A/N: I'm really sorry this took so long to post. Thanks for hanging in there everyone! Thank you especially to Bond, who if you lived closer, I would probably be at your house everyday or vice versa having coffee and discussing VM world.

Chapter 18

From the looks of Keith's file, Veronica could see that he had been investigating Larry Morrison for at least six months, possibly closer to a year. From what Veronica could tell, Keith had gathered quite of bit of information and had come to some very interesting conclusions. The notes interspersed throughout the entire file indicated that Keith had been very close to exposing who Morrison really was.

Larry Morrison had, as she'd already discovered, been involved with the purchase of a lot of real estate in Neptune and the surrounding areas. He'd purchased a lot of the properties through public auctions and short sales, offering little to nothing to the sellers and acquiring them for pennies on the dollar.

She'd found the paperwork that proved what Logan had told her the day before: Larry Morrison had purchased the building on Adams Avenue in 2009. Three years later, Logan and Dick bought it from Morrison. Amidst that paperwork was the inspection report from Morrison's original purchase, which showed the building as having passed inspection with flying colors. Clipped to that paperwork was the inspection report that Logan commissioned. It was dated 2012 and indicated that the structure hadn't passed inspection, was unsafe, and needed to be demolished.

There was various other paperwork showing similar lots and buildings that Morrison had bought low and sold high. Veronica wondered how many of those were also structurally unsound. Keith had obtained most of the inspection reports from the time of Morrison's purchases. There were no updated inspection reports on any other properties other than the building on Adams. From what she could tell, Logan was the only buyer who had uncovered Morrison's underhandedness. Veronica wondered why.

She'd then turned to the file that Keith had labeled 'Sandra Lupeo' Veronica had Googled the name and discovered that the woman was the current County Inspector; she had been in office for a number of years. From the contents of the file, Veronica had realized right away that Lupeo and Morrison were on a first name basis. Keith had an interesting collection of emails between Morrison and Lupeo. Somehow, Keith had accessed one or both of their accounts and had found irrevocable proof that the two of them were on friendly terms. More than friendly if the nicknames they had for each other was any indication. The terms of endearment signed at the bottom of some of the emails made her feel dirty. The relationship was likely a little more than it should have been.

As she continued to pore over the file, Veronica heard the ping of an email coming into her inbox. She quickly tapped through the screens on her phone and saw that the email was from an anonymous sender, labeled with the date of Neptune High's recent ten-year reunion. Curious, Veronica tapped it open and began to read, noting that there was an attachment listed. The information written made her mouth go dry with amazement. She clicked open the attached file.

***Break***

Martina Vasquez of Channel Nine News was not the only reporter who had caught wind that Logan Echolls and his attorney would be giving an impromptu press conference outside of the Sheriff's Department sometime that afternoon. Count on Veronica, Logan thought fondly, to go above and beyond what was expected. Although he normally despised anything resembling media hounds and ambulance chasers, today Logan patiently stood next to Cliff and let the questions be lobbed at him in a constant assault of yelling. He let Cliff take the lead in all but a few of the questions. Cliff gave consent for Logan to answer some of the more straightforward questions, and he kept his responses brief and to the point. Mostly, Logan inspected the crowd with watchful eyes and was surprised when he saw someone familiar slinking in the background: one Manny Rose. He recognized the short Mexican, with his perpetual frown and dark complexion, skulking around in the back of the crowd, standing against a tree with his arms folded, watching the progression of the questioning with a dour look upon his face.

Finally, after thirty minutes of questioning, the crowd of reporters seemed satisfied with the answers that they had received and slowly began to disperse. Logan stepped down the stairs, tracking Manny Rose with his eyes, feeling abnormally confident in what he was about to do. He quickened his pace until he was directly behind the Mexican and reached out to wrap his fingers around the other man's bicep and swung him around.

"You," Logan snarled, his expression as fierce as he could make it. "What do you want with me?"

Manny's eyes grew wide and his mouth opened and closed before he sputtered, "No hablo ingles! No hablo ingles! No comprendo!" The sun glinted harshly on the many gold-capped teeth.

