Author's Note: Sorry for the delay. I haven't checked my emails for a long time, and surprised to see many emails asking me about the fic. Right now I'm not at home; I've been on vacation/medical tour with my family in other countries. Sometimes they don't have internet connection in the area, and I'm using my android to type my fic. It's hard to type with only two fingers. I just want to say THANK YOU for everyone who is very patient with me, and to those who reviewed/subscribed/favorited this story. This chapter is beta'ed by layoung13. Thank you so much!
La Tierra Custom Garage
Eli was sitting at his desk in his office making a phone call to Rocco, the employee who worked at 'Purple Rain' paint store, when Arturo rapped on his door and walked in. "Yo, Weevil. There's this kid who wants to see you. I was going to tell him to get lost, but I think he can kick my ass."
Eli smirked, "Tall black kid around 6'3" maybe 6'5" with his afro?" Arturo just looked at him warily. "Send him in."
Arturo let Darrell in and then closed the door. Darrell looked around in the small, messy, and cramped office. Eli glanced to the boy and gestured him to the seat in front of him while he was talking in Spanish on the phone. Darrell sat uncomfortably in the small oily chair. His lanky and tall figure made him bend his legs a little bit. Eli finished his conversation and wrote something on his notepad, and then looked at the younger boy.
"Can I help you with something?" Eli asked.
Darrell raised his eyebrow. "You said you'd get information about the paint purchase today."
"I did."
Darrell looked at Eli dumbfounded and waited. "Errr… You said you were gonna tell me?"
"No, I didn't."
"Sorry?"
"I said I was gonna get the information today. But to whom I would give that information, I never said." Eli looked at Darrell who widened his eyes. "And your papi made me promise that I'd give the information to him."
Darrell groaned. "Not you too!" The younger boy looked at the bald headed man. "I don't see why people seem scared of him."
"Listen vato, lemme tell you something: you need to be afraid of your papi. He's the Sheriff, and he has guns." Eli shrugged. "That and I respect him enough not to make him mad."
Darrell shook his head and looked around the room. "I'm sick and tired that people treating me like a kid."
"You are a kid." Eli said as matter-of-factly.
"This is coming from a guy who spent his teenage life in juvie and prison." Darrell tersely said.
Eli smirked. "Sometimes you do need a street cred." He reclined in his seat. "And I don't see it from you who is still living with his parents. When was the last time you had a fight?"
"If I was blonde, petite, and tilting my head – would you give me the information without giving me the third degree?" Darrell spat.
Eli didn't answer and Darrell immediately regretted saying that. He watched as Eli stared hard at him, pondering whether he should hit Darrell with a wrench or tape him to the nearest flagpole. Darrell grimaced. Sometimes he hated that people were more responsive or more cooperative with Veronica but not to him. They always treated him as Keith Mars' son, Wallace's brother, or Veronica's apprentice – but never as himself. People were more respectful to Keith or Veronica, and he knew that Eli loved Veronica. Everyone is in love with Veronica Mars, he thought.
Eli was tapping his pen on the desk, and he was still staring at Darrell. Finally, he snarled, "Get out."
"Look, man…" Darrell tried to say something.
"You'd better leave this place before I cut your balls off." Eli gritted his teeth. "Never EVER mock me with your sister's name."
"I never said Veronica's name. It could be anyone." Darrell made a smart comment. He knew that he'd already pissed off the Mexican man, and there was a possibility that he would cut off his balls, but Darrell didn't like to be intimidated by anyone.
Eli grinned menacingly. "You got guts, kid. Better than your brother." He ripped the paper off his notepad and shoved it to his shirt pocket and then stood up. Darrell also stood up abruptly; if the bald man wanted to fight him, at least he was ready. "I'm doing this for your dad and your sister. I ain't doing this for you." He opened the door and walked away. "You know where the exit door is!"
Darrell watched him walk away.
He was furious - his dad, Clemmons, Wallace, and now Eli Navarro - they told him to stay away from the case.
He then looked at Eli's desk and saw his notepad.
He glanced at the door and hurriedly checked out the notepad. He grabbed a pencil and sketched over the notepad: several names previously written there appeared. He ripped the piece of paper and put it in his pocket. He hurriedly walked out of Eli's office.
As he walked away, he saw Eli was yelling to his employees about deadlines and maintenances. Arturo was arguing with him about something, and then Eli walked to his Charger. Before he pulled away from the garage, Darrell had already left the place.
