A/N: I hope there are at least a few people who remember this story! I'm sorry for the long time between updates — review it you make it to the bottom! (:

In retrospect, starting her day at the sheriff's office was probably not the best idea she'd ever had. Some donuts, some coffee, maybe some time to read the paper — that would have been just what Veronica needed. But after a call earlier that morning had revealed no one was home at the Morgans' house — the Albright's neighbors —she'd rearranged her plans for the day. That was why Veronica currently found herself reliving some less than pleasant memories of her time spent at the Neptune sheriff's department.

The front desk still looked the same, she thought. Well, that wasn't too surprising — everything about this town still looked the same. She was half-surprised not to find Leo standing somewhere in the room drawling Veronica Mars at her. With a shake of her head, she called out a hello, hoping someone was nearby to help.

A man appeared almost immediately. It was Hank Roberts — that was clear to Veronica almost immediately. No one else at the sheriff's department would hold themselves with such obvious entitlement. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with pointed features and thinning blonde hair. His dark eyes were watching her closely. "Is there anything I can help you with, Miss…?"

"Mars," she supplied. There didn't seem to be any point in lying. He'd know who she was soon enough even without her help. "Veronica Mars."

Recognition flickered through Roberts' eyes, and there was a subtle shift in his stance, something that put Veronica on edge. Then, as quickly as the tension had come into his shoulders, it disappeared, replaced by a beaming smile. "So I'm finally in the presence of the famous Veronica Mars. It's a pleasure."

He held out a hand. Veronica shook it, trying to match his smile with one of her own. "It's nice to meet you, too, Sheriff Roberts," she said.

"I've heard plenty about you. You're quite the legend around Neptune, you know."

Although nothing he was saying was outwardly rude, Roberts' tone hinted that legend wasn't quite the word he wanted to use. Nuisance seemed more likely. An unwelcome complication. Veronica swallowed tightly and kept her tone light. "I'm still a little behind on the Neptune gossip, so I can't say I've heard much about you." Nothing good, at least.

"Well, hopefully we'll be fast friends." There was that grin again. "Was there something you needed?"

Veronica hesitated for a short second before saying, "I was looking for a file."

"You mean the Albright girl's file." It wasn't a question. The fake smile disappeared.

Elaine, Veronica thought. Her name is Elaine. "Yes. Her mother asked me to reopen the investigation, and I was hoping to get the 911 call and whatever other information that's been made available."

The incident report might not be public record, but any police blotter information would be; along with the 911 call, the warrants and arrest details might be useful to her.

Roberts watched her through narrow eyes for a beat too long before saying, "Of course, of course." He looked over his shoulder to the man who had just walked into the room to take his place at the desk. "Officer Morales, could you pull the Albright folder for our friend Miss Mars?"

Officer Morales was young, maybe around her own age, and handsome. He quirked a grin at Veronica even as he answered Roberts. "Of course, sir."

"We'll be waiting in my office." Then, with a glance at Veronica, he added, "Come on, then. Let's have ourselves a chat."

Veronica fought the urge to roll her eyes at his attempt to make the word chat sound so ominous. All the same, she followed him dutifully down the hall and to the office. Not much had changed about the room – Vinnie's things were no longer there, obviously, but Roberts hadn't done much by way of decorating. No personal photos or knickknacks, no hints to his life outside of his job. That, if nothing else, told Veronica how far Roberts would go to keep order, to keep things as he liked them. If this job was his whole life — well, that only made him that much more dangerous. People fought hard to hold onto what they loved. She knew that better than anyone.

"Please, sit down." He settled into his own chair as he gestured to the straight-backed one that was across the desk from him. Veronica did as she was told. "Now, let's cut to the chase," he said. "We both know why you're here."

Veronica tried to keep the confusion from showing on her face. "I'm not sure what you mean," she said carefully.

"The Albright case has been closed, an arrest has been made," he said. The pretense from earlier was still no where in sight, and Veronica had the thought that this must be the real Roberts. "Thomas Stewart was linked to three other similar deaths in the area surrounding Neptune, and he had no alibi for the time of the murder. There is absolutely no reason to question his involvement in the case."

God, Veronica thought, it's like listening to someone rattle off a news report.

Roberts continued, "We don't need someone prancing into town, disrupting the peace and worrying our citizens."

"If the real killer is still out there, people have a right to know," Veronica said, not quite winning the battle to keep her voice even. She'd managed to keep from bristling at the mention of prancing, though, and that was something. "Elaine deserves justice, not an arrest made to keep people comfortable."

Whatever reply Roberts was about to make was cut off by the door opening. "I made copies of that file, sir," Officer Morales said, holding it out in offering. He glanced between the sheriff and Veronica. A thick layer of tension hung in the air between them. "Sorry to barge in," he added.

"Not a problem, not a problem," Roberts replied; the smile was back, but it didn't meet his eyes. Veronica was beginning to think it never did.

Morales shuffled back through the door after leaving the folder on the edge of the desk. Roberts watched through narrowed eyes as the younger man left, then swung his gaze back to Veronica.

