Story So Far: Dick Cassablancas is under investigation by the FBI. Veronica Mars FBI Agent interviews Logan and Casey wanting information about their part in Dick's criminal troubles. Dick is arrested. Casey and Logan decide to talk to Veronica to see if she can direct them on how to best help their friend.
Chapter 3: Meeting With Veronica
When Logan and Casey arrive at the beach they see in the distance that a woman is walking a dog. Logan muses aloud, "I wonder if Back Up is still alive? It's unlikely."
Casey looks at his friend and questions, "Back Up?"
Looking over at him Logan answers easily, "Her dog. She got him in middle school. He would be quite old now." Logan reaches for his door handle and opens his door.
Casey gets out and walks with Logan towards the woman. Although Casey is not sure it is Veronica, Logan knows immediately it is her. Casey trusting Logan's instincts just follows.
It is a beautiful night. The beach is almost deserted. The waves are gentle, the birds are resting high up on shore having finished feeding for the day. It is cool out but since the breeze is gentle, it is still warm enough for a relaxing walk.
As soon as they get close the pit bull with Veronica tenses and growls. Veronica without turning says, "MK, down."
The dog immediately backs off but stays alert. Logan sees close up that this pit bull is a few years old. He is not white with brown patches like Back Up; instead he is dark brown with some black areas.
Veronica turns and looks at the two men. Both men are wearing jeans that she imagines rival her car payment. Casey is wearing a polo shirt and Logan is wearing a plain brown t-shirt. She looks at them in question. They asked to meet with her. She will hear what they have to say.
Logan looks at Veronica and sees that she was relaxing probably at Keith's place before they disturbed her. She is wearing grey sweat pants with a light FBI Hoodie. It is clear that she didn't change before she met with them. She has very little make up on and her hair is pulled back into a loose high pony tail. She still amazes him in that she doesn't dress to impress him. Most women if they know they are going to see him or any man wear more feminine clothes, do their hair and wear makeup. Veronica just dresses for comfort. She still is beautiful and he is always affected. Logan volleys first, "MK? That is a pussy name for an attack dog."
Smirking she returns, "Well it is short for man killer.
"Awl," he puts his hand to his chest and comments, "You were thinking of me when you named him."
Always ready with the answer she tells him, "Well I wouldn't be too excited. He was the runt of the litter." She looks down at the pit bull who is sitting quietly between her and the two strangers. She reaches down and pats his head and then rubs it gently, "MK, safe." The pit bull immediately turns its head towards the area where the birds are resting and starts to run over to chase them. Standing she looks at Logan and tells him, "He's dad's. If he was thinking of you when he named him, I wouldn't be flattered."
Logan smile broadens and Casey has to laugh at the way these two interact. Veronica looks out where MK is now happily rousting the resting birds. She turns back to Logan and adds, "He is Back Up's son. He died last year."
Genuinely sad, Logan meets her gaze and commiserates, "I'm sorry."
She nods her acceptance knowing that Logan genuinely loved her dog. Back Up loved Logan as well; even as a puppy.
Deciding to get the ball rolling, Veronica looks over at the shorter of her two former high school classmates. She starts, "Casey Gant, well respected publisher and CEO of Gant Publishing now a suspect in multiple federal crimes" Shaking her head she adds, "You suck at withstanding questioning." At his shocked look she carries on, "I had to cut your questioning short and go after Logan hoping he could hold up longer."
Casey is offended at her comment and Logan smirks at her double entendre. "Lucky my crew is used to me using waiting as a tactic so I don't think they were too suspicious when I let you leave," she continues completely unconcerned that the men might be offended by her statements.
Turning she steps closer to Logan and tells him, "Sadly I knew that you would hold up better to questioning." She puts her hands on her hips and meets his gaze demanding, "What the hell have you gotten yourself into this time?"
Prickling a little at the idea that he is still the young man who looked for and attracted trouble, Logan looks down at her and hesitates, "We'd be stupid to talk to you now."
