Year of Living Dangerously Part II

by VanessaGalore

Now complete. Sequel to YLD1. If you don't deal with the past, it will deal with you. A future-fic about fatherhood, consequences, & redemption. Logan/Veronica, Ensemble, & everyone I haven't killed yet. Minor Character Death. Reviews contain spoilers.

35. Chapters 117 to 121

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any rights to Veronica Mars. This story is written as a tribute only. No celebrity endorsement is implied by product placements. All real persons' names are used in the sense of "wouldn't it be cool if this person had this gig?" The institution discussed in this fic is not a real institution. No harm or insult is intended to any real-life organizations or to any participants in the meetings of these organizations. Again, this fic is not intended for those under the age of 17.

A/N: Beta-ed by Kazy, Poniesforall, and Dragynflies. Any remaining errors are my responsibility. I was recently reminded how thankless a job it is to beta. And so, I would like to reiterate how grateful I am to have people giving their time and talent to me so generously

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Last time on The Year of Living Dangerously Part II-Just the important stuff from chapters 114-116:

( for the whole overblown "previously on", see my journal.
vanessagalore•livejournal•com/97825•html )

THIS SUMMARY REFERS TO THE CHAPTER POSTED 1/25/09; GO BACK AND READ CHAPTER 34 IF YOU MISSED IT.

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Keith tells Logan and Veronica he was successful in negotiating an immunity for Duncan and Leo is now investigating Dr. Griffith. They share with him the information about Julie Silver's aunt, with whom Hannah Griffith had been living in Rio Linda, California. They decide to continue investigating Hannah's murder in Rio Linda if all goes well at Duncan's custody hearing. Random conversation still seems to trigger feelings of worthlessness in Veronica: she even refrains from mocking Dick. Veronica asks if she can talk to Logan's therapist on the way to Rio Linda, and Logan makes the arrangements.

Dr. Griffith, Liam, and Griffith's office manager elude capture. Leo asks Keith for more information about the Fitzpatricks' contact in law enforcement; they tell him their theory about Hannah's murder being the work of a copycat killer. With their help, Leo makes the connection that Daniel Mulvaney is the nephew of Bridget Mulvaney, the Crawfords' housekeeper. It's the first solid lead that the Fitzpatricks might be involved in the theft of the SUV in which Kendall was last seen. Leo tells them the two witnesses against Logan in Kendall's case were Kevin Bray, whose story was very suspect, and Oswaldo Cortez, cousin of Hector Cortez of the PCHers. Leo is surprised that Veronica falls asleep from exhaustion as they are discussing the Fitzpatricks and the various connections.

At Duncan's custody hearing, Mrs. Manning fails to show, presumably because Duncan can no longer be threatened with prosecution for breaking and entering. Duncan explains why he and Veronica broke into the Mannings house and tells what they found in Grace's room. The judge allows in evidence the video and audiotapes that Sheriff Lamb had been using to blackmail the Mannings. The judge grants custody of Faith Manning to Duncan, with several restrictions; he also requests that the District Attorney file additional charges against Mrs. Manning and asks Lizzie Manning to take custody of her sister Grace.

Outside the courtroom. Veronica and Logan are bombarded by paparazzi. Briar Hill has leaked Veronica's guilt letter from her time undercover to the press. The headline reads: 'I Was Responsible For My Best Friend's Death'. Veronica almost falters under the pressure of the media onslaught, but manages to get through the situation. Keith is served with a countersuit from Peter Klein. Keith, Veronica, and Logan head for L.A.; the paparazzi pursue but are held off by defensive driving from Kavner, who is following the vehicle to protect them.

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VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
Change Walks Up And Punches You In the Face
Wallace does some sleuthing; Logan, Veronica, and
Keith head to LA; Mac's back in the mix.
Veronica: Kristen Bell. Logan: Jason Dohring.
Keith: Enrico Colantoni. Mac: Tina Majorino.
Wallace: Percy Daggs III. Wilson: Adam Gorelick.
Mrs. Brunswick: Debra Mooney. Guard: Emiliano
Diéz. Principal Lindsay: Barry Wiggins.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN: "CHANGE WALKS UP AND PUNCHES YOU IN THE FACE"

Fri. 3/20/09 late morning: Pan High School, Pan, CA

In the parking lot of Pan High, Wallace hoists the book bag on his shoulder. He checks his watch: 11:25am. He waits patiently, assuming that an early lunch period is probably about to begin. Wallace adjusts the baseball cap worn backward on his head; he looks down at the blue and white Pan High sweatshirt he scored at a thrift shop in town and hopes he's blending, and not obviously trying too hard. A bell rings, and a few students make their way into the parking lot. Wallace goes against the flow and walks into the school. Most of the students head toward the cafeteria, but Wallace walks into the library.

The librarian's desk displays a sign, 'Mrs. Brunswick'. Wallace walks up nonchalantly and asks, "Mrs. Brunswick? I'm doing a project for English, and I was wondering if you have old Pan High yearbooks."

"Of course...uh...." she replies, searching for a name.

"Michael," Wallace says helpfully, with a smile.

"Michael, that's right," Mrs. Brunswick agrees happily. She leads Wallace to a section in the library and points. "Organized by year. Let me know if you need any more help."

"Thanks." He takes the yearbooks for 2005 and 2006 from the shelf and sits down at a nearby table. He compares the yearbook entries to the photo of the Fitzpatrick crony observed by Weevil. After a few minutes, Wallace becomes aware that a student is staring at him. Be cool, sodapop, he thinks. What would Veronica do? He pretends to continue turning pages for a while, then stands up and takes the yearbooks to another part of the library.

The boy follows him, now overtly staring. The student suddenly turns around and walks up to the librarian; they have a whispered discussion, both turning to look at Wallace. The student walks out of the library after a final look over his shoulder at Wallace.

Wallace decides to cut his losses; he closes the yearbooks and returns them to the shelf, studiously avoiding looking at the librarian. As he walks out of the library, he is stopped by a security guard. "Will you come with me, sir?"

"What's the problem, yo?" Wallace says nonchalantly.

"Don't make any trouble," the guard replies. He takes Wallace's arm and escorts him to the principal's office, where the student is speaking to a man wearing a tie and a serious expression.

"I'm Principal Lindsay. I don't believe we've met," the man says drily. "Do you have some ID?"

Wallace sheepishly removes his wallet and hands his Hearst College ID and his driver's license to the principal. "I'm doing a project for my sociology course at Hearst," he explains lamely. "Delinquency trends of high school boys. It was important not to identify myself as a researcher to avoid bias in the study."

"Really," the principal says dubiously.

"He's Wallace Fennel, isn't he?" the student says excitedly. "I knew it. Don't you remember when Neptune stole our goat? Fennel was the star of the Neptune basketball team."

"Okay, Wilson, we've got it from here. Go back to the library please." To Wallace, he says, "Aren't you a little old for high school pranks?"

Wallace stares back, completely at a loss for an answer. He finally mumbles, "Like I said, it's a sociology project. I'm too well-known at Neptune High; I couldn't—"

The security guard interrupts. "I don't believe it."

"Mr. Fennel, there are signs clearly posted that explain that visitors must register in the office." The principal points at a sign visible through the door of the office.

Wallace sighs. He pulls out his wallet again and gives a Mars Investigations business card to the principal. "I'm working for Mars Investigations. We're trying to identify a suspect who is involved with a recent murder in Neptune. Would you be willing to look at a photo for me?"

"A private detective?" the principal says sharply. He leans out the doorway and says, "Call the police. This young man is trespassing, and I want him arrested."

"Listen, I'll leave; there's no need to call the police," Wallace protests.

The principal ignores him. To the security guard, he says, "Take him to Mrs. Barth's office and keep him there until the police arrive. Don't let him talk to anyone."

The guard looks at Wallace sternly. Wallace stands up, abashed, and goes with the guard to an empty office. They pass by Wilson, who is pointing at Wallace and obviously making the most of his fifteen seconds of fame.

Wallace thinks morosely, So much for not taking any chances. Keith's going kill me.

Fri. 3/20/09 late morning: Neptune, CA to Los Angeles, CA

Keith pilots the Saturn toward Los Angeles as Veronica weeps against Logan's shoulder in the backseat. When her tears subside, Logan pries the newspaper out of her hands and reads the article.

'VERONICA MARS: "I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY BEST FRIEND'S DEATH."

'Briar Hill counselor refutes private investigator's story; releases 'guilt letter' written by Mars while attending the specialty school.

'Nathaniel Goldman, an attorney representing Briar Hill Academy of Manchester Center, Vermont, gave a statement today to reporters concerning the legal troubles of the specialized boarding school.

'Of course, at Briar Hill, we sincerely regret the death of Hannah Griffith and understand that her grieving mother is seeking someone to blame for her child's death. But the recent undercover investigation was flawed at best, using illegal wiretaps and falsified records to paint an inaccurate picture of the difficult job of rehabilitating chronic substance abusers. In fact, the school identified one of the undercover investigators as having severe psychological issues, as evidenced by some of the records of her treatment. We believe that the investigator's words speak for themselves, and her witness testimony will certainly be challenged if the litigation continues.

'The counselor at the school, Ms. Alyssa Catano, confirmed that the following letter was written by Ms. Veronica Mars while in residence at the boarding school. Ms. Catano explained that appropriate therapeutic steps were taken based on the information revealed in this letter.'

'Dear Mrs. [Kane],

Your daughter was the most beautiful person I ever knew. I loved her with all my heart.

I'm writing this letter to beg you for forgiveness. I did a terrible thing, and I hurt everyone around me with my actions. I'm trying to become a better person by admitting my guilt.

'I saw [Lilly]'s boyfriend kissing another girl. I told [Lilly] about it, and she broke up with him.

'If I hadn't broken them up, they would have been together that day, and [Lilly] wouldn't have been killed. I'll never forgive myself for that.

'I was wrong to let [Lilly] do the things she did without telling her that she should stop. I wanted to drink and drug with her and sleep around the way she did, so I never did the right thing. I never tried to get [Lilly] to stop all the terrible things she did.'

'Ms. Catano explained that Ms. Mars appeared to be consumed by guilt and exhibited erratic behavior during her stay at the school, including violence toward school personnel. "We believe this letter was a cry for help," Catano said somberly. "Of course, we were unaware of the tragic incident in Ms. Mars' past, since she concealed her true history from us."

'Ms. Mars was unavailable for comment.'

Puzzled, Logan rereads the words, 'If I hadn't broken them up, they would have been together that day, and Lilly wouldn't have been killed. I'll never forgive myself for that.' He feels Veronica's eyes on him and tosses the newspaper into the back of the SUV. "It's just another desperate move by Klein. I don't think it's anything to worry about," he says dismissively, ignoring the knot in his stomach as he contemplates what the headline would be in The National Inquisitor. 'Mars Says Echolls Cheated, Drove His Girlfriend Into the Murdering Arms of His Father'. He quickly changes the topic. "I can't believe Duncan's parents wouldn't even say 'hello' to us after everything we did for him."

They make a few dispirited comments about Duncan's success at the hearing, but they soon lapse into silence. Veronica seems to be lost in thought.

Logan keeps thinking about the article; the quotations are muddled in his brain, confused with his memories of junior year and all the anger and spite that seemed to rule his world at the time. But above all, he feels sick at the evidence that she had been desperately using real life feelings to put off her inquisitors at the school. Why couldn't Keith see that she was having trouble? Dammit, if only they had listened to me and pulled her out. And then...while all this was going on, I lost my shit. I was glaring at her—upset with her when she was fiercely trying to hold them off.

She had been so confident that she would be able to masquerade as a rebellious teenager before the mission. Now, he can't even think about how foolish they had been. He strokes her shoulder absently as he wishes he could have somehow been more supportive during the mission. The thought that keeps returning is I wish I could have talked to her while it was going on. During their brief moments of contact, they had both been unable to really talk about what had been happening. It's not like the old Veronica Mars would ever tell you when she was scared. And...I still don't even understand how I was feeling. I remember...I remember being mad at her. What the hell? How could I have been such an idiot? I should have realized...it was a call for help.

She reads his mind again. "Logan...I'm sorry I used Lilly at the school."

"Hey, it's okay, Veronica, shh," he says quietly. He notices Keith's eyes on him in the rear view mirror.

"I'm so sorry. I have to tell you," she protests. "I didn't mean to."

"Veronica," Keith says, frowning at Logan in the mirror.

"You know, we have to talk about this," she says, struggling to sit up. "We have to discuss it."

"We don't have to discuss it today; we've had enough upsetting things happen today," Keith says firmly.

"Dad. I need to tell Logan something." She scoffs. "You're not going to be happy either. You guys have been so upset with me for all the chances I took...." she begins.

Keith exchanges another glance with Logan but says nothing.

