A/N – Again, I thank everyone who has reviewed every chapter so far. A few of you have mentioned that you're finding the story a little confusing, hopefully it gets a bit clearer after a few more chapters. Hang in there!
VIII.
Charlie unlocked his front door and switched on the lights. Keith followed behind him.
"Wow, I am obviously working in the wrong town. Vegas is treating you good," Keith said as he looked around the room. Chrome and black marble was a stereotypical choice for a single man with an expendable income, but it was costly nonetheless.
"Let's say that casino types pay big money for anyone that's cheated them. I just reap the rewards caused by their excessive pride." Charlie walked through the lounge into his office and switched on his computer.
"Geez, compared to this place, I feel like the Three Investigators working out of a motor home in a junkyard." Charlie laughed as Keith sat down at the computer.
"I'm going to order some pizza. Any preferences?" He asked as he walked out to use the phone.
"Whatever you're getting is fine with me," Keith called back as he typed Jeff Stintson's name into the search engine.
ooooooooooooooo
Wallace cautiously opened the bathroom door and saw Veronica sitting on the floor. He closed the door and slid down so he could sit opposite her, plus barricade the door from any unwanted intruders.
"Hey."
"Hey." Wallace looked closely at Veronica. She seemed calm and collected but he couldn't mistake the dried tear marks on her cheeks. She turned to look at him.
"I know. How girly-girl is it to have a temper tantrum in the girls bathroom?" Wallace reached out and took her hand.
"Yeah, you're definitely going to be losing marks for originality on this one. But I could be bribed into letting it slide," he replied. Veronica smiled and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. When she didn't say anything else, Wallace decided to break the silence.
"I have to admit though, I freaked out a bit when I saw that picture of you. It's pretty creepy."
"Major creepiness. But this guy is just digging his own grave. If he thought this would scare me away he obviously doesn't know Veronica Mars."
"That's the girl I know and fear. But what are you going to do about it?" Veronica sighed as she contemplated an answer.
"I really don't know. I'm not used to being so many steps behind." Wallace didn't want to bring up Logan yet, so decided to change the subject a little.
"I know I can definitely help with Jake Thompson. He's got chemistry for fifth period." As Wallace spoke, Veronica got her game face on.
"Great. Could you do me a favor?" Wallace gave her a 'what do you think?' look, so she continued. "I need you to drop this bug into his bag, okay."
"No problem, he'll be wired for sound by the end of fifth period. Which, coincidentally, happens to be my free period." Veronica gave him a smile.
"Imagine that." She looked ready to leave but Wallace stopped her. Veronica looked at him questioningly.
"You know that Logan just got freaked out too." She looked away. "Look, he definitely shouldn't have spoken like that to you, but I can tell that his heart is in the right place." Veronica remained silent.
"I don't know what the status of your relationship is..." She went to speak but Wallace shushed her, "...and I don't want to know, but it's obvious that you care what he says. It's even more clear that he's worried about your safety. And no matter what I think about his personality, I have to respect that about him." He watched and waited for her to speak.
"I know. It's just that Logan and I have this history, and it hasn't always been pretty. It's kind of surreal to be getting along with him. Then he does something like this and it makes me want to rethink the whole friendship thing."
"It must be confusing for Logan too. I would put money on the fact that he regretted what he said the moment it came out of his mouth. Go and talk to him, it'll be good for both of you." Wallace stood up and Veronica followed.
"How did you get so wise?" She asked him.
"Well, it certainly didn't come from my best friend. She's a bit of a mess," Wallace smirked. Veronica playfully punched him in the arm.
"You'd better be careful. I know people."
"And yet you hang around me like a leech." Wallace squeezed her hand as he opened the bathroom door.
"Now go and talk to Logan."
ooooooooooooooo
"That's definitely strange," Keith said as he took a bite out of his pizza.
"What is?" Charlie replied.
"Remember I mentioned that there were two victims?" Charlie nodded. "It seems that only one of them posted the whole bounty of $15,000. I can't even seem to find the name of the other person." Charlie shrugged his shoulders.
"It isn't that strange. There are some people who actually appreciate their privacy, you know."
"I guess. But...damn it. The guy who posted the $15,000 removed it yesterday." Charlie stood up and grabbed the empty pizza box.
"That's it then. No bounty, no bother."
"I'm not letting this one go. Ten minutes before he canceled the reward, $30,000 was deposited into his bank account. The guy that put up the reward is a Jeremy Carter from Neptune. Looks like I'm on my way home."
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