Veronica immediately sees he is not here to have an open discussion. Logan thinks he sees disappointment flash in her gaze before she shuts it down and look briefly over at Casey before she looks back. Her voice much calmer and quieter she states, "And here I thought you finally got a clue."
Logan sees her withdraw and knows that their job of convincing her to help just got harder. She steps back and crosses her arms asking, "Why am I here?" Before either man can answer she puts up her hand and warns, "Don't fuck with me. I haven't seen my father in a while so this better be good."
Casey frowns at her tone not appreciating and not really understanding her ire. Logan recognizes it as discouragement. A part of her had been hoping that they were looking for the truth. Instead she can see that they are there for something else. Logan sees that her mood is fast deteriorating gets to the point, "We're worried about Dick."
Nodding as if she expected that, she agrees, "You should be." She tilts her head in question and asks, "What specifically concerns you two upstanding citizens?"
Casey tells her that they are worried he won't get bail.
"That is possible," she agrees blandly.
"Look," Casey says quietly, "Dick is our friend. We want to help him."
Her face closes at Casey's answer. Logan sees that she is disappointed at Casey's statement. She whistles for her dog who has run farther down the beach. She looks at Casey and spits out, "OK I get that you are Dick's friends. You are going to use your wealth and influence to make sure he doesn't face the consequences of what he has done. What does that have to do with me? Why did you drive to Neptune to talk to me?"
Logan steps closer and asks, 'We get you have lots of reasons not to like Dick but we have his back just like you would have Weevils or Wallace's."
When she looks at him without expression but he can see his statement pissed her off further. He finishes, "We need to know the best way to help Dick get out of jail."
She looks up at Logan and then over at Casey. It is clear she is upset with them, "You two still think that your money and status is going to get you and Dick out of a federal charge." She shakes her head in disbelief. "This isn't high school anymore. The charges against Dick are serious and the DA is deciding on whether to charge the two of you as well." She looks carefully at the two rich young man and sees that they are not worried about the charges against them. At their continued silence, her frustration erupts, "I had hoped that you guys grew up and started caring about more than yourselves but I can see that you haven't. Do you even know how many people are getting hurt? Hard working decent people?"
They look at her in stunned silence. Veronica misinterprets their silence as continued solidarity and she throws up her hands in complete and utter disgust. She rants, "You really don't understand the justice system if you want me to help you and Dick. My mandate is protect the innocent so I am squarely on the side of the victims of this scam."
Casey interjects, "Come on Veronica. You know that Dick just invested his money in the company. He did not run the company into the ground. It isn't his fault that the company went bankrupt. He is one of the victims who lost his investment."
As Logan watches her carefully he sees that her mouth dropped open in surprise before she got control of herself and closed it. She is looking at Casey and then him trying to judge if they are telling the truth. After a few seconds pause she says to Casey, "Are you kidding me? Is this the angle your lawyers said to take?
Both Logan and Casey frown not really understanding why she would think this was a ploy. Fed up Veronica says, "I hoped that both of you running your own business and participating in charities.." She pauses and Logan instantly knows she has researched both of them. She starts again, " I hoped that you both grew up but I can see that you are still 09er wastes of time." Veronica makes to walk around Logan to go to her car when he grasps her arm. She stiffens and looks up at him meeting his gaze; hers, angry and disappointed; his apologetic, confused and worried.
She looks at him for a second and then steps back a little in surprise. She exclaims, "You don't even know what you helped transport across state lines, do you?" Hands on her hips she almost yells, "Do you two even know what Dick has done?"
Seeing the answer in their faces she looks incredulous. Shaking off his arm she says, "You guys are fucking morons."