"Junior year. When Ms. James got the grant to study the long-term effects of grief in adolescents...." She averts her eyes from Logan. "I bugged her office."

Logan tenses. Veronica was listening?

"Say something!" she begs him. "Tell me I'm an ass. Say what you always say, that I always take ridiculous chances."

Keith clears his throat. "You did this because...?"

"I wanted to hear what people were thinking about Lilly. I thought...Dad, you know we were struggling to make sense of the evidence," Veronica explains.

"Did you listen to me?" Logan interjects in a quiet, flat voice.

She bites her lip, obviously anxious; she nods slightly, and he exhales audibly.

Logan says faintly, "So you heard me say...you heard me say that I blamed you for Lilly's death."He remembers: 'If she hadn't ratted me out… then Lilly and I would have stayed together. And Lilly wouldn't have been alone that day. I would have been there....Yeah, I blame Veronica.'

Veronica mumbles, "Yeah." A little louder, she adds, "I'm so sorry...it's was really wrong of me to listen into your private conversations."

"It was bullshit," he says bitterly, and Veronica looks stricken, thinking he means her behavior. He clarifies quickly, "No...I mean, what I told Ms. James: it was bullshit."

"What? No, Logan, you were right, I knew how Lilly would react, and I knew you loved her, and you would never hurt her, and I never should have—" she babbles.

"It was bull, okay? I was angry at everyone. Angry at everything, don't you get it? I felt guilty, and I was blaming everyone, you, your dad, Lilly, Duncan for..." He sighs in frustration. "I didn't even understand how I felt. I still don't, Veronica. Lilly made me angry. She used me, and I let her treat me like crap. I thought it was what I deserved, I guess." And after Lilly died, I was angry at you, all the time. That was why I let you get— He can't even think it; he refuses to think it. But the remembered rage feels suddenly close at hand, just barely concealed beneath the surface. He tries to focus a little. Veronica is trying to tell me something. "Veronica, you said...you said you didn't mean to talk about Lilly at Briar Hill. Did something happen...that we didn't know about?"

She rushes to explain, and he realizes she's been holding back something she needed to say, trying not to upset him...until now. "I slipped up. I was distracted—it was on the hike, right after they hurt my shoulder—I accidentally said I was thinking about all the people I'd hurt. The night I'd had a terrible nightmare about you; you were telling me you were sick of me using all the people around me." She swallows; even saying it aloud hurts.

Logan stares at her. Of course she was having nightmares; she'd been having them before we even left. "I said that in your nightmare?" Fuck.

Veronica looks away. "It was...it was kind of what Klein and Alyssa were saying all the time; they were drumming it into me constantly, that I was a user and.... After Maria hurt my shoulder, they took us on that hike. I was hurting so much; every step was agony, and I was just trying to make it through. I didn't want to give up—I was furious at Klein for having Maria hurt me like that, and I wanted him to go down hard for what he was doing. But they wouldn't let up. I was flustered, and I couldn't think of any of the stories we had prepared. Before I knew it, I started talking about my best friend who had died." She glances at him helplessly. "I'm so sorry, I know I shouldn't have."

Keith recovers his voice. "Veronica, it's okay. They were stressing you. You were injured! We're not mad about anything that happened during the undercover operation. Veronica, you did an incredible job."

"I'm not mad," Logan concurs. "Please, Veronica, believe me. You don't have to explain."

"I wouldn't blame you guys if you never trusted me again," she says wretchedly, resuming her stare out the window. "Now the whole world will be dredging up everything about Lilly again....Logan, I'm so sorry for everything, for talking about Lilly at Briar Hill, for bugging Ms. James. I never think what my actions do to everyone else."

He takes her hand and strokes it gently with his thumb. "It's all right, Veronica. I'm glad you heard me with Ms. James if it helped you to figure out what happened to Lilly."

She stares at him in disbelief. "You're glad I figured out that your dad killed her? Wouldn't we all have been better off if Abel Koontz had taken the rap?"

"You don't mean that!" Keith says, shocked.

At the same time, Logan says viciously, "Fuck no, we wouldn't have been better off! My dad deserved to be executed. My only regret is that he didn't suffer enough. If I'd had the balls, I would have killed him myself."

Veronica is speechless.

Logan continues, trying perceptibly to calm himself, "Veronica, you are not allowed to feel bad about investigating Lilly's murder. He drove my mother to an early grave. He killed my girlfriend. I could never forgive him, and he would have gotten away with all of it if you hadn't investigated. I hated him for what he did, Veronica."

"But he was your dad," she protests quietly.

"And Stewart Manning was Meg's dad! What's your point?" he says with more heat than he intends.

She sucks in her breath. "Oh god, I'm sorry, Logan."

They lapse into strained silence again.

Logan finally mutters, "Damn it. This is why we never talk about it."

Keith's brow creases with additional worry. He says, "We need to get gas," and takes the next exit off the highway, pulling into the first gas station. Keith extracts his wallet and hands Logan some cash. "Can you fill up the tank? I need to make a phone call."

Logan exits the Saturn and prepays for the gas. As he fills the tank, Veronica watches her dad talking on his cell phone. Her dad had taken the precaution of yet another prepaid, disposable cell phone and had cleaned out the petty cash from the office safe to pay for all their expenses. Keith hadn't needed to explain to her that if they were truly tracking an FBI agent, they would have to conceal their movements. She triggers the switch and lowers her window. Keith is pacing, holding the phone tensely about twenty feet away from the car, with the conversation inaudible but obviously upsetting. Suddenly, Keith raises his voice. "Jim, there's got to be something we can do. She can't handle much more of this, and frankly neither can I." She realizes he's speaking to Epstein, searching for something to counteract the publicity being given out by the Briar Hill representatives.

Logan is staring off into space, barely paying attention as the gas pump clicks off the gallons. Veronica reaches over the seat and grabs the envelope laying on the passenger seat; she extracts the papers and reads, 'Civil Complaint, Peter Klein et al. v. Keith Mars and Veronica Mars.' The causes of action listed are property damage, false arrest, defamation, fraud, breach of contract, and civil harassment, and Klein is asserting fifteen million dollars in damages due to their actions. Gee, why not throw in loss of consortium while you're at it? she thinks in disgust. She replaces the paperwork in the envelope, reflecting that fifteen million dollars would far exceed their personal liability coverage, not to mention that she and her dad would probably lose their PI licenses if the suit is successful.

I need to be strong, she thinks suddenly. We can't afford all this moping around. Her dad starts to walk back to the car, and she's struck by his haggard appearance. I'm not the only one who's exhausted.

Logan opens the side door, and she suggests, "Logan, why don't you drive for a while? I think Dad could use a nap."

He looks surprised but nods his agreement. She extends her hand, and Logan helps her crawl out and get settled in the passenger seat up front.

Keith puts his hand on the handle of the driver's door, and Logan says, "Okay if I drive? Maybe you could stretch out on the back seat and rest for a while."

Keith is about to protest when he notices Veronica's expression. She says, "Please, Dad. I'm going to need you at full strength."

He nods reluctantly and gets in the back as Logan takes the wheel. Logan pulls out into traffic and heads for the on-ramp to the freeway. Veronica reaches over the seat. "The cell phone, Dad. I want to check in with Kavner."

"Speed-dial, two, honey," he says as he hands it over. Keith passes a hand over his eyes. "You know, I think I will lie down for a while."

"Lots of traffic ahead," Logan comments. "Of course, it wouldn't be L.A. without traffic."

Veronica mutters into the phone, and Logan zones out as they move slowly down the freeway. He tries to remember what else he had said to Ms. James that day. He recalls being upset about the paparazzi and the stories about his dad cheating more than anything; he had really let loose at Becky—for once being honest about his feelings and admitting that life really wasn't worth living. He glances over at Veronica, who has terminated the call and has resumed staring out the window.

Veronica turns and says quietly, "I thought you'd be more upset with me. You know, for bugging Ms. James."

"I knew you were investigating," he replies. "You'd been asking questions."

"I'm sorry I wasn't a better friend to you," she offers.

"What do you mean?" he says, puzzled.

"You know, I shouldn't have...ratted you out to her." She looks into the backseat at her dad, who appears to be sleeping already. "And I should have taken your feelings into consideration about my dad investigating when everyone was already so upset about Lilly dying."

"No, you don't get to say that. I mean, I wish you hadn't told Lilly...but, Veronica—" He sighs deeply. "You know that I was the one spreading rumors about you, the one who turned everyone against you. You didn't do anything to deserve that." You didn't deserve the way I treated you.

"I could have—"

"No, you couldn't. You couldn't go against your dad. He was doing his job. And if the Kanes hadn't lied, maybe...." He looks at her. "Lots of maybes."

"We can't change anything," she said morosely.

"Except maybe how we feel about it. Do you think...do you think we would have ended up together if...." He can't quite complete the question, but she hears him just the same: if Lilly hadn't died.

She doesn't answer. After a pause, she says, "I meant what I said yesterday. I need you, Logan. I want to find a way to be together and have both of us be happy."

"I know, I do too. Veronica, I swear to you I'm not upset about anything you said or did while we were at the school. While we were there, I was...I couldn't handle it. It was too hard for me, to restrain you, to watch you be in danger like that. You know how I am, how hard it is for me to know that you're doing risky things, scary things. I thought it would be worse to imagine what was going on, but it wasn't. I couldn't handle playing a part like that. It's not like acting...I don't know what it's like, but I know I thought I was losing my mind. Sometimes I reacted to you—to the role you were playing, and I shouldn't have."

She takes a breath, and he knows she's going to apologize again. He rushes in, "Veronica, it was my decision to go undercover. I don't want to be upset about the decisions we made anymore. I have to say...I'm hating how much you're afraid right now. I want my old Veronica back, who rushed into danger and wasn't scared of anything. I want to argue with you again about taking chances. That's the Veronica I fell in love with. It scares me when you back down from snarking with Dick."

Veronica looks at him, stunned. "I thought you guys were....All you've been saying is how foolish I've been."

"Yeah, well, I guess I'm okay with you being foolish sometimes. Veronica playing it safe is a lot scarier. And sometimes Dick needs to be slapped down. Full-contact beer pong for Mac's welcome-home party, are you kidding me?"

She exhales and then suddenly laughs under her breath.

He looks at her and grins. "I mean it, Veronica."

"Okay, in the spirit of full disclosure, there was also the time I activated the tracking device in your cell phone."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," he says mock-seriously. "Any other surveillance I need to be aware of?"

"I think that's it," she replies, pretending to think about it. "Can I get back to you on that?"

"I was proud of you at the courthouse, Veronica. You didn't let the paparazzi see you react, and I know that was hard," Logan says. "We're going to get through this." Please...please let us get through this...let her forgive me for.... He stutters a little, saying, "W-we...we still have to figure some stuff out, but—"

"No, you're right. I don't want to be afraid anymore. We are going to figure it out."

In the backseat, Keith smiles slightly, keeping his eyes tightly closed as he pretends to sleep.

Fri. 3/20/09 late morning: Somewhere in the United States

Mac opens her eyes. My head hurts like a motherFRAKker, she thinks, closing her eyes again to counteract the throbbing pain. She licks her lips; she is unbelievably thirsty. I'd kill for a glass of water. She tries to sit up, and she remembers.

Her arms have fallen asleep, tied behind her back. She wriggles her fingers, trying to get the blood to flow. The room is dark; she hears the murmur of voices from next door. She tries to listen closely.

"What do you mean, you lost them after the hearing?! Are they still in Neptune? FUCK!" The voice quiets down, and she is unable to distinguish any more words.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
Running Around in Circles
Leo's investigation; Weevil rescues Wallace;
Keith, Logan, and Veronica compare notes
with Mike Fields; a lead in Kendall's murder
investigation.
Veronica: Kristen Bell. Logan: Jason Dohring.
Keith: Enrico Colantoni. Eli: Francis Capra.
Wallace: Percy Daggs III. Leo: Max Greenfield.
Dr. Friedman: Lorraine Bracco. Mike Fields:
Michael Trucco. Sacks: Brandon Hillock.
Officer #1: James Martin Kelly. Officer #2:
Tom Yi.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEEN: "RUNNING AROUND IN CIRCLES"

Fri. 3/20/09 late morning: Neptune Sheriff's Department, Neptune, CA

Leo puts his head in his hands and sighs. There hasn't been a single break in the case. Griffith's wife swore repeatedly that, to her knowledge, her husband was running a legitimate plastic surgery business and that she had never seen her husband even talking to one of the Fitzpatricks. The Griffiths were on vacation with their then four-month-old baby in Cabo San Lucas over the Martin Luther King Day holiday; they had cut their trip short when the news of Hannah's murder broke. A quick check with the Mexican hotel and Griffith's credit card company seemed to confirm the story.

