Chapter 3
As the sun disappeared below the horizon, the clouds shifted in color. A piercing crack in the sky signaled off the impending storm. Branches swung in the wind or snapped off completely. Raindrops the size of golf balls drizzled down. It would continue all throughout the night. The forecasters announced for everyone to err on the side of caution when driving in this condition.
The roar of thunder grew louder. A loud bang from the drums in the sky caused the ground to tremble. Wallace peeked through his blinds. Everything outside appeared coated with a shade of gray. The sunny, warm weather of the afternoon vanished and was replaced with a torrential downpour. "Guess, you're stuck with me, Mars." Wallace faced Veronica who sat glued to the couch watching the weather channel. She had been over for hours at first to talk about the new development in her case, but it morphed into them just hanging out watching old movies and chowing down on Chinese food. "Unless you plan on using a kayak for transportation, I wouldn't risk driving home yet."
"Ah, a sleepover?! We should braid each others' hair and play with a Ouija board!"
"I'm gonna ignore that and just grab us some more beer." Wallace went over to the kitchen refrigerator and pulled out a six-pack of Heineken. In the meantime, Veronica texted Logan not to worry about her. This wasn't the first time Veronica would stay overnight at her best friend's place. Wallace lived in his own modest one-story house with an attached garage. It was all that he could afford on a teacher's salary. His living-room had pale blue walls and sand-colored couches. Every room displayed nautical themed decor due to the previous owners. Wallace made changes only to his bedroom. Basketball trophies lined the shelves. There were pictures of him in his jersey and of his teams throughout the years. A large, framed poster of LeBron James hung on the wall next to his desk. A miniature basketball net was duct taped on the back of the door. Wallace had an extra bedroom for guests especially when Logan was away on deployment and Veronica got too tired or too drunk to drive back to her apartment at the time.
Wallace placed the bottles on the coffee table. He sat down next to Veronica, kicked back, and put his feet up on an ottoman. "Anything good on TV?"
"Does reality TV count? Cause it's so bad, it's good?" Veronica took the remote and flipped through channels before landing on TNT. A movie played starring Connor Larkin and Aaron Echolls. The duo joined forces for a total of three box office hits back in the day. Women had gone out in droves to watch them shirtless in theaters.
It had been two days since Connor Larkin's death made news headlines. His movies could now be seen on repeat on such channels as TNT, AMC, FX, and USA. Veronica wondered what it was like for Logan to see his psychotic father next to Larkin immortalized on screen. She couldn't begin to describe the emotions she had even after all this time. Although, pure hatred sprang to mind. Her eyes stayed transfixed on the TV.
"So, how are things with Logan?" Wallace asked once it became a commercial break.
"Uh-surprisingly good. Though, sooner than later he'll be in and out again back for training and works-up in preparation for the next tour," She hated thinking about it, but time seemed to slip through her fingers. Veronica began drinking one of the beers Wallace laid out.
"You're going to be okay." Wallace knew Veronica hadn't realized what she signed up for when she agreed to date Logan again. He saw her struggle during the six months Logan was away during the most recent time. Veronica dug herself deep into work to keep herself occupied while deliberately checking her email box every evening in hopes for a message. She knew it would be the same routine over again, but Veronica still felt wrecked with anxiety in anticipation.
"Mh-mm." She nodded her head absentmindedly. "I'll feel better once I know the link between the two." Veronica changed the subject as she thought back to what they both discovered earlier.
The words on the newspaper floated around in her head. Veronica wasn't sure what this new bit of information meant. She cleared her throat, "Sorry Marcie. I have to go." She began packing up her things, sliding the newspaper inside her bag as well.
Marcie put her hands both up. "Hold on, I'm confused. What's in the newspaper that's got you shooked?"
"It could be linked or just a crazy coincidence, but an actress recently died of an overdose in Neptune."
"Oh my God." She exhaled loudly. Her eyes started to water. "What if they are...? Why?"
