Author's Note 1: I apologize for the lateness. I was supposed to go backpacking in Japan when the tsunami hit. I cancelled my plan, and pretty much in a moody place ever since. A friend of the family is missing and I still haven't heard the news of his whereabouts after the tsunami. We are praying that he's safe and sound somewhere. I couldn't write for a while, but I'm hoping I can move on by keep on going.
Author's Note 2: Thank you for the reviews everyone, I really appreciate it. Kudos to reviewer arbailey, who guessed correctly that the first chapter was homage to Grosse Pointe Blank. I love that movie. Don't worry, this fic won't be the same like the movie. I only write bits of homage in most of my fics. I apologize for all the grammar mistakes from the previous chapter and this chapter (UnBeta'd *sobs*).
Mars Investigation
Darrell was sitting at the reception desk, doing his homework, when Keith walked into the office with a box of donuts and a suitcase. Darrell frowned to see his step dad, still in his Sheriff uniform, put the box of donuts on the desk. "What are you doing here? I thought you'd be at the Sheriff Department?"
"I'm bribing you with these donuts so you can sort these files." He dropped his suitcase on the desk and pulled a bunch of files. Darrell groaned to see them. "Yes, I know. I should hire a secretary or an assistant. But I don't have time to look for one." Keith shrugged. "I only got one receptionist at the Sheriff Department, and she's a walking arthritis."
"Fine, I'll do it." Darrell sighed. "It's not like I got PAID or anything."
"You have the eternal love from me and your mother." Keith walked to the kitchen and made himself a cup of coffee. "Do you have any cases? Any messages?"
Darrell was looking for his notepad, which was hidden under the scattered papers and files on his desk. "Uh, yeah – Clemmons hired me to find some pranksters that have been 'terrorizing' the school recently: the gym was TP'ed, the lockers couldn't be opened because the locks were changed, and fire sprinklers were turned on during test…" He smirked. "I loved that prank."
"You have nothing to do with that, right?" Keith called from the kitchen.
"Please, those were child pranks. Have more faith, will 'ya?" He scoffed. Keith only smiled while poured himself a coffee. "Anyway, there was a call from Mrs. Bobbitt. She went on and on and on about her husband's infidelity and want me to look into it." Darrell read his notepad. "A message from Cliff about bowling night," He rolled his eyes. "And there was a call from a dude named Logan Echolls saying that he's looking for you."
The coffee mug didn't break when it hit the floor, but the hot liquid was spilled all over the kitchen's floor. Keith cursed so loud, it made Darrell flinched.
Keith tried to wipe the coffee stain from his uniform with a paper towel. He walked out from the kitchen with a pale face. "Pops…?" Darrell asked carefully when Keith just stood there not saying anything. He had a faraway look on his face.
"What did he say?"
"Huh?"
"Logan. Did he say anything else beside he's looking for me?" He was staring down at his stained uniform.
"Uh… No, not really. He said that he's in town, and he wants to talk to you. I have his number." Darrell frowned to see his step-dad sudden change of behavior. "Who's this guy? Do I know him? I think I heard his name before. Isn't he that movie director or something?"
Keith didn't answer. He walked into his office, and shut the door quietly. Darrell looked at the closed door in bewilderment. He opened his laptop and went online. He then googled Logan Echolls' name. After reading the articles for a while, he only said, "Holy shit."
Neptune Connection
Mac was walking down the hall when her assistant, a young man in his early twenties named Oliver caught up with her. "Boss, I've been looking all over for you!"
Mac sighed and turned to her assistant, "What is it, Ollie? I was out having a late lunch." And a nap in my car.
"Mark Zuckerberg called during lunch. He asked for a 'meeting'." Oliver gave her a look while doing the air-quotation. "He asked for your phone number, but I didn't give it to him. The man is persistent." He winked and shoulder bumped her. "And he talks very fast. I had to hang up the phone." He gave a flamboyant wave.
