Chapter 6

Several hours came and went. The sun rose above the horizon line. Small patches of light stream through the window blinds. The comforter was half on the floor with the thousand thread count Egyptian cotton sheets barely covering their bodies. Veronica rested her head in the crevice of Logan's shoulder. She opened her eyes in slits after being awoken by the sound of a seagull squawking outside. The brightness of the room was too much. A bunch of tiny dangers stabbed at her brain. "Ugh...I'm never drinking Petite Sirah or whatever brand Dick picked up ever again."

"You say that until next weekend." Logan muttered half asleep.

She pinched the bridge of her nose. "I feel like a troll played a twisted game of Whack-a-Mole with my head this morning." She peered down at Logan while feeling the warmth radiating off his skin. Her heart skipped a beat. If only he knew, Veronica thought, how much he truly had the upper hand in the relationship.

Logan repositioned his body and gently kissed the top of her forehead. "Better?" Their eyes locked on each other. The corners of Logan's mouth slightly curved up before he moved over to his side.

"Marginally." She paused, realizing the dryness of her throat. "Must...get...water..." Unfortunately, there were no glasses on the nightstand or a bottle within reach. Veronica rolled out of bed pulling most of the covers off of Logan. She blushed, "Oops."

Forced to get up, Logan picked his boxers from off the ground and then grabbed his shirt. He had just pulled up the zipper on his jeans when someone knocked on the door. Veronica rushed to put her shirt over her torso. Checking to make sure Veronica was almost fully clothed, Logan walked over to unlock it. Dick wearing a yellow tank and orange boxers eased open the door. The aroma of freshly made eggs filled the hallway. He glanced around the guest room. "Howdy partners. I hope you plan on washing those sheets."

She rolled her eyes, though admittedly she felt a little embarrassed if only for setting herself up for this on her own accord. Similar occurrences happened when Logan lived with Dick, but it ages since then. Last night had been one of the rare occasions where everyone was together enjoying themselves. The worries and drama that plagued their lives had been put on hold if only for a few hours.

Veronica gathered up the rest of her things and quickly brushed through her hair with her fingers. She then checked her phone which had a new message from Marcie asking her to come by later today. Veronica could barely think about the case with her headache.

"Guys want scrambled eggs?" Dick asked as he yawned.

Veronica nodded her head. "God, yes." She sluggishly entered into the kitchen behind the boys. Dishes from last night cluttered the sink. A pan of brownies laid on top of the counter next to empty wine glasses. The door leading out to the patio was slightly ajar allowing a cool breeze from the ocean air roll in. The sky was cloudless, serene. The bright blue reflected in the salt water glistened like a billion diamonds.

After washing down Advil with a full glass of water, Veronica sat down in a chair next to Logan. Dick laid out silverware and three plates of eggs and toast.

"How do you feel man?" Logan wondered once Dick took a seat across from them.

He groaned loudly. "I ended up in my bed, alone, so I'd say the night was unsuccessful."

"Who were you expecting to join you? A call-girl?" Veronica sarcastically joked. It was public knowledge that Dick suffered from the frat-boy syndrome. Logan had concern for his closest friend, but would never outright say it. Dick lived his dream lifestyle even though he dealt with bouts of sadness brought on by the thought of Cassidy. His carefree attitude masked any underlying troubles. Seven years since graduating college, Dick managed to put some of his old FBLA knowledge to good use and became of one of few '09er night club shareholders. Throughout the last few years, Dick had intelligently and successfully invested in private companies and because of that, he never had to worry too much about burning through his trust fund. Originally to have an excuse to give girls a business card, Dick ended up learning more about stocks and investments having remembered it was his brother's talent.

"If we had made it out to the club," Dick began to say, "but someone had to—"

"Finish that sentence and I'll—"

Dick cut Veronica off. "Hey, mi casa es su casa, but you better clean up from last night."

Logan kept to eating his eggs; watching his girlfriend and long time companion bicker was his form of entertainment. "And now back to our regularly scheduled programing..."

Veronica shot a sudden scowl in Logan's direction.

"Actually Ronnie while you're at it, try and do a load or two of laundry." Dick added while stuffing his face with more toast.

Veronica scoffed. "I'm not your maid. Did she quit after filing sexual harassment charges?"

