Questioning Keith Mars

Logan and his partner take a trip to Neptune to see Keith Mars. He is still running Mars Investigations. It is obvious that there has been an infusion of cash into the business. They have new offices in the 06er zip code. There is full time receptionist and the waiting area has leather couches with large potted plants in the corner of the room. There are four doors on each side of the hallway behind the dark haired woman sitting at the reception desk. It appears that MI now has five or six investigators. Keith is in the office and makes time to see Logan immediately. Logan sees that Keith Mars hasn't really changed since he last saw him. He is still muscular and has the quiet energy that Logan associates with him. When their eyes meet, Logan sees the intelligence in the penetrating blue eyes he loves so much in Veronica. Keith Mars meets the two men at the door to his office and greets Logan easily, putting out his hand. His office is masculine with some Padre memorabilia and of course a picture of Veronica, Back Up and him at the beach on his desk. Logan immediately shakes his hand and then identifies himself and his partner. Keith looks at the badges and then at Logan saying a little incredulously, "You're a Fed now?" Logan sees the wheels turning in his head and Veronica's father is putting two and two together. When he reaches four, a frown crosses his features and he checks, "When you were seeing Veronica this time, you were investigating her?" His face darkens and Logan can see his protective instincts flare.

Logan puts up a hand and quietly tells him, "We need to talk."

Keith looks at Logan's partner and asks, "Who is heading up the investigation you are on?"

Unaware of how is answer is going to affect Veronica's protective father, Joe Smith answers, "Agent Howard is our lead investigator."

Turning to look at Logan, Keith Mars says firmly, "You wasted a trip coming here." Logan can see that the private investigator has shut down his reactions. Keith walks back behind his desk.

"Actually we have some questions about Mars Investigations," Logan starts. Keith looks at the young man he has knows since preteens and then silently waves to the chairs in front of his desk. He sits in his comfortable chair. The formal part of the meeting has begun; Logan can see that Keith Mars no longer sees him as a past acquaintance, he is now the enemy.

Inwardly sighing, Logan tries, "I like your new offices."

Keith's piercing blue gaze meets Logan's and he answers, "Thank you."

Joe decides to help his partner out and starts, "We know that your daughter Veronica invested in Mars Investigations."

"I hope you had a warrant to look at my books," Keith states, his tone angry.

Agent Smith explains that they did not look at his books, "She told Agent Echolls she invested in the family business."

The PI looks over at Logan who withstands the accusing look. Keith quietly answers, "Veronica has 49% ownership of MI."

Deciding to be direct, Logan asks, "Did she say where she got the money to invest?"

"She only told me she had an investor who was helping her to start her club," Keith admits.

Looking disbelieving, Logan quizzes, "You didn't question her about who it was?"

Meeting Logan's gaze, Keith says definitively, "She never told me the name of the investor."

Joe outright asks, "You're a PI. Are you telling us you never found out?"

Shaking his head, the balding PI tells them, "I never checked it out." He looks at Logan and explains, "She told me to trust her."

Logan looking at the older man sees that he is carefully wording what he is saying. Veronica probably never outright told him the name of the investor and he probably didn't check it out but he definitely knows.

"Is this the same mysterious investor that is sending her one hundred thousand dollars each month from an account overseas?" Joe questions.

Keith Mars looks over at Joe Smith and tells him, "I don't know anything about my daughter's finances."

Although Joe is clearly skeptical, Logan actually believes him. If Veronica asked him not to investigate, he would not betray her trust. Veronica is very smart and she would give her father plausible deniability. Logan points out, "If the money that Veronica invested in Mars Investigation is not clean, it could affect you."

The older man looks at Logan with a muted anger. He tells him confidently, "I know Veronica would not jeopardize our business."

The tall, dark haired agent wonders at how he feels like he is sixteen again; intimated and wishing for this man's approval. Knowing that Veronica's father is not going to admit anything that might incriminate his daughter, he tries, "She is playing with fire. It looks bad for her,"

Keith looks over at the young man who unexpectedly has become a federal agent and sees that he is genuinely worried about the woman he has, in the past, felt very protective towards. Keith looks at Logan for a long moment with his penetrating blue eyes and finally asks, "What do you mean?" Logan immediately sees that they aren't going to get any useful information from Keith Mars. They are only still there because he wants to know what they know.

Joe reaches in his pocket and pulls out some pictures of Veronica with a few different men. He tells Keith that each of these men are known crime bosses or drug dealers.

Keith looks at the pictures carefully and then looks at the blonde young man who is Logan's partner, "What are you thinking she is involved in?"

"We believe she gets her money two ways: allowing drugs to be sold out of her club and money laundering," Joe explains his voice confident and sure.

Keith takes in that the FBI sees his daughter as a criminal. He addresses the last statement, "Veronica has a lot of different clientele at her club. You should know that being seen with someone does not mean you are involved." He sees a small smile cross Logan's face and knows that Logan got his point.

Joe interjects, "She sees them outside her club and she refused any deals when we brought her in."

