Noise From The Basement
Chapter Two: Billy
Despite her father's protests, Veronica returned to school the very next day, hoping the other girls had done the same. Unfortunately, good ol' janitor Spud had told the beloved press about his "discovery" and Veronica was hounded.
"Just like Lilly's murder a few years ago…" Veronica muttered under her breath. Principal Clemmons and the football coach later escorted her into school where they passed Logan Echolls, with a blank expression as Beaver filled him in and was delivered to Wallace.
"Girl! What happened to you?" Wallace asked. Then he noticed the bruises on her arms and the cut above her eyebrow. "Damn! What they do to you? You look like someone squeezed your arms too tight and then carved a cut above your eyebrow. They better stay away or Wallace Fennel will kick their ass!" he imitated a karate chop that made Veronica stifle a laugh. "See? I learned that from you!"
"Thanks Wallace." Veronica gave him a hug. "You're a great brutha. But your sista has some sleuthing to do. I snagged a list of the other 12 girls and you'll never guess what they all have in common." Wallace stared at her blankly. "They all have restraining orders against a Billy Killodan… Wallace, why are you looking at me like that?"
"Look behind you and see."
Veronica spun around to see Logan Echolls staring at her intently from across the hall. "Ugh! I still like Logan and all but ever since Hannah broke up with him, he's been like a lost puppy and I'm the poor sucker he's following around." Veronica said turning back to Wallace "Maybe once I get this over with I'll talk to him but til then I got to figure out why and how I ended up in that basement. See you Wallace. I got to go talk to a …" Veronica paused pulling out her list of the other girls and looked at the first one. "Kelly Klimor… do you know her?"
Wallace nodded. "Not only do I know her but shes dating our jumpshooter, Rob Hanff. Shes a junior."
"Thanks Wallace. I'll see you after school; I need a ride home since my car is MIA after last night. Probably being stripped as we speak… Betty was such a good car, old and reliable. Oh well… Anyways see you later." Veronica headed towards the East hallway where all the junior lockers were. On her way there, she passed the bathroom where she and Logan had made out last year. For some reason, it sent a chill up her spine until she remembered her mission and proceeded onward. Once she reached the East hallway, there were rough 4 small groups huddled around 4 blonde girls who sobbed loudly and were comforted by their friends. 'If only my junior year was as supportive as this …' While trying to figure out which girl was Kelly, she saw basketball players heavily populated one group. 'Bingo, Kelly'
"Excuse me? I was wondering if you're Kelly Klimor?" Veronica asked the blonde who was surrounded.
"What's it to you?" a large wiry male with a Neptune Pirates sweatshirt stepped in front on her.
"Rob, chill. She was in the basement too and besides its Veronica Mars. Remember? The chick who nailed Aaron Echolls." The blonde who stepped forward turned to Veronica "Yes I'm Kelly. What do you need?" Kelly wiped her eyes quickly and put on a soft smile.
"I was hoping to talk to you…alone" Veronica said leaning over and raising her eyebrows at Rob.
Kelly nodded and looked over her shoulder at the group. "Its okay, you guys. I'm good." The crowd quickly dissipated with Rob giving a quick kiss on Kelly cheek. Kelly looked back at Veronica and they started to walk. "How did you end up in the basement?"
"I have no idea. One minute I was walking to my car, I have a part-time job at the Neptune Grand and then I was knocked out. "
"Okay, pretty much same story here. But one more question… who is Billy Killodan and why do you have a restraining order against him?
Kelly stopped abruptly, her face ashen white. "How—how do you know that?"
"I have my sources. Now please tell me Kelly."
"He was my mom's boyfriend a few years ago. He sexually assaulted my mom and me for a few months. Finally she broke up with him and had restraining orders put against him. Do you think he did it?"
"I'm not sure. I still have to talk to the other girls but as it turns out, they also have restraining orders against good old Billy. I'll tell you if I find out more."
And with that Veronica headed off to ask the other eleven girls about Billy Killodan. As it turns out, their single mothers dated and restrained Billy in the past 5 years before settling down with their current partners. 'Now, Billy, that I know why you may have taken the other girls, still one-question remains: why did you take me?'