"No. My girl, Fatima, only comes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If it helps, I have a maid costume in my closet for you to get in the spirit."

"You'd have to point a gun to my head before that ever happens."

"Kinky."

Veronica opened her mouth and using her index finger pretended to gag in disgust. She then looked to Logan for some reinforcement on her end. Logan simply shrugged his shoulders and grinned. "I'm Switzerland."

Exasperated, she faced Dick. "Are we done?"

"Completely."

*x**x**x**x*

After leaving Dick's beach house, Veronica and Logan headed straight home. She dropped the keys on the kitchen counter, made sure to refill Pony's bowl, and followed Logan up the stairs. He wrapped his arms around her waist when they reached their bedroom. "Thanks for dinner and everything last night."

"Course. After all, it was a holiday to celebrate men in uniform which you qualified for, sailor. I'm glad the children played nice."

Logan shook his head side to side. "Contrary to popular belief, Dick actually does like Mac and Wallace."

"Right. When he describes them as my minions that's just a sign of his sincere affection."

"Minions are pretty damn adorable."

"Besides the point." She stared down at her wrinkled skirt and top now feeling uncomfortable. "I can't wait to get out of these clothes."

Logan raised an eyebrow. He then jerked his head toward the bathroom in a suggestive manner.

"The offer still stands?" The slightest hint of a smile flitted across her face.

"Oh that never expires." He leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. Her hands weaved in his hair. It still amazed Logan having her there with him, responsive to his ever touch. Words he thought he would never hear and now, a year later, Veronica recites them freely especially in her sleep. Proof second chances do exist.

Veronica was the first to jump into the shower. She turned the faucet all the way to the left. Steam began to fog up the large mirror on the wall. The hot water soothed her aching muscles. Logan joined her, grabbing a wash cloth and bar of soap. Logan lathered her body as if he was exploring it for the first time. They took turns washing, running their hands over each other from head to toe. He took to massaging her scalp which relieved Veronica's headache for good.

Exiting the shower almost felt like a chore. Veronica was not quite ready to face the rest of the day. After drying off and changing into work clothes, Veronica spent a few hours with Logan until she had to meet with Keith to go over their current cases. She gave Logan a goodbye kiss and promised to call him if she needed anything.

While her plan was to go straight to the office, she made a detour. Veronica texted her father letting him know she would be later than expected. She dropped her car off at the valet and went through the familiar double doors of the Neptune Grand.

The lobby was quiet. An elderly guest sat in one of the newly furnished chairs reading Sunday's newspaper. Veronica passed the hotel concierges in black suits and walked straight toward the glass elevator. She clicked the button and waited a few minutes until she arrived at the top floor. She knocked a couple of times on the wooden door leading into Marcie's suite.

The gorgeous actress answered on the forth knock smiling at Veronica. Marcie Jacobs had her blonde hair in a messy bun with her makeup freshly applied. She wore black leggings and an of-the-shoulder blouse. It was Veronica's first visit where it didn't look as though Marcie had been crying for hours. "Veronica, hello. Come in, come in." Marcie gestured Veronica inside where they both took a seat on the couch.

"How are you?" Veronica questioned.

"Fine." Marcie responded brusquely. "I mean Access Hollywood has been up my ass and Entertainment Weekly wants to write an article on the last year I had with Connor. It all makes me want to throw up to be quite honest. I'm just thankful filming has wrapped up for my show and I don't have to worry about being anywhere but here and with friends." Her mind seemed to wander off for a moment.

"So, I got your message."

"Yes." Marcie gave back her attention. "First I just want to say I appreciate all the work you've done so far. There's the check for the first week." She pointed to a white envelope on the coffee table. Veronica picked it up, hesitantly, and slipped it into her bag. "Also," Marcie went on, "I wanted to let you know that Greg, you remember Greg, Connor's friend? Yes, well, he hasn't been returning my calls or messages in almost a week. Not like him at all and I'm positive at this point he was the only other person that would have known what Connor had been up to that evening. You've checked with Alex and I'm sure the heinous director didn't tell you a thing." Marcie was rambling, speaking a mile a minute. "All this stress can't be good for the baby. Jesus, I know I've said this a hundred times but I can't rest until I know for certain. You must think I'm crazy."