Mrs. Griffith claimed to have no idea where her husband would run to. She said she had never seen Kendall Casablancas before and had never even heard of her. Mrs. Griffith had only moved to Neptune a year and a half ago, long after Richard Casablancas had dominated the front pages of the newspaper and his son had taken off a header off the Neptune Grand Hotel roof. When questioned about her husband's alibi the night of Kendall's murder, she had said that she was pretty sure he was home with her that night, but she was unable to offer any proof. Leo had pressed her about the money laundering at the medical practice, but she appeared to be ignorant of her husband's business dealings.

Mrs. Griffith had admitted that her relationship with her husband had been extremely tense recently, although she attributed the stress to Hannah's murder. Leo had hinted that perhaps her husband knew more about his daughter's murder than he had let on to the press. She had stared at him uncomprehendingly before telling him that he was crazy. After several hours of questioning and with no evidence to press charges, Leo had been forced to let her go. But he notes that she seems to be pondering something, and he makes a mental note to question her again after she's had a chance to process all the information.

Griffith's clean getaway seemed to indicate that he had had his escape planned; above all, he would need money and transportation. Leo muses whether a doctor can do plastic surgery on himself before dismissing the thought as ridiculous. But he realizes, at the very least, Griffith would be cognizant of how to make small changes that would alter his appearance drastically.

One of Griffith's neighbors, several blocks away, had recalled a taxi in the area around the time that Griffith ran, and one of the deputies is going through the tedious process of examining all the local cab companies' call sheets. Other than the neighbor who occasionally baby-sat for Griffith's baby, Griffith seemed to have no friends in the neighborhood. He had bought the house when he remarried and had kept a low profile; several neighbors mentioned that he had turned down invitations to holiday get-togethers.

"Sheriff?" Sacks asks, knocking lightly on the half-open door. "They found Fillipelli's car. It was abandoned at a rest area on the I-8, heading toward Phoenix. Near Yuma, Arizona."

"Any signs of foul play in the vehicle?" Leo replies, recalling Keith's observation that Griffith's office manager probably wouldn't be found alive.

"Nope. The car was clean. I got the locals in Yuma checking all the area hotels," Sacks says. "'Course...Yuma's pretty close to the Mexican border."

"Right," Leo concurs. "Send a request to–"

"The Border Patrol...already did, Sheriff. I spoke to the Chief Patrol Agent of the Yuma Sector. And Sheriff...Deputy Clark picked up Bridget Mulvaney. She's waiting for you in interrogation."

"Let her sweat for a little longer," Leo instructs. "I'll speak to her in a while."

Sacks leaves, shutting the door behind him. Leo thinks about the sequence of events last night. Someone found out about the arrest warrants and immediately called to warn the Fitzpatricks and Griffith. From the phone records, it looks like no one called to warn Fillipelli; I think someone was sent to make her disappear before we could arrest her. Griffith is involved enough that whoever is pulling the strings can't afford to have him arrested. But it looks like Griffith got away cleanly; the Fitzpatricks aren't known for their compassion, and have on more than occasion cleaned up a problem with murder. That means...Griffith has some kind of insurance policy—something that is preventing the Fitzpatricks from dropping him with a bullet.

Fri. 3/20/09 late morning: Pan Sheriff's Department, Pan, CA

Weevil parks his motorcycle and enters the nondescript building housing the Pan Sheriff's Department. He spots Wallace waiting on a bench behind the counter partitioning the room. Weevil approaches the desk clerk. "I'm here for Wallace Fennel."

"One hundred dollars and your friend is free to go," the clerk replies.

Weevil takes out his wallet and hands over the cash. The clerk nods to Wallace, who stands up and walks through the swinging gate that the clerk holds for him.

"Thanks, man," Wallace says.

"A ticket for trespassing? You're lucky I've got a hundred dollars to spare," Weevil replies.

"I was lucky all the way around. They said they could charge it as a felony since I trespassed on school grounds, but they talked to somebody at the Neptune Sheriff's Department who said I didn't have a record. So they charged it as simple trespass and wrote a ticket."

"Don't you have a credit card?" Weevil snipes. "Not that I'm not happy to bail you out, chilito."

"Uh, I know what that means, and a viente, amigo. My mom sees the bills. No way am I using my credit card. And you know I couldn't call Candice," Wallace says emphatically. "I'll pay you back. I'm sure Mr. Mars will reimburse me when they get back to Neptune."

"You know, Veronica did this shit all the time and never got in trouble."

"I know."

"Did you try tilting your head?" Weevil asks, demonstrating. "It always worked for her."

Wallace rolls his eyes. They exit the building, and Wallace stops short. He turns to Weevil and says incredulously, "You came on your bike?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry, but the limo was in the shop," Weevil retorts sarcastically.

Wallace looks at Weevil. "Maybe I should call a cab."

"Just keep your hands above the equator, and you won't lose them. You said you left your car in the visitors' lot at Pan High?"

"Yeah."

"That's just a couple miles from here. And I don't know what you're worried about; I'm the one whose reputation would be ruined. Your stock could only go up," he snorts. "Do you want to tell me what you were doing at Pan High?"

"I was looking for that kid you saw with the Fitzpatricks. Remember? Veronica said she thought she remembered him, maybe from here."

"Right...or from Java the Hut, or Gameland, whatever the fuck that is," Weevil recalls.

"Yeah, I was trying to find him in the yearbooks in the school library," Wallace says.

"You know, I think there's an easier way," Weevil muses. Wallace raises his eyebrows, and Weevil explains. "Rest Stop 15. If this dude is from Pan High and he's doing anything illegal, my homies at Rest Stop 15 will know about it."

Fri. 3/20/09 noon: Mike Fields' apartment, Los Angeles, CA

Mike Fields greets them at the door of his apartment. He shakes Keith's hand and brushes his lips against Veronica's cheek, lingering for just a moment too long. He nods brusquely at Logan. "Come on in."

Logan notes that Veronica has plastered a smile on her face. She doesn't want him to see that she's hurting. He resolves to let her and Keith take the lead; any tension between him and Mike isn't going to help anything. He sits off to the side and keeps quiet as Keith and Veronica take a seat on the couch.

"How are you feeling?" Mike asks with concern.

"It's nothing," Veronica says dismissively. "Surgery and physical therapy will fix me right up."

"You look tired, Veronica." Mike glances at Logan and returns his gaze to Veronica and Keith. "You all look tired...and upset."

"It's been hectic lately," Keith explains. "But we'll be fine. I'm sorry we haven't been in touch."

"Yeah, I heard something about the Neptune Sheriff filing a request for information on the operation in Vermont—something about an alibi. I talked to Agent Lynley; he filled me in on some of the details." Mike stares at Veronica. "He's very impressed with you, Veronica."

She blushes under his scrutiny and quickly changes the topic. "Mike, we were hoping you had been able to investigate Mac's list of the agents who had accessed the Slasher files."

Mike pushes a stapled sheaf of papers to her; about half the names are crossed out. "I began by checking the names on the list to see if they were on duty during the time when Hannah was killed. I was able to eliminate about half the agents. Then I had to hand the list over to Alan Sheffield."

Veronica asks, "Who's—?"

"He's Mac's handler. As I told your dad, Mac found out that the FBI believed the bombing wasn't related to the work she did on the Russian identity theft scheme, and she told Alan about the snooping she'd been doing in the FBI files on the Slasher case."

Veronica queries, "You mean Mac thought whoever killed Hannah was trying to get to her because she'd been investigating the copycat murderer?"

"That, or to you through her. Mac wanted the whole funeral scenario to be canceled in case someone had been alerted by her hacking into the databases. Alan was dubious, but I believe he took the precaution of reassigning any agents from the list to other duties the day of the funeral. We went through the timeline, and it did look possible that someone was reacting either to what Mac and I were doing here or to what you were doing in Vermont. I had been checking on alibis on my end, and you had been stirring up things at the school; then late Sunday night, someone bombed the Mackenzie house. But of course we know now that the bombing was unrelated."

Keith nods. "Right. So you haven't done anything more on the project?" Keith asks.

"No. I was suspended and reprimanded, and my passwords were deleted," Mike explains. "I don't have access to the databases anymore. Except...I did spend some time on my own researching connections to the Briar Hill people."

"And?" Veronica prompts.

"I didn't find anything on anyone employed by the school. But the FBI Serial Killer Task Force did brief the California Assembly's Public Safety Committee last September. And Vincenzo Frazzino is the chair of that committee. I was able to confirm that he was present in the Assembly that day for a roll call vote."

"Can we get a transcript of that briefing?" Veronica asks her dad. "I know the Assembly posts a lot of the debates on their website."

"Doubt it," Keith says dubiously. "I'm sure if they were discussing open criminal cases, it was a closed session." He looks at Veronica curiously. "You really think Frazzino had something to do with this?"

"No," Logan interjects, breaking his silence. "No way. I'm sure it was the Fitzpatricks."

Mike looks at him quizzically. "Who?"

Veronica explains, "You know, the Neptune local crime boss, Liam Fitzpatrick. He was in business with Hannah Griffith's father. Last night, we gave the sheriff evidence that the Fitzpatricks were laundering money through the good doctor's medical practice."

"And Dr. Griffith was seen with a Fitzpatrick accomplice, Kendall Casablancas, who got murdered on March 11," Keith explains.

Mike huffs in frustration. "You guys are leaving this alone, right? We're talking organized crime, racketeering, a serial killer, and apparently a corrupt agent. This doctor sounds like he has a lot to lose to. I remember this Fitzpatrick character now; he was a total psycho. You've got to take this to the authorities; you don't have a choice anymore."

"And if the person we talk to is the dirty agent?" Veronica asks.

"You need to leave it alone, Veronica," Mike says firmly.

Annoyed, she replies, "No, we're not leaving it alone. We won't be safe as long as they're on the loose."

"You're impossible, Veronica," Mike says in frustration. He turns to Keith and adds, "Can't you talk some sense into her?"

His words hit Veronica hard; she looks forlorn for a moment before she recovers. She struggles to maintain her composure. Finally she breathes out, and whispers intensely, "Hello? I'm right here." Her voice slowly gathers strength. "You don't need to talk sense into me. It's been made clear to me how much it hurts the people who love me when I do things without their knowledge and take too many risks. So we're sharing everything, and we're proceeding cautiously. We've got protection—there are two guards surveilling us. We're being careful."

"You always said that, Veronica," Mike replies. "Right before you went off half-cocked!"

Keith protests, "Mike!" He glances at his daughter, who flinches reflexively at the accusation.

God, did I sound like that? Logan thinks. "Geez, cut her some slack," he says aloud, trying hard not to react. "Like she said, we're working together on this."

Mike sneers, "Oh, great, the amateur weighs in. Good job protecting her at the school. What's the final tally, a dislocated shoulder and a kidney infection?"

"Oh, this was a really bad idea, Veronica. I don't know why you thought this FBI flunky had any information at all," Logan says bitterly, his fists clenched at his sides.

Keith looks sternly at Logan and says, "Enough. Let me handle—"

"Damn it!" Veronica swears suddenly. "This isn't helping." She throws a look at Logan, who is resisting every instinct to beat the crap out of this guy. "Mike, I know you think we should leave it alone. But...if we don't...can you think of anything that would help?"

"This is too big for private investigators, Veronica. I really think—"

"Mike," she says quietly. "We can't just hide from the Fitzpatricks for the rest of our lives."

He sighs and nods slightly in resignation. "What about Mac's handler? He probably was making discreet inquiries about the names on that list. At least talk to him."

"What's his name again?" Keith asks.

"Alan Sheffield. I'll get his number for you." Mike walks into the other room.

"Well, you got your wish," Veronica comments wryly to Logan.

"What are you talking about?" he asks, puzzled.

"Mike was arguing with me about taking chances. Right? Like you said you wanted to?"

"I think that's my job," he replies. "He's overstepping."

Veronica flashes him a wan smile as Mike comes back in.

"Here's Alan's cell phone number," Mike says, studiously avoiding looking at Logan.

"There's one other thing we could use your help on," Keith says. "These are two men who have been seen with the Fitzpatricks lately. We haven't been able to identify them." He gives Mike copies of Weevil's surveillance photos.

"I've never seen them," Mike comments, scanning the pictures.

"Is there any chance you can run them through the FBI's Facial Recognition Database?" Veronica asks hopefully.

"If my reinstatement comes through...maybe on Monday. You say these guys are involved with the Fitzpatricks?"

"Do you have any other ideas how to trace them? I have this sense that I should know this guy," Veronica says, tapping the photo of the younger man.

"You're not going to leave this alone, are you, Veronica?" Mike says.

"No," Veronica replies. "We can't."

Mike nods in defeat. "I'll get one of my buddies to run these photos for me, see if anything turns up. I'll call in some favors."