Logan and Casey look at her in shock. She informs them, "Dick is not just another investor who was duped. He is not going to get bail. He is going to be taken from his safe holding cell to the general population on Tuesday or Wednesday after his bail hearing where he will stay until his trial a few months from now." She continues relentlessly, "Then he will join his father in federal prison for a long, long time. Your money, names and contacts won't stop that." She meets Logan's gaze and adds, "The question you should be asking is are you going with him?"
Totally angry she pushes Logan's chest and he moves back off the pathway. She says, "When I talk to you next, you better have true answers for me or you are going to end up buried with Dick and," she smirks and finishes, "having dick buried in you."
She stalks off angry. Logan looking after her comments sadly, "Wow, it's been a long time since I made her that mad."
The two men watch as she opens the passenger door and waits for the pit bull to jump in. She shuts the door after the dog settles in the passenger seat and walks around to the driver's side of the car. Logan notes that she doesn't look back at them as she gets in the car, starts it, fastens her belt and drives off.
After an uncomfortable silence, Casey half asks, "I hope she was just using a scare tactic with what she said."
Logan continues to watch as Veronica's car leaves the parking lot turning right. Absently he answers, "I wouldn't bet on it." He watches her car until it is out of sight.
Back at Casey's house they decide that they really need to talk to Dick. Logan knows Veronica well and he can tell by her angry reaction to their belief that Dick was also a victim, that their friend has not told them the whole story. Logan ponders aloud, "We might need to meet with Veronica again. We need to find out what she thinks Dick has done. This is a lot bigger deal than we thought. It is more than a company going bankrupt."
Frowning, Casey says, "I don't even get why the Feds are involved. Companies go under every day."
Logan agrees, "All Dick told me was that the investment company he used made some bad investments and he lost most of his money." Logan pauses and then thinks aloud, "Maybe the company made some investments that caught the attention of the government?"
"She is never going to willingly tell us what is going on," Casey points out. He adds his voice certain, "She was pretty negative about us."
Running his hand through his hair, Logan comments, "We will just have to change her mind. We have to find out what is going on. She is our only chance to help Dick and maybe ourselves." The two men discuss what to do and decide that they will give Veronica time to cool off and call her in the morning.
An hour later, the two men have ordered dinner and are relaxing in the kitchen. The gate to the mansion reports a visitor. Casey after talking to security tells Logan it is Weevil. Logan immediately knows that Veronica sent him. He nods to Casey that he should let Weevil in.
Weevil arrives at the door and is let in. He is still bald, muscular and is wearing jeans and a plain t shirt. He puts up a hand before Logan or Casey can say anything and states firmly, "Before we talk you need to agree to hire me so everything we talk about is confidential."
The two 09ers look puzzled and Weevil clarifies, "I work for Mars Investigations now; have for the last five years."
Logan catching on intones, "Eli, we would like to hire you to investigate a little matter for us."
Weevil nods and bargains, "Five hundred dollars per day plus expenses and full access."
Logan nods in agreement even though he imagines the quote is double the usual rate. The former gang leader smirks and adds, "A ten thousand dollar bonus at completion."
Logan looks at him in shock and he immediately knows the completion bonus was Veronica's idea. The tall young man understands that this is ex's charming way of telling him that she won't help him anymore and although she is mad, they have a history together so she sent Eli to help him. Although he is not impressed at the minor extortion, he understands that Mars Investigations is a reputable company and he does need real help for the mess that Dick is obviously in. He meets Eli's gaze, "Agreed."
Logan leads the way into the kitchen and they all sit. Casey gets them all a beer.
Weevil starts by definitively telling the two young men, "V and Keith can't be involved."
Looking at the two men he sees their agreement. He pauses and then sends the first shot of their conversation, "V says you two are facing 20 years in jail each."
Both men looked shocked. Weevil laughs and adds, "V also says, and I am repeating this in a more PG format, you two are too stupid to live sometimes."
Logan grimaces at Weevils words as he can imagine what the angry FBI agent did say. Worried, Logan asks, "Eli, why is Veronica so mad at us? What does she think Dick did?"