"You can say that all you want, but I don't believe you," Logan said, hauling the shorter man back over to the tree and out of the middle of the walkway. "But, if you would prefer, I can talk, and you can just listen. I think that works just fine for me." When he reached the tree, Logan pushed Manny up against the trunk. He looked around, satisfied that the reporters had disappeared and the only person witnessing this exchange was Cliff, who was slowly making his way over to them. "I want you to tell Morrison and Lamb that I know all about their little scheme. They can't set someone like me up and get away with it." Manny's eyes grew wide and Logan smiled appreciatively. "Yes, I know all about it, Senor Rose. Being their minion, doing all of their dirty work must be so rewarding for you. How do they pay you, in Pesos or American dollars? If I were you, I'd hold out for something with a higher market value."

Manny struggled in Logan's hold, and after a moment, Logan released him and stepped back. Cliff came up behind him and Logan watched Manny straighten his shirt, muttering under his breath before he inched around the two of them and sprinted across the well-manicured lawn, disappearing around the corner of the building.

"How did that go?" Cliff asked conversationally, as if Logan assaulting another man was normal. "Get answers to any burning questions?"

"More like I just created the burning questions."

"Well, that's good." Cliff looked up into the sky. "It's a beautiful afternoon for a drive to home, don't you think?"

***Break***

Eli had been framed. The proof sat before her in the form of a PDF. Veronica stared at the open document. It was a report that Lamb thought no longer existed. Written within the report was the proof Cliff needed. The gun supposedly involved in the Eli Navarro/Celeste Kane case should have been sitting in an evidence locker during the time of the incident.

Someone within the department had obviously taken that gun out of lockdown and planted it at the scene. Then someone (likely the same someone) had taken the original written report associated with the gun and destroyed it.

Except that there was a second copy of the report. And she had it.

"Bunk!" Veronica yelled out to the outer office and clicked out of the PDF file to reread the accompanying email.

To: Veronica Mars, MI

From: Anonymous

Shrf Lamb is not what he seems. He has been tainting the city by hiring dirty cops and labeling those who refuse to conform as the problem. He has already labeled Dep Sacks as having a drug addiction that couldn't be controlled, leading to his untimely death at the hands of the underground drug trade. This story will be breaking news tonight.

Eli Navarro was an innocent bystander. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now he's in the middle of an unfortunate incident that he had nothing to do with. Celeste Kane is royalty in this town, and because of that, Lamb is unable or unwilling to prosecute her. That leaves Navarro as the fall guy. He is not guilty of any crime, just as Logan Echolls is not. Attached is what proof that remains that the gun would have already been in lock up at the time of the incident involving Mr. Navarro. There is no possible way that weapon could have been used unless someone went into the Sheriff's department, gained access to the evidence room and removed it. The possibility of that happening is highly unlikely because access to that room requires fingerprint recognition and only those granted access are able to enter.

Lamb has his men on the ground keep a stash of drugs and weapons in their possession at all times to plant during raids, standard stops, or any other event that may warrant such brazen behavior by said officers. Not all of the officers on staff have been amenable to such activities and therefore have been put on other assignments or else were terminated after Lamb sifts out the chaff from the wheat. Lamb has a group of specific officers that are privy to the less than legal dealings and those men are paid well to keep quiet.

Veronica's eyes bounced up to Bunk's when he let himself in through the office door. "Our In just contacted me."

"That didn't take long."

"I wouldn't be surprised if he's been counting down the hours until he could talk to someone about this. With Dad injured and Sacks dead, I'm certain Norris is spooked." Her phone binged a text message. "While I hate to break the party up, it looks like we need to get a move on."

"Gather it all up, we might need a little bed time reading tonight."

"Well, you can read it all to me while we're driving. I don't think this information was meant to induce sleep."

**Break**

They found Wallace in the gymnasium standing on the sidelines while players ran up and down the basketball court. Almost immediately Wallace saw them, and he broke away from the other coaches to meet them halfway across the court.

The green, yellow, and white jumpsuit Wallace wore was reminiscent of years prior when he had been the Pirate's Point Guard. Back then, he'd been the MVP practically every game for two solid years, with a ton of promise and a bright future ahead of him. But Wallace had never had much interest in going pro, Mac knew, and had kept his aspirations in check. The day that Wallace had announced he would be returning to Neptune High as Assistant Coach hadn't necessarily shocked Mac, but she had been momentarily surprised by the news. Wallace had always seemed to be someone who would become bigger than what Neptune, California could offer. But Wallace seemed content and actually enjoyed his job, so Mac had never questioned his motives for choosing it. It felt like none of her business.

