Chapter 13

The gentle waves broke, crashing suddenly onto the shore. The velvet blue water was a glistening reflection of the many stars that populated the inky dark sky. A silhouette of palm trees lined along the beach, Neptune's skyline could be seen in the distance.

She felt anticipation mingled with the sensation of butterflies in her stomach. Logan paused, letting go of Veronica's hand. Her eyes scanned the surroundings. She saw the smooth rocks that were a couple of feet away inland. This was where she usually met Logan in the morning after he surfed. Veronica then noticed a light brown blanket sprawled out flat, his shoes separated at the corners to keep the blanket from folding over every time there was a breeze. A bottle of wine already uncorked cast a shadow in the sand.

A simple romantic gesture. He brought her to their spot. Logan knew how to get Veronica to go soft and sentimental on the inside. Here was this amazing, strong, independent woman who at the same time could still be vulnerable. Veronica took a seat on top of the blanket. She dug her feet into the sand, placing her sandals off to the side. She stared up at Logan who wore shorts and a white linen button up with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His hair styled a little bit longer to her preference. He looked good, Veronica admitted, but the other women ogling at the him at the party was confirmation enough for his ego. "What's all this for?"

Logan joined her on the blanket and grabbed the bottle. He shrugged his shoulders and responded with a sly smile. "Dick's place was getting cramped. I'm not even sure Dick knew who half those people were."

Veronica stared out at the ocean, less inclined to believe that was the only reason for the mini excursion. Not that she minded one bit. The corners up her mouth curved upwards while Logan took a sip of wine straight from the bottle.

"2004 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon." Veronica read the print, snatching the wine away from his grasp.

"I may have stolen it from Dick's room."

After taking a swig, Veronica planted the bottle down by the edge of the blanket making sure it wouldn't tip over. "Why else did you bring me here?"

"It may come as a shock..." Logan went straight faced. "but I enjoy your company from time to time."

"Ahh," Veronica inched closer. "The other Blondie at the shindig not doing it enough for ya?"

Logan caressed her cheek with his hand. His eyes bore into hers, burrowing deep. He shook his head and answered with certainty instead of a quip. "Nope. Just you."

A shiver went down Veronica's spine; but not from the cold breeze. The thought that Logan only punched Sean because of Carrie had been tossed away from her mind. Veronica knew every inflection of his voice, every look, but she still persisted, "is that so?"

"Do I need to spell it out for you in the sky with an aircraft?" Logan joked. "It can be arranged." Not with his specific multimillion dollar jet, an impressive EA 18G Growler, which the U.S. military granted him to operate, but a smaller plane would do.

An aerial code or message made of smoke might be cliche unless it is your boyfriend who's the one creating it. The idea actually sort of excited her. "I'll routinely check the sky for messages."

"Let me be preemptive by saying I love you, but if I need—"

In a flash, Veronica launched herself on Logan, surprising him. She urgently pressed her lips against his, running her hands through his hair, wanting to feel every inch of him. In return, he granted her wish with a deeper kiss. Her heartbeat accelerated in tune with his.

For the last few months they had been in a really good place letting themselves be happy for once. Not every dilemma or argument had been solved between them. The future still undecided. Logan and Veronica had miles to go. Their desire to make someone else pay sometimes put a wrench in their time together. However, when push came to shove, they both recognized their need for the other. How blissfully content they could be by just sitting on a beach together separate from the rest of the world.

Logan soon positioned himself onto his back. Veronica nestled herself into him placing one arm over his chest.

"Now why can't it just be like this?" Logan whispered, gently leaving a kiss on top of her head.

They fell silent, not needing to say any more words, and simply gazed up at the stars. Logan stole glances at Veronica ever so often. In that moment, the ocean waves splashing into shore, the smell of salt in the air, the warmth and electricity of Logan's skin against hers, Veronica let herself be at home.

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

When Logan and Veronica returned back to the party past midnight, the music had quieted down but people still raged on. Logan, holding the half empty bottle with the folded blanket tucked under his arm spotted Dick and Mac first who were engaged in conversation. Mac's eyes locked with Veronica for a second before turning back to Dick and grinning, "Pay up." Veronica watched as Dick muttered something under his breath and pulled out a twenty. He slipped the bill into Mac's hand.

