. "Your mom texted. She got her flight, but now they're delayed for some mechanical reason. She's going to be a little later—"
And it's as if the words light a fuse. Gai stands up, throws the sander at the wall hard enough to dent the plaster, and says, "Dude, you are such a chump."
"Gai, calm—"
"You believe anything she says, and just do her bidding, like a trained monkey."
Logan lifts an eyebrow. "Call me Bubbles, but I have no reason to doubt your mom."
"You should. She's a liar and a bitch and—"
"HEY!" Logan hates the lack of control in his voice, so takes a breath and scales back. "Say what you want about me but you will respect your mother. You got that?"
Gai shakes his head and fixes Logan with a glare. "Don't you get it?" His voice grows thick, louder with every hitching breath. "She doesn't give a shit. Not about you and sure as fuck not about me."
"Gai, it's not her fault the flight—,"
"Fuck you! You don't know anything!" Gai's breath hitches, nostrils expanding with every intake, and his eyes burn bright. "Fuck you. Fuck you. Fuck you."
Logan instinctively takes the two steps to reach the kid and pulls him into his chest. Small hands try to push him away but Logan tightens his hold. Every muscle in Gai's body tenses, trying to escape, so Logan feels the yield when the boy breaks apart.
His t-shirt absorbs the heat of Gai's breath and tears. Logan shifts a hand to cradle's Gai's head against him His reward is a pair of skinny arms that wrap around his waist and tighten, as if to keep from falling.
He can't say how long they stand there, Logan holding up Gai while the kid cries. He's quiet about it, but every muscle in the small body shakes with release. Words sit on Logan's tongue unsaid, because they're empty reassurances everything will work out.
This is a kid raised by Veronica, and one who's lost a parent. He'd understand the difference between actual problems and the everyday travails of life. The least Logan can do is soothe without adding on empty promises. It's clear there's a lot going on neither he nor Veronica knew about. Whatever's got him so wrecked is far from okay.
After a time, Gai's body stills and his arms drop. Logan lets him go but stands his ground, leaving it up to Gai if wants to step back and put some distance between them. Which, of course, he does, his eyes downcast and cheeks flush, with emotion or embarrassment, or both.
"Better?"
Gai shrugs, his eyes downcast..
"Wanna tell me what that was all about?"
No, Gai says with a shake of his head.
Logan shoves a hand in his pocket, using the other to scratch the back of his neck. "Will you at least talk to your mom, when she gets here?"
"No." This time Gai does look up, the anger once again filling his eyes and clearly telegraphing his shields are back up. For the first time, though, they have to do with Logan.
"She's worried about you. We both are."
Gai's eyes flick away and, while he's clearly telegraphing fuck off, he also looks like he's one wrong word from crying again. Somehow Logan knows, if that happens, it'll be his fault.
"Look, Gai, you've had a shit year. I can't promise to understand everything going on with you, but I understand about shit years. If you want to talk, I'm here, okay?" When the kid stays quiet, Logan risks pushing him a bit. "Okay?"
The slightest nod of acknowledgement, but the silence following sends a clear message.
"Or." Logan backs up and leans on the doorframe, giving the kid more room. "We could Doordash some In-N-Out, and eat our feelings instead."
In the smallest of victories, the corner of Gai's mouth twitches but he shakes his head. "I'd rather keep working."
Logan scoops and picks up the discarded sander. He turns it on to make sure it still works, then turns it off and plops it into Gai's hands. "I'm downstairs if you change your mind."
1:45pm
Gai
Gai goes to the window when he hears a car door close outside. With the window open, it's easy to hear the Logan dude's tight voice as he meets Mom halfway up the walk. "We need to talk."
Mom walks around him. "After I see Gai."
"He's upstairs." The dude grabs her hand, stopping her. "You should know, he had a meltdown a couple hours ago."
"What do you mean, meltdown?"
"I mean he broke down and cried for ten minutes.. He—"
Mom rips her arm out of Logan's hands and runs inside. His fuck is low, but Gai recognizes it as someone who's been up against his mom before.
Logan's heavy work boots closely follow the clomp of Mom's ankle boots on the stairs, and they end up in the doorway at the same time.