Wallace stopped in front of them both with a wide smile. "Fancy seeing you the two of you here. You just weren't quite ready to let it go yet after the reunion, were you?"

"Dick just wanted to check out the fresh meat."

"And Mac wanted to check out her next boss."

Wallace grinned wider and then led them over to the stands where a bunch of duffle bags sat clustered together. "Tell Veronica I wasn't about to go through her unmentionables; I just reached in with my eyes closed and grabbed out the first bit my hand found. And don't even get me started on the bathroom stuff…"

"She can go to Target, we get it," Mac responded, grabbing the duffle Wallace was extending out to her. "What's more important is that you tried."

"Hey, I try to be a good friend. I really do, but some things go beyond my limits."

***Break***

Logan and Cliff parted ways at the parking lot. Recognizing the rental car, Logan made his way over to the sedan and popped open gas cap to pull out the keys that Bunk's men had left for him. In no hurry, Logan took his time to open the driver's side door and slide inside the car. He sat behind the wheel for a little while, feigning first to check his phone and then next read a pamphlet that sat on the passenger seat before he finally started the engine and threw the car into reverse. He carefully pulled out of the parking spot and then drove slowly out of the lot, looping around the building and then out onto First Street.

When he drove by the front of the Sheriff's Department, Logan tried to see if he could spot Lamb or any other officer watching him, reasonably certain someone would be tailing him. He pulled into the first gas station he saw to fill up. He ran into the building and bought a bottle of water as well as a candy bar for the road and then meandered out of the store and back to his car. He set off again, checking the rearview mirror when he pulled out onto the street.

**Break***

Mac and Dick left Wallace to his coaching and walked the empty halls of the high school, slowly making their way back to the parking lot. Much like the outside of the building little had changed inside except new faces. They passed by the old computer lab and when Mac looked through the open doorway she saw two girls hovering over a tablet of some sort. She smiled to herself, thinking how it could have been a picture of her with Veronica so long ago.

Dick pointed out where his old locker was and Mac showed him a spot in the wall where she used to hide items she hadn't wanted Clemmons to find during his regular locker searches. They passed by the old Chemistry lab and got a kick out of the fact that Mr. Wu's name was still on the door.

"Still teaching unenthusiastic high school students of every socioeconomic background. One miserable atom at a time," Dick said, flicking the name placard with his middle finger. "That damn man nearly cost me my diploma."

"How did you end up getting one, Dick? You sat out graduation and then the next time…" she cleared her throat, realizing belatedly that the next time she'd really seen him had been at Cassidy's funeral. "Uh, well, the next fall you were suddenly enrolled at Hearst."

His gaze sharpened on her face as if he'd read her thoughts. He flipped back his head so his hair swept out of his eyes and he shrugged. "I squeaked through."

They continued through the hallways and out into the parking lot to Dick's Jeep. She pretended that she wasn't surprised when Dick opened the door for her and waited for her to get settled in her seat before jogging around to his side and sliding in. He started the ignition, checked his mirrors and then pulled out. "Never know when a damn teenager might come out of nowhere and bash into ya. Especially in this parking lot. No one used to pay attention here and I doubt they do now. Besides, I have to admit that my Jeep isn't quite as zippy as your snoozer."

"Would you stop calling it that?"

"Well, hell, sorry, don't get your panties in a wad." Dick maneuvered the jeep out onto the highway. "You never did tell me what happened to you to go all urban and not so, oh, I don't know, what's the word? Mod, maybe? What the hell happened to you since high school?"

Mac picked at a spot on her jeans, suddenly uncomfortable. Her heart quickened with anxiety. "How are you so sure I'm not the same girl from high school?"

"Oh, don't get me wrong, Mac, you're the same. You're just hiding it or something. Like you don't let very many people see your full potential. I remember some of the stunts you used to pull. You were always smart. I think you just hide it better now."

Surprised by Dick's insight, Mac didn't say anything for few minutes. Dick slowed down and signaled to turn right on a street that she recognized as being near Dog Beach. She stared out her window. Eventually, she murmured, "I've just discovered I get into less trouble if I'm more forgettable."

"Forgettable, like your sleepy beige yawn-fest?"

