3%
Title: 3%
Author: Snuffybaby
Disclaimer: RT owns the VM universe
Rating: PG
Word Count: 10,490
Pairing: LoVe; mentions of Parker/Logan
Spoilers: Season 3 up to 316 “Un-American Graffiti”
Summary: AU - set during 312 “There’s Got to be a Morning After Pill.” What if the answer to Keith’s question had been different?
Author’s Note: You know I was going to do it. And thanks to Inigo at vmtranscripts.com for the lovely transcripts.
Well, I've been MIA for a long time, haven't I? No, I didn't abandon the LoVe. I've just been exploring other fandoms (lost in Harry Potter for awhile too). So, as thanks for all the nice feedback and inquiries into my whereabouts, I'm posting this little fic. Hopefully there will be more to follow soon.
--
Veronica entered her apartment and smiled at her dad. “Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, Honey,” he said somberly.
“So, I found out something on the O’Dell case. There was a guy who heard the shot around 2:20.” She paused at his look. “What?”
“Is there anything maybe you want to tell me?”
“About what?”
He held a photo out to her. “I found this in our mailbox today.”
Veronica sat down beside him, taking the photo. She was shocked by the image of herself leaving the Neptune Women’s Clinic.
He read the note that had accompanied the package. “‘Dear Sir, the enclosed photographs were taken at Neptune Women’s Clinic, which performs abortions.’” He lowered the letter and looked at her.
She looked at the photo in anger. “I can’t believe these people. They sit up in a building with their telephoto lens and take pictures of people in their most private, personal moments.” She sneered, “That’s disgusting.”
“Honey, that’s how we pay the rent.”
“It’s different.”
“I like to think so. Back on point. Is everything okay? Does this have something to do with you and Logan?”
“No,” she said softly. “I’m working a case. A girl I know was slipped RU-46 and she lost her baby. The clinic is the only place you can get the pill locally.”
“So you weren’t going there… as a patient.” He let out a sigh of relief. But then he caught her expression. “Veronica?”
“Dad,” she took a breath, “I am pregnant.”
“Please tell me this is some kind of joke.”
“No joke.” She laid the photos on the table. “I was going to tell you tonight.” She took another bracing breath. “The doctor confirmed it for me yesterday. I’m pregnant,” she repeated, pounding the fact home - for both her and her father. “Don’t hate me… or Logan. We were always careful.” Her voice became bitter, cracked, “I apparently seem to be part of the lucky three percent for whom condoms fail.”
The initial shock had mostly faded. Keith clenched his hands together, holding in the urge to break every bone in Logan’s body. “This isn’t why you broke up with him. You didn’t suspect-”
“No. I just found out yesterday. I didn’t have a clue.”
“Are you going to keep it?”
“Yeah,” she said softly. “I can’t kill a baby.”
He relaxed and wrapped an arm around her, hugging her to him. His baby wasn’t a baby anymore. “When do you plan to tell Logan?”
She leaned into her father for support. “I don’t know. Do I have to?”
“He deserves to know that he’s going to be a father.”
“Do you think I could take a little while to let this sink in first?”
He squeezed her tight. “I think we both need a little time.” He kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry about a thing. We’ll work it all out.”
“I love you, Dad.”
“I love you, too, Honey.”
--
Veronica went with Keith the next morning to the offices of Good Word Press, where she discovered that Reverend Capistrano’s CFO was part of the shame campaign and that Dick’s latest fling may have provided the RU-46.
It didn’t take her long to track down Dick’s fake Olympic athlete and rule her out as a suspect and she was back to square one.
Morning came again and she made plans to visit the office of Reverend Ted’s CFO. Changed into her churchwear, she was on her way out the door when she saw that she had a voicemail. Listening to the message play, she was forced to sit when she realized it was Logan.
“Ah! Veronica’s voicemail! So, where are you, Veronica?” His voice was laved with bitterness and little to no humor. “Out digging through someone’s trash, maybe?”
“Something wrong, Honey?” Keith asked, seeing his daughter chewing on her thumbnail.
She looked up in surprise. “No! Voicemail.” She waited for her father to return to the bathroom before she brought the phone back to her ear.