Mom's eyes land on Gai. She looks tired, but that's nothing new. "Hi."
The anger, only temporarily relieved by his earlier unloading, returns. "Getting clean clothes before you go again?."
"No, I'm—"
"Maybe a little warning next time, you know, so I have some say on where I get dumped."
"Gai, I'm sorry." She takes a step into the room and he takes a step back. She stops. "It was an emergency."
"Right."
"Uncle Matthew's in jail, in San Rafael. I went to see him and arrange a lawyer."
"Wh—," that gets around his red haze. "Is he okay?"
"As okay as he can be, but he's going to be there for a while. I'm so sorry for taking off with everything else going on."
Gai crosses his arms. "Whatever. I'm used to it." She takes another step toward him and this time he stays still, because fuck her.
"Well, get unused to it. Gai, it's over. That case I was working, that took me out of town so much? I pulled out, I'm done."
As if, he thinks. His mom never quit anything. "So you found them."
"Who?"
"Who you were looking for, the bad guys."
"No, but it doesn't matter anymore. I'm done looking."
"What do you mean, it doesn't matter?"
"I mean, they don't matter. They slipped through the cracks, and I can live with that. But I let you slip through the cracks, kiddo. And that is unforgivable."
Mom walks over and takes his face in her hands. She's doing it again, really looking at him. The Logan dude's still hanging in the doorway, watching, listening—they both ignore him. "You were trying to tell me, weren't you? Trying to get my attention, because all my focus was on my case. You left that trophy right out in the open for me to find. For Connie to find. You're a smart kid, Gai. the only reason I can think you did that was so I would catch you."
The truth of what she's saying surges up, along with a hot flood of embarrassment. He pushes her hands away and backs up a step. "Is that why you left Dad's file where I could find it?"
"You knew?" Her face goes pale, then green, and he thinks she might actually throw up. "Gai, did you look at it?"
Those images, the ones etched into his brain for the rest of his life, rise again. He nods.
"Oh, honey." Mom grabs him fiercely and pulls him into her, not even giving him a chance to resist. "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."
He doesn't yield, doesn't cry or cling to her, but he doesn't push her away either. Having dumped his big revelation, exacted his revenge, he's hollow, and tired. And sad, so fucking sad.
2:30PM
Veronica
Veronica waits as Gai walks past Logan with a nod of acknowledgement, and puts Keller in the backseat before climbing in the front. He cracks the window, reclines the seat, and closes his eyes.
She sighs heavily. "If you want custody, now's your chance. I don't think there's a judge in California that would side with me."
"Not sure I could afford the therapy bills."
She surprises herself with a dark chuckle at his wry tone. "That was probably the nicest thing you could have said to me right now."
His eyes stare into hers, flashing an angry glint that reminds her so much of Gai these past weeks. "Well, it's about the nicest thing I can manage right now."
"I deserve that. I cannot believe he found Sam's file. I thought a locked drawer was secure enough."
"I'm sure your dad thought the same thing, once upon a time."
Veronica shakes her head. "For two days, I've been wondering what the hell I was thinking. Didn't I learn this lesson years ago, with the Castle? Why do I lose all perspective when it gets personal?"
Logan plants his feet wide, and tucks his hands in his pockets. "Because you love unreasonably. Most of the time, it's your best quality."
"Until it isn't."
"Until it isn't."
She nods at the car. "But the price has never been this high."
"It could have been a lot higher and, truth is, I think we have a lot of work ahead of us if we're going to pull him back."
We, us. It's clear Logan and Gai's relationship is far from resolved, but knowing her son has a 'we' gives Veronica untold comfort. The heat of a tear meanders down her cheek, and Logan catches it with his thumb. He's so immersed in thought, she doesn't think he even notices putting the thumb in his mouth and sucking off the salt. He shakes his head.
"Don't think I've forgotten you did all this without asking for help. Dammit Veronica, you're surrounded by people who love you unreasonably, too. Dick, Char, Mac, your dad–let them show it once in a while."
"You didn't include yourself in that list"
He rocks on his feet, "I need to keep Gai in my sights, and the best way I can do that is with a little distance between you and me. At least for now."
