So I made some time and wrote this. But after this post, there is going to be a delay.
Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Hope y'all enjoy.
Three Months and Seven Years Earlier
It was one week into summer vacation after her first year at Hearst. However, Veronica was not enjoying the vacation. On the contrary, she was panicking. A little more than a week ago, Logan had confronted Gorya Sorokin, who was connected-connected. Veronica had sought Logan out, hoping to tell him exactly what kind of trouble Gorya could bring. Not only was he associated with Hearst's very own secret society, but his family were killers—the Russian Mafia.
Veronica had already decided not to spread this sort of information around, but Logan, as per usual, had handled things aggressively. Therefore, his life was once again at risk from a group of highly dangerous men.
Veronica's mind was already forming a plan not only to protect Logan, but also to take down the Sorokin mob. Without Logan, the plan was null and void. Protecting him was a central and vital objective.
If Veronica's extremely analytical mind had analyzed itself, she might have wondered why she was bordering on near panic at Logan's absence. But it didn't, and she never questioned why Logan's lack of appearance bothered her so badly. Her mind was more preoccupied with discovering where he had secluded himself this time.
When she questioned Dick, he had said Logan hadn't been at the Neptune Grand, or crashing with him at the Casablancas' or the frat house. And if Logan had gone off to Mexico, that he "would have totally brought me along."
She decided to go to his favorite surfing spot. Hopefully immersing herself into his world would help her figure out where he had gone. She refused to entertain the idea that he was hurt or worse. She couldn't handle him showing up on her doorstep bleeding and suffering again.
Her thoughts turned introspective as she watched the waves. She and Logan had not parted well on their previous unsettling encounters. She had been angry and insulted that he had gone after Piz. She understood his feelings, but if he wasn't careful, he would end up making an enemy out of someone who was connected-connected.
"Oh no, wait, that already happened," she grumbled under her breath.
"Should I be worried that you're speaking to yourself?" asked an amused and looming Logan.
"Logan!" Veronica launched herself into his arms. He was startled, but quickly pulled her close. She breathed in a sigh of relief. He smelled of salt and sun. He felt alive and warm.
She pulled back quickly. Afraid of romanticizing the situation, she hit him on the arm. Hard.
"Ow," he rubbed the spot.
"Where have you been?" she demanded.
He smirked slightly, "Why? Have you missed me?" The playful tone was belied by the seriousness in his eyes.
She shied away from the question. "Look, is there somewhere we can go to talk? I have some important things to say."
"Sure." He left and she followed. He took her to a rather modest black car.
"What happened to your SUV?"
He just smiled and opened the door for her. He drove to the Camelot Motel.
"You've been staying here?"
"I wanted to be closer to the beach," he shrugged as he let her into his room.
She sat awkwardly in a chair while he leaned against the wall.
"What did you want to talk to me about?"
"I wanted to tell you everything I know about Gorya Sorokin…"
"I know about him and his family," Logan interrupted.
"What?"
"Why do you think I've been laying low? I Googled his family and figured that when you said 'connected-connected,' you didn't mean to the social cycle theory or the revival ofDismorphomania. So I ignored that and went with what I could find about the mafia."
"Oh, well I guess you don't need my help," she stood, heading towards the door.
"Wait. Veronica, is this visit more than just a warning?"
She sighed, not turning around, "I was worried about you."
"And now?"
"I'm still worried. And frustrated and confused. And…God Logan!" She whirled around to face him. "What were you thinking? First, you beat up Piz. Then you go after Sorokin even though I warned you about the consequences. He threatens your life. Then, you disappear. Didn't you think people would be worried about you?"
"Um, not really. Recently, you told me you didn't want to have anything to do with me. Parker broke up with me because I'm still in love with you. My only family is too busy playing Dead Hooker Number Four somewhere. So no, I really didn't think anyone would care if I disappeared."
"You're still in love with me?"
"You caught that, did you?"
"You're so stupid sometimes," and with that she flung her arms around him as she gently kissed him. When they broke apart, she rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
"Of course people care about you. I mean, I think Dick is lost without you."
He laughed as he tightened his hold on her, "We're going to have to talk about this."
"I know. We're going to have to talk about a lot of things." She pulled away just in time to see the reflection of a semi-automatic in the tacky painting across from the window.
"Get down!" Veronica pulled Logan to the floor as glass shattered and bullets embedded themselves into the walls.
