"Its got all the holiday cheer of a hospice," his father complained while Logan stared at the screen. The Santa Con pub crawl his sister had organized was having a short interlude for a Make-a-Wish photo-shoot at Rockerfeller on the ice, Aaron Echolls' dressed in a Santa suit with sick kids.
The crowds and camera was going to eat it up.
Logan knew better though, he could see that familiar dead eyed shark-like annoyance when his movie star daddy dearest was fighting to maintain his award winning patented smile when what he'd rather be doing was tossing the lens and breaking some knees.
That Showbiz composure was one of the most terrifying things about the man.
All Hollywood Heart Throb Charm when inside he was hurricane waiting to break land.
"You're making me want to check flights..." Logan drawled, trying to appear bored, even though his stomach wanted to revolt.
Passing time playing detective with Veronica was cute and all, but the reality of his father returning and discovering his mothers beloved the necklace missing was setting like concrete in his gut.
Noelle Kringle had broken down in tears, mascara almost ruining the Miss Snowwoman outfit she wore and denied any affair, according to the former Ms California, she frequently stayed at the Camelott motel with her husband while they rented out their 09er home like an AirB&B to Spring Breakers and visiting executives looking somewhere to stay for a few weeks during TechWeek at Kane Enterprises. Logan knew from his dad's accountant that people could get huge tax breaks renting out their property up to 15 days a year, it was why his dad had a Yacht and often took his mother and Logan away, renting out the Echolls Estate to producer and writer friends. Veronica had confirmed some financials with her dad, pouring over some of the records proved times had been tough for the Kringle's since the new Mayor began squeezing local businesses with higher council taxes. They easily could have offset some of the shortfall by raising unit rents or selling the Mall to Casablancas Enterprises but Kris Kringle seemed determined to absorb the rising costs himself before passing the increases onto his tenants.
They'd almost made up the last quarter but a high profile lawsuit over a few 09ers and drinking the pearls in their bubble tea had cause the permanent closure of one of the main units, and two of the larger brand stores they'd relied on to shoulder majority burden of utilities had not renewed their leases.
Wolves were circling at the door, and there was no more equity to liquidate in their personal assets to keep the costs reduced. Logan looked around at the twinkling lights with greater appreciation, if the Kringles were more like the parents of his classmates, then most of the money being donated to the charities would be siphoned to some off-shore account, or most of the retailers would be getting a gargantuan rent hike next year. Instead, the medical relief fund for low-income families were still receiving their cheque, the scholarships promised were paid in full and the festivities and homeless outreach programmes were still in full holiday spirit.
Not one of the people standing in line to see Santa knew just how close this holiday season was to financially ruining the mall owners, that desperation should clearly indicate motive but from what Logan was learning about the couple, it wasn't their style, and Ms Kringle was dedicated to her husband, a rarity in Neptune where spouses swapped out like traded football stars.
"I'm sorry we weren't more forthcoming. We had been doing fine, then last year Kris fell from the roof while sprinkling reindeer footprints on the garage, and he had to take time off work, and the wildfires the summer last took out half the stock of the Christmas tree farm we'd invested our stocks in and we've been playing catch up ever since." Noelle sniffled to Veronica as she fixed her make up. "I know a lot of women at the country club would think I'm ridiculous if they knew and sure, Kris isn't as in shape as he once was and its not like I haven't had offers but... no one else I've ever met had his heart."
Veronica nodded apologetically, her father had been able to confirm credit card statements at two other budget friendly motels the Kringles had been staying with during these short rental periods. She bid the older women farewell and resolved to check the cameras again, two more bags with high ticket items had been reported missing.
The case was far from solved but at least now Mrs Claus was off her suspect list.
Kelly Clarkson Underneath the Tree blared through the food court as Veronica finished helping Rowland carry a tray of small burgers from his work station towards the sample tables and asked probing questions to see if the Kringles financial troubles or the house rentals were common knowledge amongst the seasonal staff.
Logan slid his phone into his back pocket, stepping out into the visual assault of festiveness and glared at the sight of Frosty Elf flirting up a storm with Veronica.
Was she laughing at his jokes?
So? She isn't yours.
Taunted an insistent voice, but it did nothing to quell the sudden possessiveness he was feeling.