She nods because, really, how else to respond? Her son deserves parents who put him first, so can't fault Logan for doing just that.
After a long beat, Logan asks, "So, what's next with Gai?"
"Oh," Veronica sighs. "Talking. So much talking, and therapy—for both of us. But first, we drive to Neptune. Weevil and I are taking the boys to the Balboa County sheriff this afternoon so they can cop to the vandalism charge at Neptune high. I anticipate some sort of probation and community service, plus repayment for damages."
"How much?"
"Eight thousand, split between the two of them."
"I can cover that."
Veronica shakes her head. For all his years in Chile, Logan still has the instincts of an oh-niner. "So can I. But Gai has to own his actions and find a way to pay it back."
Logan peels two-hundred dollars off his money clip. "The kid worked hard - ten hours, twenty an hour. I've got as much work as he wants."
Veronica swallows and pockets the bills. "We'll see."
She and Gai are both quiet during their ride to the Balboa County Sheriff's office.
"Hey, V, Gai," Weevil says, when they reach the door.
"Weevil." Veronica smiles down at the adorable mini-version of him, looking even smaller than usual, with his shoulders hunched and his hands deep in his pockets. "Hey, Felix."
When the boy doesn't answer, Weevil nudges him with an elbow. "Don't add being rude to the list of reasons I'm pissed."
"Hi, Veronica."
Weevil pushes the voice in front of them, and walks beside Veronica. Sotto voce, she hears Felix say, "Gai, like, I only shared that video with one person. I'm sorry man."
"Dude," Gai says, not bothering to lower his weary-sounding voice. "It's whatever. Let's just get this over with."
A deputy leads them to the office of Marcia Langston, Neptune's current sheriff. Through the glass Veronica sees her old teacher Mr. Wu is also waiting for them; the two wear matching grim expressions, which turn to surprise at seeing just how young the vandals are.
When Mr. Wu's eyes lift to take in her and Weevil, the surprise melds into one of resignation.
"Hello, Mrs. Zare, Mr. Navarro," Marcia says, standing up from her desk and extending a hand. "I'm Sheriff Langston, and this is Mr. Wu, the principal of Neptune High."
Mr. Wu shakes his head. "I'm quite acquainted with Mr. Navarro and Ms. Mars, or Mrs. Zare, rather. Veronica, I wouldn't have expected your son to be involved—I heard you moved back east?"
"Just briefly, to Virginia while I was at the academy. The bureau assigned me here when I graduated.."
Mr. Wu smiles. "The FBI. I'm glad to know you use your powers for good."
Weevil coughs, though it sounds suspiciously like a laugh. Gai shoots her a side-glance, and she puts her arm around him "I try."
Prompted by her squeeze on his shoulder, Gai holds out the trophy he's carrying to Mr. Wu and says, "We're the ones that trashed your school. I'm—" he looks at Felix. "We're sorry, and want to pay for the damages."
After much lecturing by the sheriff and Mr. Wu, they further agree to community service and a sealed record of the incident, provided they don't get into further trouble. Veronica commits to coordinate Gai's community service through the SDPD, so she doesn't have to schlep him back and forth to Neptune. In lieu of her usual payment to Weevil for the car he's working on, Veronica writes a check for the damages.
They amble out to the parking lot, allowing the boys to get ahead of them. While Felix talks and gestures widely, Gai remains taciturn. Weevil nods his chin in their direction. "Gai pissed about the video, or what?"
"No, it's not Felix. He's got a lot going on."
"Like what?"
Behind them, the door opens and Mr. Wu walks toward them. "Veronica, Eli, I trust I'll see you at the next school fundraising event?"
"Um," Veronica says, overriding whatever was about to come out of Weevil's mouth. "How about we call the office and get put on the mailing list? If we can't come, I'm sure we can send a check."
"That'll do." Mr. Wu looks over at the boys. "Out of curiosity, where will your boys be going to high school?"
"We're zoned for Pan," Weevil says, "And Veronica lives in San Diego."
"That's two out of three, at least."
Veronica tilts her head. "Two out of three what?"