Eli refused to help him anymore, thanks to his big mouth. His brother, his father, and Eli were nervous enough about The Tritons. He was also shocked to see the guns, but he wasn't going to let of bunch of rich kids playing secret society scare him off. Besides, he needed to prove to everyone that he was capable of solving this case on his own.
"Street cred my ass!"
Chinatown, Los Angeles
The street was crowded and many people were watching the Lion Dance, dancing wildly, accompanied by the musicians with percussions and gongs behind the lion. They were trying to synchronize the music with the lion's dance movements. It was loud and full of vibrant atmosphere as a new Chinese restaurant just opened. The restaurant called Black Dragon belonged to Robert Zuang, a businessman who was very respectable.
Veronica watched the festivity amongst the crowd.
She was watching Robert Zuang, walking happily towards his restaurant, accompanied by his friends, family, and bodyguards.
Veronica arrived at LA by bus about an hour ago and went straight to Chinatown. She was carrying her brown paper bag in her purse. She looked calm although she was nervous.
She already read the dossier on the bus. Robert Zuang might be a respectable private businessman in the public eyes, but he was also the lawyer for the Four Pillars gang, a Chinese mafia based in Los Angeles. Their criminal activities included drug trafficking, money laundering, counterfeiting, arms trafficking, and racketeering. Robert Zuang made a name for himself as one of the successful entrepreneurs, but on the side, he was a loyal lawyer for the Four Pillars gang.
Veronica didn't know the reason why she had to kill this man. She only followed orders. She didn't feel bad for the man she was going to kill – one less scumbag to think about - after all killing organized crime lawyers would jeopardize the organization itself. Who was keeping their secrets? Who would defend them if their lawyers were gone? Lawyers for the members of organized crime were the foundations for the organization itself. Veronica had been ordered to kill these lawyers and many members from many different organized crimes by someone she fears…
She had no choice…
Robert Zuang was laughing along with his friends and family as he cut the ribbon in front of his restaurant. Everyone was clapping their hands and the Lion Dance music started again while people lit firecrackers. The crowd moved into the restaurant, and Veronica was among them.
She didn't know that she was followed by Gabriel and Dante.
Sorokin Mansion (Uncle Lev's Place)
Lev Sorokin was sitting at his desk in the home office when his bodyguard walked in and announced, "Your nephew is here, sir." Uncle Lev gestured to let his nephew in while he was still writing. He looked up and saw Gorya walked in.
"Ah, Gory. Here for lunch?"
Gorya smiled and nodded his head. "Why not? I was supposed to have lunch with Veronica, but she's busy."
Uncle Lev cleared his throat and stood up. Gorya mentioned Veronica, and it was an awkward topic for him. Especially because he knew why his nephew was visiting him. Gorya was upset and wanted to know the reason why he chose Roman as the commandant of the family. Better prepare for anything, Uncle Lev thought. He said to his bodyguard, "Leroy, can you… provide the thing that we discussed before? And tell Marina to prepare lunch, will you?"
"Marina already prepared the lunch at the gazebo, sir." Leroy answered.
"Oh, wonderful. Come on, Gory. Let's eat." He hugged his nephew and walked together outside.
Both of them walked to the gazebo and saw Dax already sat at the table. "Dax! Why are you here?" Uncle Lev asked his son. "Aren't you supposed to be at school?"
Dax pursed his lips, annoyed by the question. "If you paid any attention, the school is closed temporarily because it's a crime scene!"
"Crime scene?" Uncle Lev looked at Gorya. "What is he talking about?"
Gorya looked at his uncle and his cousin bemused, "It's all over the news – someone broke into the school and 'decorated' the whole place with paints. It's now ruined."
"And they called it a crime scene? Back in the days, it was called a prank!" He looked to his son. "Did you have anything to do with this?" Before Dax could answer, Uncle Lev's booming laughter filled the gazebo. "Of course not! How is that possible?" Dax was visibly shaken and tense. He clutched his bread knife tightly. Gorya saw him looking very upset, but didn't say anything. Uncle Lev sat down and started to pour a glass of wine for himself. Marina, the family's cook, had prepared them some Russian dishes. Gorya was drinking a glass of Medovukha; a low-alcohol drink – he needed to be sober to have a discussion with the head of the family. Dax was sulking and drinking his Coca-Cola. "I made some arrangements for our next Bratvas and families meeting. Probably this weekend at the Neptune Grand - families from Brighton Beach are coming over here, so of course they will stay at the hotel It's simpler than having them crashing at everyone's places."