Obviously expecting the question Weevils tells them how Dick is not an investor; he is one of the registered financial advisors and owners of the company. In addition he explains that many of the victims identified him as the man who encouraged them to invest. He goes on to tell them how many of the investment officers have been found and questioned. Most have indentified Dick as the one who set up the whole company. The other owners fled the country with their money. The FBI is looking for them.
When Weevil tells the two young men the name of the company that went bankrupt, Logan and Casey both look horrified. It is not possible that Dick was involved with the Harris Holdings Company. It is all over the news. Stories of how thousands of average Americans invested their retirement funds and got mortgages from Harris Holdings only to find out that their money is gone and the executives of the company paid themselves billions.
Logan sighs and sits back. He knows what was in the box were files that were incriminating enough for someone to arrange to hide or make disappear. This is a nightmare! "Fuck!" he swears, immediately upset. He looks at Casey and shares, "This is a lot bigger than we knew. I thought it was just a couple of real estate investments and a restaurant or something that went bankrupt." He adds, "I never imagined..."
Weevil shakes his head. Veronica was right when she told him that she could tell that Logan at least didn't know what Dick had done. Getting the conversation back on topic, Eli explains, "V. says that Dick took subpoenaed files across state lines and then gave them to a guy to destroy and you guys were there." He takes a sip of his beer and then continues letting them know what Veronica told him. He talks about how V and her partner found the guy in Vegas who was getting rid of the files and hard drives. He adds, "He lawyered up but they have him cold on receiving stolen federal files. V. thinks he will try and cut a deal. If this guy identifies Dick as giving him the files, Dick is facing real hard time."
He makes eye contact with both Casey and Logan and adds, "The FBI is waiting to see if he identifies either of you as being involved."
Weevil can see that the two 09ers are upset. According to V they did not invest in the company. She hopes that they really just went to Vegas with their friend. Weevil knows that he would look the other way if one of his friends asked him to.
Casey swears and laments, "If my name is attached to this scandal, it might ruin my company." He looks at Weevil and explains, "I employ 200 people."
Weevil nods. After a short silence he comments, "Dick didn't seem to care about that when he transported the documents with you guys in the car."
Logan looks at Casey and tells him meaningfully, "If Dick is involved... if he is more than an investor, we have to decide what to do."
Casey nods his understanding. Logan and Casey's eye contact holds for a second longer and Weevil can see that they are going to talk about this new development when he is not there.
Weevil gets out his notebook and in a businesslike tone states, "Tell me everything you guys remember about that trip." He listens and writes down the important information. When they are done, Weevil comments, "Right now, it looks bad for Dick." He pauses in thought and then asks, "Do you want me to focus on getting you guys off the FBI's radar or do you want me to work on Dick's case?"
Logan turns to Weevil and tells him, "Neither of us was involved in the alleged fraud or the transport. You should focus on helping Dick's case."
Weevil can see that they will be reluctant to cut Dick loose. V told him they would be loyal and she hoped they didn't regret it. The PI gets them back on track by sharing, "The only way for Dick to get out of the charge is if we can prove he didn't know what he was carrying. Even then he will still be on the hook for his part in the alleged fraud."
Logan and Casey look worried. Things are looking much worse for Dick than they imagined. Even if they manage to get him off the charge of transporting the files, he may go to jail for his involvement in the failed investment company."
Weevil moves on to the next issue, "I guess we will have to deal with one problem at a time. I need to talk to Dick after his hearing on Tuesday or Wednesday." He adds, "He needs to tell me everything."
Logan nods his agreement as he thinks about how to handle a meeting between Weevil and Dick, "I will talk to him after the hearing and get him to agree to see you. If he gets out, he can stay at my place and you can meet us there."
Weevil points out quietly, "V says the weekend in jail might show Dick he is not invincible."
