"Veronica, I'll be back in four months. What's four months to us, huh? Do I have to give you the epic speech again?" Logan jokes. I brush a strand of hair away, concentrate on his face, trying to remember every last detail. "I know, it's just, it feel's so long. I miss you." I say, hoping he can't see the tears welling through the bad internet connection. Seriously, you'd think they'd get better service, seeing as they are serving our country. "Look, I've got to go, but I'll call you soon, okay?" Logan asks.

"Okay. Bye. Love you" I say, and this time, I mean it. There have been too many times in the past where I was too afraid to, where I didn't know how to get the words out. Now that I can, I make sure to say it as much as possible, in case he forgets. "Love you too" he responds, then clicks off Skype. Wiping my eyes, I turn back to the security camera footage I was meant to be working on. Another cheating husband trying to get away. Pretty easy work, not the most fun, but it certainly pays the bills. I've needed that, especially since the accident that claimed Deputy Sack's life and my dad's ability to walk. It's been over a year, but money seems to be slipping through my fingers like sand.

Mac enters the office, two coffee's in her hands. She places mine on my desk, then goes to her own and opens her bag, pulling out a Danish pastry. I tilt my head, giving her a knowing look. "What? I worked out at the gym this morning, I deserve a treat!" she claims, chuckling. I drink in the dark, rich scent of coffee, warmth spreading through my body. It smells so good. I pause the video to take a sip, breathing it in first. Next thing I know I'm placing the coffee back down on the desk and I'm trying not to gag. "Veronica, you okay?" Mac asks. I know she means well, but the taste of coffee still lingers in my mouth, and the nausea that hit me this morning returns. I'm handed a glass of water and drink. After I regain my composure, I sit back up, breathing slowly. "Sorry if I scared you there, Mac. Just felt a bit sick. I think it's best you take my coffee before I barf" I say. Mac grabs the coffee and takes a swig. "Tastes normal to me" she says.

"Really? I though it had kind of a metallic taste to it" I respond.

"Must be just you" Mac says, then takes another sip. She sits back at her desk. "I'm going for a drink with Wallace this evening, going to meet that new girlfriend of his. Want to come?" she asks.

"Sound's like a good idea, where you going?"

"That new bar, Bianca's. They do some fancy sounding cocktails that I am just dying to try!" she almost squeals.

"Wow, someone needs a drink!" I laugh.

"Yes! I've not had a good night out since we saw Madison Sinclair attack that bouncer at Cube's!" Mac giggles. I smile, the fond memory of Madison Sinclair being pushed into the back of a police car playing out in my mind. That was just before Logan left. Suddenly I'm feeling sad again. Honestly, I don't know what's going on with me at the moment, I'm just so... emotional. Damn it. I go to the bathroom and stare at myself in the mirror. There are slight bags under my eyes, my hair's a messy ponytail. Maybe a drink will do me good.

After peeing again, I grab some salad from the fridge and eat at the desk in my dad's old office. The security camera footage is useless, with no sign of the cheating husband or any of his possible mistress's. Just as I'm about to give up, I hear a knock at my door. "Uh, Veronica, there's somewhere here to see you." Mac says as she pops her head round. "Client?" I ask. She shakes her head.

"Well, not yet" she replies. I tell her to send the possible client in, then ask her to have a look herself at the footage. Maybe a fresh pair of eyes will be good.

"Veronica Mars?" A seductive voice asks me, as I look into the chocolate brown eyes of a woman. Long legs showing in a fashionable black dress, sun hat shielding her olive skin and chocolate brown, wavy hair. Something about the way she walks suggests an aura of sophistication, of wealth. She is young, mid twenties, with a curvaceous and well maintained body. Her face, though, is ravishing with natural beauty. The woman bats her long, black eye lashes and sits down. "Are you Veronica Mars?" she asks again.

"Uh, yes, I am, and... uh, what can I do for you?" I reply. The woman leans back, looks me up and down, and smiles.

"I'm sure, as a woman, you will understand how serious the matter is when I tell my shoes have been stolen!" she says. I peer down at her feet for a moment, just to check, then look back up at her. "Your... shoes?" I ask. Truthfully, I don't know too much about shoes.

"Not just any shoes, but one of a kind, gold lamé, topaz encrusted shoes. They are the most valuable possession I own, and they are missing." The woman says with some anger. She sits back in her chair. "Okay, well, what else can you tell me about these shoes?" I ask.

"Well, they were a wedding gift from Barnabus Avalos, the fashion designer. I modelled for him quite a bit. They're made especially for me, and I can't have Barnabus knowing their gone."

"Okay, Miss...?"

"Holliday. Heidi Holliday." She says. The name rings a bell, though I can't quite place her. She gives me a strange look, then sighs. "My fiancée is John Harris-Claude, the entrepreneur." She responds to my confusion. Suddenly it all kicks in to place, the younger, supermodel girlfriend, the older, widowed billionaire. Made the papers a couple of times. "John is away in the Bahamas for work. I'd rather he didn't know." She states.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, Miss Holliday, but why come here? If they're that important, why not go to the cops?" I inquire. She simply shrugs.

"The last time I went to the police about anything, I was harassed by the paparazzi for two weeks afterwards. With the wedding and everything coming up, I'd much prefer if this was kept on the down low" Miss Holliday tells me. I can understand, though something niggles me in the back of my mind. I ignore it for now, as it's probably my hormones acting up, as they have been for the past couple of days. I make a mental note to book an appointment with the doctor, as some part of me knows something is up. "Look, Ms Mars," she says, taking me away from my thoughts. I concentrate on her face. "I'm willing to pay a lot of money to find these shoes, and I need to find them before the wedding. So, if, you're willing to help me, please contact me on this number" she hands me a business card, checks her watch, then heads for the door. "Ms Mars, I have to take a meeting now, but if you could get back to me by tonight, that would be fantastic. Ciao!" she exclaims, then leaves the office. A minute later, Mac appears in the doorway.

"So..."

"So, it looks like we have a case to solve" I say.