Keith stands up, and Mike escorts them to the door. Veronica turns and hugs him. "Thanks, Mike. I'm so sorry about your suspension. I promise you, I'll make it up to you someday."

"Just stay alive until then, okay? I'll do what I can on my end," he says morosely. Mike extends his hand to Logan tentatively. "I'm sorry, man. I know you helped a lot in Vermont. Lynley said it was a tough situation all the way around."

"Thanks," Logan replies, taking his hand. "I promise I'll take care of her."

"Yeah. That'd be good," he says. As he shuts the door, Mike's eyes meet Veronica's again. She is startled by the longing she sees in them.

As soon as they get in the car, Keith calls the phone number and leaves a message asking Agent Sheffield to call him as soon as possible.

Fri. 3/20/09 early afternoon: Rest Stop 15, near Pan, CA

Wallace leans on his mom's car waiting for Weevil, who is speaking with several rough-looking young men on the other side of the parking area. He watches as Weevil clasps hands with one of the others and bumps fists with another before returning to Wallace's vehicle. He asks impatiently, "So? Did they know the guy?"

Weevil shakes his head. "One guy thought he might have seen him around when he bought some weed from one of the Fitzpatricks last year, but he didn't know who he was."

"We're back at square one," Wallace says morosely. "I don't know how to work on this without tangling with the Fitzpatricks."

"Listen, I got to get back to Hearst."

"Thanks anyways, Weevil. I got to get going too. I have to run a background check on Oswaldo Cortez for Keith, and then I'm getting together with Candice tonight."

Weevil grabs Wallace's arm roughly. "Wait...who?"

"Oswaldo Cortez."

"Is he involved in this?" Weevil asks harshly.

"I'm not sure. Keith said he was a witness in the Kendall Casablancas case. He didn't give me the details, but I think Cortez might have been the one who told Leo about Logan's affair with Kendall. Why, do you know him?"

"He's Hector Cortez's cousin." At Wallace's blank look, he explains, "Hector took over the PCHers."

"After you—" Wallace begins.

"Yeah. After I was forced out of the gang," Weevil says harshly. He sneers, "Because Oswaldo was spying on me and Logan."

"Whoa," Wallace comments.

Weevil says, "I think I'm going to talk to Oswaldo and see what the hell is going on."

"You really think that's a good idea?"

In a mean voice, Weevil replies, "I'm not going to talk to him without help. And you know, it's about time I had this talk with him."

"Hey, at least let me call Keith and find out more about this before you do that," Wallace says. "I'll call you later and let you know what he says."

"All right," Weevil says reluctantly. He mutters, "Oswaldo...hijo de la chingada." He strides over to his motorcycle and mounts it without another look back at Wallace.

Wallace stares after him as he rides off. He pulls out his cell and leaves a message for Keith.

Fri. 3/20/09 early afternoon: Ca$hNow Pawnshop of National City, near San Diego, CA

Two officers from the San Diego Police Department are executing a search warrant in a large pawnshop. One officer notes a large number of car stereos and begins logging the serial numbers into his report. "Kenwood DNX7120," he mutters as he writes. "Serial number 805033479."

His partner looks up. "Hold on...Kenwood DNX, isn't that the stereo on the call sheet from the Neptune Sheriff's Department? The one marked urgent?"

"I'll call it in." The officer looks over the device. "Pretty sweet, combination GPS, DVD player, satellite radio. Some people got it rough, right, Jim?"

Fri. 3/20/09 afternoon: Dr. Friedman's Office, Los Angeles, CA

Outside the waiting room to Dr. Friedman's office, Veronica suddenly stops short a few feet from the door. Logan, holding her hand, is forced to stop with her. He glances at her quizzically; she shakes her head, uncertain herself why she halted.

She sighs finally and travels the last few feet, as if compelled. She notices that her hand is trembling slightly, and she pulls it from Logan's grasp, curling it into a tight fist.

The door to the doctor's treatment room is ajar; Dr. Friedman calls out, "Hello?" and walks out.

"I"m Keith Mars. Veronica's father," he adds unnecessarily, extending a hand in greeting.

"Mr. Mars, I'm Dr. Friedman." The doctor turns and says quietly, "Logan. Veronica."

"What happens now?" Veronica asks nervously, trying hard to keep her voice steady.

"I'd like to speak with Logan alone for a moment," Dr. Friedman replies.

Logan follows her into the inner office, casting a quick glance in Veronica's direction.

Dr. Friedman shuts the door and says, "Logan, I have to reiterate my objections at this time. It's completely unethical for me to treat both of you."

"I know, I understood what you said on the phone," he answers. "What if I signed something, that's it's okay if you reveal something you told me?"

"I'm not worried about you suing me. I'm worried about what's best for your mental health. You need a safe place to reveal your thoughts and emotions, even if you're feeling angry at Veronica."

Logan stares at her without speaking for a moment. "She trusts you."

"It might mean that you have to find a new therapist, if she wants to continue with me. Is that really fair to you, when you and I have been working together for almost nine months? We've barely scratched the surface of what made you run to Texas in January."

He ruffles his hair nervously. "I'm not happy about it, but I don't see a way around it. She's not the kind of person who could see just any therapist. I want her to talk to you, too." Logan says honestly, "I hate seeing her this way. We have stuff to work out, and I'm scared of how she is right now. Please. It'll be all right."

Dr. Friedman sighs. "Let's see how it goes today."

Logan leaves, and Veronica walks in hesitantly. She takes the same uncomfortable chair as the first time she was here. Dr. Friedman settles in a chair facing her. "How are you doing, Veronica?"

"I'm good," she replies automatically.

The doctor waits patiently.

Veronica says nervously, "How do we do this?"

"However you'd like. Tell me what's on your mind."

Veronica opens her mouth and closes it. I've been imagining talking to her for days, but...I can't do it. "You know, maybe this is a mistake." She rises from the chair.

"Why is it a mistake?" the doctor replies.

"Ugh. I hate when you do that," Veronica responds.

The doctor smiles. "We're just talking."

"Well, I don't know what to say."

Out in the waiting room, Keith is fidgeting. He stands up, walks to the window and looks out. "What do you think she's saying in there?" he asks suddenly. "It's good, right? It's got to be good that she's asking for help. I guess...it's just, I'll never get used to Veronica asking for help. You know what I mean?"

Logan reflects that he certainly does know what Keith means. He says obliquely, "She's still strong...you know that. Maybe it's a sign of strength that she knows she needs help."

"Okay," Keith replies. "Still...." He turns back to the window and stares at a building across the street without really focusing.

Logan realizes that Keith has been far more worried than he's been letting on for the last few days. "You know, I had an idea...something to cheer her up a little."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
The Weak Become Heroes
Veronica talks to the therapist.
Veronica: Kristen Bell. Dr. Friedman: Lorraine Bracco.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN: "THE WEAK BECOME HEROES"

Fri. 3/20/09 afternoon: Dr. Friedman's Office, Los Angeles, CA

In Dr. Friedman's office, the doctor watches as Veronica sits nervously unable to speak. "Can you tell me about what happened at the school? From the beginning?"

"Logan told you what happened, right?"

"I'd like to hear what you thought happened," Dr. Friedman says noncommittally.

"They took me in the middle of the night. I was handcuffed because I tried to run away—I was setting it up that I was resisting against them. We thought it would take too long to get the evidence we needed unless I fought back from the beginning, you see."

Dr. Friedman nods that she understands.

"So when I got there, they strip-searched me, and I resisted again, so we got 'em hurting me on video and me asking for a doctor. I stabbed Maria in the arm with a pen when they tried to make me sign voluntary commitment papers. Maria was my oldcomer, you know—"

"I know the terminology," Dr. Friedman interrupts. "Please continue."

"They sentenced me to Observation Placement for the pen incident. Then, you know, they let me out, and I had to talk with Klein, and he went over all my flaws and bad behavior."

Dr. Friedman makes a few notes, and Veronica stops talking. Friedman looks up. "I'm just keeping it straight by taking a few notes. I'm not writing anything about you."

Veronica breathes for a minute. Hesitantly, she continues. "After that we had group therapy. I was really tired; I had been up all night when they transported me to the school, and I didn't get much sleep while I was in isolation. And I just nodded off, and all of a sudden, they were hauling me down to the floor, really hard. And—"

Dr. Friedman waits quietly.

"Logan had to hold me down. You know, he was working as a guard. To protect me."

Dr. Friedman nods.

"A couple days later, I screwed up. I mean, you know, in the long run, it was good I screwed up, but...." Veronica sighs, tangled in her words. "I comforted one of the other girls in group therapy, and they assigned me an essay to write. You can't understand how insane it was...they kept saying 'We love you', and then they'd keep confronting us unless we admitted how fucked up we were. So I needed to get evidence of that, but...I didn't hug her on purpose, I just reacted."

"And they made you write an essay?"

"I realized it was an opportunity to provoke them. I just wrote, 'Fuck you Briar Hill', over and over again." Veronica stops, remembering what came next: trying to escape and Logan hurting her, on purpose it had seemed at the time. She recalls struggling against him, feeling his strong arms tightening angrily—feeling a sense of panic overtaking her.

"What happened?" Friedman presses.

"They put me in restraints for a couple days. It was good; we needed to document the use of restraints."

"It was good?"

"You know, for the case." She avoids looking at Friedman's sympathetic eyes. Veronica mutters, "I was surprised how hard it was, being in restraints I mean." I don't have to talk about the bucket yet.

There is an awkward silence; Veronica seems reluctant to continue. Finally, she says, "Afterwards, they kept it up. They didn't leave me alone, even if I was cooperating. Klein had Maria hurt me by twisting my arm behind my back." She motions with the arm in the sling. "And you know, it was pretty bad, they kept confronting me, yadda yadda yadda, and then...um...I broke down and called for help, but they didn't come."

"That must have been terrifying," Dr. Friedman comments.

Veronica nods but keeps silent.

"How did it actually end?"

"I was feverish—in the hospital they diagnosed a kidney infection. You know, they didn't let me use the bathroom often enough and the...hygiene was...." Friedman nods that she understands. "So I don't really remember the last day. There was another group therapy session, and I guess the headmaster was confronting me." Her voice begins to speed up. "The whole operation was very successful; we documented a lot of the abuse, and I'm doing okay now. I'm fine."

"You know, the average girl sent to the school would be going along to get along her first week and scared to death about what was happening. It sounds like you were pushing back from the minute you got there. They would have made that first week very intense for you. I think you're minimizing how bad it was."

Veronica stares back; she finally admits, "Yeah, it was a lot harder than I thought it would be."

"What was the worst part?"

Veronica thinks for a moment. "No one to talk to. Not being able to control anything—having to sit and think instead of doing something."

Friedman frowns. "It wasn't that you were becoming uncertain of your own mind? That's a common result from these kinds of stressors."

Veronica shrugs.

"When somebody tells you that you are a bad person over and over again, even if you know you are playing a role and not really that person, you will begin to question your own worthiness. It's called a 'situational' effect."

Veronica doesn't react.

The doctor continues, "Someone like Peter Klein is a skilled manipulator. He would be able to read his victims like a book. Even if they were trying to hide the truth from him."

Veronica shivers reflexively. In a quiet voice, she says, "I never knew how weak I was. I always thought I was a strong person. I let him—" She breaks off.

"You're weak because you had to ask for help? Because you had to stop the operation?" Dr. Friedman prompts.

"No! Because I'm such a bad person...he was able to see it and use it against me," Veronica moans, as the tears begin to run down her face. "I always thought the worst of everyone, especially Logan. I accused him of murder! I loved him, and I told the sheriff he had killed Lilly! Klein was right, I do have a black hole instead of a soul. Just the other day, one of my best friends Weevil was kidding with me, calling me a blackmailer. That's how he thinks of me. Everyone knows that's how I am!"

Dr. Friedman asks calmly, "What did your friend mean, when he teased you and called you a blackmailer?"

Veronica is startled out of her crying jag. She sniffles a bit and grabs a tissue from the table. "What did he mean? I guess that I use information to get what I need, to force people into doing things they don't want to do."

"Isn't that partly what it means to be a PI? You get evidence for divorce cases and insurance claims, which influences the outcome. And you gather information and analyze the data."

"I guess. But still I shouldn't be doing it to my friends. You know, trading information on them for their cooperation," Veronica replies.

Dr. Friedman asks thoughtfully, "Have you ever just asked your friends for what you need?"

"Of course...sometimes. But usually...I'm always asking for a favor, but I never intend to pay it back...and I always think the worst of them."

"Tell me about your friends, Veronica."