Mac just grimaced. "Please tell me he's planning world domination and trying to buy our company."
Oliver rolled his eyes, "Duh, no. He probably will ask you for a date."
Mac walked away while Oliver followed her. "No more dating rich billionaire nerds for me, Ollie. They usually have dark sides."
Oliver scoffed, "Bah, you're no fun. Anyway, this would cheer you up," He typed his iPad and showed her a flash animation. "It's the invitation of your 10 years high school reunion! Isn't this exciting?"
Mac's eyes widened to see the animation, and she hurriedly walked back to her office. Oliver chased her and almost loses his foot from the closing door. "Leave me alone, Ollie!" Mac was trying to close the door, but Oliver was trying to get in.
"You can't avoid this subject forever!" Oliver pushed back and got his head stuck at the door. Mac pushed his head, closed the door hard, and then locked it. Oliver yelled from behind the door, "Sooner or later you're going to accept the inevitable!"
"Ollie, let it go or I'm gonna fire you!"
"But you love me! I'm a magnificent assistant!" Oliver yelled in frustration.
Mac sighed and plopped herself on the couch. If she was lucky, she would forget about the reunion. There was no way she would attend the reunion. Ten years ago, Cassidy Casablancas carved a big wound to most students in Neptune High. Ten years ago, Cassidy, her sociopath boyfriend killed their school mates, killed the mayor, killed a stuntman, killed a pilot and a co-pilot… and maybe the list would still go on, Mac just lost count.
He almost killed both Logan and Veronica, and then he committed suicide.
Mac sarcastically guessed it would make a nice conversation topic in the reunion; "Hey, remember when that Casablancas kid blew up a school bus? Weren't you his girlfriend?"
Yeah, it would be a nice ice-breaker.
After all these years, the pain wouldn't go away. Especially to those who were close to him. Their school mates hated The Casablancas family, and made fun of her after high school for dating a sociopath slash mass murderer. No, Mac would NOT attend the high school reunion.
Mac kicked her shoes and lay down on the couch. Suddenly she felt so tired. She thought that she had left everything behind when Cassidy died. Sure, after months of therapy and dated many guys in college – who accidentally seemed to be nerdy in their own accounts – she managed to build her own life again. Cassidy who?
Cassidy Casablancas… who happened to be Dick Casablancas' little brother. Dick Casablancas who was a wreck during college. Somehow he managed to get accepted at Hearst, probably courtesy of his mother, who got married with Arnold Schwarzenegger's political campaigner. Money really talks. But Dick… Dick was…
Mac sighed remembering Dick during college. She closed her eyes and almost dozed off, when her intercom buzzed. Annoyed, Mac sat up. I can't catch a break… She walked to her desk while her intercom kept buzzing. Mac was thinking to tie up Oliver and throw him into sharks infested water. She pressed the intercom button, "And… EEEEGGGHHH to you too, Ollie." She mimicked the buzz sound. "What do you want?"
"Someone here to see you, Ms. Mackenzie. He's on the way to your door as we speak." Oliver said cheerfully.
"What the hell? I told you no one should see me without appointment!" She panicked. "Who is it?"
"Tall, gorgeous, tanned, good teeth…" Oliver growled. "Seriously, he's so handsome."
"Oliver!" Mac yelled, but Oliver already disconnected the intercom. Before Mac could react, someone knocked on her door. She paused and didn't make a sound. Who the hell…?
"MACKIEEEE…!"
Mac hung her head in defeat. Speaking of the devil... She turned the lock and opened the door, and face to face with none other than Dick Casablancas, Jr. He was wearing a shirt with tie and blue jeans. His hair was shorter now compared to his old shaggy surfer style, and being slicked back. He looked handsome, she had to admit. Dick was grinning and then he picked her up with a bear hug and spun her around the room.