Keith's eyes flash to Logan's as he takes in that they have already questioned Veronica. He asks, "Why are you here then?"

"We are checking the money trail," Logan tells him, "Our investigation keeps leading back to her and the large amount of money she got from her mysterious investor and continues to get from an overseas account."

Shaking his head, Keith hands back the pictures and says definitively, "I know my daughter and she is not dirty. You are barking up the wrong tree officers."

In his usual forthright manner Joe retorts, "If you roll in the mud with pigs, you are bound to get dirty."

To Logan's surprise, Keith gets a funny smile on his face. Logan and his partner frown. Keith explains, "My father used to say that." He looks at Logan and says, "Perhaps you should look down at your own feet and clothes to see if they are muddy."

Logan immediately sees that Keith Mars has some knowledge on why Veronica left the FBI. He probably sat by her bedside in the hospital. He talked to her doctors and knows the extent of her injuries. However his partner Joe misinterprets Keith's point and answers in an annoyed tone, "That's original! Cops, pigs and mud? Didn't you used to be a Sheriff?"

Keith ignores Joe and continues to meet Logan's gaze. He tells the young man quietly, "It is really ironic that now you are an investigator, you follow the evidence trail but when you were seventeen, you broke up with Veronica for not trusting you."

Keith sees that his comment is a direct hit to Logan. Logan nods and admits, "I see things differently now but one thing hasn't changed; I still worry about her." He leans closer and tells one of the few men he truly respects meaningfully, "I am looking into all the possibilities." He can tell that Keith has understood their private conversation. The young man who has grown up and changed since they last talked meets the PI's gaze confidently. "It is not good procedure to ignore all the evidence. It might be best if you talk to her. There are irregularities that can't be explained by simple business."

Standing Keith ends the conversation, "My next appointment is here. I would like you gentlemen to leave. If you need to talk to me again, you know my lawyer?"

Logan stands and agrees, "Say hi to Cliff for me." Joe stands as well. As they leave they both notice that there is nobody waiting to talk to Keith Mars.

Joe as they walk to their car, asks, "Do you think he will talk to his daughter about our visit?"

Definitively Logan nods and then adds, "We won't get to hear it though. He is smart enough to have a way to privately talk to her."

Curious Joe asks, "What did he mean about Veronica investigating you?"

Logan starts the car and explains as he puts the SUV into drive, "Veronica turned me in to the Sheriff when she found out I had lied about my alibi for Lilly Kane's murder."

Frowning Joe thinks about his partner's history as a teenager and young adult. He placidly says, "This sounds like a good story."

Easily Logan tells him briefly about that time. He finishes, "Veronica cut her teeth at Mars Investigations."

Joe thinks for a few seconds and then comments, "I read her file. She seemed to be a skilled investigator. What made her leave?"

Shaking his head, Logan tells his partner, "I guess she found the FBI is not for her."

Snorting, Joe interjects, "Not lucrative enough for her."

Logan doesn't say anything. The rumors of her only dating rich men is there in her file. The other agents see her as liking money. If he disagrees, they will only assume he was taken in by her.

Later Logan listens to the audio recording of the call between Keith and Veronica Mars. He is surprised that Keith called her on her business phone which they both know is probably being monitored. The FBI agent listens knowing that neither Mars is going to say anything incriminating. Keith starts the conversation with the fact that Logan Echolls came to visit him today.

Veronica, sounding bored, asks, "How is Logan?" Answering easily, Keith tells her that Logan is a fed. "Actually I did know that," she tells her father. After a pause she asks, "What did he want to talk to you about?"

Keith quietly tells her, "He doesn't like your friends."

There is a pause and she finally states, "Does he live in a glass house?" Logan smirks at her comment. Obviously Veronica could not resist a shot at him and the investigation. Logan can also tell that Keith is upset as he says, "I need a little Daddy-Daughter time."

Without pause Veronica asks, "What are you thinking? A trip to the zoo?"

"No," he tells her quietly, "I was thinking we need to spend some quality time together. Perhaps another trip to Vegas?"

"Sure," her voice clear as she agrees. After a short pauses she adds, "Ask Cliff to come." There is a fondness in her voice as she offers, "We will all play some poker, my treat."

"Ah, that's the kind of bonding time I'm talking about," he answers happily.

She changes the subject asking him about work and if he is dating anyone important. He asks her about her personal life and she sidesteps, "I am too busy at work right now to meet anyone."

"You don't need to be married or living with anyone to have a child." Keith teases, "I want to be able to chase my grandchildren around."

Laughing she says, "I am going to buy you a puppy. You need a project." Before she signs off she says, "Talk to Cliff. I will call your assistant tomorrow and book the trip."

"Excellent," he jokes, "Mars Family goes to Vegas. Look out Vegas!" They sign off.

Logan sighs. It is clear they still get along well and they are able to communicate keeping the underlying meaning of the conversation between them. Logan never expected Veronica's overprotective father to give him any real information. Keith Mars is not going to help the government make a case against his daughter. They are going to be tough to follow or listen to any real conversations.