“… confession? You know if you dig deep enough, you’re gonna find that everyone’s a sinner. Judge not, Veronica, etcetera, etcetera.” There was a pause. “Alright, stay on message, Logan.” His voice softened and she could hear the tears. “Okay, honestly… it’s encouraging that someone still has such high expectations of me.” He took a deep, shuddering breath. “Veronica, I would give anything if I could take back that night in Aspen. I’m sorry it causes you so much pain. I’m sorry it happened. And… I really love you, Veronica.”
The automated voice announced, “End of messages,” drawing Veronica from her revelry. Pressing a few keys on her phone, another segment played, “Message saved.”
Keith had finished brushing his teeth and came out, a look of concern on his face. “Who was it?”
She glanced up at him. “Logan.” Remembering that she had a job to do, she quickly shoved her phone in her bag and stood. “I’ve got to run.”
--
Veronica stood in the scrap yard, umbrella over her head as it rained all around her. Reverend Capistrano’s words kept repeating in her head.
“Anger will tear you down. It’ll make you less of the person that you want to be. And it will tear apart your soul.
“The bible teaches us that he who is slow to anger is better than the mighty and he who rules his spirit can capture a city.
“He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.”
She stood there waiting for Weevil to show, contemplating the car in front of her. The brand new Mercedes, birthday gift to the girl she loathed above all others. Should she really forgive the heinous bitch who was responsible for the roofie that got her raped?
If Bonnie could forgive Phyllis for killing her baby, maybe Veronica could find it in herself to forgive as well.
Weevil arrived, his hands tucked in his pockets, but itching to get the task done. “So, we’re all set to go as soon as they finish. I even washed it so it’d be shiny when we crush it. I know it doesn’t sound logical, but trust me, it’s much better.”
He frowned when she didn’t immediately respond. “You still want to do this, right?”
She finally looked away from the cubed car and looked at him. “Crush it.”
She’d chalk if up to hormones, but those two words brought so much joy to her heart.
--
Sitting at a table in the student union, Veronica tried to cheer Wallace up after the twenty point loss his basketball team had most recently suffered. “Well, you did play a lot of minutes for a guy who had to quit the team first semester. That’s a side, and it’s somewhat bright.”
“Me starting means Mason isn’t. And that’s been awkward,” Wallace reminded.
“Why? If you’re the better player…”
“That’s the thing. I’m not sure I am. It’s just that Mason’s always in the coach’s doghouse and I’m-”
“You’re you,” she fully understood the situation. Wallace was just an all around good guy. There was no real way to dislike him.
“So, he hasn’t been speaking to me. Bright-side-wise, it’s break-even at best. You got one more try,” he grinned.
“Well…” she wracked her brain, but her shoulders dropped. “I got nothing.” She chucked him in the shoulder, “Walk it off, Fennel.”
Wanting to change the topic, he asked, “You doing okay? With the Logan situation, I mean?”
“I’ve been trying really hard not to think about it, so thanks for bringing it up,” she said with fake cheer. She took a deep breath and said, “There’s actually something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”
He knew it was something big or she wouldn’t have bothered to preface whatever she was about to say. Bracing himself, he nodded, “Hit me. You know I can take it.”
Like removing a bandage, she metaphorically ripped it off. “I’m pregnant.”
Reflexively, he shoved away from the table and away from her, holding his palms up in surrender. “I didn’t do it.”
Veronica looked at him with amused confusion. “I know.”
He looked at his raised hands before dropping them. Shifting his chair back to the table, he said with chagrin, “Sorry. Just… that’s the kind of thing a guy my age usually dreads hearing.”
She smiled at his antics. “Well, don’t worry. You had nothing to do with this.”
He studied her in earnest. “Does Logan know?”
“That’s assuming he’s the father.”
His mouth fell open in shock.
Veronica laughed out loud. “Of course he’s the father.”
Wallace placed his palm over his chest. “Don’t scare a brother like that.” He glared at her before saying, “So I guess that means he doesn’t know.”
“I haven’t had a chance to talk to him yet.” She folded her hands in her lap. “I’ve kind of been letting it sink in.”
“When are you going to tell him?” At her look, he became alarmed. “You are going to tell him?”
“Of course I am.” Her arms crossed over her chest defensively. “I am!”
“He deserves to know.”