"So it's official, then? Roman is going to be the head of the Sorokin family?" Gorya asked.
"You really don't mind, do you? After all, he is the oldest."
"Of course not, uncle. It's your decision… it's just…. I thought I would be more suitable for that position. I mean, I own 50% shares of the family company." Gorya said pleasantly. Dax looked at him – his cousin Gorya was pretty scary when he was being pleasant. Dax realized that both adults were ignoring him, but he was very uncomfortable. He once saw Gorya break cousin Alexei's nose when he made fun of Veronica few years back. He hurriedly grabbed the plate and decided to go back to his room and eat in there. He didn't say anything when both adults were eating in silence as he returned to the main house.
Uncle Lev glanced towards his son who was retreating to the house and put his fork down. "You are a marvelous businessman, Gory. You earned those shares and I believe you will bring a great future to our family company." He lit his pipe and watched his nephew sipping his drink. "And of course you'll be the CEO of the company in no time."
"But I'm not the head of the family, is that what you're saying?" He asked calmly. "Isn't it going to be the family's best interest for CEO of the company to be the commandant?"
"I think having one job is hard as it is."
Gorya put down the fork hard and it clattered on the plate. He was smiling, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Uncle Lev, you're underestimating me. Everyone in the family knows I'm the most capable one. Roman is – "
"Roman is the oldest." Uncle Lev said adamantly. "This has nothing to do with your capability. Yes, we all know you're the smart one. Roman is always the hot headed one, and Valentin is young."
"Times have changed, uncle. I think it's time to look beyond age and look for the quality." He reasoned.
"Do you doubt your own brother, Gory? You don't think Roman is capable of leading this family? Do you… doubt my decision?"
"Of course I don't doubt your decision, uncle. But this is important how other Bratvas will view our family. The Sorokin name is at stake if Roman in charge. He's the most irresponsible person in this family, and Valentin looks up to him. He's brash, out of control, he gambles, -"
"I don't think people will care about that. Half of us have done worse than that!"
Gorya leaned forward, "I don't think you realize how big this problem is. Roman WILL waste our money. He doesn't have the drive to make it work. He doesn't have the leadership ability. He will ruin our family's reputation – "
"Our family's reputation is already ruined as it is." Uncle Lev muttered, knowing he tread into dangerous zone.
Gorya went silent. He stared at his uncle, trying to decipher what he said. Uncle Lev was looking everywhere but him and smoking his pipe. Gorya looked at his surrounding, and realized that Leroy had placed several bodyguards surround the gazebo. He chuckled and shook his head. "I see. Preparation; that's the key." He gestured to the bodyguards. "What? You're afraid I'll flip this table or something?"
"The thought never crossed my mind." He lied to his nephew. "I'm tightening security because of what happened recently." He looked at Gorya. "I'm sure you're providing your own family with extra precaution."
"Somehow I doubt whoever killed these people are targeting the Russian families. They've been targeting the Italians." Gorya simply answered. "Veronica and me, we're not worried." He watched his uncle who didn't respond – especially the very mention of his wife. "I noticed that you didn't say anything when we were having dinner during the weekend at that Chinese restaurant." He stared hard to his uncle. "You didn't say hi to her."
"Didn't I? I don't remember." Uncle Lev casually answered. "We were having a family meeting to discuss about you and your brothers' shares of the company."
"Veronica is family." Gorya tersely said. "She's my wife for three years now."
"I am fully aware of that, Gory." He looked at his nephew. "I am also fully aware that she's the Sheriff's daughter."
Gorya tightened his jaws. "I really don't need to rehash this. For three years I've been the subject of mockery from this family ever since I married Veronica. The least you can do, oh dear uncle, is to support me now after papa died."
"Your father died heartbroken because you married her." Uncle Lev spat.
Gory banged his fist to the table, which made the bodyguards move a little bit closer to the gazebo. "I am sick and tired of everyone treating Veronica like a leper. Is this why you shut me out as the head of family? I earned that position!"
"I've told you over and over again, that Roman – "
"Somehow I doubt this is about Roman. This is about Veronica, isn't it?"