This was a bad idea. We're not getting anywhere, Veronica thinks. How is this helping? The doctor is waiting for her answer; finally she says, "Logan obviously. Wallace was my best friend in high school; he works part-time for my dad now too. Weevil: he used to be in a motorcycle gang and went to my high school; he works at Hearst now. Mac is my best girlfriend; Duncan is an old boyfriend who's back in town again. Maybe Dick, Logan's best friend, I guess we're friends too, now. My dad of course." I can't tell her that I just use all of them whenever it's convenient. I can't even help myself anymore.

"Okay, we know Logan was willing to go undercover for you. That's a pretty good friend."

Veronica scoffs. "That was only because he was worried about me—he knew I was being foolish."

"Still, he was there for you, even though it wasn't exactly what he wanted." Friedman checks her notes. "What about Wallace?"

"Yeah, Wallace would do anything for me. But he gets frustrated, because I'm always asking for favors and not telling him everything that's going on. And it's always a one-way street: it's what I want, all the time."

"Always? You don't ever do anything for him? What about Weevil, the one who teased you? Can you count on him?"

"Of course."

Dr. Friedman looks at Veronica, her eyebrows raised suggestively.

"Okay, I see your point, I have good friends I can rely on," Veronica mutters.

"People who help you when you need them. All you have to do is ask. People who care about you. And you help them when they ask?"

"Yes. If I give them a chance to ask," she says, with self-loathing.

"You're not your job, Veronica. You might not be happy about some of the things you've done to the people around you in the past, but they clearly love you and are loyal to you, and you to them. Does that make sense for a person whose soul is a black hole?"

Veronica blurts out, "But they don't trust me now. They always hold things back from me."

"Such as?"

The gun that my dad gave to Logan. The lawsuit that Klein just filed. She says instead, "They weren't going to tell me about my friend's family dying. Mac's family...we thought they'd been killed in a terrible accident." We thought they'd been killed...it sounds like a soap opera. I sound insane.

"You mean they were protecting you?"

"Yeah. Because I'm so weak."

"That doesn't sound like they don't trust you."

"Logan is— He's afraid to tell me what's going on, what he's—" Whatever it is that he doesn't want me to remember about Shelly's party. The words spill out thoughtlessly, unheeded. "He keeps saying he's worried I'm going to leave him. I don't understand why he would think that. I keep telling him how much I need him, even though I hate that everyone knows how...fucked up I am now. I feel like I lose a little piece of myself, every time I admit I need their help. And they keep going over all the times I let them down in the past. I mean, I know we have to: the problems we have now are because of the past, and we have to talk about these things, but I always feel so bad about all the choices I made that put my friends and my dad in danger now. You see, we think somebody's trying to hurt us because of...because of...." She finally stops because she's out of breath.

Veronica takes a couple deep breaths and continues, "And I feel so guilty about making Logan go undercover. He's been so upset...terrible nightmares; he won't really tell me about them. I feel like...I've made him give up his life. And...whenever he's around me, his life goes to hell."

"Veronica, how do you think Logan feels about you?"

"He has this irrational love for me."

Dr. Friedman appears to be surprised, and Veronica has a flash of smug satisfaction at being able to shock her, before she realizes that she is once again being 'self-centered,' 'self-important'. She remembers Alyssa drumming it into her: 'You need to get out of your head. Let go, and let God.' What was that list of my faults again? Oh yeah, reckless, sarcastic, self-righteous, suspicious, critical.... Veronica attempts to focus. Alyssa was full of shit, she thinks, trying to convince herself.

Friedman asks, "Why do you call Logan's love for you irrational?"

"It doesn't make sense that he loves me. I've never been able to trust him—never had faith in him. I've always thought the worst of him. I couldn't tell him I loved him for the longest time. He's romantic. I'm not."

"Veronica, do you think you're worthy of being loved?"

"Of course," she says without thinking.

Dr. Friedman stares at her.

Veronica, uncomfortable, repeats, "Of course I'm worthy of being loved. Logan is the one who...."

"Does it make you uncomfortable, Logan's unconditional love for you? The way he's willing to give up his life for you?"

Veronica mutters, "I hate you."

"What was that?" the doctor queries, not sure what Veronica said.

"I hate this. Do you enjoy doing this to your patients?" Veronica asks in frustration.

"Of course not. We're just talking, Veronica." Dr. Friedman stands up. "I'm having a glass of water. Would you like one?"

Veronica nods. As the doctor gets two cups of water from a cooler in the corner of the room, Veronica thinks that this was the stupidest idea she's ever had. We're not even talking about—

"You said you hate feeling weak, Veronica. What would make you feel strong?" Dr. Friedman asks as she hands Veronica a cup.

Veronica lifts her injured arm. "I need to get rid of this damn sling. I hate being injured. I hate having to ask everyone to help me."

"Not just because you're injured, you mean."

"Okay, I admit it, I don't like being so dependent on them. I hate having to ask for help," Veronica replies.

"Veronica, I'm not trying to make you admit anything. What's going on with your shoulder, medically?"

"I'll need surgery and physical therapy, I guess. But I have to get over this kidney infection first. I just have to get through the next few days." Veronica shrugs.

"So you're still on antibiotics."

Veronica nods.

"Aren't you supposed to be resting?"

"I'm taking it easy," she says evasively.

Dr. Friedman frowns. "You look tired to me."

"Things have been going on. The funeral...there was a shooting; we had to investigate somebody—sort of an emergency."

Friedman raises her eyebrows.

Veronica sighs. "The sheriff was investigating us in a murder case; we had to clear our names."

"That sounds stressful, especially when you're sick and injured. You have to take care of yourself, and let the people you love take care of you." Veronica winces unthinkingly. Friedman adds, "Logan was injured too, and you took care of him. Now he has to take care of you."

"I know."

"That was easier, to take care of him, wasn't it?" Dr. Friedman asks.

"For me. It was hard on him." She bursts out, "I don't know how to do this."

"Do what?"

"Figure out a life with him."

"No one knows how to do it, Veronica."

"Yeah, they do. They seem to be able to make decisions and just do what they need to. The problem is that his life always goes to hell when I'm around."

"Did you cause his problems this semester?"

"Well, some of them. He thought he had to protect me. I asked him to be there at the school so I'd feel safe."

"But Veronica, that was a huge step for you. That was progress. I remember how you struggled with that the last time you were here."

It doesn't feel like progress, Veronica thinks.

"What about Hannah?" the doctor asks.

"What about her?" Veronica replies.

"Is that your fault too?"

"Well, maybe...maybe if I hadn't broken up with Logan the summer before...." Veronica sees Dr. Friedman's expression. "Okay, I know. I know! I'm being ridiculous!! And it's what Logan does too...he always feels responsible when it's not even his fault."

"One of the ways that the tough-love programs work on their victims is by methodically destroying their value systems. They purposely break you, so that they can re-instill a new system of moral behavior. There's a lot of emphasis on personal responsibility, and they force you to question everything you think you know about your life."

"Tell me about it," Veronica says bitterly.

"You were under attack at the school. From what I've read, Peter Klein is one of the best manipulators in the industry...he's extremely adept psychologically. He's able to read his victims; he can find your weaknesses and use them against you to break you. Just because you assumed a role to play while you were undercover doesn't mean that he wasn't able to determine exactly how to hurt you the most."

"But Klein was just discovering the truth about me," Veronica whispers. "If I had been stronger...if I didn't have all these issues before I went undercover, it wouldn't have—"

"Veronica, do you remember talking about how survivors of these tough-love programs have to find a way to make the experience worthwhile? They have to find something positive in the experience in order to move on, maybe even embrace the program as their salvation."

"I don't want to do that. There was nothing positive there," she replies bitterly.

"Our lives are a sum of our experiences. You can't erase your time there, even if you want to."

"I don't want to erase it!! I need to—" Veronica stops, terrified.

"What?"

Veronica exhales heavily. "On the last day...the day I don't really remember...Klein was confronting me about my rape. I assume Logan has mentioned that I was raped?"

Friedman nods reluctantly.

"I don't remember much about the night that I got raped five years ago. I'd been dosed with Liquid X without my knowledge. Most of the information I have about that night is from the other people who were there. And some of them...had very good reasons to lie to me." Veronica wipes a tear from her eye. "I thought I'd made my peace with it. It was complicated but...the boy who raped me is dead." She meets Friedman's eyes and knows immediately that the doctor knows about Duncan as well. "I think...that last day at Briar Hill I remembered something about my rape."

The doctor maintains a poker face, and Veronica immediately surmises that Logan has discussed this with her. She says, "He told you."

Dr. Friedman nods reluctantly. "That's one of the reasons why it's problematic for me to treat both of you."

"I don't care," Veronica cries suddenly. "I can't start over from the beginning with a new therapist. It would take a year just to get through high school."

"I understand, but—"

"And I trust you," Veronica interrupts. "You don't understand how rare that is for me."

Dr. Friedman inclines her head. "Thank you, Veronica. That's a great compliment."

You don't know the half of it...well, maybe she does. "I know I remembered something that last day...I can feel it."

"But now you've lost the memory again?"

Veronica nods.

Dr. Friedman asks, "And that's worse? Not knowing?"

"I don't know anymore," Veronica says, wretchedly. "I spend every waking minute investigating all these cases, but I can't figure out what happened to me. It used to be the most frustrating thing in the world, but then...." She sighs and looks down at her lap.

Dr. Friedman queries curiously, "Have you ever talked to Logan about that night? Asked him to help you remember as much as possible? He could try to take through the evening chronologically."

Veronica sucks in her breath. Why haven't I ever asked him what he remembers? Am I afraid of what he'll say? I wouldn't let him talk that night in the pool house...I cut him off when he started telling me about the salt lick. And now...he always acts like he did something monstrous at Shelly's party. "He's...scared to talk about it. I don't know why. He's admitted he's afraid I'll leave him because of that night."

"Do you think he did something that was...unforgivable?"

"Other than buying the drugs? And putting some in Duncan's drink?"

"Is that unforgivable?" the doctor asks.

"He thinks so."

"What do you think?"

"I don't know," Veronica says honestly. "It wasn't wise. But then again he did a lot of things in high school that weren't very wise. I don't know if he did something else that night that he doesn't want me to find out." She looks out the window and says softly, "If he did do something else...I want to think I could forgive him, but...I don't know if I would. But I think...I think Logan is just afraid I'll decide he should have saved me that night, and I won't be able to get past it. It's what he always says about that night: 'I can't take that I hurt you when all I want to do is protect you.'"

Veronica turns back and gazes directly into the therapist's eyes. "Dr. Friedman, it's not just because I need to know what happened, although that's part of it." Her breath comes in pants; she's incredibly anxious physically. She is sweating profusely, and she has to work hard to keep her knee from jiggling compulsively. She closes her eyes and says, "I think they're going to use my rape at the trial...to discredit me, or to threaten me. They've already released a letter I wrote while undercover...I assume you saw it? They're going to paint me as a lunatic, a rape survivor who's psychotic at best, possibly even insane and violent because of what I've been through. I need to be prepared. It can't be for nothing. I can't have gone through that for nothing." Veronica opens her eyes and stares at the therapist. "So you see, I want to watch the surveillance tapes from the last day, and I think I need you to help me with that. I want to watch the video and remember everything, and then help win the lawsuit so that other girls don't have to go through that."

"You'd be watching some very difficult material, Veronica. It could be very traumatic to see yourself being so vulnerable."

Veronica's voice trembles. "I know, but I'll be more vulnerable if I don't know everything ahead of time. I can't testify, wondering what they're going to say about me."

"You're being very brave, Veronica. Many women would withdraw from the lawsuit rather than subject themselves to this."

Veronica looks away, tears forming in her eyes. "I'm not brave."

"What are you really afraid of, Veronica?"

She buries her face in her hands and wails, "I'm afraid to face Klein in court. I can't do it. He beat me, he won. I gave up."

"In an impossible situation, you called for help; you were performing a heroic task, Veronica. You were ill, injured, and sleep-deprived. You know that, right?"

"I know that. But I knew what it was going to be like, and I still let him beat me. He beat me by...." she sobs. "I let him beat me by assigning me jumping jacks. No one's going to see how hard it was. They're going to laugh at me for being so pathetic. They're going to believe him when he tells everyone that I'm just another user. I'm so ashamed."

"Veronica, you've been through a physical and mental ordeal, and the stress hasn't let up since you left the school—"

Veronica interrupts, "You don't understand...I've been doing better when we've been working. Everybody keeps congratulating me on the operation, but I feel like I failed; I feel like I'm lying every time I accept someone's compliment. It's when I...it's when I sit down and think, that I can't—"

"I understand. But Veronica, you have to give yourself some time to get over this. You did battle with experts who have perfected their brainwashing techniques for the last fifty years, and you won. You won, Veronica. They are scared to death that you will prevail at trial. That's why they're hitting back so hard; they wouldn't be worried if your case wasn't strong. Veronica, you caused them to be arrested and exposed for what they are. I promise you; you'll be a strong woman again, mentally and physically, with time. You have people who love you and are taking care of you. I see that you're torturing yourself with possibilities and worries about the legal battles ahead. We're all going to help you; you have people to rely on. That's not a weakness, that's a strength. I want you to do an exercise for me. Every time you start to think about Klein or the school, or how upsetting is to need people to help you right now, I want you mentally to list all the people who care about you, and think about the last time they told you they love you. And I want you to think about the quality of the love that they give you. You have people who care about you deeply, Veronica. I want you to say to yourself, 'I'm strong, and I'm getting stronger.'"