They scrambled to the other side of the bed while Veronica groped inside her bag. Pulling out a gun, she fired through the window, trying to scare away the attackers.
They heard muffled curses, pounding footsteps and finally the squeal of tires as someone tore out of the motel's parking lot.
Veronica and Logan cautiously stood. Logan noticed that Veronica's cheek had been cut by a stray piece of glass.
"Are you okay?" He asked, worried.
"I'm fine," she waved her hand dismissively. "You?"
He nodded. "You have a gun now?"
"Got it after I got my PI license."
"We need to call the Sheriff."
She inwardly cringed. They picked their way through the destroyed apartment to stand outside, where a crowd was gathering.
"I hope that there's proof to link this to Sorokin," Veronica said as she surveyed the lot.
"He did threaten my life in a cafeteria full of people."
"That won't be enough."
They heard sirens and as a cop arrived. Leo D'Amato stepped from the car.
"Jesus Christ," he swore as he surveyed the damage. Then he spotted Veronica. "We're you in there?"
She nodded as Logan placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You need to call your father," Leo said.
"Already on it," Veronica held up her phone before dialing. "Dad? There's been an incident," she walked away continuing to talk to her father. Logan watched after her, while Leo went back to his car to call in the crime.
"My dad's coming," Veronica announced, "and he didn't sound pleased."
"What do we do 'til then?" Logan asked.
"Figure out if any of these people saw anything."
Leo heard this, "Nuh-uh, Veronica. You're going to wait like everyone else until the Sheriff gets here. You're not going to interfere with this investigation."
"Come on. You and I both know that if I do interfere, this will be solved a lot faster." She paused, her next words were intense and sincere, "Please, Leo, I have to help. I have to find out who did this."
Leo sighed in acquiescence, then turned away to start collecting statements.
"You're with me, Logan. We get to interrogate us some potential witnesses."
After questioning some of the crowd, it became progressively clear to Veronica that no one had anything to contribute.
"Ugh!" Veronica groaned. "How could anyone not notice anything?"
"Because most people aren't taking classes that teach them how to notice," said a voice behind Veronica.
She turned, "Dad!"
Mr. Mars swept her into a tight hug, "Are you alright?"
"We're fine," she said, motioning to herself and Logan.
He scanned the crowd, "Has the Sheriff arrived yet?"
Veronica pointed, "It looks like he did. He's over with Leo."
Mr. Mars sighed, "I'm going to see if he needs any help."
Although Mr. Mars had resigned himself to the knowledge that because he destroyed the evidence of Veronica's most recent escapade he would never be sheriff, he knew that the new and green Sheriff would need the help he had to offer. When the elections were taking place, he feared that the public would have no choice but to choose Vinnie Van Lowe, who was for sale to anyone with the right price. However, the public had surprised him. They had written in the only other name that they could associate with the law.
"Sheriff Sacks?"
"Mr. Mars," Sacks looked relieved at this intrusion.
"If you need any help, let me know," Mr. Mars informed him.
"Thank you. We think it was a random act of violence, and right now we're just collecting statements and setting up appointments with those who might have more information." He motioned towards Veronica and Logan, "They're gong to have to come down to the station."
Mr. Mars glanced back at the two. Veronica was gesturing emphatically and Logan was shaking his head in disagreement. Something wasn't sitting right. This wasn't a random act of violence and those two knew something about it. He turned his attention back to Sacks.
"Is it okay if I take the kids home?" He placed his hand on Sacks' shoulder and said confidentially, "They've been through a lot. Let me take them home. I'll bring them by the station myself first thing in the morning. They'll be yours until you're done with them."
Sacks ran his hand through his hair in a frustrated gesture as he scanned the large crowd and Mr. Mars' earnest face. "Bring them in first thing tomorrow," he yielded.
Mr. Mars smiled then turned to collect Veronica and Logan. "Come on, we're going home."
Logan raised an eyebrow in a question.
"I'm extending our hospitality to you, Logan," Mr. Mars answered.
"Thank you. I'll follow you back to the apartment," Logan walked to his car.
"I'm going to ride with Logan. We have some things we need to discuss," Veronica said.
"Fine, but when we get home, we all have some things to discuss."
Veronica nodded in understanding then quickly left to catch up with Logan. Mr. Mars took note of Logan's uncharacteristic vehicle. One more question adding to this dangerous mystery that Mr. Mars was determined to solve.