"You need to concentrate on being the head of the company, while Roman can handle the family bus – "
"I knew it; this isn't about the situation with the killings. This is about all of you trying to undermine me."
"For once in your life, will you LISTEN?" Uncle Lev growled hard. Gorya immediately shut up. He felt like Dax, being underappreciated. But he wasn't a teenage boy; he was a grown mature adult. But still, he had to respect his uncle whether he liked it or not. Uncle Lev poured another glass of wine to calm his nerve. The Sorokin brothers were well known for their impatience and hot heads. Gorya might be the quiet one, but he was the ruthless one. And his love obsession towards his wife matched their father's love towards their late mother. "The decision is final, and I will announce it to the whole family and other Bratvas this weekend. You will be there to support your brother. Veronica, of course will be there too. Don't say that we never want her to be at the gatherings." Gorya nodded but his cheeks were still moving, as he was grinding his teeth.
"Very well, uncle." He finally said. He started to stand and threw the napkin carelessly to the table when his uncle stopped him again.
"Gory… I am sorry that you are objecting with my decision. But we need to uphold the tradition. Roman is the oldest, and your father wanted him to be the next head of the family after me. This has nothing to do with your wife, but yes – some of the family members are uncomfortable having a Sheriff's daughter as part of the family. We don't know where her loyalty lies."
"Her loyalty lies with me." Gorya said. "Veronica will always be loyal to me."
"How do you know she won't betray you?"
Gorya's eyes flashed in anger. "Because she needs me." Uncle Lev noticed that Gorya didn't mention anything about love.
"She needed you back then. How can you be sure that she needs you now?"
"Because I will make sure of that." With that last remark, he left the gazebo without saying goodbye or thanking his uncle for lunch. The bodyguards were eyeing him while Uncle Lev watched him walked away warily.
From his bedroom window, Dax watched his cousin walked away from the mansion. He knew the feeling of being left out, especially by his own family. He looked as Gorya climbed hurriedly to his limo and then drove away. He sighed and turned on the television. There was a rerun report about the paintball shooting of the Mayor and the other officials. Dax shook his head and sat on the edge of the bed. "Fucking hell…"
Neptune Connection
Oliver was typing and accepting calls at his desk. He was wearing a headset and typing while popping his bubble gum. "Neptune Connection. Cindy Mackenzie's office, please hold." Taptaptaptaptaptaptaptap. "Neptune Connection. Cindy Mackenzie's office, please hold." He was humming The Supreme. "Neptune Connection. Cindy Mackenzie's office, please hold."
From his peripheral vision, Oliver saw a man approaching his desk. He didn't bother to look up, as he knew that today there was no appointment or meeting or anything, and Mac already threatened him not to bother her after lunch; she wanted to take a nap.
The man stopped in front of his desk, but Oliver still didn't look up. "May I help you?" He was still typing and smacked his bubble gum.
"I'd like to see Ms. Cindy Mackenzie please." The man said.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"Nope. But I'm sure she would see me."
Oliver sighed, "Name?"
"Logan Echolls."
Oliver looked up to see a handsome man wearing a suit jacket and jeans, smiling at him. Of course he heard his name; Logan Echolls the famous indie director. Oliver gaped at him; he stood up fast and bumped his knees. He stammered, "I - I'm sorry, Mr. Echolls. But Ms. Mackenzie can't be disturbed right now. She gave me a specific order, and you are without an appointment."
Logan gave Oliver his best smile, "Please? I'm her friend." Oliver was about to buzz Mac, but Logan stopped him. "How about you go to her office, and I will follow you. I wanna surprise her." He winked to Oliver.
Oliver was blushing and he chuckled nervously. "Just a sec." He stepped out from his desk and ran to her office. Logan immediately plugged a device behind the computer monitor; it was a hacking device and it was a small item the size of marble – kind of worked like a magnet and it would suck up any document from a computer. He then followed Oliver leisurely. He heard Mac yelling at Oliver from behind the door, and he was already in front of the door when Oliver said, "He said his name is Logan Echolls."
There was a pause for a minute, and then there was a weak reply. "Send him in."
Oliver opened the door and gestured Logan to come in. When he was about to enter the office himself, Logan closed the door in front of him. Oliver stomped away back to his desk.
Logan saw Mac was lying on the couch. She looked at him annoyed. "What do you want, Echolls?"
He chuckled, "It's Echolls, now? Wow."