"Hmm, probably. Beige smart cars and expensive tailored suits make people less suspicious of me, I've found. And…" she bit her lip, deciding. After a moment, she breathed out, "men don't equate lack of flash as easy."

"Repeat that, please?" The quick jerk of Dick's head told Mac that he'd heard her just fine.

She scratched her forearm awkwardly. "Sometimes I've just found that being me causes more trouble than it's worth."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

She shook her head. She really didn't want to go there.

"Seriously, Mac; I am a believer of just being yourself." Dick's voice was theatric but turned more serious when he added, "And if you just give me the name of the bastard, I can have him taken care of pronto-like."

She laughed. "It's nothing like that, seriously, Dick. Besides, it's over and done with."

"What the hell happened?"

She debated just how much to say. Not many people even knew anyway. But Dick was someone whom she considered….different. And he wasn't someone who was in her normal circle of friends. "There was just a lawsuit at work, and I was kind of, umm…involved. It was sort of a he said, she said bullshit kind of thing."

Dick frowned. "You were involved how? What does that even mean? Was this at Kane Software?"

"No," she answered quickly. "Not at Kane Software. It was a while ago."

"Well, okay, then what about my other question?"

She considered her answer before evasively saying, "My superior at Sun Corp was interesting. He…used to say things. Do things. I didn't like it."

"What kind of mother fucking things did the bastard do?" Dick demanded vehemently.

She smiled at his intensity. "It's over, Dick. It's been more than a year since it was resolved, and he was fired. I moved on."

"But that doesn't mean you deserved it!"

"Well, no. But still. It's water under the bridge now."

"So tell me what happened."

"It was just a situation that I thought I had handled on my own and then it got blown way out of proportion. But it did teach me that I'm better off to just show up, do my job, keep my head down, and go home. And that's what I do now. It's worked out ever since, and it's a good thing that I've always kept a low profile at Kane Software. No one will ever suspect that I took those trackers out of the Kane labs, which is what we need at this point. To stay out of the limelight."

"I don't like it."

"What, staying low?"

"No; that you won't tell me what happened to you," Dick said emphatically.

"Awe, you're like the big brother I never had."

He shot her an annoyed look. "Trust me, not even close. I want to clobber that ass hole and you won't even tell me why."

Protectiveness. Watch yourself, Mac. She sighed. "It started out as quips. Things that are fine out in the world, but are inappropriate in the work place." Dick pulled into a back parking lot to a store that Mac recognized as The Water Dog, the surf shop Dick owned. She smirked to herself when he pulled into a spot front and center that had a sign "Hot Boss Man" tacked to a post in front of it. "You're 'hot boss', huh?"

"Well, yeah, just look at me!" Dick flicked a hand dismissively. "It was a Christmas gift from the crew. They put it up and everything. But, hell, it's my parking space, what can I do about it?" He zeroed in on her face. "But don't keep changing the subject. What else happened?"

"Oh ho ho, I think this is very much the same subject. 'Hot Boss' here could get you into a lot of trouble."

"You're such a stick in the mud," he teased but turned more serious when he added, "Rip it down, then. It's all in fun. Ask any one of my employees; I've never been out of line. This guy of yours, though, I sense there is more to your story."

"He's no 'guy of mine' and yes, there's more to the story."

"Well?"

She considered him and then said, "We were at a conference in Houston and he followed me up to my room one night. I told him no, he took it as no, and I never had a problem like that with him again. Done deal. Or so I thought."

Dick quirked his eyebrows. "Sounds like he was out of line."

"Well, he was, that's true. I probably should have told HR straight away about what happened, but he was someone who had been there for years; his best friend was his boss, and I just knew…it wouldn't be worth the fight. But the one thing I did do was tell a couple of colleagues about it, just warning them, you know, not to be alone with him. Some of the comments he'd made…were so crass and inappropriate, that it just seemed fair to warn people that he would say things they might not like. I know, I should have reported him for all of that, but I thought I could handle it. And when he followed me to my room, it was during a conference…we both had been drinking…I just didn't want to deal with it. And he never did anything like that to me again. So. I forgot about it. Until this one person I had told got fired and she started slinging accusations all over the place."

"Drama, drama, drama."

