"We never agreed with the decision to vote you out of office, this is only one small way we can show you still have our support." Klaus explained as Keith Mars reluctantly took the cheque from Klaus Kringle and nodded quietly, his head bowed.
He wanted to refuse, to give it back and wish the Saintly a fruitful holiday season spreading cheer and goodwill but the unfortunate downturn in business with the heavy publicity over the last few weeks on the Lily Kane murder trial meant he had little wiggle room to refuse the kind offering, not if he wanted to keep the noisy roof over his teenage daughters head in their tiny apartment.
As if having Veronica dressed up like an X-rated Christmas elf hadn't set his paternal teeth on edge when he reviewed the undercover footage later.
"Thank you," Keith said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I never expected such kindness after everything that's happened. I've forgotten how important it is to let others support me too."
"We are going to handle the matter privately," Noelle explained, referring to the recent thefts by their employee Buck Roet.
They had opted not to get the Sheriffs department involved, since none of the actual items targeted were things things the business insurance would have deemed a 'loss', with perhaps the exception of the Lynn Echolls items which the Security guard dressed as a Christmas Pudding had sworn he'd no idea was in there when questioned.
"He's been with us for 5 years, his wife recently lost her job working for that tech start-up the Kane's bought up and dismantled last month." Klaus told the former Sheriff, handing over a take-out bag from Jingle Smells.
Noelle wrapped a hand around her husbands arm. "We heard she's expecting their third child."
"There will a thorough internal investigation, and we will probably have to let him go... but he didn't interfere with the donations for the Turkey for Veterans drive, or the Medic-Aid Fund, and honestly we don't want to put anymore additional stress or pressure on that family over the holidays." Klaus sighed.
Perhaps it was his own frustrated need for justice that couldn't understand why the Kringles were so willing to offer Buck Roet a chance at redemption despite almost ruining their reputation.
Christmas often inspired acts of kindness, generosity, and goodwill, it had been rare in Keith's experience of the holidays when he'd witnessed the other end of calls to the Sheriffs Department this time of year.
Triple what they were any other time of year, second only to Thanksgiving or the Fourth of July.
Those Christmas traditions and rituals, whether decorating the tree with Veronica or watching classic holiday movies with Backup curled beside him, provided a sense of continuity and reminded him why his work had been so important so he could cherish those memories.
The kind of moments that had been stolen from Lily Kane.
Today's verdict on the Abel Koontz trial had settled like a weight on his shoulders, setting his mind ablaze with determination to find proof of Jake Kane's involvement with the death of his only daughter.
Lianne's drunken voicemail to the office earlier did evoke feelings of warmth and nostalgia.
He didn't feel much like celebrating, and the guilt tore at him.
Veronica deserved beautifully adorned trees, wreaths, and exchanging gifts and creating lasting memories.
It was sometimes enough to almost shatter his resolve, to cave and tell people he'd gotten it wrong.
She deserved to heal.
Noelle gently squeezed Keith's arm, offering her silent support before walking back to the Mall office.
"We believe in your pursuit of justice, Keith," Klaus said earnestly. "Just remember to take the time to cherish what's truly important."
With that, Keith mustered a small smile, his determination shining through. He knew that the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but he also knew that he had the support of people who believed in him. With that thought in mind, he made a silent promise to himself and to Lily's memory that he would fight for justice and find a way through this for Veronica's sake.
As Keith Mars made his way through the bustling mall, his mind still consumed with thoughts of the recent events and the weight of his responsibilities, he focused on the sound of his footsteps echoing in the corridor. The air was filled with the scent of holiday decorations and the chatter of shoppers, but his thoughts remained distant.
The chilly evening air provided a momentary respite from the chaos that had consumed his thoughts. As he made his way towards the parking lot, he found himself lost in a sea of bustling holiday shoppers, each with their own distractions and concerns.
He did immediately take notice of the figures standing a few feet away from him, beside his daughters car.
"Dad!"
Startled, Keith turned his head to see his daughter Veronica, her eyes widening in surprise as she quickly pulled away from the person she had been embracing. Keith's gaze shifted to the young man standing beside her, his eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and sheepishness.
"Logan," Keith acknowledged, his voice tinged with a mix of sternness and concern.
At least she no longer resembled an indecent Elf...
Veronica tried to compose herself, her cheeks flushed with a hint of embarrassment. "Dad, I... We were just..."
The holiday lights twinkled nearby, casting a warm glow on their faces. Keith regarded Logan, his expression thoughtful.
He knew that Veronica and Logan had shared a complicated history, filled with pain and heartache. Their relationship had been marked by the tragic loss of Lily and the subsequent fallout that followed. The holiday season had a way of reminding Keith that love and healing were possible, even in the most unexpected of circumstances.
For a brief moment, Logan hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. Getting caught in the parking lot making out with the mans daughter was not an ideal introduction to this uncharted territory. Logan cleared his throat, stepping forward with a hint of nervousness but he stopped at the look in the older Mars' expression. He understood the weight of Keith's unspoken words and the trust that had been placed in him.
Keith placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, his eyes filled with paternal love. Of course he naturally wanted to have a civil conversation with the Echolls boy while he carefully polished a shotgun he shook it off for the sake of his daughter and the newfound hope he had glimpsed in her eyes.
It was the first time in months he felt like a regular father, dealing with regular concerns over his teenage daughter making out with a boy.
Seeing Veronica behaving like any other shy teenage girl even for a few moments was a precious gift as she spluttered over explanations about Logan and the firehouse toy drive. He watched them walk away, their fingers interlaced, a flicker of hope igniting within him. It was a small moment, but it was a sign that amidst the darkness, there was still room for love, forgiveness, and the possibility of a brighter future.
Keith pulled out the piece of paper with the number he'd traced from the voicemail earlier, and keyed it into his cell phone, unsurprised when the automated message declared the burner was no longer in service.
He spoke softly anyway.
"Merry Christmas Lianne."