"Hey!" Veronica announced as she reached the section of the deck where Mac stood. "What's going on?"

"Dick bet me that you'd guys would be off—"

"Getting off." Dick clarified.

Before either Veronica or Logan had a chance to speak, Mac added, "And wouldn't be coming back. So I took the bet obviously since there was no way you'd leave me here alone without at least saying goodbye. I won."

"Using me to make a few extra bucks, huh?" Veronica replied. "Was watching drunk '09s tripping over their own two feet not entertainment enough?"

Logan also made a teasingly snide remark to Dick.

"Oh, please." Mac pocketed the twenty. She could see Veronica was glowing. "Who disappeared again?"

Veronica glanced down at her phone. "I guess we were gone a lot longer than I thought. Where's Wallace?"

"Left with Miss California." Mac shook her head disapprovingly. She had no idea if Maya was ever a pageant contestant, but it was as good a guess as any. "Oh, and warning, if you didn't know, your archenemy is here."

"Which one is that?" Veronica chuckled even though she knew exactly who Mac was referencing. The very person Veronica punched in the face during the reunion for showcasing the sex tape to all her ex-classmates. Whatever sliver of happiness she was feeling dissipated. "In all favor of leaving for good, say I!"

Mac smiled and rose her hand. "I!"

All Veronica had to do was get Dick to open his bedroom door so she could grab her bag. Then the only proof of her being there would be a hole the shape of her body through the front door like in a Loony Tunes cartoon. Unfortunately, Veronica would not be able to run fast enough.

"Hmph." Logan stared at Dick who had his hands on the banister glaring at all the people still on his beach property. "What happened to keeping the riffraff out?"

Dick faced Logan again and sighed. "Dude, I gave that up an hour ago. Now if you'll excuse I'm not nearly drunk enough to enjoy my own house...oh hello, Keira!" Dick waved at a beautiful brunette standing on the beach wearing only a Victoria's Secret pink push-up bikini top and matching bottom.

"Wait Dick!" Veronica yelled, but Dick was already down the steps heading towards his next conquest. "I need my bag dammit."

"I have the key." Logan responded after dropping the sandy blanket on the ground. He lifted up the wine. "It's where I snagged this bottle. Come on."

Mac and Veronica followed Logan as he cleared a path through the bodies who still occupied the interior of Dick's house. Luckily Madison and whoever she brought was nowhere to be seen. A bomb looked as if it had gone off in the kitchen. All the kegs were tapped. Most of the red white and blue shooters were consumed by the guests. Only three or four were left on top of the counter untouched next to empty bottles of tequila. A bunch of plates laid broken on the ground. Pieces of glass scattered in piles were booby traps for those barefoot to try to avoid. The trashcan overflowed. The smell of vomit was detected as Veronica passed the bathroom on the right side. Once Logan turned the key and opened the door to Dick's room, Veronica took a deep breath of air. She grabbed her bag which leaned up against the dark wooden TV shelf. Logan left the wine bottle for Dick to finish off.

His room was clean and organized. There was a mini fridge on the other side of the shelf. Mac got a glimpse of a picture frame which displayed an old photo of Dick and Cassidy when they were kids. The only picture it seemed in the entire room besides a black framed poster of two chicks making out on a bed with white sheets. The same poster he had since college.

Once, Logan shut the door behind them, suddenly all three stopped dead in their tracks. The stars hadn't aligned tonight for Veronica after all. Trina appeared with Rob in the hallway blocking Veronica's path to freedom. They were fighting. Trina had slapped Rob in the face hard.

Confusion was written over Veronica. Logan simply sighed and put his hands in his pockets.

"It's been like that all night." Mac mentioned quietly. They stood and watched the exchanged as three silent bystanders.

"You're just using her to make me jealous?" Trina's brown eyes darkened in anger. "Is the little tweeny-bopper here? She's plays my younger sister in the movie. She's like twelve. There's laws against that sort of thing."

"She's twenty-four for Christ's sake. Take a pill and relax."