--
“You’re not still looking for the fire, right?” Dick asked as he unlocked the balcony door to let Logan back into the newly cleaned hotel suite. Receiving no response, he walked out to the balcony to join his sullen friend. “So, I got a message for you from the guy who teaches our economics class. You got to show up or he’s gonna fail you. It’s a said state of affairs when I’m the academic on the balcony.” Pausing, he moved on to a more pleasant topic. “So, in other news, I met this girl…”
Logan just allowed him to blather on, listening with half an ear. There were more important things to brood on than Dick’s newest catch. In fact, by the time night came, Logan was still in his soiled t-shirt and boxers, unconcerned by the impending arrival of the ‘hot sisters.’ The only sign of a reaction came when the door opened to reveal the sister that was supposed to be for him… the eleven-year-old sister. His lip curled up and said wryly, “Which one’s yours?”
Planning on staying in the suite anyway, Logan didn’t protest much when he was left with babysitter duty. He simply told Heather that she could order a movie and headed to bed. Logan fully expected to be left in peace to brood, but his plans were disrupted when he woke the next morning to find the girl still in the suite. His amazement over the fact that Dick hadn’t returned with Heather’s sister was turned to annoyance when Dick finally called. The call was to inform Logan of their impromptu trip to Vegas and subsequently to guilt-trip him into taking care of Heather for another day.
Logan tried to spend the day huddled in his bed, but was disturbed again when Heather asked for help with the Game Cube. They spent the afternoon playing Mario Cart.
“So, are you all sad about a girl?” Heather asked.
--
After visiting Josh in jail, Veronica set to work on baking some peanut butter cookies in hopes that they would cheer the boy up. After all, it wasn’t everyday that a boy was number one suspect in his own father’s murder.
Keith entered the apartment and stopped in his footsteps. He frowned and then teased, “Did you suffer a blow to the head?”
“It’s work.”
“Are your mothering instincts acting up already? I thought those didn’t kick in until the third trimester.”
“They’re for Josh.”
“So, this means you believe him?”
“I’m not sure. I certainly want him to believe I believe him.”
“Sneaky. He may need some cheering up. I checked with Mason’s girlfriend. She confirmed he was with her the night of the murder.”
“Dad, do me a favor.” She couldn’t help it, but her eyes were watery.
“Anything,” he responded seriously.
“Don’t get murdered.”
His arms wrapped around her, holding her close. “Honey.”
“Because I couldn’t live without you and all I’ve been doing is thinking about what I would do if I didn’t have you.”
He looked at her with concern. “Maybe you should let me handle this case by myself.”
“You know that won’t work.” She tried to add humor to break the seriousness of their discussion. “I only brood when I’m not doing anything.”
“Maybe you should brood a little on how you’re going to tell Logan about his impending fatherhood.”
She bit her lower lip. “I’m going to tell him.”
“When?” he asked patiently.
“After the first trimester?” she said weakly. At her father’s look, she sighed, “I know. I’m going to tell him. I will. I just need to find the right moment.”
“And when will that be?”
“The next time I’m at the Neptune Grand.”
He grinned. She walked right into his trap. “Speaking of the Neptune Grand, I hit up my sources at the hotel, but they don’t keep surveillance tape that long.”
“Tell me again why you have a relationship with Neptune Grand Security.”
He grinned, but brushed away her comment. “I may have learned something bigger. According to valet records, someone took out the Volvo at 1:51 a.m. and returned it at 2:59 a.m.”
“The witness said they heard the gunshot somewhere between 2:20 and 2:30.”
“I know.”
“So, it’s one of them, right? It has to be.”
“It doesn’t have to be, but it looks that way. My relationship at the Grand doesn’t have access to registration receipts. You know anyone over there who might be willing to bend some rules.”
Veronica thought about it for a moment. “Possibly.
--
The tall blond concierge smiled and greeted. “Good evening, Logan’s girlfriend. Veronica, right?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Veronica answered. “That’s… right.”
“How can I help you?”
“You remember Rory Finch.”
“Your mystery guest.” She tapped some keys and pulled up the records. “Haven’t seen him in a while.”
“Like, since December tenth?”
Scanning the monitor, she nodded. “That’s his last day.”
“Do you have a record of the charges made to the room that night?”