"It's not the Neptune you're used to, Miss Mars, so I'll cut you a break." Roberts paused and the smile returned. Almost predatory in its saccharine sweetness. "For now."

Veronica bit down on her tongue, determined to keep from snapping. She knew that was what he wanted, but it was still hard to maintain any semblance of self-control in the face of such complete and utter ignorance. She wouldn't give him anything to hold against her, though. She owed the Albrights that much. "Of course," she said, teeth gritted. "Thank you for your understanding."

Roberts stood up from his chair. The sign of dismissal was obvious. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a busy day ahead of me."

"I'm sure you do," she replied evenly. Veronica leaned forward and grabbed the copies Morales had made. She'd look at those far away from Roberts' scrutiny. "I'll just show myself out."

By the time she left the building, Veronica still hadn't gotten a handle on her temper. This, she thought, was why she had left Neptune. Nothing ever changed. It was the same story, over and over again.

Muttering curses under her breath, she stormed across the parking lot, so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't see the person in front of her until she'd run straight into them.

"Veronica," Logan said flatly. He took a step back and watched her with a wry look, a Starbucks cup in one hand. "We've got to stop meeting like this."

It took her a beat longer than usual to react. She was still distracted from her chat with the sheriff, and she knew it showed on her face. Veronica exhaled sharply and tugged at her shirt. "Stalking me, Echolls?"

Logan shrugged. "Got to pass the time somehow." There was a pause and he titled his head down toward her, considering her expression. "Are you all right? I was calling your name to get your attention, but you just barreled right into me."

"I'm fine."

"Yeah," Logan drawled, "I storm around with the fury of a thousand suns when I'm fine, too."

Veronica glanced away for a moment, wondering how much – if anything at all – she should share with Logan. "I just met the sheriff."

"Ah." Logan nodded in understanding. "That's always the best way to start your day. And how did you find dear Hank?"

Veronica scowled, her annoyance coming back in full force. "He wants me off the case."

"That's not surprising," Logan said. "Have you asked your dad about him?"

She shook her head. "I wanted to meet him first, make my own opinions."

"He's clearly made a wonderful impression."

"If someone had told me there could be a more incompetent sheriff than Lamb, I wouldn't have believed them." She sighed. "At least Vinnie knew most of what was going on around Neptune, even if he turned a blind eye to it. Roberts is just ignorant."

Logan opened his mouth to reply, then shut it quickly, lips pressed into a thin line.

"What?" Veronica asked.

"Nothing."

She gave a short laugh. "Come on, Logan. It's been three years, not three decades. I know when you're lying."

He hesitated for another moment, then, with a sigh, said, "I wouldn't write Roberts off so quickly. He may seem clueless, but I don't think that's the case."

"Really?"

Logan shrugged. "There's no proof, only speculation. But word on the street is that he stepped neatly into the connections with the Fitzgeralds."

"Great. That's just great." Veronica sighed. "What are you doing here, anyway?"

"A guy can't casually stroll through the sheriff's department parking lot without getting the third degree?" Off Veronica's raised eyebrow, he smirked and added, "I was looking for you, actually."

"Me?"

"Unless you know another Veronica Mars."

"I'm the one and only, I'm afraid."

"Well, I thought you'd want to know the other Albrights are home: Daddy Dearest and Darling Brother," Logan explained.

That was certainly not what she was expecting. "They aren't supposed to back until tomorrow at the earliest."

"Well, apparently they had a reason to high-tail it back to Neptune. I saw them having walking into Franklin's with Mrs. Albright." He held up his cup of coffee — the Starbucks was right next door to the breakfast place. "Which is why I was coming to find you."

"You couldn't have called?" Veronica asked. Her voice came out a little sharper than she'd meant it to. She wasn't entirely sure why — there was just something about Logan that put her on her guard, she guessed.

"And miss this heartwarming welcome?" There was a pause before he added, "Your phone went to voicemail. I was driving home and saw you walk out of the office. I figured you'd want to talk to them as soon as possible."

Oh. She'd turned her phone one silent when she'd gone into the building. She hadn't wanted to be distracted by anything while talking to Roberts, and she'd been too flustered to check her messages when she'd started walking to her car. "Sorry," she muttered. "Thanks for letting me know."

Logan shrugged. "Now that my civic duty has been completed, I'll just be on my way."

Veronica nodded and said goodbye. She'd head to Franklin's, she decided, and try to talk to the Albrights. That way she'd be able to set up a time to interview them — and maybe have a chance to hear some of their conversation.

She took two steps toward her car, paused, then spun around. "Logan, wait!"

He turned, expression expectant. "Yes?"

"How hungry are you?" Veronica thought she might regret this, but it would look a little suspicious for her to show up and then eat alone. She could eavesdrop a little more easily on the Albrights if she had company.

Logan grinned. "Starving, actually. I only had time for coffee."

"Feel like eating at Franklin's?"

"Why, Veronica Mars, you read my mind."

A/N: Next time, our favorite duo partakes in a little brunch-time sleuthing (it's the best time to do that, don't you know?).