He smirks at the dawning look of understanding on Logan's face. He adds, "It was V's idea to arrest him so late today that he couldn't get a bail hearing until Tuesday because it is Easter weekend."
Logan would smile if it wasn't his friend who was stuck in jail. Shaking his head he says, "She can be a real bitch."
Weevil shrugs unconcerned that Dick is in jail. He corrects, "Although V didn't say, I got the impression that she thinks Dick won't get bail so he will be in jail until the trial. There is a lot of evidence against him and he is definitely a flight risk." He meets Logan's gaze and tells him, "What she did won't make any difference. She just thinks it may loosen his tongue to realize his money is not going to get him out of the trouble he is in."
Logan nods his understanding. Veronica knows the evidence against Dick. She probably has a better idea than them if Dick is going to get bail or not. Logan paces a little as the thinks about what they should do.
Weevil points out, "V won't be helping me anymore now I am working for you. She started me off the record of course, on the right path. I can't do much until I talk to Dick."
Thinking deeply Logan continues to pace. Finally he says, "I think we need to also work on the aspect that Dick is not one of the masterminds of the fraud. I doubt he really understood what he was getting into."
Weevil nods but Logan can see he doesn't necessarily agree. The PI tells the two men, "I'll start researching the partners and employees of the company."
Casey suggests, "I think you should focus on the partners who haven't been found yet. Maybe we can put a lot of the fraud on them."
"I will have to hire some of that out," the PI points out, " I know a guy who can dig into the others for me."
Shrugging his shoulder to show that the money doesn't matter, Logan assures, "Whatever you need."
Concerned, Casey asks Weevil how he thinks he can find out more than Veronica and the FBI with all their resources.
Weevil meets his gaze and points out that Dick is going to give him the information he needs to get ahead of Veronica's investigation. The two guys nod their understanding.
Logan opens his phone and calls his lawyer. He steps out onto the deck to talk in private. When he comes back in, the two guys hear him instruct his lawyer, "Make the request for me to see Dick after his hearing on Tuesday."
There is silence for a few seconds and then Logan says, "OK, thanks. Let me know."
He hangs up and then looks at Casey and meaningfully tells his close friend, "My lawyer wants to meet early next week. He says that the FBI has requested another meeting to discuss some new issues with me." Casey gets a small frown on his face and Logan understands that he realizes that he may be getting the same request from his lawyer. Shaking his head slightly as he thinks about being interrogated by FBI again, Logan tells the guys that Veronica is going to want real answers this time. He meets Casey's gaze and adds, "We better be prepared."
Casey nods his agreement and points out, "Veronica was scary as a PI in high school. I can't imagine how tough she will be now." The two guys look worried.
Inwardly smirking that the two rich young men are worried about being interrogated again by his favorite petite FBI agent, Weevil takes their numbers and gives them his. He tells them to call him when they hear if Dick gets a bail hearing on Tuesday. He tells them he will go to LA once he knows if Logan can get him in to see Dick.
As he leaves Weevil pauses and then clearly says, "V mentioned that if the box were something that would normally be in a trunk, they, the feds, could believe that you didn't know there were files inside." He steps out and closes the door without any further eye contact or conversation.
After a short shocked pause, Logan smiles at how Veronica is still looking after him. He turns to his friend, his voice relaxed for the first time tonight, "You know I think I remember seeing a motor oil box or something. I don't know much about it as I have never had to change oil in a vehicle."
Casey smiles. He says, "We might have to do a little research about boxes and motor oil."
Logan looks at Casey and suggests, "We need to get our stories to Dick before Veronica gets to him on Tuesday."
A few days later Logan sits in the interrogation room with his lawyer. He knows that this time with Veronica the gloves will be off. When the door opens he is expecting to see tiny blonde pixie who he has never been able to forget. He is surprised to see a tall man with dirty blond hair wearing a dark suit with a white shirt and dark blue tie enter the room. He is carrying a file folder.