“Let’s see.” Pulling up some extra records, she read, “They have a room-service charge, crème brûlée just before midnight. And then they started a pay-per-view movie at 2:02 a.m.”
“I know it always says that the movie title isn’t listed on the bill, but you guys know, right?”
“So true,” Tina said conspiratorially. “It was Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang.”
“You don’t have any way of checking to see who delivered the room service, do you?”
“No, but I know who works the graveyard. His name’s Jeff Ratner. They stuck him on the shift after they busted him for stealing toiletries.”
“Ratner, eh?”
--
After a quick tour of the hallway with Ratner, they headed to the elevator. And who should Veronica run into but Logan. She hesitated before getting on. “Hi,” she greeted awkwardly.
Logan, leaning against the back wall, avoided her gaze. “Hey.”
Veronica, curious, glanced at Heather, wondering what Logan was doing with her. She frowned, “Is that my shirt?”
Heather looked down at the t-shirt Logan had given her.
“Yeah,” he responded, “she was out of clothes.”
Heather’s eyes widened. She tugged at his sleeve and began to bounce on her heels. “It’s her. It’s her.”
Logan tried to shush her.
“It’s her, isn’t it? Oh, my God! It’s her. Tell her!” she urged.
“Shh,” he repeated. “Shut up.”
Veronica wanted to cover her face in embarrassment, but she was also dying to know what the little girl wanted Logan to say. Internally scolding herself, she knew that they had other things that needed to be discussed - more important things. She took a breath, building up the courage to tell Logan that they needed to talk. She opened her mouth and-
“Excuse me, Miss. Veronica? Were you listening to Super Hits 98? ‘Cause there was just this dedication…”
“Yeah, I,” she glanced at Logan’s expression, “heard it.”
“Well, it’s true. Logan’s sorry, and he misses you. And he wants you back. And you two should get back together… Because he totally loves-”
She was cut off by Logan’s hand clamping over her mouth and urging her off the elevator. “This is our floor.” He turned and shared an intense look with Veronica, which was only ended by the closing of the elevator doors.
Jeff looked at Veronica. “Trouble in paradise?”
--
“‘Dear Sir, in my twenty-five years working in academia, I have not come across a young person with more initiative, intelligence and character than Veronica Mars. I enthusiastically recommend her and would be happy to discuss this remarkable young woman in greater detail. Sincerely, Cyrus O’Dell. Dean of Students, Heart College.’”
Veronica released a teary laugh. “I would have settled for ‘I find her nosiness charming.’”
“Man had good taste,” Keith nodded, “Let’s honor him by putting his killer behind bars.”
“Agreed.” She sniffled, brushing the stray tear that seeped from her eye.
Keith filed away the letter and looked at Veronica. “So, how did Logan take it?”
She bounced to her feet and headed to her desk. “He didn’t.”
Not willing to let her escape, he followed her out of his office. “He didn’t take it well? Do I have to take out my shotgun?”
She slumped in her chair, clasping her hands on her desk. “I didn’t tell him.”
“Veronica.”
“I didn’t get the chance. He had guests… and things to do…” She looked up at her dad. “I’ll tell him. I promise.”
Keith studied her for a moment. He knew how hard it was for her, especially consider it was Logan. Sighing, he cupped her head and placed a kissed to her forehead. “Just don’t take too long.”
--
Keith walked up to her and gave her a look. “Please tell me you didn’t help an accused murderer escape jail so that you could avoid telling Logan.”
Veronica climbed off the cot in the jail cell and started shadowing boxing. “Yo, Pops, check it out. This girl ain’t gonna be nobody’s bitch. You better recognize.”
Keith frowned, “What’s that on your arm?”
She pulled the sleeve of her t-shirt up over her shoulder and showed off her newly inked bicep. She’d drawn My Little Pony under the banner ‘Thug Life.’ “I’ve had some free time. And, no, I didn’t help Josh escape to get away from Logan.” She pouted, “Not intentionally. It turns out he’s allergic to peanuts. His plan was to take advantage of my kindness.”
“That’s got to be the first time that’s worked for anybody,” Keith smirked.
Veronica frowned when her lawyer entered with an odd expression on his face. “Clifford. Something wrong?”
