VII

"V, you don't have to go. The case is over." Kat said. It was Monday, and over the weekend they had moved from their apartment into a house. It was something Kat had talked over with her a month ago, they were moving into a house with Curtis.

The house was amazing and built from stone and had ivy crawling up the side. It was beautiful and Veronica was glad to live there now.

There was also a bedroom for Kara, Curtis' daughter with his ex-wife.

"I want to." Veronica said, "besides, don't you want to tell Madam Jefferson that you've found Sarah's killer?"

Kat rolled her eyes and Curtis chuckeld from the driver seat. They headed for the Academy.

The real reason Veronica wanted to go there was to talk to Adriana, and maybe get Curtis and her introduced.

So when they got to the school and walked inside she instantly started over to where Adriana's locker was. And there stood the girl in question, her hair was natural today, and down touching her butt.

The small girl was trying to reach for something on the top shelf of her locker but was too short to grab it.

"Need help?" Veronica walked over to her, leaving Curtis and her mom behind. They were talking to Jefferson, telling her that Veronica was leaving the school.

"Yeah, can you grab my piano book for me?" Adriana asked. Nodding, Veronica reached up and grabbed the book for the girl.

It was a binder which Veornica assumed all the music was placed in. On the front was the drawing of a piano and Adriana's name was printed on it.

"You leaving?" Adriana asked.

"How-?"

Adriana smiled at her. "You're not very good at acting like you don't like with your biological parents. Plus, that cop over there looks like you," Adriana said with a shrug.

Veronica nodded, realizing that Adriana probably had always known.

"You're smart," Veronica said.

"Duh," The younger girl smiled widely at Veronica "Whose the guy though?"

"Moms boyfriend," Veronica explained. Adriana nodded and looked towards them when the man looked over. His eyes landed on her. "Want to come say hi?"

"I'd love to, but I have to get to piano. Music isn't gonna play itself." Chuckled Adriana as she hugged Veronica, "miss you. Text me. I'm moving to a different home so…"

"Wait, what? Why?" Veronica grabbed Adriana's arm before she could move.

"Well, considering my foster dad was just arrested for murdering Sarah…" she trailed off.

"OH MY GOD YOU LIVED WITH HIM!?" Veronica yelled.

Adriana raised an eyebrow.

"Yes…" Kat and Curtis had started their way over, "now, I seriously need to go to class." Adriana hugged her once more. "I'll text you."

She turned and started to walk off. Veronica wanted to stall her though.

"What was it like? Living with him?" Veronica asked.

Adriana turned around and looked at her friend with a raised eyebrow.

"Umm… I don't know… annoying?" Adriana said sturggling for words. She didn't often have to explain how different living situations were. "He's different than my mom, that's for sure,"

"What's your mom like?" Veronica asked. Adriana raised an eyebrow at her.

Kat and Curtis had made it to them, and both imedietally recognized the girl.

"Like living with a mom…" Adriana trailed off. She suddenly felt uncomfortable, having two adults standing there with them. "Look, I seriously have to get to piano. I'll text you, promise," Adriana said before turning around.

Veronica had one last attempt. She needed Adriana to know about Curtis. Now. "What song are you learning?" she asked after her.

"Scary Monsters and Nice Spirits," Adriana called over her shoulder as she reached the corner of the halway.

"What's that?" Veronica called.

"Google it!" Adriana called back before disapearing out of sight.

I do not own cold case