Something we have in common. Veronica knew that nagging urge to seek the truth. It was what drove her to find Lilly's killer. It continued to be the leading force in her need to solve cases. She hated nothing more than to see assholes getting away with everything. "You're right about Katelyn; I still haven't been able to interview her. She has a bodyguard, which I find is shady. Who would she need protection from? I'd say she's high on my suspect list. Now with Greg, you think he's avoiding you because of possible involvement?"

"For whatever reason. I don't know." Marcie took a deep breath and exhaled. Her body seemed to relax. "Listen, I'm assuming you have a great bullshit detector?" Veronica smiled and nodded. "Good, then you and me can take a trip to his house in LA. I would have gone earlier if I hadn't been so busy with funeral arrangements. He's usually home after five. The little twat is going to answer my questions one way or another. How's tomorrow?"

Veronica double blinked. She remembered what Marcie had said earlier about her affair with Greg to get even. She assumed the two were not on the best of terms. Veronica realized in that instant she'd be able to kill two birds with one stone. "Actually, that's perfect. I've been meaning to bring up the idea of going to Connor's apartment and if there is a way to get the security surveillance. You could let me in after our meeting with Greg."

"If we go to that part of LA, the paparazzi will be relentless."

Neptune was notorious for flashing cameras in Logan's face during his trials. Veronica witnessed it all standing by his side. Even in present day, whenever the two dared to venture out to places around Los Angeles for a date night, Logan's reputation still landing him as just the son of a popular movie star. Anyone connected like that had paparazzi follow them. Veronica had her fair share of times flipping the cameras off. On the other hand in San Diego near the base was always nice to visit for a weekend. Logan was respected in some local establishments who knew he served the navy. It was a night and day difference between the cities. "I've had years of practice," Veronica stated, dryly.

Marcie rubbed the back of her neck, contemplating. "Hmm, I don't know what the tape will show. He didn't have any inside his apartment and the only one displays the outside courtyard. We can try, but I don't think I'll be able to enter his apartment without me losing it. I'm the one who found him which I'm sure you heard about watching the news."

"I'm more or less looking at a three hour window. It would definitely help with my investigation. I believe everything you've said, Marcie. I don't know why and I can't prove it yet, but I believe his food and drink that night were laced. There's still a lot more dots to connect. I have a possible lead that might be able to tell me who sold and bought the drugs assuming there's the connection to the other Neptune native who..." Veronica stopped, noticing Marcie had stood still. Her face as pale as a ghost. "I know this is hard to hear."

Marcie frowned. "No, you really don't. Do you have a boyfriend? I see no ring."

The sudden change in topic threw Veronica off. "I do."

"Do you know what it would be like to never see him again?"

Veronica didn't need to answer. She knew exactly what it was like. The empty, bottomless feeling in the pit of her stomach. She had nine years of pretending it didn't exist only to realize it the moment she returned to Neptune. The sole way to fill it was being around his presence.

Marcie took her silence for an answer. "It's unbearable. I've made some mistakes, but being with Connor was never one of them. I'll never get to tell him again how much I loved him. I'll never walk down an aisle in a one-of-a-kind Vera Wang. He'll never know how with one look, he could drive me up the wall." A tear slid down her cheek. She touched her stomach. "This...this is the only piece left."

Veronica's hands balled up in fists. "I won't stop until I find out the person or persons involved, I promise you that Marcie." Veronica and Marcie agreed on a time for tomorrow and Veronica left the hotel feeling even more motivated than before.

*x**x**x**x*

Mac slouched in her chair staring between two screens with one strictly devoted to decrypting secure information.

"Hi, any messages for me?"

"Yeah," Mac glanced up at Veronica, "Five people told me to tell you that your Dad is waiting. He's not in the best of moods. You were suppose to be here like two hours ago?" She handed Veronica a sheet of paper. "Here, out of boredom, I printed out the address to Anita Santos' drug shack and any background info I could pull up."

"Thanks. I'll go talk to him."

She walked into the the back office where Keith looked over files at his desk.

"Hi Dad, sorry, I know I said I'd be here earlier."

Keith slowly got up to greet his daughter with a hug. "It's fine."

"How's the hip?" She asked after breaking apart their embrace.

"Still there." Keith had fully healed from the accident that almost cost his life. However, the aches and pains of old age were starting to catch up with him.