Veronica looks dubious.

Dr. Friedman presses, "Promise me you'll try?"

She nods reluctantly.

"Can you say it...I'm strong, and I'm getting stronger. I have people who love me," Dr. Friedman prompts.

Veronica repeats, "I'm strong, and I'm getting stronger. I have people who love me."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
Do Not Pass Go
Leo's investigation; Veronica, Logan, and Keith
try to relax; Candice and Wallace on a date;
Weevil contemplates payback.
Veronica: Kristen Bell. Logan: Jason Dohring.
Keith: Enrico Colantoni. Leo: Max Greenfield.
Dr. Friedman: Lorraine Bracco. Wallace:
Percy Daggs III. Eli: Francis Capra. Candice
Pauling: Toy Connor.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWENTY: "DO NOT PASS GO"

Fri. 3/20/09 afternoon: Neptune Sheriff's Department, Neptune, CA

Leo sits at his desk reviewing the evidence, or rather, the lack of it. Daniel Mulvaney was picked up a short time ago; he asked for a lawyer and refused to say another word. His aunt Bridget denied knowing anything about the theft of the SUV. She admitted she had the code to the alarm system written on the key ring to the Crawford's house, but she claimed that her nephew doesn't have access to her purse. Leo decides to keep both of the Mulvaneys in custody while he tries to get a search warrant for their house.

Sacks took a statement from Griffith's receptionist, who said she was never allowed any access to the financial databases. She had only booked appointments and answered the phone. When pressed about the lack of patients at the practice, she had shrugged and said it was easiest receptionist job she'd ever had and she certainly never complained about it.

The border patrol and the Yuma, Arizona police have checked in: there's been no sign of Karen Fillipelli. The anesthesiologist isn't talking and has asked for a lawyer; Leo's pretty sure he doesn't know anything and just took a check from his old business partner Griffith. Checks were direct-deposited into an account, then cash was withdrawn, presumably by someone other than the anesthesiologist.

The intercom buzzes, and Sacks tells Leo the car stereo from the Crawford's SUV has turned up in a pawnshop outside of San Diego.

Finally, a break in the case. "Send Davis right away," Leo barks. "Find out where that stereo came from."

Fri. 3/20/09 late afternoon: Dr. Friedman's Office, Los Angeles, CA

Veronica emerges from Dr. Friedman's office into the waiting room. Both Logan and Keith notice immediately that she's been crying.

Keith stands up and goes to her, enveloping her in a hug. "Are you okay, honey?"

"Yeah, I'm okay," she replies. Veronica turns slightly and says, "Thank you, Dr. Friedman."

"Of course. Mr. Mars, can I speak with you?" the doctor asks.

Keith says, "Logan, why don't you take Veronica to her surprise?"

"You finally got my pony," Veronica says wanly. "It's about time."

Keith huffs a laugh and releases her from his hug. He follows Dr. Friedman as Logan puts his arm around Veronica's shoulder and escorts her out of the office.

"What's the surprise?" she asks as they walk into the hallway.

"It wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you, right?" he says evasively.

"But I'm going to like it?"

"Oh absolutely," he replies, pushing the down button for the elevator. They step in, and they have the elevator to themselves. Logan hums along with 'The Girl from Ipanema' playing on the loudspeaker. "We haven't been alone in an elevator for a while now. Got any ideas?" he whispers into her ear.

"Didn't we get into enough trouble in the last one?" she replies.

"Penny-ante stuff. Just false murder charges...it was totally worth it for a little nooky in the elevator." He bends down and begins kissing her neck as she watches the numbers flash by. "How much would you give me to hit the emergency stop button right now?"

"I'd give you all my money not to do it," she laughs. She turns and whispers, "You're just trying to distract me with your kisses and groping."

"Groping?!" He puts his hand on her ass and squeezes gently. "Is it working?" he asks.

"Actually it is," Veronica replies softly.

The elevator dings as they reach the main floor. Logan exits first, gently grabbing her hand and pulling her along. He leads her to a hair salon in the main lobby. "After you, milady." He makes a sweeping gesture and allows her to precede him.

The woman behind the counter says, "Ah yes. Here you are. Your friend told us you'd be interested in going back to your natural color and straightening your permanent?"

"Oh yes," Veronica says ecstatically.

The woman turns to Logan. "And you wanted a haircut and double-process hair color for yourself?"

He nods.

Veronica dumps her purse on the counter. "I have a picture you can use." She rummages with her left hand and extracts her wallet; she flips it to a picture of the two of them from the summer freshman senior year. Logan is tanned, with highlights in his short hair; Veronica looks happy and relaxed, with long blonde waves of hair swept back from her face.

The woman looks at the photo and says, "I don't think this will be a problem."

In Dr. Friedman's office several flights up, Keith sits down and faces the doctor. "How is she? Is she going to be okay? She was crying, wasn't she."

"Mr. Mars. First of all, I'd like to say that what you did at the school was very important work that truly needed to be done. There's been tremendous publicity, and I think your lawsuit might be the first step in getting some new laws on the books."

"But?" Keith prompts.

"You were listening and observing during the operation, correct?"

He nods, abashed. "I know, I should have gotten her out sooner—"

"It was a difficult situation. I know what it must have been like, and once she was there, you didn't want to waste the opportunity."

"Right."

"I'm sure Veronica's going to be all right. She has tremendous resilience and strength. What's going on now is that a random word or phrase will remind her of the programming they were trying to do on her. The brainwashing, you might say. Because she was fighting back, they were particularly intense with her."

Keith opens his mouth and Dr. Friedman quickly adds, "Mr. Mars, I'm sure you have a lot of questions. But I know you're aware that Veronica's sessions need to be completely private so that she feels free to discuss anything with me. You wouldn't want your own therapist to discuss your statements with your daughter."

He nods. "I understand. I'm just very worried about her."

"I've encouraged Veronica to speak with you about a particular topic we discussed today. She has legitimate concerns. But please don't pressure her. She's finding her courage right now. Mr. Mars, what Veronica needs right now is a little break from all this stress. I know that she mentioned that there are some things going on right now, but whatever you can do to help her relax and maybe even laugh a little would be very beneficial." Dr. Friedman scribbles something on a piece of paper. "This is my home number and my cell phone number, in case you need to reach me. Mr. Mars, I'm wondering if you have somebody that you can talk to. Veronica needs you at your best right now."

He remembers Veronica encouraging him to nap on the way here; 'Please, Dad. I'm going to need you at full strength.' "Yes, Veronica does need me. And I do think I have someone I can talk to. Thank you for everything, Dr. Friedman."

"Good luck, Mr. Mars."

Fri. 3/20/09 early evening: Navarro Residence, Neptune, CA

Weevil rummages through his bedroom closet and finds his old leather jacket. The last time he wore it was when he accompanied Veronica to East L.A. That time he wore it to blend in so they could get the information they needed quickly. Now, he puts in on and studies his reflection in the mirror. He scratches his chin; the stubble of his beard can't hide the slight puffiness of his cheeks from the painkillers he takes for his knee. The leather jacket, soft and well broken in, is a little more snug than it used to be. He pulls on the hem, adjusting the fit a little.

FLASHBACK:
On a construction site off the Pacific Coast Highway, the PCHers are gathered around as Weevil confronts Thumper about dealing drugs for the Fitzpatricks. Thumper asks sarcastically, "Let me make sure I got this straight. Working with our enemies, you got a problem with that?"

Weevil replies strongly, "You bet I do."

Thumper pretends to look puzzled. "Then maybe you can tell us what you were doing meeting at the Neptune Grand with Logan Echolls."

Weevil shakes his head, realizing that this is not going to go well.

Hector chimes in angrily, "And you were gonna bust me up for selling to an '09er last week."

"Hector's cousin works maintenance there," Thumper says accusingly. "He saw you, all buddy-buddy with the piece of trash who killed Felix. You're right, there's rules. Like not selling out your brothers. I'm not like you, Weevil. I don't make good speeches, so I'm just gonna say, adios. Hope that covers it."

The PCHers gather around. They grab Weevil and begin to beat him viciously.

Weevil thinks about all the hard choices he's made in the last few years. It hasn't been easy to keep on the straight and narrow. When he scored the Magneta-corp ID encrypting machine two years ago, the temptation to profit from it had been fierce. He had ended up building a new brick fence in his backyard and encasing the device in a waterproof container inside the wall. There have been many late nights since that time when he lay awake on the bed wondering just when he turned into a sucker working for the man. His knee would throb likes a mother, and all he could think about was grabbing a sledgehammer and busting out the easy way from behind the bricks.

Yesterday's adrenaline-fueled playacting at Dr. Griffith's office had made him ache for the old days when they would relieve a spoiled '09er of their vehicle, or at least their rims. He remembers how people would quickly get out of the way when he and the PCHers had roared up a street; he had felt powerful and unstoppable.

Truth be told, most days he can't even reconcile this man in the mirror with the boy who had taped Wallace Fennel to a flagpole and laughed like hell when Bootsie misspelled 'SNICH'.

His cell phone rings, and he answers. "Yo....After second shift? So ten o'clock....Yeah. I'll be there, Arturo."

Weevil hangs up the phone. His eyes light on his tool bag near the door, and he pulls out several items that he thinks he might need.

Fri. 3/20/09 early evening: Candice Pauling's apartment, Neptune, CA

Candice and Wallace are sharing a pizza in her apartment. Wallace has been describing the various ruses they used to get information on Dr. Griffith's operation. She giggled when Wallace demonstrated his messenger boy act but had looked appalled when she heard that the office manager was missing and, Keith had said, presumed dead because of her knowledge of the scam.

"You mean they killed her," she says.

"Yeah, probably."

"And you're still investigating these people," Candice adds, her voice getting louder.

"They're a threat to Veronica and Mr. Mars, and probably to Logan too."

"Because you exposed them. If you'd left it alone—"

Wallace turns to her in confusion. "If we'd left it alone, Duncan might have been charged with a felony and lost custody of his kid. You told me you liked him."

"I did, I mean I do."

"And we had to get the sheriff to stop investigating Veronica and Logan," Wallace says strongly. "Don't you get it?"

"I get it. I just don't think it'll ever end. You said it was the Fitzpatricks? And that's the same people who...." She swallows. "Shawn was mixed up with them. They don't screw around, do they?"

They stare at each other.

Finally Wallace clears his throat. "It's going to be all right. And I think when the dust settles we might find out what happened with Shawn."

Fri. 3/20/09 evening: Logan's House, Venice Beach, CA

After sharing several cartons of Chinese food from Woo Too, Keith, Logan, and Veronica are playing Monopoly, trying to forget about the long day and just relax for a change. Without spelling it out, they all seem to acknowledge that they need to forget about Briar Hill, the Fitzpatricks, and the rest of it for an evening. Keith watches his daughter surreptitiously, worrying and wondering about her long session with the therapist. Occasionally he checks his cell phone, but Alan Sheffield has not returned his call. Wallace has reported that he hasn't identified either of the photos yet, but Weevil might have some information by the morning on Oswaldo Cortez. Keith had pressed Wallace for details, but Wallace had said that Weevil wouldn't tell him what he was planning.

Logan seems destined to win the game, having acquired both Boardwalk and Park Place with a hotel on each, although he has few other properties. Veronica throws the dice and lands on Park Place.

"Pay up, honeybun," Logan says with a smirk.

"Wealth is so wasted on the rich," Veronica replies sarcastically.

"You know, if you play your cards right, I might let you slide on the rent."

"Play my cards right?"

"You know, give me a little sugar."

Veronica pretends to be appalled. "Sexual favors?"

"I can't watch this," Keith says. He stands up and walks to the kitchen to get a drink. He carefully turns his back on the couple and pours a soda.

Veronica says, "What are we talking about here? A kiss? I know." She whispers. "A hand job."

"Unh-uh." He bends to her ear. "The whole nine yards, baby. Otherwise, it's the poorhouse for you." Logan reaches over and fingers Veronica's stash of play money. "I don't think you have enough here to pay the rent."

"I'll give you one of my railroads," she says, pretending to plead.

"At a fire sale price, of course. Railroads are so twentieth century."

"How about this 'get out of jail free' card? I know you'll need that sooner or later," she replies, waving a yellow card in his face.