"I am still pissed with you and Dick. You were throwing punches like backyard bullies. What was that?"
"I told you, Dick being protective BFF towards you. Considering my reputation and he thought I was hitting on you."
"Dick should know better…" She muttered. Logan sat on the coffee table and looked at her lying figure. He shook his head.
"What?"
"You should know better." Logan said while staring at her.
Mac frowned from her couch. "What do you mean?"
Logan watched her confused look. If he wanted to help Mac and Dick together, maybe he should tell her that Dick had feelings for her. But that would betray his promise to Dick. Dick already 'threatened' him that he would beat the hell out of him. Somehow he doubted Dick would be able to hurt him, but it wasn't physical pain he'd get. He sighed and stood up and looked out the window. "Nothing. This is a nice office you have." He saw the view of Neptune City from her window. "Great view. You've done well, Mackenzie."
Her office was really spectacular but simple. It was a circular office with huge working desk with a high tech computer on the surface, big windows that could be tinted to darken automatically whenever the sun shone too brightly , modern shelves with books, plants everywhere, artworks, monitors, huge flat screen TV, a big closet, and apparently a little too comfortable couch.
"Isn't it great? I'm richer than you, Echolls." She snarked. "I've got piles of money that go to the clouds." She stood up and joined him at the window. Logan just chuckled hearing her boast about being rich, because it was apparent that she was the most humble person he knew.
"Indeed. You and Dick have done really well, Mac."
"Still, I'm no billionaire like The Kanes, but it's nice that my hard work paid off." She twirled in front of him. "I cleaned up nicely, right? No more blue hair." She was wearing a business suit and skirt and her hair was dark.
"I kinda liked the blue hair, though." He shrugged.
"Dick also said the same thing. He was trying to persuade me to dye my hair blue, again. Typical guys." She scoffed. "You don't know what you're missing until it's gone."
She of course meant about the hair. But Logan felt a prick in his heart with her comment. He cleared his throat and pointed to a building outside the window. "What's that?"
A tall building - taller than any other buildings in the area - stood proudly in the middle of the city. Like a tower of Babel that reached for the sky. Logan saw the building when he first arrived at Neptune, and felt confused because a decade ago the building didn't exist.
Mac rolled her eyes. "Oh, THAT. It's the Titan Tower." She looked at Logan. "Jake Kane owns the building." Logan looked back at her but didn't say anything. He only raised his eyebrow. "Typical of him; built a phallic-like tower to show the city who really is the boss." She shrugged.
"I see."
"He moved the whole company and his corporation to that tower. But he also allowed other companies to rent space. As you can see, Jake Kane is getting richer and richer every minute especially after his company went public years ago, and everyone bought shares in the company – but he bought most of the shares and still owns the company. In a way, Jake Kane is one tricky business man." She curled up her lips in disgust. "Not bad for a nerd like him."
Logan looked at her in confusion. "Sounds like you know him personally."
Mac blinked her eyes. "Of course not. I read his curriculum vitae." She cleared her throat and went to her desk. "So how can I help you? I had my lunch, and now I'm completely sleepy."
"It's nice to be a boss." Logan smirked.
"Weren't you supposed to have lunch with Dick?"
"We had breakfast and continued to brunch after morning surfing."
"It's nice to be a surfer." Mac sighed. "Dick wants to teach me how to surf."
The corner of Logan's mouth twitched. "And?"
"And? Do I look like a surfer girl or something?"
"I think you would look awesome."
"No flattering when I'm sleepy." She looked at him pacing around the office. "Wassup?"
Logan sighed and looked out the window again. "I just met Lizzie Manning." He looked at her and she avoided eye contact. "You didn't mention anything about Meg's family or Lamb's death the other day. Why is that?"
"Must have slipped my mind." She muttered and twirled a pencil. "You asked about us and Veronica, I told you the important things maybe not all the details. It's in the past."
Logan shook his head. "I know it's in the past, and I regret I wasn't a part of it."
"Consider yourself lucky."
"No, Mac. I wish I was there in the past…. So I could do something about it." He looked at her with his puppy dog eyes which made Mac a little uneasy. She still had some kind of leftover feelings towards him. "The only friends I have right now are you and Dick. And it pains me that I couldn't do something for my friends – to help them – in the past."
"Logan… we survived. We're okay now. Don't worry." She exhaled. "I mean, none of us are axe-murderers or something. We're fine."