At this point in the investigation, the FBI is not learning any more useful information. Logan knows they are going to have to close the investigation soon. They are putting less and less time investigating her now. Logan is torn between wanting justice in the case and admiration for Veronica that the FBI can't prove their case against her.

Logan is busy working on another case when he is called to assemble at headquarters. Once there, Logan learns that Veronica Mars and Zack Roscoe have been victims of a drive by shooting. His heart in this throat, Logan listens as Agent Howard explains that they believe one of the other organizations tried to take out Roscoe, Veronica or both. They learn that one of the teams is at the sight now and will know more soon. He adds, "Roscoe's second was killed. Roscoe was shot in the arm and Veronica was shot in the shoulder. Veronica's guard was superficially injured protecting her." They discuss how the three victims were taken to Memorial Hospital and that Veronica Mars was taken immediately to surgery.

When Agent Howard goes to question Veronica, he is stonewalled by her doctor stating that he had difficulty getting the bullet out of her shoulder and the surgery took longer than expected.

Roscoe is awake and predictably has no useful information for the FBI. He was just sitting in the restaurant eating a meal with a beautiful woman when shots rang out. He didn't see the shooter and he is very upset that his number one got killed. He has no idea who is behind the shooting. Logan listening, can tell that he has a very good idea who shot at him.

Keith Mars is sitting beside Veronica's bed when Logan goes to see her. She is pale and has a huge dressing over her shoulder. To Logan's surprise, Keith Mars gets up and shakes his hand. He doesn't make him leave. He merely asks if this is an official visit. Immediately Logan shakes his head and says, "No, I wanted to see how she is doing." Keith waves to the other chair in the room and sits back beside his daughter. Logan takes a chair on the other side of the bed and leans in taking Veronica's other hand.

Very quietly he tells Keith that it looks like Veronica got caught in the crossfire of a war between rival drug gangs. A little choked he says, "I thought when she left the FBI, she would be safer. I didn't realize she would open a nightclub and then deal with crime families."

Keith looks at the young man who is investigating his daughter and says, "You know I am not going to talk to you about her business."

Logan looks at him and tells him making no effort to hide his worry, "She needs to sell the club and get away. Next time she could be killed."

The man who has loved and looked after since she was born looks at Logan and admits, "I am always proud of Veronica but I am not excited about her owning a club." That is all Logan needs to know. Keith has talked to Veronica and it is a bone of contention between them.

When Veronica wakes up, it is clear she is in pain. Her head of security, Juan Acebo, is released from the hospital. His wound only required a few stitches. After reassuring her father she is fine, she asks for a few minutes alone with her head of security. The two men standing out in the hallway watch as the pale young woman and the well built Hispanic man talk very quietly. The nurse walks in with pain medicine for her patient. As Veronica's Head of Security is leaving, he says, "I will make the arrangements."

Veronica nods her agreement and then the nurse gives her something for pain. Juan Acebo nods to Veronica's father completely ignoring Logan as he walks out. Logan notes that two private security guards arrive and they both talk to Juan for a few moments before they start walking towards Veronica's room. He sees that she is going to be protected while she is in the hospital. Logan follows Keith into Veronica's room. He is amazed that he is being allowed to see Veronica. He guesses that Keith OK'd it. While the medication starts to work, Veronica looks at Logan and says, "Thanks for visiting?"

He smiles at how she worded her thanks as a question. He shares, "I will always worry about you." Leaning closer, he tells her, "You should take this as a warning; you could have been killed. You need to get out of the business."

She looks at him sadly and then tells him, "You might be right." She closes her eyes and lets sleep overtake her. Logan sits looking at her pale face and his eyes drift to the dressing on her shoulder. He feels sick that a few inches lower or over and she might be dead.

The next afternoon she is allowed to go home and Logan finds out that she gave her statement to Agent Howard with her lawyer present. He listens to the audio. Her statement is she was having a business dinner with Zack Roscoe. She ignores Agent Howard's questions about her relationship with Zack Roscoe. She tells him clearly, "I have already stated that we are business partners." Her lawyer tries to stop any further questioning on the issue but the FBI agent carries on with his questions making it clear that he thinks Veronica is having an affair with the married alleged drug dealer. He tells her that Roscoe has been known to mix business with pleasure. For once Agent Howard is silent after Veronica spits out, "Glass houses, Agent Howard."

Logan sucks in his breath. This is the most vocal he has heard Veronica with Agent Howard. He pushed her too far and she hit back; a change from her normal composed answers. At this point her lawyer intervenes and stops the interview telling Agent Howard that he needs a moment with his client. When the interview resumes, Veronica remains composed and reiterates she was in a business meeting and was the victim of a drive by shooting. She didn't see the car. She heard the shots and felt the bullet hit her shoulder. Her bodyguard knocked her off her chair and protected her on the ground. She didn't see anything and she doesn't have any idea who it could have been. She doesn't know anyone who would want to hurt her. The interview is ended without any real information added to the case. It appears that the FBI has hit another dead end in the case against Veronica Mars.