"Put me down!" She was dizzy from the spinning. Dick laughed and plopped to the couch with Mac on his lap. She was squirming to get away from him, but he just hugged her tighter. Finally, she gave up and relaxed against the corner of the couch. She leaned back and closed her eyes, "You know I'd get woozy easily." She put both her bare feet onto his lap, and Dick immediately massaged them which made her sighed. "This is unexpected visit from you, Dick. Wassup?"
"Can a dude get something to drink here, Macaroon? It's boozing time!" Dick offered her a high five, but Mac just glared at him. Dick shrugged and continued to massage her foot. Mac's eyes rolled back and she was feeling so relaxed. Her slice of heaven was interrupted by Oliver who appeared in her office, not bothered to knock.
"Mr. Casablancas, can I get you – ooh, my!" He saw Dick was massaging Mac's foot. He knew Mac and Dick were friends only as Dick was CFO in the company, but he couldn't resist teasing his boss. "Now this is what I called an afternoon delight!" He stood there and crossed his legs; very apparent of flirting with Dick. "Can I get you something to drink, Mr. Casablancas? A glass of martini, perhaps?" He chuckled.
Dick knew that Oliver was flirting, so he pretended to flirt back. "Aww, how nice of you. I don't want to bother you or anything, Oliver." He smiled. "Beer would be great."
Oliver giggled a bit, "You remember my name, Mr. Casablancas. One beer, coming up!" He twirled around and walked out from Mac's office.
Mac groaned, "He didn't even offer me any drinks!"
Dick laughed, "Too bad you're not in the same gender with him."
"You're mean; you knew that he has a crush on you, and you just flashing your teeth like that." Dick grinned widely, showing off his white perfect teeth.
"What can I say; Dick always gets what Dick wants." He then bit her ankle, which made her squeal and laughed.
"Stop it! As nice of you to come visit me at my work, this is kinda surprising."
"Can't I just come over without you asking whether I have a hidden agenda or something?" Dick retorted. He tickled her foot, which made her jumped off the couch.
"Stop it!" She barefooted to her desk. Dick watched her from behind, and decided that he liked what he saw. Mac looked different from she was in high school and college, and yet she still looked the same - pretty; her hair was now jet black and wavy instead rainbow colors. She was wearing subtle make up instead the Goth make up. She was wearing business woman suit instead the usual black T-Shirt. Dick always thought that she was pretty; and he thought it was cute that she never realized that she was pretty. "So…" Mac began. Dick looked up to her, and smiled. "You're gonna sit there with dumb look on your face or you're gonna tell me?
"Nice insult, thanks." He pulled out an invitation from his jeans and read aloud, "NEPTUNE HIGH TEN YEARS REUNION IS AROUND THE BLOCK. ARE YOU READY, PIRATES?"
Mac just stared at him in disbelief. "Fucking seriously?"
"You got your invitation?
"Yeah, I got mine. From snail mails, emails, Facebook, Twitter, Neptune Connection, and many more. Oliver has been torturing me with those." Mac shook her head. "There's no way in hell I'm coming to the reunion." She looked at her best friend who was glancing around, not wanting to look her in the eyes. Mac's mouth was open, "No."
Dick raised his eyebrow, "No, what?"
She shook her head, "I know that look. You want me to come with you."
"Noooo… well, yes." Dick grinned. "Come on, it would be fun. We're gonna see our old friends again." Mac scoffed and sat next to Dick. "You and me, dancing around with cheesy music, drunk, making fun of old school mates who got fat… So what do you say?"
Mac sighed and reclined against the couch while Dick's arm was around her shoulder. "I don't think it's a good idea, Dick."
"Why not?" Dick stubbornly asked, even though he knew why.
Do you really want me to say it? Mac gave him a look, which Dick just ignored. "Why are you so bent about going to the reunion?"
Dick shrugged, "I thought it would be nice."
"Nice? Really? Don't make me say the obvious thing here, Dick." She said.