Logan closed his eyes and leaned his forehead to the window. That makes one of us in this room.
"Tell me what happened…" He glanced to Mac. "Please. Dick wouldn't tell me."
"I can understand why…" She sighed and stood up. Logan wouldn't stop pestering them about the story, so she decided to tell him. "C'mere." She took his hand and pulled him to the couch, and they both sat down. "I'll tell you what happened…"
Sheriff Department
Wallace walked into the sheriff's department carrying his 6-month-old son, Theodore. Everyone in the department was cooing and tickling and baby-talking the sheriff's grandson. Theodore laughed cutely when he got this much attention. When Wallace opened his step-dad's office door, Theodore's chubby hands were already in the air, wanting to be picked up by Keith. Keith laughed and tip-toed to both of them and played pick-a-boo with Theodore. "Who is my cute grandson? Come here you big ball!" Keith picked Theodore and cradled him. Theo's hand slapped Keith's chin, and Keith yelped. Wallace just laughed and put down the baby bag in chair.
"He was trying to sit up this morning, pops." Wallace said proudly and sat in one of the chairs.
"Oh, you – don't try to sit now. If you're sitting now, you're gonna learn to walk, and then you're gonna learn how to run!" Keith cooed to Theodore, who was giggling and laughing, especially whenever Keith made funny faces. "And you are drooling to my uniform. Yes, you are. Yes, you are." He tickled his chin, and Theo spit.
Keith gave Theodore back to Wallace, who just laughed. "Claudette said hi."
"Tell her we're having family dinner on Saturday. Is that okay with her?" Keith wiped drool from his tie.
"Can you make it Friday or Sunday? I have some plans to meet with Mac and Dick. And I planned to show off my baby." Wallace brayed to his son, who shrieked with laughter.
Keith sat at his desk and looked at his step son and his baby. "Okay…"
Wallace looked back to Keith, noticing some changes. "I talked to Darrell yesterday… He said Logan Echolls is back and called the office last week; he's looking for you."
"Yes."
"Did you talk to him?"
"No."
"Why not?"
Keith pursed his lips. "I don't know."
Wallace sighed and bounced his baby on his knee. "Are you planning to talk to him?"
"What would I say to him, Wallace? What would I say to a man who used to date my daughter and saved her life many times, and then joined the Army without saying goodbye, leaving my daughter heartbroken?" Keith ran his hand to his bald head. "That would be an interesting conversation."
"How about 'thanks for saving my daughter's life a decade ago?" Wallace offered. Keith glared at his son while Wallace just shrugged. "I mean, it's true."
"Yes, Wallace. I know it's true. But I can't get past the fact that he broke her heart."
"Maybe you need to look way past that. Without him, Veronica would not be here."
"Of course…" Keith muttered. "Although I can't see how it would work for the better. The last time I saw him was during Aaron's trial, and he deliberately erased all the sex tapes of Lilly and Aaron. Veronica and I almost died retrieving those tapes, and next thing you know, voila! They were gone. Poof!"
"Where's this attitude coming from? I thought you'd forgiven the guy? He was just a kid back then, he didn't know better." Wallace leaned forward and whispered. "And it was Leo who stole the tapes, remember? I don't see you being so harsh towards him. You even reinstated him!" Keith knew it was wrong to put blame solely to Logan, for a mistake that he had done years ago. Logan was a child, a misguided one, and didn't know better. Wallace was right – but he was still feeling protective over Veronica. "And beside," Wallace continued. "You forgave Lamb when he married Veronica." He shook his head and muttered. "God knows he was an ass towards everyone." He sighed. "Until this day, I can't believe that man changed 180, fell in love with Veronica, married her, and sacrificed his life for others…."
Keith sighed. "Yes, I know I'm being unfair." He watched as Theodore sucked his thumb and fell asleep. "But sometimes I wonder what would have happened if Logan never left Neptune. Would our lives be different?" He reclined to his seat. "I can't believe our fate and destiny could be changed because of one man's action."
"Speaking of one man's action… Any news regarding The Tritons? What'd the mayor say?" Wallace asked about the meeting between Keith and the mayor this morning.
"Al wants to leak the video to the media. I think it's a bad idea. I need to work fast." He pondered a bit. "Something bothers me a lot. Why are the Tritons targeting the school and the mayor? I saw the video, and they said something about corruption in the mayor's office or something."
