"Hi this is Logan with today's inspirational message:
Forgetting is a risky strategy for living. Memory is essential to us. It is DNA. We need to remember, and we need to imagine. That's why we have books, writing, fiction. - Romesh Gunesekera"
"Damn it!" Veronica swore, crumpling up the note and shoving it into her pocket as she took her bag. He had taken her journal and now he wouldn't pick up the phone.
Where are you Logan? Of all the shit to pull, her freaking diary?
She didn't return to class, she searched the car park for his arrogantly yellow T Bird but it wasn't there. She had to find him, quickly.
This could ruin the entire investigation…
Luckily, she had a few little tricks up her sleeve that could help her to narrow the search. She was a teenage detective… gadgets and all.
Daisy was her father's office with a couple in their late 50s when she arrived so Veronica went straight for the good stuff, her fathers cell phone tracker which had cost hundreds of dollars and her trusty lock-pick and the tablet for the cctv licence plate tracker. If she'd had more time she would try calling her dad's friend at the Echolls family bank to track if any charges had been made on his atm or credit cards.
She was still searching the Private Eye database to find out the registration number of Logan's car when Daisy and the clients finished up.
"Well I have your details Mr Hartnett, we will do our best to keep you informed as much as we can… hopefully we will get your belongings back" Daisy smiled as she escorted the gentleman and his wife into the main reception area.
"Veronica?" the older woman asked as she stood smiling in front of the desk where Veronica was using her laptop. She looked at her as if they had met before, bewildered Veronica nodded and gave her a shy smile. She was a short, middle class curvy woman in a cream trouser suit with green eyes and dark curly hair but she didn't seem familiar, Veronica couldn't place her.
"Daniel sweetie, it's Veronica… you remember? From The Aroma Grove!" Mage told him as she smiled warmly to the taller African American man with her. "It is so nice to see a familiar face!"
The Aroma Grove?
"Ah yes! Hello dear!" He smiled and Daisy gave them a confused smile.
"Hello" Veronica replied politely.
"How is Logan?" Mage asked.
They knew Logan?
"You know Veronica?" Daisy asked, sensing her discomfort and Veronica was silently grateful. "She is Mr Mars' daughter"
"Oh yes.. we met Veronica here before… although our last meeting was under much better circumstances, we were at a cooking class down on the boardwalk" Mage explained fondly to Daisy.
"Are you here for a case?" Veronica asked as she tried to piece together where in the diary she had read about a cooking class with Logan, getting up from her chair to stand politely beside Daisy. It was a little disconcerting how out of the loop she felt right now, she couldn't imagine what it must have been like those first few weeks having to deal with everything being gone.
"Terrible business… it's ruining our trip… our Hotel room at the Neptune Grand was robbed, and the Sheriff's Department has been less than useless" Daniel complained.
"Sheriff Lamb is not the most helpful" Daisy said quietly.
"The lady in reception recommended we come and see your father, there's been a string of incidents lately… my favourite necklace was taken.. right out of the safe!" Mage told her sorrowfully.
"That's awful" Veronica said, her blue eyes softening in sympathy. "I am sure my father will do all he can"
"Awk it was so lovely to see you again dear, we were just thinking about the two of you last night, weren't we sweetie?" Mage smiled as she glanced over her shoulder at her husband. "I feel much better now, this was a nice surprise after such a horrible morning… do tell Logan we said hello" she smiled.
"I will…" Veronica agreed as the petite woman pulled her forwards into an unexpected friendly hug. The sweet smell of jasmine and soap that had a familiarity that too her back to a hard to access memory, the taste of tomatoes and grapefruit came back to her. She felt a flicker of something… a recollection… a little dizzy Veronica broke away from their hug and stood back against the wall.
"Thanks for your details, we will be in touch" Daisy told them politely and the couple made their goodbyes.
"Nice to see you again" Veronica called.
"Are you okay?" Daisy asked, her eyes were flooded with worry.
"Yeah… I just need to sit down a minute" Veronica agreed. "I've met them before…" she said as Daisy gave her a glass of water.
"The Aroma Grove… I think that's were Logan took you on your first date" Daisy explained. "You don't look so well… should I call your dad?"
"No! I'm fine… I just haven't really eaten anything today" Veronica dismissed as Daisy looked at the clock.
"You're out of school early… are you sure you don't want me to call your dad?" she checked.
"Positive, I only stopped by to get something… I'm going to head home now" Veronica assured her.
Right after I track down Logan Echolls and that Diary…
"Do you at least want me to drive you?" she asked.
"No.. thank you, I'll be fine" she promised. "The dizziness is already starting to pass"
"Fine… but eat something" Daisy told her as she handed her a small candy bar. "And you aren't going anywhere before I see you devour that" she scolded her.
Veronica took the small candy bar and reached into her bag to take the tablets that Dr Holtz had given her. The pain in her temples had subsided to a dull throb… she could recall being in a strange kitchen… then it was the smell of smoke and salt… the diary hadn't given too many details of that night so she didn't understand what it all meant.
Maybe she could ask Logan when she finally found him before she tasered his klepto ass?