"Yes, exactly. One night he calls me, saying that she's sent this company-wide email detailing all the things that she says I've claimed that this guy's said and done. And he's freaking out, you know, like why wouldn't he? And I am just appalled that I've been dragged into this situation that I wanted nothing to do with in the first place. So then I started wishing for anonymity because it was a mess for a while. He eventually just resigned, and I was offered a better position at Kane, and so when I made the transition, I went there with the intention of keeping an air of anonymity. Nothing flashy or special about me." She touched the ends of her hair. "Except maybe a few minor things."

"Don't you miss it?"

"Miss being the mod at the office?" she asked with a laugh. "I should have made that transition way before then anyway. I mean, I am twenty-seven years old, Dick. An aged woman. Someone who shouldn't be running around in brightly colored cars and wearing black combat boots."

"Are you saying you're an old-maid?" Dick reached over and placed his hand on her knee. "If you're an old maid, take me with you. Neptune High can keep their unlearned women. Old age is hot on you."

"As on you," she admitted, holding his look. He stared at her and tilted his head, but before he could say anything more, she grabbed the door handle and pulled it open. "Now, show me this store of yours. If my brother ever meets you, his hero-worship is going to go up ten-fold with the fact you own both a Rubicon and this surf shop. Fair warning though that your 'hot boss' status will disappear if I find the sweat shop in the back."

"I keep that door securely locked during business hours. Hot boss status will stay intact."

***Break***

Driving back to his own place felt strange to Logan after being away for so long. The fact that his townhouse was still standing and also not swarming with cops was reassuring to him. As he'd driven through his neighborhood, it had seemed deserted but even that desolate feeling hadn't completely relieved him, so Logan had circled around the block twice just to ensure there weren't any unfamiliar vehicles parked alongside the streets or following him. He had been both eager and cautious when he'd finally typed in the code to his garage door and it had lifted open for him to drive in and park.

Though the townhouse was the place Logan called home, he rarely stayed there. Whenever he was not deployed or on base, Logan usually spent most of his time in Neptune with either Dick or Carrie. The truth was that he hadn't been 'home' for over a month. He'd been deployed for a few weeks before Carrie's death and then with the subsequent investigation, Logan hadn't even bothered to come here. But it always felt nice to be in his own space, even if it would only be for a few hours.

He let himself in through the door of the garage that led to the laundry room/mud room and flipped on the lights. He set the duffle bag he'd brought along with him on the washer and tiredly rifled through it, looking for his pain meds. Grabbing the bottle, he popped the top off and shook out three pills, swallowing them dry before replacing the lid and stuffing it back into the bag.

In the hallway, he glanced around curiously as he made his way to the kitchen. Though he didn't know for sure, Logan suspected Lamb had searched the townhouse illegally. Even the air inside felt violated, as if someone had been here recently, rooting through his things.

The door that led to the office was closed. He was sure he hadn't left the door shut last time he'd been here. He opened the door and flipped the lights on. His desk was littered with papers as if someone had dropped the stack of papers and strewn them across the desk haphazardly. He smiled to himself because he knew that there had been nothing to find. Nothing here would lead anyone to Carrie's house in Big Bear. Even within Carrie's personal papers there was no one savvy enough to find it. Logan knew that the house in Big Bear was more than safe from discovery.

Onto the kitchen he went where he found even more traces of invasion. A couple of the drawers had been pulled halfway out giving the impression that whoever had been there had been in a hurry.

Sighing, Logan made the rounds around the room, shutting the drawers one by one. Whoever had broken in must have done so when none of the neighbors were home, or maybe…he supposed it wouldn't be too surprising if the police had entered through the front door overtly. With all the negative media coverage, it would have been more than easy for Lamb to send any number of officers in here without suspicion. Everyone and anyone looking on would have assumed that there was a warrant involved.

Just as he was shutting the last of the drawers the doorbell rang.

Exhaling, Logan checked his watch. That was fast. Show time.

***Break***

The office above Dick's store had a spectacular view of the ocean. Mac stood at the huge picture window and stared out at the vastness, adjusting the earpiece in her ear. Back in Vinnie Van Lowe's office, the investigator had just become engaged in yet another dynamic phone conversation. Grudgingly, Mac acknowledged that Dick had been correct when he'd pointed out that she should have bugged Vinnie's phone.