"Do you think the mayor is dirty? It's not the first time."
Keith shook his head. "I know Al. He's a good man. He struggled to get elected in this town, especially against 09ers and he tried to get support from the Latino community. He's trying to clean the city." He looked at his son. "Then again, who would've thought about Woody?"
"Nobody expected that." Wallace made a comment. He looked at his sleeping son. He looked so innocent. Why would anyone want to hurt the innocents? He hugged his son more closely to his chest. "What about Darrell? When I went home, Darrell seemed…"
"Pissed?" Keith said. "You can say that. I told him not to pursue this, but of course he's being stubborn as usual. I know he thinks that I'm being a jerk or too protective or something." He looked at Wallace. "I'm not being unreasonable, right?"
"Hell no. If my son wanted to gallop around the city trying to solve cases while guns a-blazing, I'd lock him up until he said 'uncle' and learned his lesson."
Keith smiled at his step-son. "It's weird that not a while ago, you just became my daughter's best friend – and then a son to me. And now… you have a son of your own." Wallace smiled back, remembering the first time he met Keith at Mars Investigation, helping Veronica with a case. "It will be tough for you when he's all grown up and talks back."
"Pops, please let me enjoy this moment before I think about the future." Wallace warily said to his step dad.
"How are you holding up?" Keith asked Wallace. "It must have been hard for you to face Veronica like that."
Wallace shook his head. "I can't do it anymore, pops. I want to tell her the truth." He looked at his stepfather. "I told Veronica she could come to the house, but not Gory."
"And risk a hospital trip again?" Keith spat. "You know he won't have it. They are attached at the hips most of the time. Gory brainwashed Veronica with the whole 'soul mate' and 'needing each other.' It sickens me. I don't know what happened between them years ago, but he surely got her to declare loyalty."
Wallace sighed. "I can't bear the fact that we have to pretend that we 'hate' her… Darrell told me that she misses us."
Keith held the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. "If we told her, she would definitely leave him… but with repercussions…" He sighed. "She needs to know on her own."
"How? Veronica is too stubborn and she believes that behind that entire mafia getup, Gory is a good man. Well, he's not. He may love her SO MUCH, but somehow I doubt that Veronica loves him back. She may depend on him – for whatever reason. I say we tell her soon."
Keith shook his head slowly. "You don't understand. Gory WILL do something horrible to us…" He gestured to sleeping Theodore. "…if we force Veronica to leave him." He sighed. "Veronica is his leash. And believe me; he will unleash a wrath if we force her."
"He lets Darrell visit her often." Wallace said.
"That's because he doesn't feel threatened by Darrell. For that, I am glad. At least Darrell can be a bridge between us."
"How do we make Veronica realize that her husband is a bastard?"
Keith shook his head again. "I don't know. I think she knows, but decided to look the other way because she needs him, God knows why... She needs to find out on her own. Gory can't touch us if she leaves because she wants to, not because we told her to."
Deputy Sacks suddenly knocked on the door frame. "Sheriff, Eli Navarro is here to see you." Keith gestured to Sacks to let Eli in, while Wallace just raised his eyebrow.
"I asked him to give any information directly to me, not to Darrell. By the way, I need to ask you some questions regarding The Tritons. You dealt with them back in high school, right?"
"Yeah. Duncan Kane was a member of The Tritons." Wallace remembered how Duncan and The Tritons chased after Veronica. What they were going to do with her if they captured her, he didn't know. He shuddered a bit. He doubted that Duncan would hurt her, but still… that was a dickish thing for him to do "What do you want me to do?"
"Can you ask Mac for help? Find any kind of information about The Tritons if that's possible. I trust her skills to find any information. I'll ask her personally, later."
"No sweat." He rose from his chair and Theo stirred and woke up. "You're up? I'm sorry." Before he could say anything else, Eli walked into the office, and Theo cried. "NICE. Thanks, Weevil."
"What did I do?" Eli shot a confused look.
"You and your tattoos scared him." Wallace smirked.
"Ha-ha, very funny. Blame it on the tattooed Latino." Eli exhaled. "Your little bro came to my garage today, and he managed to piss me off."
Keith frowned. "He was there?"