"Number one, conjugal visits are hot. And number two, I think you need that card more than I do. After committing fraud in that beauty contest, you're going up the river, sugarpuss," Logan teases.

Veronica scoffs. "Fraud? I won second place fair and square." She calls to her dad, who is steadfastly ignoring them. "Daa-ad. Can I borrow some money? Please."

"You need to learn to stand on your own two feet, honey," Keith answers from the kitchen.

Veronica tsks in annoyance. "You guys are double-teaming me." She sighs dramatically. In an exaggerated Southern accent, she says, "What's a young girl to do when she don't have a dowry? I'll have to kiss him, Pa."

Logan replies, "'I don't think I will kiss you—although you need kissing badly. That's what's wrong with you. You should be kissed, and often, and by someone who knows how.'"

In the kitchen, Keith shakes his head at their banter.

Veronica frowns theatrically at Logan before kissing him thoroughly. She pulls away with a smug expression.

"Whew. That was good." Logan puts out his hand expectantly. "Fifteen hundred dollars, please. Or thirteen hundred, the railroad, and the 'get out of jail free' card."

Veronica sulks as she hands over almost all her cash and the two cards. "I want to play 'Clue'."

Keith comes back from the kitchen and comments, "I'm guessing it's going to be a shotgun wedding?"

"She used her feminine wiles on me, sir," Logan explains. "I resisted with all my might."

"Oh, I know," Keith replies. "Believe me, I know." He leans down and kisses Veronica on the forehead. "Buck up, honey, you'll beat him next time."

"I ain't going take this lyin' down, Pops," Veronica says.

"Wouldn't expect you to."

Fri. 3/20/09 evening: Employee Parking Area, Neptune Grand Hotel, Neptune, CA

Oswaldo Cortez is walking from the service entrance of the hotel. A white panel van is parked next to his car. As he walks past it, the rear door bursts open and three young men jump out. They throw a black hood over Oswaldo's head and hustle him into the van as Oswaldo struggles violently.

In the passenger seat, Weevil says, "Let's go." The driver throws the van into gear and heads out, tires screeching as he exits the lot.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
Land Mines
Veronica's reacts to therapy; Weevil pursues
vengeance; Mac's situation worsens.
Veronica: Kristen Bell. Logan: Jason Dohring.
Keith: Enrico Colantoni. Eli: Francis Capra.
Mac: Tina Majorino. Dick: Ryan Hansen.
Ethan Lavoie: John Prosky. Peter Klein:
Clancy Brown. Carrie Bishop: Leighton
Meester. Madison: Amanda Noret. Epstein:
Scott Grimes. Judge: Don Worley. Inga
Olofson: Seraina Jacqueline. Oswaldo:
Frankie Rodriguez. Alan Sheffield: Ned
Vaughn. Man: ???
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE: "LAND MINES"

Fri. 3/20/09 late evening: Logan's House, Venice Beach, CA

Logan helps Veronica get ready for bed after the first relaxed evening in recent memory. It's like we forgot how to laugh, he muses. After the Monopoly game ended, they had given in to Veronica's pleadings and played 'Clue' with her. Veronica had triumphantly identified the perpetrator as Colonel Mustard in the library with the lead pipe, and he and Keith had shared a laugh at her over-the-top exultations.

She snuggles against him and closes her eyes. Logan conks out immediately, but Veronica lies awake thinking about her session with Dr. Friedman. Finally, tossing and turning, she falls asleep and begins to dream.

Veronica is seated in the witness chair and is recounting her time spent in restraints at Briar Hill, guided by Ms. Denenberg's attorney, James Epstein. "Ms. Mars, tell us again. Did you have any respite from this punishment?"

"I was led to a bathroom and allowed to use the facilities. I estimated that these breaks took place every six hours."

Epstein asks, "And if you had needed a break before that time?"

"I was alone in the room. There was no one to ask for a break." The courtroom murmurs; Veronica senses that they are on her side.

"No further questions." As the attorney steps back, Veronica's eyes meet those of Peter Klein. She is shocked to see that he doesn't look worried; in fact, he regards her with amusement.

Klein has hired Ethan Lavoie as his attorney. Veronica tenses as the weaselly lawyer approaches her; she remembers his sarcastic insinuations from Aaron's trial and prepares for the worst. He says, innocuously, "Nice to see you again, Ms. Mars."

"Can't say the same," Veronica replies without thinking as Lavoie paces in front of the witness box.

Abruptly, the attorney whirls around. "Isn't it true that you were placed in restraints at Briar Hill because of your violent behavior?"

"I struggled against one of the guards who was trying to put me under control," she answers. "I wouldn't say that I was violent."

"This guard was in actuality your own undercover operative, Mr. Echolls."

"Yes."

Lavoie leans in. "And he intentionally hurt you at that time."

Veronica sucks in her breath. How the fuck does he know that? She recovers and says, "He misjudged how hard to hold me in order to pretend to restrain me. It was important that he act like a typical guard." She sees Klein lean over and whisper something to his legal team.

"I see. So this operative that was in place to protect you was so frustrated with your behavior that he hurt you?"

Epstein leaps up. "Objection. Relevance, your honor."

"Sustained. Move on, Mr. Lavoie."

Mr. Lavoie acknowledges the judge's ruling and paces around the room. "Let's talk about your therapy at the school. What was the primary focus of the therapy you received at the school?"

"I didn't receive therapy at the school," Veronica replies, barely keeping the sarcasm from her voice. "I was punished repeatedly for not repeating the slogans espoused by the school."

"Your honor, please instruct the witness to restrict her remarks to the question asked."

"Ms. Mars...."

Barely holding her sarcasm in check, Veronica says, "I'm sorry, your honor. Can you rephrase the question please?"

"What was the school's assessment of your psychiatric problems?"

"They claimed that I was a drug abuser."

"Yes, of course." Lavoie pretends to ponder for a minute. "What about sexual addiction?"

"Excuse me?" Veronica asks incredulously.

"Isn't it true that Mr. Klein determined that you were lying about a supposed rape in your past?"

"What?" Veronica looks wildly at Epstein, who doesn't look up from scribbling notes.

"Ms. Mars, isn't it true that you made up a story about being raped five years ago? Mr. Klein was attempting to get you to admit that the incident in question was in fact consensual sex with two boys."

"NO! I was raped."

Lavoie asks condescendingly, "I'm sorry, I'm confused. Are you saying you were raped twice in one night?"

Veronica exhales. "Well, no, the first boy was...." She doesn't know how to say it, and her voice trails off.

"Wasn't the first boy whom you claimed raped you in fact your long-term boyfriend Duncan Kane? And did you not subsequently have another relationship with him after this rape supposedly occurred?"

"It was complicated," Veronica says weakly. "We were both drugged."

"So you were high and had sex with your ex-boyfriend, then later you got back together with him."

"That's not what happened. Logan put—" She realizes and stops dead.

"You were saying?"

"We were drugged against our will and...I don't know...I can't remember most of that night."

"Really. Let's go on to the other supposed rapist that night. A Mr. Cassidy Casablancas, I believe."

"Beaver," Veronica says.

"Yes, I understand that's what you called him. He was your friend. In fact, he hired you as a private investigator almost two years after this rape occurred. And you were so incensed at his raping you that you took the case."

Veronica tries to explain. "I didn't know then that he was the boy who raped me." I sound like a lunatic.

"Oh, so Duncan Kane did not rape you, but Cassidy Casablancas did."

"It was consensual with Duncan, but not with Bea– with Cassidy," Veronica protests.

"But you're unaware of the entire night supposedly. How can you be sure it was consensual with Duncan and not with Cassidy? Perhaps you gave consent. Perhaps you were just looking for a good time."

"NO!! It was rape! When I woke up without my underwear, sore and bloody, I knew I'd been raped."

"So you reported the rape. It's strange, there was no incident report." Lavoie pretends to look through a sheaf of papers in front of Peter Klein.

Klein tents his fingers and stares directly at Veronica. She tries not to look at him and focuses on Lavoie. "The sheriff didn't believe me."

Mr. Lavoie addresses the judge. "If you'll give me some latitude, I'd like to explore this supposed rape incident a little further. And I'd like the option to recall Ms. Mars at a later time."

"Granted. You may step down, Ms. Mars."

"Your honor..." Veronica pleads but the judge ignores her. She stands up and realizes she's wearing the infamous white dress from that night...and no underwear. She hangs her head and returns to sit down next to Ms. Denenberg's lawyer. Ms. Denenberg casts her a furious glance, obviously upset that Veronica has managed to damage their case. Veronica tugs on the attorney's sleeve. "I need to go change."

"No. You need to stay." He looks at her dress with disgust. "I don't know what's wrong with you: we talked about you wearing something modest and conservative."

"I did." She remembers putting on a skirt suit that morning, with conservative low-heeled shoes and pantyhose. Veronica looks down at her fuck-me high heels and bare legs; she touches the choker at her neck. She wants desperately to check her face in a mirror; she's certain she's wearing too much makeup. How did this happen?

"If that's what you call modest...." Epstein shakes his head, and Veronica flushes and looks away.

Lavoie says, "We call Carrie Bishop to the stand."

Veronica is horrified. Carrie walks in and flounces up to the witness chair to be sworn in by the bailiff. "Ms. Bishop, can you tell us what you witnessed at Ms. Pomroy's party."

"I saw her," Carrie indicates Veronica, "In a room with Duncan Kane. She was pulling his clothes off. She didn't even care that the door was open and everyone could see."

"Did she appear to be incapacitated?" Lavoie asks.

"No, of course not. She'd been drinking, but she was certainly not incapacitated."

"Then you were surprised to hear that she was claiming to be raped?"

Carrie snorts. "Nothing Veronica does would surprise me. She tried to defend a teacher who had had sex with an underaged student."

"Thank you, Ms. Bishop. I call Madison Sinclair to the stand." While they wait for Madison, Lavoie holds a whispered consultation with Klein. The two men keep glancing over at Veronica, and she shivers apprehensively.

Veronica asks Epstein anxiously, "Aren't you going to question these witnesses?"

He shakes his head 'no'. Veronica, still uncomfortable in her white dress, tries to pull the bodice a little higher to cover herself up. She crosses her legs and pulls the hem of her skirt down to cover her knees. God, if a reporter sees that I don't have underwear on....

Madison is in her element on the witness stand. She is simpering seductively, obviously posing for the crowded courtroom. Veronica clenches her fists, wishing that she could wipe that smirk off Madison's face.

Lavoie says, "Tell us about what happened at Shelly Pomroy's party."

"Veronica Mars was making out with all the boys in front of everyone. She grabbed my boyfriend, Dick Casablancas, and started dancing with him. She pushed him down on the couch and started kissing him. Even after Dick tried to push her off, Veronica kept making out with him. He finally got her off him, and she went on to the next boy down the line, Casey Gant. He at least was smart enough not to want to catch whatever STD she was running a special on that week."

Veronica is flaming red, furious at Madison. I've never regretted not cubing that bitch's car more than right this second.

Lavoie asks, "It's my understanding you wrote something on the windshield of Ms. Mars' car that night." He ostentatiously checks his notes. "'Slut', I believe, is what you wrote."

Furiously, Veronica shakes Epstein. "How is this relevant?" she hisses in his ear.

"Yes, because 'whore' had too many letters," Madison says triumphantly. A few people in the courtroom titter, and despite her anger, Veronica has a flash of pettiness as Madison realizes that the observers think that she couldn't spell 'whore'. Madison flushes and adds quickly, "There wasn't enough room to write five letters."

"Was this the first time that you witnessed the defendant acting in such a lewd manner?" Lavoie asks.

The defendant?! Veronica stands up and protests, "I'm not on trial here."

The judge stares at her sternly. "Yes, you are. Sit down, Ms. Mars. I want to hear this."

Veronica is consumed by panic. "Epstein," she whispers. "You've got to stop this!"

He sighs. "I'll try to get you off, but you know the penalties for false accusations. I wish you had told the truth about that night."

Madison is beaming at the judge. "The rumor was that she pleasured the entire swim team while jacked up on goof-balls." The judge huffs in disgust and makes a note on the paper in front of him.

Lavoie clarifies, "So she had a long history of multiple sexual encounters?"

"Yes. Apparently it runs in the family. I heard her mother was a drunken slut, too."

Lavoie asks, "Ms. Sinclair, are you aware that Ms. Mars has accused you of giving her a drugged drink that night at the Pomroy's?"

"She always says that. The truth is, there were so many tongues in her mouth that night that she has no idea what she swallowed." The crowd murmurs at the nasty insinuation. Veronica tries to look at her dad, but he avoids her gaze. As she turns back, Klein catches her eye and smiles benevolently.