"I don't know what you're talking about." He said, although his face betrayed him – he obviously knew what she was talking about.
"CASSIDY!" She leaped from the couch and paced around the room. "Do you really want to see the friends and families that Cassidy ruined? They basically hate you. And me." She huffed. "I dunno about your 09ers buddies – I doubt they care, but you know how they treat everyone. There's no way I'm going."
"Fine. You wanna know why I wanna go to the reunion?" He almost spat. "Logan."
"What?"
"I wanna see Logan, okay? He emailed me back, said that he's coming home. THERE, you happy?" He was fidgeting when he said that. Mac looked at him softly, and then sat next to him. She leaned in closer to him, and he dropped his arm around her shoulder.
"It's been a long time, huh…" Mac muttered. Dick didn't say anything. It was a long time since both of them saw Logan.
Flashback
She remembered the last time she saw Logan was the night he and Veronica found her naked in her room, wrapped in a shower curtain. She was cold, wet, naked, humiliated, embarrassed, confused, and then horrified to find out that Cassidy committed suicide. She didn't understand what happened that night. It was a chaotic night; a night she rather forget, but couldn't. She remembered Logan dressed her with a bathrobe and actually carried her in his arms to the elevator. She remembered that she cried on his shoulder. Veronica was also crying and held Logan so tight, while saying, "It's okay Mac… It's okay. It's over… It's over…"
She remembered that night like it happened recently. When Mac, Logan, and Veronica were in the lobby, everyone was also there. Mac was so confused with everything; especially when they saw cops, firefighters, reporters, paramedic, even the students were clamoring in the lobby. Everyone saw the three of them walking in the lobby; Logan was carrying Mac in his arms, while Veronica was following behind; her hand was clutching his shirt.
Sheriff Lamb ordered his deputies to barricade everyone, so the three of them could walk out from the hotel. Deputy Sacks then offered Mac to take her home. When Logan was going to put her down, she linked her arms around his neck. "Please, don't leave me."
Logan just whispered to Mac's ear and put her down, "It's okay, Mac… you're safe now. You're okay, you're going home."
"Veronica?" Mac pleaded to Veronica.
Veronica sobbed and hugged Mac tightly. "Get some rest, Mac. Sacks is going to take you home safely. I'll be seeing you soon." Both of them cried, and Logan hugged them. When they finally let go, and Mac was about to follow Sacks, they heard a shriek and then a loud wail.
Dick was being held by many deputies; he was kicking and screaming, and calling out for his dead brother. Mac was about to faint, when Sacks grabbed her and carried her hurriedly to his patrol car. Logan and Veronica were standing there, watching Dick being dragged away by many deputies.
And that was the last time she saw Logan.
Present
"You know, the last time we were talking to each other via phone was about a year ago. And it was a short conversation; like basic 'how are you', 'how's work', blah blah blah… And then we hung up." He shrugged. "So few days ago, I emailed him and told him about the reunion. He replied, and said he will come…" He looked at Mac and tightened his embrace. "The last time I saw his face was 10 fucking years ago."
Flashback
Dick remembered Cassidy's funeral. The only people who attended the funeral were his mother, her new husband Thomas, Mac, Veronica, Keith, Lamb, the police department, and dozens of reporters who were waiting at the cemetery gate. He remembered the weather. It was particularly a nice weather; the sky was blue, hardly no cloud. He remembered his mother was crying. Mac was sobbing, and Veronica… she was hugging Mac but she didn't cry.
He felt so much hatred towards Veronica… and maybe Mac back then. He didn't know why.
He didn't say anything to both of them. When they were lowering the casket, and his mother was wailing, Dick couldn't stand it. He walked away from everyone, and climbed into his truck. He almost ran over several reporters at the gate. He then headed to Mexico and had a binge drink and snorted some cocaine until he passed out in some cheap motel.