Eli nodded. "Let's just say he was ready to pounce when I told him off about the case." Both Wallace and Keith sighed and shook their heads. "You raised one helluva son, Sheriff." He tickled Theo's chin and he stopped crying. Theo raised his chubby hands to Eli, and he gave his forefinger which he grabbed. "But I must say he's got more guts than you, Wally, when you were his age."
"Hey!" Wallace said angrily.
"That's enough. You got some information for me?" Keith asked Eli. Eli then gave a piece of paper to Keith.
"The names of the people who bought large quantity of paints for the past two months."
"Excellent. Good job, Eli." He studied the names for a while and then looked up. "I have another favor to ask from you."
"I think I know what it is." Eli sighed while looking at Theo who was trying to get his attention. "Just say the words."
Chinatown, Los Angeles
Veronica was wearing a black wig and a mini cheongsam with short heels. She was also wearing brown contact lens, and now she looked like a Chinese girl, especially with her petite body and height. Right now, she was running as fast as she could in the street, avoiding pedestrians who were yelling in surprise when this tiny woman bumped into them.
She was chased by many men; bodyguards of Zuang, with their suits and they were waving guns. Some pedestrians and people who saw them screamed.
No more than ten minutes ago, Veronica managed to kill Robert Zuang in the middle of the restaurant, in front of many witnesses especially his family and friends. The grand opening of the new restaurant went out with a bang, literally. Veronica, dressed up like a waitress, walked up to him pushing a cart of food trays. When the food trays were near him, and Zuang happily looked at the food, Veronica pulled out a silent gun from under the cart and shot him straight to the chest. Zuang was dead and the patrons were shocked and screaming. His wife was shaking his body, crying. But Veronica didn't have time to dwell with the emotion she had after she killed the bastard.
As fast like lightning, she ran to the back room through the kitchen. The cooks and the waitresses were huddling in the corner, afraid of her. She kicked a toilet door with a sign 'OUT OF ORDER' and walked in. She expected to see a window to escape, because that was her instructions. She should escape from the toilet and climb to a rooftop on the next building via the fire escape.
When she saw the toilet didn't have a window, she froze.
She thought that she was going to have a heart attack. I'm dead, she thought. The instructions clearly said that after she had done the deed, she would escape through the window and dispose of the untraceable gun that she got from the bus station. Panic went through her body like ice-cold water down her back.
Making a quick decision, she ran a mad dash back to the kitchen to the back door. She had to duck the bullets from the bodyguards who were chasing her. A bullet almost hit her but it hit the wok that was hung on the wall and made a loud sound of bang. She kicked the backdoor and ran as fast she could to the alley next building. She gasped loudly when she saw the fire escape was broken and there was no way that she could climb the fire escape. She ran again, through some Lion Dancers and crowds. She didn't know where to run, but she needed to get away from the bodyguards. Her feet were killing her and she'd already taken off her shoes. But she still carried the silencer. The gun felt heavy in her hand.
Stupid Veronica, she thought as she ran. Tears started to form in the corner of her eyes as the wind gushed and hurt her eyes. She should have checked the perimeter first, not gone in gun blazing gung-ho type. But the instructions clearly said that she needed to shoot the target. For whatever reason, Veronica didn't have a choice. She only followed orders. She thought probably it was a warning or punishment of some kind to the Chinese mafia, Veronica didn't know. There were ways to kill someone with less noise and publicity. Killing a target like she had done in New York, by shooting like a maniac, wasn't her first choice. Again, it was an order. An assassination type.
She arrived in an empty alley and it was a dead end. She breathed hard and bit her bottom lip. When she was about to leave the alley again, the bodyguards arrived.
She looked at the muzzles of the guns pointed at her.
Veronica was sure this would be her last day on earth.
What would her father think that his daughter was an assassin? What would her family and friends think that she was found in an alley in Chinatown, in Los Angeles? What would her husband do? Would he retaliate to the Chinese mafia?
Veronica suddenly was thinking about Gorya, her dad, Wallace, Alicia, Claudette, Darrell, little Theo, Eli, Mac, Dick…
Logan.
She met him again after a decade last weekend. She missed him… She wanted to see him again… Hugging him was familiar. She felt like… home.
She watched as the bodyguards were getting closer to her and raised their guns. Veronica closed her eyes and cursed her own stupidity. She was going to die, and the last thing on her mind was Logan's face. It was funny that she hadn't thought about him for a long time. And yet, he was in her mind seconds before she was going to face the music.
Shots were heard in that alley.