"You know what? We. Are. So-o-o. Done. Don't bother calling me again. I won't answer."

"Fine by me you crazy cunt." Rob stormed off in the other direction. Trina, who should have stopped drinking hours ago, chugged the rest of whatever was in her cup and turned away not even noticing Logan, Veronica, or Mac.

Clearly he didn't end things with Trina like he said he had at Vintage. Secrets never stay buried. Veronica turned to Logan. "It is opposite day already? How does someone like Rob have Trina and this other actress from the other night all over him?" Granted, Rob was tall and muscular with dirty blonde hair and Trina did say he was great in bed, apparently. However, he most definitely fried his brain from drug use, lacked a job, and acted like a dipshit all of which should have been a deal breaker to begin with. You got lucky, Veronica. She reminded herself. Logan was none of those.

He came to the same conclusion as Veronica. "Besides the fact he was her supplier?"

For free, Veronica imagined, as long as Trina put out. Veronica couldn't help but think that Trina got paid the minimalist amount to appear in Renner's film. Undoubtedly not enough to sustain her opulent lifestyle as well as her dabbles in drugs. Maybe it was all a mirage.

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

On Tuesday, the start of the month of June, after many failed attempts at meeting one-on-one with Katelyn Renner, Veronica focused her investigation on Rachel Zellers, the first name on that napkin list. After the second background check and reading up on Rachel's mini bio on IMDB, she tapped the numbers into her cell phone and hit dial. A few rings later, Marcie picked up. "You free this afternoon?"

Marcie gave directions to a country club in Beverly Hills. Members received the privacy they craved and all their recreation and entertainment needs. It had everything, a golf course, tennis courts, fitness and aquatic centers, spa, private clubhouse, renown culinary staff, and socials for the rich to spend time with the other fortunate individuals who never had to worry about the struggle of paying rent on time or stressing over pleasing their bosses.

The dinning venue served luxurious drinks and exquisite cuisine and everyone who stepped inside the grande dinning area or the outdoor patio tea room had to follow a dress code. Veronica had on gray slacks and a lavender blouse and hoped that would be suitable enough.

There was a valet and Veronica, a guest at the establishment, had to state clearly who she was meeting and why. Employees directed her to the small round table in the tea room where Marcie sat with her legs crossed. She was either nine or ten weeks and barely showing. Marcie continued to wear tight, form-fitting attire. She had been busy staring at her phone, scrolling through her Twitter feed, when Veronica took a seat in the chair on the other side of the table. The room was spacious. The walls were made of glass so visitors could see the beautiful sparkling pool outside and the golf course in the distance. Veronica glanced around the place at the couples and elderly folks who sipped on their tea and ate gourmet biscuits. "Interesting choice."

"My father loved golf. I've been a member here since I was a child. No one bothers me and I can go about business as usual. I hope you like tea." Marcie put her phone down on the table. "So, what did you find out? Are you any closer?"

Veronica gave her the shortened version of the events without including the napkin with the six names. "Did you ever visit Connor on set of his last movie? The one on Lifetime."

"We were on a break. As I said before, working on different sets at different times for long periods always took a toll on our relationship."

"She was his co-star on the Husband's Revenge." Rachel Zellers played the married wife that cheated on her husband with Larkin's character.

Marcie chuckled at what Veronica was about to insinuate. "Rachel Zellers is a no-talent hack drama queen."

"You've met?"

"Briefly." Marcie replied brusquely. "She's a leech."

Veronica sat up a little straighter, becoming more curious. "Why do you say that?"

"She always came running to him about her problems with her boyfriend and ask for favors."

Similar situations? Veronica wondered if that was how Connor and Rachel bonded.

"You say you were on a break?" Veronica's wheels were turning in her head. She remembered the dates of the movie's filming. It was around the beginning of December. Quick production and editing, the b-movie premiered on Lifetime in April. Two weeks after that, Katelyn and Connor's affair ended.

"Yes. At the time, Connor was furious with me. He said something like how he always worked around my schedule but I couldn't make the same effort. That I was the one who wasn't committed to the relationship." Marcie's eyes brimmed with tears. She tried to keep her emotions under control and for the most part, Marcie Jacobs did a good job acting. "It's probably the final thing that led him to that whore." Her voice choked, but she overall remained calm and composed.