Logan didn't say goodbye to him, nor saying goodbye to Veronica. He just left without saying a single word. No notes, no emails, no phone calls, nothing. He called his cell phone from Mexico, and all he got was a message that the number was no longer available. He was wasted in Mexico, by himself, until of all people, Keith Mars and his daughter found him on the floor of his motel room.
His mother hired Keith Mars to find Dick. He didn't say anything when Keith Mars picked him up and carried him to his car. Veronica even held his hair while he was throwing up outside the car. They didn't say anything during the ride to his house. He was sleeping in the backseat.
Their relationship changed when they were in college. It was when everything went down hill from bad to worse.
Present
"Do you think Logan knew what happened to Veronica?" Mac asked Dick, who was still had his arm around her shoulder.
"I doubt it…" Dick murmured. "If he knew, he would've come back years ago."
"You never told him anything?"
Dick shook his head. "What was I suppose to say? 'Hey, Logan. Remember your little pixie blonde girlfriend back then in high school? Well, she's…'"
"Mr. Casablancas, here's your drink!" Oliver suddenly appeared in the room.
"Don't you knock?" Mac snapped at him.
Oliver made a face, "Knock, knock." He put the bottle of beer on the table in front of them and then walked out from the office quickly.
Mac sighed and she rested her head on Dick's shoulder. Dick ran his hand on her arm, and kissed her head. "Well, Mackie. If you don't wanna go to the reunion, then I won't go too."
"If you wanna go to the reunion and see Logan, I won't stop you. But I won't go. I'm sorry."
Dick didn't say anything. To be truthful, he didn't want to go to the reunion either. But he wanted to see Logan again… and warned him about Veronica.
"Do you think Veronica would go to the reunion?" Dick asked quietly. Mac didn't answer right away. She bit her lower lip, struggling to find an answer.
"I dunno…" She answered. "Somehow I doubt her husband would let her. You know how possessive he is."
"I can't imagine if Logan ever met him…" Dick shuddered with the thought of Logan meeting Veronica's husband. "Have you talked to her, yet?"
"Last time I talked to her was few days ago before she went to New York for a business trip."
"She's home, yet?"
"Who knows? You know I'm not that close with her anymore, ever since…" Mac trailed off. She shook her head, trying to get rid of a horrible image of Veronica; crying and bleeding. She swallowed hard, and cleared her throat. "Anyway, we hardly talk except when she's asking for help with my expertise."
"At least something is never change." Dick drank his beer.
Mac tapped his knee, and got up from the couch. "I'm beat. I'm really, really fucking tired. I fell asleep during lunch. I think I'm going home. Screw office hour. I have hundreds of interns, let them deal with everything."
"Or have early dinner with me." Dick nonchalantly said. Or be my girl…
Mac looked at him, and then smiled. "Dinner sounds good. I heard there's a new Vegan restaurant near downtown." Dick rolled his eyes and groaned hearing the word 'vegan restaurant'. Mac just laughed and put her shoes back on. "Come on, let's ditch this place!"
Dick crumpled the reunion invitation and threw it to the bin like a basketball. He raised his arms in triumph when it went in.
Neptune Cemetery
Logan was smoking his cigarette absentmindedly. Sometimes he smoked cigarette to calm his nerves. He started smoking again few days ago after he got back from New York – almost got killed could make one changed one's habit. Screw bubblegum; he stopped smoking because he wanted to get healthy, but what was the point anyway when he almost got killed by Veronica Mars?
Veronica fucking Mars.
Although Patricia insisted there was no way it was her, Logan was not wrong. It was her with that bright red wig and the guns. Logan knew that Veronica was familiar with weapons. She defended herself against Aaron…
And speaking of Aaron, Logan almost couldn't believe what was written on his headstone:
AARON HARRY ECHOLLS
Born 23rd July 1951
Died 12th May 2006
BELOVED FATHER, HUSBAND, ACTOR
"Family is the most important thing in the world"
Logan suspected that Trina was behind this. Trina was always Aaron's favorite child; daddy's little girl no matter what. It was funny that Aaron preferred his child to be non-biological and a girl. Logan even suspected that Aaron probably had bastard children scattered around West Coast. Fucking tool. He guessed that he owed that mysterious killer who killed Aaron that night.