"I don't know anything until I figure out a connection if there is one at all." Without a second glance, Veronica ambled out of the hotel room.
Sunday, May 15th
OBITUARIES
Leah Rebecca Vance
Born January 24th 1997
Miss Leah Vance, 22, of 6110 Washington Ave., Apt. 3, Neptune died May 7th in her apartment following an apparent drug overdose. She was the only daughter of Rachel and Daniel Vance. Leah attended Neptune public schools. She was a talented member of the drama club and performed live at the Community Arts Center. She was an avid reader and enjoyed singing and dancing. Leah graduated high school in late 2014. After graduation, she went on to pursue a career as an actress. Her goal was to win an Academy Award. Leah has appeared in such independent films as...
There was six obits in Sunday's newspaper. Three were from old age. The rest were accidents or drug related murders. Wallace took a big gulp of his beer. "I'm starting to ask myself why I don't just move."
"Because if you did, you wouldn't get to see me everyday! The horror!" Veronica answered, turning off the TV. The only noise then came from the rain falling on the roof trickling down the gutters. "What is incredibly frustrating is the pair never filmed a movie together. Granted, we can't trust IMDB wholeheartedly. The only connection I gathered is that they were both originally from Neptune. We need to know what exactly Leah overdosed on." She needed to get her hands on the postmortem toxicology screen results.
"It's a damn shame." Wallace took a another sip. "I remember her in my class my first year teaching. She was a good student albeit chatty."
She felt a tinge of sadness for Leah, for her parents, for everyone who knew her personally. "I'm sorry, Wallace. I know you'd probably rather be grading papers than talking about this stuff."
"Are you kidding me? I rather be doing anything else than grading papers. The distraction is welcomed. If I have to read one more Health essay with a student writing U instead of Y-O-U, I'll lose my friggin' mind."
Veronica chuckled. "Should have stuck with engineering."
He chugged the rest of his beer. "No way." Wallace made the right decision in switching to an Education major his second semester sophomore year. If it wasn't for Coach Fennel, the JV basketball team wouldn't have been undefeated two years running. His passion was coaching. "How else would Veronica Mars get information on students?"
"I'm sure I could get a copy of Principal Clemmons' keys at some point." Veronica titled her head. "So, you'll look into Leah Vance's permanent record? See if anything interesting crops up for me please? We should possibly stop by the funeral reception on Wednesday."
Wallace rolled eyes. "I've already said I'd help. You owe me big time."
"You're the best. Honestly, though, I hope my hunch is proven wrong." The thunderstorm still persisted. Veronica wasn't going anywhere and she knew the case would have to wait until tomorrow. After a moment, she added, "I think it's clear what we have to do now."
Wallace glared at Veronica intently, worried that he was in for another three hours of research.
The corners of her mouth curved upward. "Rummy 500? I'll get the deck."
*x**x**x**x*
The next day, Veronica drove home to get a new change of clothes. She wore a button downed lavender blouse and gray slacks with black flats. She wanted to look like a reporter just in case. Her lunch date with Trina was scheduled for twelve pm. Neptune had one small movie studio where the untitled Katelyn Renner project would be filmed.
In the afternoon, light gray clouds filled the sky, but the weather overall much improved. Veronica met up with Trina giving her a huge hug. Internally, Veronica was cringing. The two sat down outside on a picnic table near the trailers. They both had ordered salads. "Thanks again for having me!" Veronica tried her best to sound enthusiastic. "It's so cool to be on set of a movie."
"Of course, Veronica. We really should do this more often."
"Yeah..." Veronica paused, thinking about what questions to bother asking as she picked at her lunch. "So, how have you been?"
"Oh you know, same old same old. I'm seeing someone who's also an actor."
"The guy that punched Logan?"
"Ah, yes. Rob was on acid. Silly thing." She sighed. The two talked about trivial things some more. Veronica's eyes kept darting around the place, distracted. "So, you and my brother."