Time. Mac just had needed more time and she would have been able to plant bugs everywhere in that office, phones included.

Frustrated, she turned back to Dick's desk and picked up her tablet. She swiped through the screens to the bug's settings and checked the frequency. Not liking what she saw, Mac spun around and sat down, set the tablet aside and pulled her laptop out. The laptop's capabilities were far more superior to the little tablets, so she began click-clacking through the screens to find the settings to adjust the clarity of the audio.

Meanwhile, in her ear, Vinnie's voice had started booming, but the static of the connection made it difficult for Mac to clearly understand what he was saying. She was able to make out the words "warehouse" and "follow" and then a curt good-bye with the unmistakable click of the phone being replaced in the cradle.

"What's the ol' perv up to now?"

Mac jumped. Dick had snuck through the doorway without her noticing and was standing just above her. "Sheesh, sound a warning!"

Dick chuckled. "I thought you and I had a bond, Mackster. Like, you know where I am at all times, just like I know where you are at all times."

"That's called stalking, Dick. Plus I'm not tracking you; I'm tracking Logan. "

"Yeah, and where is the Golden Boy now?"

"He's at his place, warm and cozy," Mac informed him after a quick check. "Just as planned."

"God, I hope you and Ronnie know what you're doing."

"Me, too."

***Break***

When Logan looked out of the peephole, he wasn't sure if he was surprised or resigned. The whole idea of going to the Sherriff's Department today had been to smoke out a rat. However, the rat on the other side of the door wasn't exactly who Logan or even Veronica had counted on following him here. But still, Logan reasoned, it was a rat. After a moment, he flipped back the bolt, unchained the door, and swung it open.

Manny Rose stood on the stoop, his wide eyes full of what Logan could only describe as fear. Logan opened the door wider and looked past Manny's form and out onto the street. "You look lonely there on my…stoop." He looked back to Manny and said flatly, "What do you want?"

"Please, sir," Manny said in broken English, "I show you what you need."

Logan narrowed his eyes and cocked his head. "I wasn't aware I needed anything from you, thank you."

The black eyes skittered to and fro and then back to Logan's. "Please, sir."

Uncertain, Logan opened the door wider and stepped back. Hoping he wouldn't later regret it he said, "Come in."

Manny didn't need to be told twice. He quickly stepped across the threshold and Logan closed the door firmly behind him, not letting Manny out of his sight. Not feeling especially hospitable Logan stood motionless, watching Manny fidget with the ball cap he'd taken off, curling the brim of it tightly between his fingers.

Logan felt his irritation growing. "Look. What do you want?"

"You, you think that I know you," Manny stuttered suddenly in an urgent tone. "But, senor, I do not. I do this thing to you not that I know you. I be paid. I be paid."

"And that's justification for what? For blowing my car up and shooting me?" Irritation was giving way to anger. Logan didn't know for certain if Manny Rose was responsible for doing those things but given everything that he'd uncovered with Veronica, he was pretty certain of it. "Morrison pulls your strings, and you just react, don't you?"

"No, no, no strings," Manny insisted. "I have no strings. You come. You come with me."

"Dream on, Guillermo. I'm not going anywhere with you."

Annoyance flitted over the Latino's face before he seemed to carefully school his features. "You no understand."

"Probably not but I don't really think I want to."

"No, senor, senor, you come with me and you understand," Manny nodded in triumph, as if the decision had been made. "You come now."

Logan stared at the man for a moment, growing more curious and feeling his will relent. Warily, he inquired, "Where are you going to take me?"

"To show you. What it is."

***Break***

The ringing phone broke the taut silence in the car. Veronica picked it up and swiped answer. "Talk to me."

Mac's urgent voice came through the line, "Veronica. We just heard Vinnie say someone, I don't know who, has been following Logan. They know he's home."

Veronica exhaled and looked over at Bunk as Mac continued.

"There's more." After a pause, Mac informed her, "Vinnie's going ape shit. Whoever is watching the house just watched Logan let Manny Rose in through the front door."

"Manny Rose?" Veronica mulled that news over. She'd expected Lamb. "Hmm. Well, we're only a block away from his place."

"That's good because Logan's car is moving."

Veronica felt her heart drop to the pit of her stomach. "Are you serious?"

A/N: Thanks again. Reviews are all welcome!