Flashback
When he went to the Sheriff department that morning from Veronica's apartment, Sacks was already there after he dropped Mac to her house that night. Sacks took him aside and told him that Aaron was shot in his hotel room by an unknown gunman. Logan knew it wasn't appropriate, but something inside him snapped and he was laughing. Sacks looked at him like he was crazy, and then he let Logan alone. Cliff arrived shortly after he heard the news, because somehow he knew that Logan would be a suspect in any crime that happened in Neptune.
"Please tell me that they're not charging me for Aaron's murder. I was too busy saving Veronica and watching my ex-friend who happened to be a mass murderer leaped off the roof." He grimaced bitterly. Cliff only stared at him, trying to absorb this information.
"Tell me everything." Cliff asked.
Based on Veronica's story, Logan told Cliff everything about Cassidy, Woody, Lucky, the little league, the bus explosion, Keith, the plane, what happened on the roof, Mac… but he didn't tell about Veronica's rape. Cliff mentioned that Sheriff Don Lamb would need his statement as soon as possible.
"I'm leaving Neptune, Cliff. After I give the statement, I'm gone for good." Logan said. "I don't give a shit with Aaron. Aaron's killer is my hero." He said darkly. Cliff looked at him sadly, but understood. For a year he was accused of being Lilly and Felix's murderer, and many crimes in Neptune. Cliff felt sorry for him; Logan was only a teenager, sometimes people forgot about that. "And I want you to help me."
"Logan… why are you leaving?" Cliff asked him softly, like a father – well, maybe like an uncle.
"I think it's obvious that this city is a cesspool, and I'm leaving to someplace clean." Logan shrugged. "I heard Iceland is nice this time of year."
Cliff just looked at him. And then he asked, "What about Veronica?"
That question made his chest hurt. What about her? He only made her miserable. And for the first time in his life, Logan realized that Veronica was right; there was a part of him that actually enjoying this violence. He was relief that Cassidy and Aaron were dead in a brutal way. But he wasn't a bad person; he was only a bad seed. And if he loved her… No, he definitely loved her – he would get far away from her, before something bad happened that he might regret. Veronica deserved a normal life, a happy life, a life without him and his violent tendency. She deserved someone who could make her happy… and it wasn't him.
"I can't be near her, Cliff. I would hurt her. Just like Aaron." He croaked.
Cliff held Logan's shoulders, and he almost shook him. "Logan, you're NOT Aaron. You are NOT a murderer. You are NOT him." Logan just stared at his lawyer, who always speaks his mind, and always won him over with his words.
Present
But Cliff was wrong.
He was a professional killer for hire. He kills people for a living. He lived a double life; a public figure, and an assassin. Logan realized the fucking universal irony. It wasn't enough to be a movie director; he had to quench his longing for justice and vengeance towards people who were 'bad'. He might not be a mass murderer like Cassidy or a sociopath like Aaron… but in the end, he was a killer. No matter how he sugar coated it, that he wanted to be a bad-ass version of Batman for hire, he still kills people.
Logan looked at Aaron's headstone again.
He then put out his cigarette to the headstone, and watching it blackened the surface. He could hear the hiss sound when he put out the butt. He imagined that he was burning Aaron's forehead.
Logan then walked away and put his sunglasses on. He walked slowly under the trees. His school mates were buried here in this cemetery. Cassidy was buried in this cemetery. Felix was buried in this cemetery. Lilly was buried in this cemetery.
His mother… well. They never found her body after she jumped from Coronado Bridge. He was glad that at least she didn't have to be in this crowded graveyard. She had more style than be with common people. The thought made him smile. He missed his mother.
