Chapter Twenty-One

After Veronica and Cliff left, it didn't take long for Logan's cell-mates to sneer and jeer at him. One was a drunk who had been there drying out the past 24 hours and the other had been picked up for shoplifting. Logan shot them both a dark and dangerous glare of warning, saying coldly, "You must have forgotten what I'm in here for. Only a dead man or an idiot would tempt an accused murderer to kill again."

The drunk got quiet and looked nervous but the thief taunted him, "That's a bunch of bullshit if ever I did hear it. You're no murderer, boy! And if you are, I'll eat my own jock strap."

"I'd like to see that!" spoke a voice that hadn't been heard by the three in lock-up since the day before. "Ah, Mr. Echolls. Confessing to your crime already, I see. If you would have waited about ten minutes more, the charges would be formal and my job would be done. Any chance you'd be willing to make your admission again, this time before a judge or at least to be recorded?"

"In your dreams, Lamb," Logan responded vehemently. Inwardly, he was terrified by Lamb's words. What did he mean he was being charged formally? What did they think they'd found?

"Pity," Lamb said with a shrug, completely unphased, "Would make things so much easier," he paused to give Logan a self-satisfied smirk, "Oh well. This is one crime you will not get away with."

Two hours later, Logan was surprised to see Cliff return. He approached the cell with a deputy and said, "You made bail, Kid. If you've got anything to gather, grab it now and let's get out of here."

Logan moved toward Cliff, having nothing to pick up as he hadn't exactly been expecting to be arrested in the first place. He'd been hauled away from his home two days before just after eating his breakfast.

Following Cliff through the corridors and out the door, down the stairs in front of the department, Logan asked when the reached the out of doors, "Where are we headed?"

"You can't guess?" Cliff asked with a gloating flourish, pausing on the steps to look around.

"Expecting someone?" Logan asked rather than answer the question Cliff had asked. The question along with Cliff's facial expression had told Logan all he needed to know about their destination.

"Dreading more like," Cliff returned darkly. Appearing satisfied with himself, Cliff turned back to Logan and said, "Come on, let's get out of here before the media catches wind that you're out."

When they arrived at the Mars' apartment, Logan fairly leapt from the car. Veronica met him just outside the door. The look that they shared spoke volumes between them. It lasted only a moment but it could have been a lifetime. Then she was in his arms. He inhaled deeply, eyes closed as he took the time to appreciate the familiarity of the feel of her, the scent of her hair. He knew he'd already said it but he couldn't help but murmur faintly against her ear, "Thank you."

She nodded against his shoulder and when she pulled back, he could see the unshed tears in her eyes. He took her face in his hands and rubbed his thumbs gently along her cheekbones before resting his forehead against hers, this time with no bars between them. She smiled up at him shakily and he quirked a reassuring half-smile down at her before kissing her forehead. Then he ran his hands down her arms and took both her hands in his for a moment before releasing one and motioning with his head, saying, "Come on. Let's go inside."