Author's Note: This time around, just a quick "thank you" to the reviewers and readers.

Disclaimer: Rob Thomas created Veronica Mars, though once again, I don't think he'd like this version.

X X X X X

Dad looked at me as though I were crazy. Which I suppose by clinical definitions I am, but this was hardly evidence. "Sweetie, no," he said. "I appreciate the offer, but it's really not something I'd feel comfortable with you doing."

"I'm not saying I'm going out to buy a pistol and shoot them myself," I said. "I was just thinking of asking around in a community you don't know that much about. And anyway, who taught me how to ask questions and interrogate? Only the best in the business."

Dad refused to buy the flattery. Which, in this case, was the truth. "I don't want you getting involved in this," he said sternly. "It's too dangerous. Whoever killed Lilly – they're both smart and brutal."

Thanks, Dad. Though I prefer to think of myself as "Willing to do what has to be done" rather than "brutal," I still appreciate the sentiment.

"You're right, Dad. And me? I guess being one of the GPA leaders the last two years running is an indication of my spectacular luck and knack for bribing the right teachers."

"Smart isn't the issue, Veronica."

"You're worried about my ability to be brutal?" I said. "I suppose I could go torture a few puppies if you think I might not be able to emulate Jack Bauer when the time comes." I liked 24. Jack Bauer was someone who did what was necessary to get done what he wanted to get done. Yeah, he was technically one of the good guys, but once you got past all that morality crap he was one hell of a role model.

He looked at me. "You have an odd sense of humor, you know that?"

"And where did I get that from?" I countered. "Look. You know me well enough to know that I'm going to start poking around whether you want me to or not. I promise you that if I find myself face-to-face with Lilly's killer I won't do anything stupid." Maybe I'll brush my hair or check my teeth, since the only time that happens I'll be looking in a mirror. "I'd rather have your blessing than your disapproval."

"How about if you get neither?" Dad said, sighing. "Look. If you do this, you come to me with anything you find. And I mean anything."

"Look, Daddy!" I said, imitating a three-year old. "I found a gum wrapper! I found an anthill! I found a . . ."

Dad frowned and I backed off. At least he wouldn't be sabotaging my "search for the real killer."

Unlike OJ Simpson, most of my mock search would not be taking place on a golf course.

It had been only a couple of days since I'd taken Wallace down from that flagpole. He was a little leery about sitting with me, given that some of the people I was sitting with were people who'd been laughing at him while he suffered, but I convinced him.

I'd also had to smooth things over between him and Weevil. A couple of members of Weevil's gang had robbed the convenience store where Wallace had been working, and the cops had shown up and forced Wallace to identify them in front of most of the PCH'ers.

To help Wallace out of his jam -- I did need my connection in the Neptune High office, after all -- under the guise of "beginning my investigation," I talked my way into the Balboa County Sheriff's Department evidence locker. Of course, I promised not to touch anything connected with the Lilly Kane case, did I look stupid, I only wanted to see the physical evidence they had –

Which, by the way, wasn't a whole hell of a lot. Of course, some of what they'd had had been connected to Abel Koontz's false confession, and that was all long gone. They had the bloody blocks of pavement I'd smashed her skull into, her cell phone, and assorted things from her car and her room. I looked them over quickly to see if anything pointed me even more clearly towards someone who wasn't Duncan.

Nope. He still remained the most viable suspect. The problem was, they'd already discovered all the possible evidence leading towards him, and they'd never get a conviction with what they had.

Which meant I had two choices. I could dummy up some evidence of my own – and we all see how well that worked for Jake Kane. If I went that route, I had to come up with better evidence than a billionaire and his personal hitman could manufacture – which sounded like a fun challenge, actually -- or I had to come up with enough legitimate evidence to get someone else convicted.

I'd have to try to figure out who, later. Right now, I needed to switch out the security tape they already had in the evidence locker with another one that looked the same. I slipped on a pair of gloves and quickly swapped one for the other. Fortunately for Dad, Sacks was the deputy who'd be testifying in the case against Weevil, so he wouldn't be taking a personal hit for it.

(And the Sheriff's Department didn't make this kind of mistake all that often – and anyway, most of the criticism aimed their way was at their failure in finding, well, me.)

After I had the tape I "examined the evidence" for a few more minutes and then left. Dad caught me before I left the office. "That's your only look," he said. "And you're lucky I even allowed you that much. If this gets out –"

"Why yes," I said. "I want my father thrown out of his job and arrested. That would be super peachy keen."

"There's no need for sarcasm, Veronica," Dad said.

"Did it get my point across? I'm not going to do anything to jeopardize your job." He looks out for me, I look out for him.

"Did you get any ideas?"

"Nothing yet," I said. "I want to talk to a couple of people first." At Dad's frown, I said, "Would you go public with the names of everyone you wanted to question in regards to a particular case before you even started the investigation?"

"No, but I'm not the public."

"I don't want to get anyone in trouble," I lied. Of course I did. Just not me.

He sighed. "A promise is a promise, Veronica. If you come up with anything more than suspicions –"

"I'll tell you. Now can I go?"

He let me go; I saved Wallace from the wrath of the PCH'ers – not that Weevil would have bucked me, but some of his gang members aren't as smart as he is. And that made Wallace eternally grateful.

I love the way these things work out sometimes.

Now, as for my main problem: There were three good suspects, not counting Logan -- Duncan, Weevil, and Aaron Echolls.

Decisions, decisions.