Lavoie stares at Veronica as he asks Madison, "So it isn't true that you spit in a drink and gave it to her?"

Madison rolls her eyes. "Yes, it's true. Oh my god, like she was so scarred for life."

"No further questions. Mr. Epstein, your witness." Lavoie says magnanimously.

Veronica sighs in relief. Finally.

Epstein says, "Ms. Sinclair, did you actually witness my client having sexual relations with either Duncan Kane or Cassidy Casablancas?"

"No," Madison says sullenly.

"So your entire testimony is based on rumors and innuendo?"

Madison says defensively, "She's a slut, okay? It's not a rumor, it's a fact."

"So you say." Epstein sits down and Veronica smiles at him gratefully. Epstein whispers in her ear, "We're not out of the woods yet, Veronica, by a long shot."

Lavoie says, "The prosecution calls Richard Casablancas, Jr."

Veronica grabs Epstein's arm. "You can't let Dick testify!!"

"We don't have a choice, Veronica," the attorney replies.

Dick appears uncomfortable in a suit and tie. As he is sworn in, he avoids looking in Veronica's direction.

"Mr. Casablancas, can you tell us what happened at Shelly Pomroy's party?"

Dick glances at Veronica momentarily before looking away. "Nothing really."

Lavoie says strongly, "Is there a problem, Mr. Casablancas? Has Ms. Mars been intimidating you?"

"No, definitely not. We've never been intimate."

Lavoie is flummoxed by Dick's mistake. He restates, "No...Mr. Casablancas, has Ms. Mars threatened you in any way?"

"No." Dick steadfastly refuses to look at Veronica.

Mr. Lavoie approaches the bench. "Your honor, permission to treat this man as a hostile witness. He's obviously afraid of the defendant."

The judge nods his agreement and casts a disapproving look in Veronica's direction.

Lavoie asks, "Isn't it true that Ms. Mars threatened you in the spring of 2005? She was overheard saying, 'Insulting me right now seems like a good plan, how?' At the time, she was about to destroy your personal property."

"Yeah, my surfboard. I really loved that board," Dick says dreamily.

"Focus, Mr. Casablancas. What happened at Shelly Pomroy's party?"

"I don't want to say," Dick protests.

"Mr. Casablancas, you will be charged with perjury if you don't answer my question."

Reluctantly, Dick says, "I found Veronica in the guest bedroom with my little brother."

"Was she resisting his advances?"

Dick looks at Veronica for help. She gives him a look of frustration. Please...use that pea-brain for once, Dick. No more Pi Sig rate. All favors on the house from here on out.

"Mr. Casablancas, do not attempt to communicate with the witness." Lavoie positions himself between Dick and Veronica. "What did you see in the bedroom?"

Dick sighs. "Veronica was crawling toward Beaver. She said, 'Beaver, don't go, you said you were gonna stay here with me.' Then he said, 'Yeah, well, I'm here, I'm staying. Veronica, I'm here.' You know, they were kinda...making eyes at each other." He turns to Veronica. "I'm sorry, Ronnie!!"

"Mr. Casablancas!" the judge admonishes.

Dick hangs his head. "Veronica said, 'Well, why don't you come back here? It's an awfully big bed.'"

Lavoie paces in front of the witness stand. "Isn't it true that you also provided your brother with a prophylactic that night?"

"A prof-a-what?"

"A condom. You gave him a condom and stated, 'You better suit up. You don't know where she's been.'"

"Yeah, I said that," Dick admits.

Out of the corner of her eye, Veronica sees Klein nodding knowingly.

"So you knew that the defendant was sexually promiscuous? She slept around," Lavoie clarifies for Dick's benefit.

"That's what we thought. I really don't—"

"Thank you," Lavoie interrupts. "Mr. Casablancas, is it true that you and Mr. Logan Echolls procured some Liquid X for this party?"

Dick looks around wildly.

"Answer the question, Mr. Casablancas," the judge chides.

"No, I didn't get the drugs. Logan, Sean, and Luke did. But Luke gave me his dose."

Lavoie presses, "And did you and Mr. Echolls put the Liquid X in the cup that was given to Ms. Mars?"

"No. I don't know what Logan did with his. I put mine in Madison's cup."

"Who then gave it to Ms. Mars."

"I don't know. I wasn't paying attention. I swear," Dick says sincerely.

"No further questions. Your witness," Lavoie concludes.

Veronica whispers to Epstein. "Ask him about Beaver. He can tell you about the Sharks, how Beaver was abused by Woody Goodman."

Epstein whispers back, "I don't think it's relevant. The issue is whether you made up a story about a rape that never happened. You probably should think about coming clean, Veronica. It looks bad for you...all this evidence that you're a slut."

"I'm not a slut," Veronica protests. "Beaver raped me."

Epstein stands up and says, "No questions, your honor." Veronica gapes at him in disbelief.

Lavoie says, "The prosecution calls Inga Olofson."

Veronica sighs in relief. Finally. Inga will tell the truth.

Inga looks nervous. For all her years working in law enforcement, she's never had to testify in court before.

"Ms. Olofson, do you remember that morning when Ms. Mars walked into the sheriff's department?"

Inga is relieved; this question is easier that she had anticipated. "Ja, of course. She asked to speak to the sheriff."

"And did the sheriff take a report from Ms. Mars?"

"No," Inga replies.

"He didn't arrest anyone for rape?" Lavoie says strongly.

Inga sighs. "No."

"In fact, what did he say to you after Ms. Mars left?"

Hesitantly, Inga says, "Sheriff Lamb said, 'She probably got drunk and had sex and wants to get her story on the record in case she gets the clap or turns up pregnant.'"

Veronica, furious, shoves Epstein. "Object, goddammit. Isn't that hearsay?"

"Dead men tell no lies," he answers. Veronica just stares at him, unable even to protest any more.

"The prosecution calls Keith Mars to the stand." Veronica drops her head, unable to look at her dad. I'm so sorry, Dad. I fucked up bigtime.

"Mr. Mars, tell us about the last day of your daughter's undercover operation at Briar Hill."

Veronica's leg begins to twitch uncontrollably under the table. She holds it with her hand to try to force it to be still.

Keith keeps his voice calm and measured. "Veronica was receiving group therapy. We didn't realize that her audio bug had stopped functioning and that she had actually asked for the operation to end."

"Or so she said later."

"Excuse me?" Keith replies, puzzled.

Lavoie explains, "You only have her word for that, isn't that correct? Mr. Klein says that Veronica approached him and told him she wanted to come clean and discuss her behavior in group. Perhaps your daughter sabotaged the bug because she finally wanted to work on her character flaws, and she was reluctant to have her father listening."

Keith's mouth is open in shock. Finally, he responds, "I don't have any proof that Veronica's bug had stopped working. But you don't have any proof that she sabotaged it either."

"Well, we'll hear from Peter Klein later on that issue," Lavoie remarks, glancing at the headmaster. "What did you observe over your surveillance devices?"

"I heard my daughter talking about her rape."

"Her rape or her sexual encounters? Let's be clear, Mr. Mars."

"Her rape, Mr. Lavoie."

"Does your daughter ever...lie to you, Mr. Mars?"

Keith replies, "I'm sure she's had occasion to fib. She is a teenage girl, after all."

Lavoie nods. "Other than the occasional fib, would you say that you have a close relationship?"

"I would say very close."

"So, you would expect to hear the truth on what most people would call the..." Lavoie makes air quotes, "big issues."

"I would," Keith says firmly.

"So did your daughter come to you when she supposedly had been 'raped'?" Again, Lavoie makes air quotes.

"No...my daughter did not come to me when she was raped," Keith says through gritted teeth.

"Did your daughter have a personal relationship with Duncan Kane?"

"Yes, they dated. Freshman year, and then again in her senior year."

"So after she claimed this rape occurred, she dated him again," Lavoie continues.

"That's correct."

"Well, doesn't it stand to reason that it wasn't actually a rape after all, but just a sexual encounter with her old boyfriend?"

"She was raped by another boy that night," Keith says in a menacing tone.

"After she had sex with Duncan Kane. So let me see if I got this right. She convinced one boyfriend, Logan Echolls, to give her drugs that night. She had sex with another boyfriend, Duncan Kane. Then she had sex with another boy, Cassidy Casablancas, but she realized she might have contracted a sexually transmitted disease or become pregnant, so she tried to file a false report at the sheriff's department."

"You want to be careful there, Mr. Lavoie. My daughter was raped by Cassidy, and she did not file a false report."

Lavoie changes tacks. "I believe it was a surprise to you when you learned in open court that your daughter had a sexually transmitted disease."

"Yes, it was," Keith admits.

"And that was when Ms. Mars decided to renew her claim that she had been 'raped', so that you wouldn't find out that she had had multiple sexual partners on numerous occasions."

"That is not true," Keith says angrily.

"Witness is excused. I'd like to recall Ms. Mars to the stand," Lavoie intones.

Veronica is shell-shocked from her dad's disastrous testimony. She stands up and walks unsteadily to the witness stand. When she turns around, the room falls completely silent. Every eye is trained on her; Peter Klein is smiling broadly. She looks down; her dress is ripped and her breast is exposed. She tries to cover herself and sinks down below the railing to hide in the witness box. "No! No!" The bailiff grabs her arm and tries to pull her up into the seat.

"Veronica...it's all right...you're dreaming." Logan has turned on the light, and he is shaking her gently. "Veronica."

She looks at him and bursts into tears. Veronica sobs uncontrollably for long minutes as he strokes her back, trying to get her to calm down. At one point, he asks if she wants him to get her dad. She cries, "No, please don't tell Dad," and he wonders what the hell she could have been dreaming about as he holds her tighter.

Finally, she cries herself out. Veronica hiccups twice as she gets herself under control.

"Veronica, what do you want me to do?" he asks helplessly.

She exhales loudly. "Logan."

"What?" he replies, stroking the hair from her forehead and kissing the tip of her nose.

"I need you to tell me everything you remember from the night of Shelly Pomroy's party. Everything, Logan. I don't care how bad it was. I need to know. I can't not know anymore."

Land mine, he thinks.

Fri. 3/20/09 very late: Deserted warehouse, Neptune, CA

Oswaldo Cortez's hands are tied together, and he is hanging from a hook in the darkened warehouse. One eye is swollen almost completely shut, and his lip is split and bleeding. His head hangs down, and Oswaldo breathes heavily through a battered nose.

Weevil has bummed a cigarette from Arturo. He takes a long drag; damn, that's good. He looks at Oswaldo and thinks. Oswaldo has told them nothing—has mostly kept his mouth shut, in fact. Weevil drops the cigarette and grinds it into the concrete. He reconsiders and picks up the butt, putting it in his pocket.

Weevil walks up to Oswaldo and slaps his cheek lightly, then hard enough to sting. Oswaldo moans, sagging against the chain holding him up. Weevil says menacingly, "You and I have a score to settle. You're going to tell us about the Fitzpatricks—what exactly you've been doing for them. And I'm going to find out why you told the sheriff about Logan Echolls and Kendall Casablancas. The only question is whether I kill you or not."

"You better kill me," Oswaldo croaks out. "Liam's going to fucking destroy you, joto. How much does Echolls pay you to suck his sweet cock?"

"You're really fucking pissing me off," Weevil retorts. He goes to his bag of tools off to the side and rummages around. He pulls out a pair of channel-lock pliers and says sarcastically, "They taught me a trade up in Chino, you know. I'm a productive member of society now." To the other PCHers, he directs, "Hold him." Weevil walks toward Oswaldo holding the pliers.

Fri. 3/20/09 very late: Somewhere in the United States

Mac is woken by someone dragging her off the bed. They pull her, stumbling, into the next room, her arms still bound behind her back. She blinks against the bright light after more than a day in darkness. She sees Alan Sheffield, tied to a chair; he's been badly beaten and appears to have passed out.

"What did you do to him?" she says angrily.

"We're going to do more if you don't cooperate." The man grabs Alan by the hair and yanks his head up. She sees the blood and bruises on his face and winces.

"I need some water," Mac says, stalling. "You haven't let me eat or drink since you took us."

"Get her some water," the man in charge says.

They hold a glass to her lips, and Mac drinks.

"Thanks," she says. Think, Mac. What would Veronica do?

Abruptly, the man says, "You're going to help us find Veronica Mars."

"I don't know where she is," Mac replies. "I've been in Witness Protection for the last month."

"You're going to tell us anywhere she might have gone. Otherwise, your friend Alan is dead."

Alan's eyes open a small slit; he shakes his head almost imperceptibly, and Mac thinks she gets the message. They're going to kill Alan anyways...don't tell them anything.

---

loss of consortium - inability to have sex due to the wrongful actions of the defendant
chilito - little dick, literally little chili pepper
a viente - right back at you
hijo de la chingada - fucking bastard
joto - faggot