He passed a headstone named 'Kendall Priscilla Banks Casablancas'.
He frowned to see it, and for a moment he was looking grief. He looked at it, and shook his head. Whatever happened to her, she was probably in trouble. Veronica told him that Kendall was involved with The Fitzpatrick. Logan didn't know whether she deserved to die, but it was expected. He probably would ask Patricia to dig some info about her.
It was ironic that Kendall was the one who found Aaron's body and reported it to the police – after she had sex with him. Aaron and Logan again shared something in common; they shared their women. It was fucked up, but nothing surprises Logan anymore.
But that was in the past. So he walked away again from his mistake and regret, after he glanced back to Kendall's grave. It was funny that he didn't mean to visit everyone's grave, but there he was finding them.
Logan arrived at Lilly's grave.
Somehow, the pain of losing her was gone. He wasn't in pain anymore, compared when he was still a teen. Lilly was the love of his teen life, who betrayed him with Aaron. He forgave Lilly, but he never forgets. But it was in the past now… Lilly was still beloved with everyone. He always wondered what would happen if she never died…
Logan smiled sadly. He stroked her headstone. He looked down, and realized that there was a fresh flower in a vase. Someone must have been here before. But he didn't think about it; Lilly was beloved by everyone, regardless what she did.
But remembering Lilly, made him remembered Duncan. He missed that stupid Donut.
Duncan and his daughter disappeared from the face of the earth. Not even he could trace them. He was searching for Duncan few years back, but he gave up afterwards. He understood why Duncan never wanted to be found or coming back to this shit hole. Hell, if it wasn't for Veronica Mars, Logan would never come back.
Apparently he and Duncan shared a common thing; leaving without saying goodbye. Duncan left because he wanted to save his daughter from Meg's family. Logan left because he wanted to save Veronica from himself.
Logan looked around; the sun almost set. He better finished up this memory lane and get back to his hotel and call Dick. He promised to contact him when he arrived at Neptune.
Before he could walk to the parking lot, he saw someone from a far.
His breath hitched, and he almost had a heart attack.
Veronica Mars was walking on the walk path towards the other side of the cemetery park.
It was unmistakable; it was Veronica Mars. Logan imagined if he was early visiting Lilly's grave, he would probably bump into her. The flower was probably from her.
His heart was beating so fast. Would he follow her? She wasn't walking towards the parking lot; she was walking towards North side of cemetery.
Before he could make a decision, his own feet apparently made their own decision; they were moving towards Veronica. He followed her, expertly, without raising any suspicion. He had done this; stalking other people with such finesse. After all, he was a professional killer.
Veronica seemed oblivious that Logan was following her. Logan saw that her blonde hair was longer the last time he had seen her. It was very long and almost touched her waist. She was wearing sunglasses and she was carrying flowers. She was wearing tight shirt and jeans.
After 10 years, she looked the same – beautiful.
Logan shook his head, trying to get rid an image of Veronica with red wig killing someone. Right now, he was focus to his target – Veronica - who didn't realized that she was being followed.
Logan hid behind a tree, several feet from her when she stopped in front of a grave. She put the flowers on the grave. She then sat on her haunch and picked up several wild grasses. Logan put a hearing device, and pointed his modify cell phone towards her so he could hear her. He felt bad for eavesdropping, as this must be a private moment between her and whoever in that grave. But he couldn't resist.
"Hey, babe. I'm here… Sorry I haven't visited you for a while. Look all of these grasses…" She said softly while picking up the grasses and threw it away. Logan paused to hear her being affectionately to whomever that grave belonged to. "Brought your flowers. Yes, yes… I know you hate flowers. But come on, you can't say no anymore." She chuckled lightly. Logan sat on the ground, behind the tree and closed his eyes. This was the first time after 10 years he heard her voice… She sounded the same…
"I just got back from New York… You think it gets easier after a while, but it's not." She sighed. Logan tensely heard her talking about New York. "I went there and… did it. The funny thing, I felt like I've done my duty but still feel guilty. You know what I mean?" She sighed.