"Progeny of Neptune High's most notorious." Mr. Wu winks. "If either of you discover Logan Echolls has children, and they're headed for my school, please give me some warning? I'd like to retire first." He nods goodbye and heads across the parking lot.
Sensing Weevil watching her, Veronica narrows her eyes at him. "What?"
"Just wondering if I should tell Wu he's got two fer, in Gai."
"You knew?" Unlike most people, Weevil never asked. He's one of the few she would have told the truth.
He shakes his head. "I wondered. Every year that goes by, the kid looks more like him, but what do I know? All your white boy-toys look alike. Then I get a call that our kids break into the school together, and I thought there it is."
"And you heard he's back."
"That, too. Is that what's got Gai so down?"
"Oh no, that's all me. I fucked up."
"This have anything to do with the money I loaned you?"
Veronica shrugs her admittance of guilt, earning a pat on the shoulder from Weevil.
On the way home Veronica talks. She tells Gai the highlights of her investigation into Sam's murder, and how Matthew's involvement led to his arrest. It's a lot for a twelve-year-old, but they've already paid a high price for secrets.
Gai's eyes meet hers when she glances over at him. "You're going to let him get away with it? The Danny kid who helped kill Dad?"
"He knew Jennifer Weston. I suspect he was involved but have absolutely no evidence to support it. Leo can't arrest him on a hunch."
"But the guy who gave her the gun—what's his name?"
"It doesn't matter. The gun was unregistered and, since Jennifer isn't talking, it's my hearsay against his word."
"What about Leo? Could he do something?"
She shakes her head.
"So that's it."
Veronica holds back the pending approval for visitation with Jennifer Weston. There's no danger in talking and, if anything comes of it, she'll tell Gai then. "That's it. Unless new information comes up, in which case I'll tell you right away, and I'll let Leo handle it. Okay?"
"Okay."
"Well, kiddo. Now that I've come clean, what do you got? Logan told me about you breaking the light in the yard and climbing out the window."
Gai seems to consider this a moment, then rummages in his backpack. He lays her old lockpick set on the dashboard. Veronica gives him a side-eye. Her casual tone is contrary to the flips in her stomach. "Any other police-station visits we need to make?"
"No theft or damages. Just broke in a few empty places to see if I could. Am I still grounded?"
"Um," her brain doesn't want to process this new information. "Indefinitely."
"Are you," he looks out the passenger window, but she can hear the shame in his voice. "Are you going to tell Grandma and Grandpa?"
"About you? Or my wild goose chase that left you alone?"
That has him turning back to look at her. "Either."
Veronica swallows, thinking of the rightful judgment and indignation she received from Lois. "I already told them my stuff, when I called about Matthew. You can tell them yours."
He nods and slinks down lower in his chair. "Can I have my phone back? Just for a minute. I need to tell Cam I was caught sneaking out, and got in trouble."
"And Mike, too?" She knows he's still on the outs with Fish.
"I really need to tell Cam," he says.
Veronica can tell there's more to it. She pulls up to their house and puts the car in park. Swallowing, she says, "Work put me on a leave of absence, so I could go to therapy. I've been lying about going to work and grifting therapists so they sign my paperwork. For weeks."
Gai's mouth hangs open. He snaps it shut and turns to look out the window, away from her. "Zach found out I can pick locks. I agreed to meet him Saturday night and help him break into some places."
The blood in her veins turns to ice. Shenanigans with Felix and sneaking out to break into empty places are bad enough. Running around with a first-rate hoodlum like Zach is entirely next level, and could have ended up with Gai arrested, or killed. No doubt Zach would even put him directly in the line of fire to save his own hide.
"Is that something Zach does a lot?"
"I don't think so, or he wouldn't need me. It's not like it's hard to break in most places–I usually get in through an open window or my library card. Most times I don't even have to pick the lock."
Veronica sends a prayer of thanks to her father for catching Gai, and bringing down this whole house of cards before catastrophe hit. "Hold off on calling Cam. Let me think about it, okay?"
Once in the house, Gai puts on 'Iron Man', plops down on the couch, and Veronica nukes a bag of popcorn to nest between them. They'll talk tomorrow, she knows, and for years to come, but for tonight it's enough.