"Uh-huh," Veronica nodded apprehensively as she took a sip from her water bottle.
"Do I, like, see a wedding in the future? I always wanted to be a bridesmaid. Though no pink dresses. I look horrible in pink."
Veronica almost choked on her water. She coughed a few times gasping for air. "What? I mean, it's not something..." The question stunned Veronica. She hadn't thought about it not with so much going on in her life currently. There were moments she felt maybe Logan would want to make it official in case something happened to him on duty but that was a topic she avoided. Veronica had a first hand account of how her dad's marriage to Lianne imploded and then Lianne's subsequent marriage to Tanner Scott. She'd witnessed countless cheating spouses during the late night stake outs for infidelity and pre-nup cases. Marriage was simply a means to an end.
Did Trina know something she didn't? You've seen more than your fair share of marriages go up in flames, Veronica, you really wanna go down that road? She wondered. All she could do was shrug. She sat there in silence for what felt like an eternity.
"Just as well."
Veronica composed herself. "What about you and Rob?"
"Oh, I don't know. I've only been seeing him for two weeks. He's dumb as a post but excellent in bed you know what I mean?"
"No." Veronica rummaged inside her bag. That was enough small talk for now, she needed to get back to business. "This is off topic..." Veronica pulled out a picture she got off the internet and placed it on top of the picnic table. "Trina, do you by chance know who this girl is?"
Trina glanced at the picture. "No, is she, like, my biggest fan?"
"Not exactly. She was an aspiring actress. I was thinking maybe you two crossed paths. It was a long shot."
"For a case?"
"Yeah." Veronica said truthfully. "Any chance I could meet the director in person? Maybe she'd know."
"Well, Katelyn's in her trailer right now. You could try."
Veronica slowly got up before asking, "You mind?"
"Go ahead."
Veronica grabbed her bag and left, taking a few steps towards three trailers parked near each other. She noticed a tall bodyguard with his head shaven wearing a black t-shirt and Ray-Bans standing outside Katelyn's trailer. No one else around paid much attention to him, they were all preoccupied with their tasks.
"You are?" He inquired as she approached. He had muscular arms with the veins visibly bulging. The guard could easily crush her in half.
"Hi! I'm Jessica with the Neptune Tribune. I'm writing an article on Miss Renner about her rising star in the film industry. Is there any way I could talk to her for a moment?"
"You all need to set up an appointment. She's not taking visitors." He had a deep, flat voice; all business.
Veronica gave the biggest, innocent smile she could muster. "It'll just take a sec."
"Listen, ma'am, she's doesn't want to be bothered during her break. Now, please excuse yourself."
"Right." Veronica bitterly remarked. She turned away, frustrated.
Veronica wandered back over to Trina and sat down. "What's up with the bodyguard?"
"I heard she's paranoid."
Veronica's brow furrowed in consternation. "Why? Of what?"
Trina shook her head side to side. "No clue. I mean she's probably reading and going over important stuff for the film. I start shooting some of my scenes later today."
"You're probably right." Wrong, Veronica actually thought. She remembered when Logan hired a bodyguard to keep her safe. There were only two reasons one would need a guard. "Anyways, nice going on getting third-billed. I forgot to congratulate. So, you're the woman who finds out she's adopted. Must be easy to drudge up that sort of emotion."
"Life imitates art, Veronica. I can relate, obviously, a lot, to my character."
"I heard Connor Larkin was suppose to star in it until..."
Trina cut Veronica off. "It's horrible. I've been trying to get a hold of Marcie Jacobs at the Neptune Grand, but she's never around."
"She's been grieving." Veronica spent the next ten minutes half-listening to all the problems Trina complained about. It was a version of hell Veronica forgot existed.