"Anyway, guess what? I got an invitation for my 10 years high school reunion." She announced. "I can't believe it had been 10 years since… well, since…" She didn't finish her sentence. "I hate high school, but I missed everyone, baby. I mean, my friends. I hardly talk to them anymore." Logan frowned. "You know I heard they're planning to make the reunion at Neptune High gym. Talk about cheap – what, they can't spare a ballroom hotel or something instead a smelly old school? Clemmons probably think he is being smart with money." She snarked. Logan smirked; Veronica hadn't lost her snarkiness.
For a while it went quiet. Logan had to peek from behind the tree to see what Veronica was doing. She was crying without a sound. It broke Logan's heart to see her crying. What happened to her? Why she didn't have a normal life?
"Wallace just got back from Africa with Claudette. Did you know that they just had a son? Their son was born there in Nigeria. I think his name is Theodore." She sniffled a bit. "Wallace still won't talk to me. And dad… well, let's just say his birthday gift was sent back to me. After disowning me, what do I expect?" She choked. "Darrell was nice enough to tell me about Wallace's son. Oh, God. I miss them. I miss my family and friends." She was weeping. "Please tell me what to do."
Logan sat there in shock.
Keith would never abandon Veronica. What happened?
Veronica talked again, this time she was calmer. "I miss you so much… Not a day without me thinking of you. I wish they never took you away from me. I miss you… I miss you…" She whispered.
Logan closed his eyes. He wondered whether she ever thinks about him… His chest tightened. He missed her everyday… He always looking at her picture in the magazine. He bought that photography from her gallery because it reminded him of her. He sometimes fisted himself during the night while thinking about her… He was thinking about her all the time.
Veronica stood up and stroked the headstone lovingly. She kissed her fingertips and touched the headstone before leaving. "I have to go… He's probably angry that I'm here… After all these years, I think he's still jealous of you…" She smiled sadly. "I love you. I'll see you around."
She then walked away from the grave, towards the walk path, and to the parking lot. This time Logan didn't follow her. He just watched her from behind. He thought he could talk to her and confront her about what happened in New York. But her confession seemed like a kick in the gut.
Keith Mars, her own father disowned her?
This was Keith Mars, Veronica's anchor. Veronica's heart and soul. He remembered when she thought that Cassidy blew up Woody's plane and killed Keith. Veronica was hysterical and wanted to kill Cassidy right on the spot. The pain was unbearable for her.
That morning in the apartment when she ran to the kitchen, she almost break down to see it wasn't Keith who made breakfast. And when Keith appeared in the kitchen alive and well, and they finally reunited… Logan felt that he needed to leave. He needed to give them their peace.
That was the last time he saw both of them.
What the hell happened here? Keith would never in a million years disown his only daughter. Veronica was far from perfect, but Keith loved her unconditionally. There was no way… Logan ran a frustrated hand to his face.
Logan then walked to the grave where Veronica was before. He wanted to see who it was. He approached the grave, and read the headstone. His jaw dropped to the ground when he read who it was. It was someone he knew a long time ago. Someone he never expected, not in a million years. There was no way Veronica and this person…
Logan read the headstone in disbelief.
He blinked several times just in case he misread. Nope, it was still the same name. Same person who was a thorn in everyone's side when he was still alive. This was the same person who mocked her about her rape. So how in the blue hell could Veronica and this person… Logan couldn't comprehend. Logan stood there dumbfounded, reading the headstone over and over again. Veronica and him…?
He read the headstone again:
DONALD MICHAEL LAMB
Born June 12th 1978
Died March 11th 2011
BELOVED SON, FRIEND, HUSBAND
"The only man who never makes mistakes is the man who never does anything"