Next Friday

Veronica stormed into Mr. Kane's study.

"Miss Mars," he said scathingly, "to what to I owe the honor of this visit?"

She opened her mouth to reply, but Mr. Kane cut her off, "Save it for my security team as they wait with you for the police to arrive. You are, after all, trespassing yet again."

He dialed for the security team, but no one answered. Veronica just watched him, smiling smugly.

"Do you know something about my security that I don't?" he eventually asked as it became clear that he would receive no relief from his team.

"I just know that I won't be leaving until you hear what I have to say."

"Oh, and what makes you so sure that what you have to say is of any importance to me?"

"Because it's about one of your Castle members."

He watched her intently as she continued, "Mr. Kane, I just thought you would like to know that one of your secret society He-Man Woman-Hater members is about to be taken down by the FBI."

He knew she was talking about her personal vendetta with the hotheaded Sorokin. The entire Castle knew of this feud by now. "Are you so certain that the FBI can help you out of this mess? After all, they were unable to defeat you in figuring out where my son had disappeared," he said mockingly.

She lifted her hands in a placating gesture, "I just wanted to warn you that your Russian lap dog has messed with the wrong person. Perhaps you would want to disassociate yourself from such criminals."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Not at all, Mr. Kane," she smirked. "I'm trying to interest you in a sound business deal."

He indicated that she could be seated, "I'm listening."

"You're a prominent businessman, Mr. Kane, and an upstanding community citizen. The public adores you. But all they really know is your public persona. In reality, your private life is a little screwed up, don't you agree? Your daughter was murdered by the much older still married man she was having an affair with," Veronica's gut clinched, but she forced herself to continue with her harsh assessments. Mr. Kane was a shark, and if he got a sniff of her bleeding heart, she was dead. "Your son fled the country with kidnapping charges for stealing his illegitimate daughter. And, if my sources are correct, you and your wife are estranged because of your inability to get Duncan back," she concluded.

"I don't see the point of this, Miss Mars."

She leaned forward, fingers perched on the edge of his desk, "Well, here it is, Mr. Kane: What would you do for me if I could manage a reconciliation between you and your wife, tell you where your son is, and allow you to finally meet your first grandchild?"

Mr. Kane breathed deeply and Veronica followed suit. This was a huge gamble, but if she succeeded, the pay-off would be worth it.

She saw Mr. Kane wavering and decided it was time to lay down all her aces, "I've already been in contact with Mrs. Kane. She's willing to come back and play Perfect Suzie Homemaker if you bargain this with me."

He sighed, thinking it over. Although there was no real love lost between him and his wife, she did know how to present a strong persona. She could keep the house together. He remembered how collected she was after Lilly's death, and her iron-fisted control over Duncan's disturbed period. And he knew all she wanted was her family whole, or at least as whole as it could be. She wanted Duncan back in her life. His shoulders slumped, defeated, and Veronica knew she had won.

"What do you want?"

Veronica leaned back in her chair, confident. "Convince the Castle to sever all ties with Gorya Sorokin. He's powerful enough with his family backing him. I never would have gotten involved with the Castle in the first place if Sorokin hadn't forced my hand."

"Is that all, Miss Mars?" he asked sarcastically. He knew that this type of interference with any members of the organization was forbidden. The Castle helped to build up its members, not tear them down. But Sorokin was acting outside the Castle's interests in pursuing Mr. Echolls and Miss Mars. This wasn't permitted—the Castle was about the whole, not the individual.

"No," Veronica's answer interrupted his internal debate between his duty to the Castle and Sorokin's possible transgressions for removal from the society. He looked up at her, puzzled.

"I want you to find someone in your connections who has enough influence to make sure that Logan will be safe. I've seen the some of the names associated with the Castle, and I know that there must be someone who would have this kind of authority."

He almost smiled at that. She had sounded so much like her mother. Lianne had not been one to mince words either. But the severity of her request made his lips form into a stern line.

"You do realize what you're asking, don't you?"

She huffed, "I assure you that my mental facilities are at full capacity."

He frowned, "Understand, between you and me, we have a bargain—my public and private lives in complete cohesiveness again in exchange for Sorokin's expulsion from the Castle. Whoever I find to help you in your second request will demand much more from you. There will be no turning back from your deal. The Castle collects debts ten-fold from the price originally given."

Veronica's face was grim but determined as she nodded her consent, "I understand."

"I hope you do," he replied, "because I think I know of just the right person." He stood, prompting her to rise as well, "I wish I could say that it was a pleasure doing business with you, but I'm afraid you'll cause more trouble than it's worth."

"Well, Miss Manners would be shocked at your uncouth behavior." She turned to leave then turned back, "Oh, I almost forgot," she pulled a slip of paper from her pocket and laid it on Mr. Kane's desk.

"What is it?" Mr. Kane looked at the paper almost as disdainfully as he had looked at Veronica.

"Your wife wanted you to call her if the deal was made."

"My wife?"

"How do you think I got pass your security this time? She called ahead to make sure I wasn't impeded from my mission." Veronica paused, and then said quietly, "She really misses Duncan."

Mr. Kane rubbed his eyes, suddenly very tired, "We both do, Veronica. He's all we have left."

She smiled at him, allowing herself finally to feel some empathy for this man, "You also have a beautiful grandchild who, now that she is walking and talking, is living up to her namesake with the ability to charm everyone she meets."

As he looked at her gratefully, Veronica cleared her throat. There was no more time for sentiment, "Now if you will excuse me, we both have some business to take care of."

"I'll have Mr. Wiedman contact you about our progress."

"I look forward to it," and with that Veronica turned on her heel and left.

Mr. Kane shook his head at her departure. Veronica also had a lot of her father in her. Keith and Miss Mars were much too interfering for their own good. With a sigh, he reached for the phone and began to dial the number left on his desk.