*x**x**x**x*
A large metal bowl on the floor caught the drops of water leaking through a small fissure in the ceiling. It began raining again in the early evening. The crappy weather represented her mood perfectly. At Mars Investigations, Veronica sat at her desk, ballpoint pen in hand. Click Click Click. She repeated pressing the button over and over again as she glanced down at the open files. The only other sound came from cars whooshing through puddles outside.
After acquiring the reports on Connor and Leah, Veronica noticed some more similarities. Preliminary investigation suggested Leah committed suicide. Although, the evidence log listed no note. Leah was found on her bedroom floor two days after the supposed time of death by her neighbor. The autopsy report stated she died from overdosing on OxyContin and Vicodin. Is anything really a coincidence in Neptune?
Veronica placed the files off to the side and went on Google. She searched for Katelyn Renner films. After the waste of an afternoon not getting what she came for at the studio, Veronica had to come up with another idea. She scrolled through Renner's Wikipedia page. Katelyn Maria Renner was originally from Phoenix, Arizona. She moved to Los Angeles five years ago and has made a total of three movies all met with critical acclaim. Her second movie, Beautiful Ruins, a Sundance Film Festival favorite of 2013, sounded familiar. Without a moment of hesitation, Veronica went over to her studded black bag. She pulled out the crumpled newspaper. She flattened out the specific section.
There it was in fine print. Leah has appeared in such independent films as W.O.S, Beautiful Ruins, and The Forger.
*x**x**x**x*
On Tuesday, Veronica sped toward the range even with the roads wet and the possibility of hydroplaning. The clock on the dashboard read 1:25 pm. Once again, she lost track of time after tirelessly trying to find a way to talk to Katelyn Renner one on one. In the end, she managed to set up an interview with Lee Humphrey, the First Assistant Director, in hopes he'd have information pertinent to her investigation.
Veronica went up to the counter, paid the range fee and bought some ammo. After signing another waver, she glanced around the place. Her heart skipped a beat. She found Logan in fitted jeans and a loose brown t-shirt loading up a handgun. When she reached his spot, Veronica clutched his arm pulling him closer to her.
"Jeez, don't you know not to sneak up on someone armed."
"Sorry." Veronica frowned letting go of her grasp.
"You should be. I've been here all by lonesome for twenty whole minutes. Although it wasn't too bad. This woman in her forties with tattoos checked me out. I got her number. We're getting coffee next week."
Veronica gave him a dead-pan stare. "I find that hard to believe."
"Anyway," he stated, "what was our plan? Some friendly competition?"
She attempted her best Clint Eastwood impression, "You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?"
Logan snickered. "You don't stand a chance."
Veronica squinted her eyes. The game was on. She picked up her earmuffs, eye protection, and her .38 caliber gun. A few minutes later, she pointed at the dummy. Keeping focus, she pulled the trigger. Veronica hit the center of the heart on her first go.
"Is it wrong if I'm turned on by that," he asked staring at the hole in the dummy.
Veronica smirked facing Logan. "Your turn."
Without much effort, he aimed and hit the bullseye. Besides giving him discipline and purpose, the navy trained Logan well. Veronica felt relief that he could easily protect himself. It had been a long time since Veronica felt that having a gun would get himself killed. She finally understood the importance.
They went back and forth. Veronica missed the mark twice while Logan hit around the same spot each time. She placed her gun back inside its box after finishing the last round.
Logan eventually announced, "I do believe I won the bet. What's my prize?"
"A year supply of turtle wax? A calendar with naked ladies on the front? No?" Veronica leaned in close and whispered in his ear. Logan instantly perked up.
*x**x**x**x*
After the range and a late lunch with Logan, Veronica headed back to the office.
She was in the midst of talking to Keith about Leah Vance when Weevil walked through the doors. Keith acknowledged him first, "Eli."
Weevil quietly nodded. He moved over to where Veronica's desk situated. His hands in his pockets, he looked anxious. "I know I have no right to ask, but I need a favor, Veronica."