Veronica nodded, searching for words to say. There was a long silence punctuated by the sound of Marcie's phone beeping.

She slowly stood up. "Excuse me. It's my agent."

During the fifteen minutes Marcie was gone, Veronica ordered herself a cup of peach flavored herbal tea. She thought back to what Greg said earlier. Connor didn't begin seeing Katelyn until February when casting announcements had been first made. Unless, the timeline is off. Supposedly Marcie was back with Connor by New Year's Eve. After all, the tabloids showed photos of the two kissing each other covered in confetti at some private party. However, Connor continued to see Katelyn up until April 27th. Marcie had been painted as the faithful girlfriend.

When Marcie returned, Veronica smiled. "Connor must have fessed up. What exactly happened the day you told him you were pregnant?"

Marcie flinched and genuinely looked taken aback. "Is this really necessary to the investigation?"

"When exactly did you get even?" Veronica asked blatantly. However, her question had clearly upset Marcie. Veronica noticed Marcie's fists tightened into balls. Her nostrils flared.

"It was a mistake I'd like to put behind me." She said through clenched teeth and a tone of finality.

"I'm sorry. I know this all must be extremely difficult for you. I don't wish it on my worst enemy." Actually, if she had it her way, Veronica would do a lot worse to those who crossed her. She knew what Marcie wanted to hear and if she was going to get Marcie to open up, she had to seem more like a friend.

Marcie sighed and relaxed in her chair. A smile flitted across her face. "How's your tea? This place is known for it's great selection."

"It's delicious." Veronica took another sip. "Are you on friendly terms with Rachel?"

"Define friendly."

"Do you think she be willing to speak with me?"

"There's nothing that Rachel would tell you that I haven't already mentioned."

Veronica pursed her lips. I have a hard time believing that.

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

Hours later, the latest news on channel 4 stunned Veronica. From 6:20 to 6:30 pm she didn't move a muscle. She sat alone on her couch in the living-room. Veronica's clothes she wore at the country club were now wrinkly. Her hair tied up in a messy bun for comfort. A plate of smoked salmon and green beans she cooked herself began to get cold as it laid untouched on the coffee table. Veronica listened to every word said out loud by the news reporter.

Official report stated actress, Evangeline Palmer, 24, was found dead in her hotel suite at the Neptune Grand early Monday morning. Marcia Langdon then appeared on the TV screen in uniform with her short hair and tensed posture. She tried to act solemn but indifferent was more accurate. "Sources have confirmed she had been dating Robert Grimes of Westlake Village. He has been remanded into custody in association with the murder of Miss Palmer. There are no formal charges yet. The investigation is on-going." Veronica could hear the new reporters fire questions at her. Cameras flashing from every direction. Marcia ignored them all and rose her voice, "We will find out all that we can to bring justice to Evangeline's untimely death. That is a promise. Thank you." This had been a major step up from Dan Lamb's usual off the cuff interviews where he would sound cavalier. Lamb used to grab any chance at media attention, Marcia Langdon seemed like she wanted to get the hell out of dodge and focus on her actual task.

Trina's ex-fling got himself involved in a sticky situation. Karma's a bitch. Veronica knew Langdon couldn't hold Rob for long without solid proof. What were forensics spouting? He was likely Langdon's numero uno target and undoubtedly questioning him at that moment hoping for a clear-cut confession.

Yet another murder at the Grand for Petra Landros to deal with. More bad publicity can't be good for business. Veronica wondered if the ritzy hotel had been cursed ever since the fateful day senior year. She shuttered at the thought.

Veronica quickly dialed Keith's number while her eye's stayed glued to the TV. The news still covered Evangeline's death. Update: Preliminary results confirms Evangeline Palmer died from asphyxiation. No more is known at this time. One of the hotel maids found Evangeline not breathing tied to a chair in the middle of her room. Veronica's mouth hung open while her eyes simultaneously widened in shock. "Oh my God. I know exactly how she died." Her dad began speaking in the receiver. Veronica added, "Two is a coincidence. Three's a pattern."