Veronica took a seat across from his desk. "Anything new with the teen runaway?"

"That's not what I wanted to talk to you about right now." Keith squinted his eyes. "You haven't visited Miss Santos' house yet, correct?"

"No, not yet."

"Good. Have you put any thought into this at all?"

"I have a plan."

"Mac filled me in on your visit with that Gonzalez fellow. Look, Veronica, I want you to be extra careful." Keith pulled out a drawer and dropped a small black cardboard box on top of his desk. "I got you this to use."

Veronica opened the lid. It was a small, black and silver flower pin. Her brow furrowed in confusion. "A pin?" Veronica looked down at her clothes. She wore a purple t-shirt and tan slacks. "Doesn't exactly go with my outfit."

"Look a little closer, dear." Keith added.

"Oh." Veronica eyes lit up as she discovered the tiny lens in the middle. "Nice step up from that trucker hat."

His mouth firmed a hard line. "I want you to wear that when you visit Miss Santos. I'll be your back-up for this. The feed will go directly to my laptop. Should anything happen, I'll be there."

Did her father think she couldn't handle it? After all, she had her gun. Did he know something, she didn't? Veronica smiled, "Thank you. Anything else?"

"I have another case I'm working on that conveniently crosses your path. The landlord wants to evict the tenants of 1627 and 1629 but doesn't have the proof of any illegal activity yet. They don't want to go through the trouble of getting a search warrant... This is what we'll do." Keith laid out the groundwork. Veronica would follow directly as planned. If she uncovered evidence from the pin, the police would handle it from there. "I rather you not go through with this at all, but it's clear that my words won't stop you. Do we have an agreement?"

Veronica nodded apprehensively. "Alright, yes."

*x**x**x**x*

Located on the outskirts on Neptune. Glendale Drive was a no outlet zone and covered with pot holes. Trash littered the side of the road. Keith parked behind a Church on the street connecting while Veronica chose a spot by the corner. The house she recognized as 1627 belonged to Anita Santos, the ex-wife of Theo Gonzalez. There was a metal gate around the perimeter.

Veronica readjusted the pin which had a spot on her short sleeve hoodie. She glanced around the area a few more times. At six pm, the sun was still bright but not a soul was outside. Most homes had for sales signs in the front of yards with patches of overgrown weeds.

She made sure her gun was secure. A small bottle of pepper spray was attached to her key chain. There was no way she'd be able to bring in her taser without notice. She kept her bag roughly empty containing a cheap wallet with a fake ID, the photograph of Leah Vance, and some other random items. Veronica passed the gate and stood in front of the door. The doorbell didn't work so she knocked once before the door opened only half-way to a very thin, Latino woman with frizzy black hair wearing a v-neck green top, worn out jeans, and flip-flops. She might have once been beautiful.

Veronica noticed the cracked, blistered lips. The bags under the eyes. The dialed pupils. If this was a game of Jeopardy, Veronica would wager all her money with the answer, 'What is a cocaine user?' Veronica imagined Anita fried her brain a long time ago and used this to her advantage. "Hi, I'm Shauna. I heard you were the person to see..."

"What do you want? This isn't a good time." The woman looked over Veronica's shoulder scanning the streets.

"I know Theo."

Anita's mouth fell open. "Get in."

Veronica took a few steps inside the house which might as well have been walking straight into belly of the beast. On the kitchen table were two small bags of powder. Yahtzee. She then turned to her left and saw a tall man sitting on a stool by the kitchen island. He had a gun attached to his belt. She remained calm and collected.

Anita spoke up. "Last time I heard, the fucker's in jail."

"I know, which is why my friend told me before this was where to go to buy Oxys. I can pay whatever the amount."

"You were misinformed. I don't deal." Anita paused as if stopping herself from saying to much. "What did he say exactly, huh?" The man with the gun looked suspiciously at Veronica.

"Are you sure? Not even Zannies?" Veronica tried to see if Anita was lying but came up empty. Did Theo make it up? Veronica was almost tempted to take out the picture of Leah Vance and see if that sparked some recognition in Anita's eyes. "Do you know someone who does?"

"No." Anita turned her back toward the door. "Now, you're not leaving until you tell me why you're really here."

...