Veronica is not doing the interrogation. Logan doesn't know what to think of that. The agent introduces himself as Derek Henderson and shows his badge. He shakes Logan's and his lawyer's hands as they introduce themselves. Logan is quiet and careful only to answer the questions he is asked. He does appear to be cooperating and agreeable though.
Veronica, watching closely through the one way window, is not surprised to find out that Logan and Casey have their stories completely coordinated. Her partner has asked all the important questions but has not attempted to catch the two in any lies. He is not really interested in Logan and Casey only wanting to check their stories against what Richard Cassablancas will tell them.
If she wasn't so disappointed that Logan and Casey are using their money and connections to get Dick out of the mess he is in, she would be amused that the two men took her advice. Logan stated that he may have seen a box in the trunk what had an oil logo or something like that on it. but really didn't pay attention to it. They also both admitted that they had garment bags and suitcases so the trunk must have been full. Casey did not put his gear into the vehicle; Logan claimed he did but was hung over and tired so did not pay much attention only to fitting his things in, not to what was already in the trunk.
Since Casey used his credit card at the restaurant they stopped at part way, he admitted to knowing the route they took to Vegas. Logan claimed to have slept most of the way.
They all deny really knowing whose idea it was to go to Vegas; all just said they often went and liked to get together when they could. Logan thinks they may have decided while they were surfing with Dick agreeing to do the booking and drive. Logan did not think it was out of the ordinary for Dick to book the hotel. Logan when asked why he didn't stay in his usual spot says, "Well my assistant usually books my trips and Dick is not my assistant." He did add that he doesn't mind driving to Vegas with the guys but if he is going with a female companion or by himself he would rather fly.
Casey stated that when he went to Vegas he used the corporate jet unless he was going with the guys and they liked to drive. They both sound like rich men who were just going to Vegas with friends to have some fun.
As far as the FBI were concerned, Casey Gant and Logan Echolls were not involved in transporting the federal documents to Vegas to be destroyed. Richard Cassablancas was an entirely different matter. The FBI requested an interview with him through his lawyer but he refused to talk to law enforcement.
After the interviews with Logan and Casey, Veronica talked with Derek. They have been partners for a while and they are close friends. She was open with her partner telling him that she could tell both Logan Echolls and Casey Gant were lying and that they knew they were transferring something but may not have known what they were transferring. She adds that Dick is absolutely involved in the whole investment scam but he may not have known what he was transporting either.
She also told him that Logan Echolls hired her father's PI business this past weekend. She said she didn't ask and her father didn't tell. Her partner trusted her. He understood her personal attachment to Logan Echolls and he also knew about her negative relationship with Dick Cassablancas and Casey Gant. He looks at his papers and points out, "Logan Echolls is going to be one of the two visitors that Richard Cassablancas is allowed today."
Veronica explains that they have been close friends since middle school and tells him, "Logan has always been able to get through to Dick. If he talks to anyone, it would be Logan."
Curious she asks, "Who is the other visitor?"
Derek looks at his paper and answers, "Eli Navarro."
"Eli works with my father at Mars Investigations. He went to high school with us." Thinking for a few seconds she adds, "I guess it makes sense that Eli would be in charge of Dick's case."
Frowning at this revelation, Derek suggests, "Maybe you should talk to your dad."
Shrugging she counters, "Eli is a really good PI. Let him do our work for us. If Dick will be totally open with him, he will have a better idea than us if Dick knew what was in the box, who gave him the box and what instructions Dick got for when he got to Vegas." Meeting her partner's gaze she says, "Although what he finds out is confidential, he will eventually turn over what he has learned if it helps Dick. If he doesn't turn over any information, we will know that Dick is as guilty as we think."
Seeing her point he nods but suggests, "We had better run it by Goggins anyways. He may not be happy with your past relationship with the subjects and your father's PI firm's involvement."
Veronica nods her agreement. She says, "Good idea."