“I just remembered I need to return Caged Heat to the video store.” He shook the image from his head and walked further into the room. “You folks want to hear the good news or the bad news first?”
“I’m gonna say the good news,” Keith picked.
“Josh’s cellmate and key witness to the cookie incident ate the evidence and, icing on the cake, blew a point two-one on the breathalyzer when they booked him. No way Lamb can get a conviction and he knows it.”
“Well, that sounds like great news.”
“But he’s gonna hold Veronica as long as he possibly can.”
Keith turned back to his daughter. “Can I get you anything, Honey?”
“Oh, a couple cartons of smokes.” At his disapproving look, she snarked, “What, Dad? It’s currency on the inside.”
“Did you take your pills yet?” Keith reminded.
Contrite, she shook her head. “I was going to take them after my morning class.”
“I’ll bring them by.” He sighed, “Any guess where I might find Josh?”
“Mexico?”
“So you think he did it?”
“I don’t know. If he didn’t, he sure panicked quickly.”
“That was my thought, too.”
“Anyone want to know what I think?” Cliff asked. At there skeptical looks, he sulked, “Fine, I’ll keep it to myself.” He started to back out of the room, but couldn’t resist sharing his thoughts before leaving. “I’m just saying, my entire workday is spent sorting through my various clients’ lies. This kid? I think he’s on the up-and-up.”
Keith started to leave. “Okay, I’ve got an appointment with Dean O’Dell’s old assistant. I can’t just put his murder case on hold.” He was almost out the door, when he stopped and turned back.
“What?” Veronica smiled.
“Just… I thought this sight would be more traumatic for me, but…” He shrugged and left.
Veronica was left to pout, offended.
--
It was a couple hours before Veronica received another visit from her dad. “You bring my harmonica? I’ve got the blues, Pa, the sittin’-in-my-jail-cell blues.”
He held out a bottle of water and her prenatal vitamins. “Did you bug Hank Landry’s phone?”
She sat up, surprised. “Wait, what?”
“He just came storming into the office, saying he found a bug in his cell phone, asking me if I planted it. I didn’t. Did you?”
“No.” She noticed his hard stare and adamantly denied it. “Really. Come on, Dad.” She drew a halo in the air above her head. “This is the face of truth.”
“Yeah, that played better in a different context. But, okay, I’m a sucker. I believe you.”
She walked to him and took the proffered items.
“Word of advice: you might want to start looking for a new mentor.”
“Wait. He suspected me?”
“Vigorously. Though he emphasized that it was my bad influence. That you’re a sharp kid, just a bit misguided.”
“The movie,” she said in realization. “He knew why I asked about Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang.”
“You want to pick at his alibi, you should have asked him about the Clippers game that night. Men routinely accept the idea that women don’t know sports. That’s just a… mentoring sample, for if you’re interested.” Keith offered a wide grin, pointing at himself. He asked one last time, “You didn’t bug him?”
“No.”
He left her with a smacking air kiss as she sat down to take her vitamins. She looked up when she heard another visitor enter. “Logan?” She quickly shoved her pills under the pillow on the cot and stood.
“No holiday decorations, huh?”
“Actually, that’s just why I’m in jail, to avoid Valentine’s Day.” As he approached, she smiled softly, “Glad to see you.”
“We’re both adults now, right? We can be civil.” At her nod, he took another step closer. “You need anything?”
She bit her lip. “There’s something we need to talk about…” She glanced at the deputy stationed at the door. “But this isn’t exactly the appropriate venue.”
“What is it?” he asked with concern in his eyes.
“Maybe we could get together later?”
“Not even a little clue?” Knowing that she wouldn’t give, he nodded, “Call me.”
Her lips merged into a little smile. “There is one thing you could do for me… if you’re heading back to campus. Get my wireless card back from the deputy. I was taking it to Mac when I got arrested. She said she needed it for a thing tonight.”
“Sure.”
“Thanks. You’ve nearly warmed this cold, cold heart of mine.”
Logan smiled, taking a step back and bringing out his cell phone. With a quick snap, he took a picture of a confusion Veronica behind bars for posterity. “Well, this definitely warms mine.”
--
“Logan,” Parker greeted him at the door.
“Hey, is Mac around?”
“Yeah, come in.”
“Hey.” Mac joined her boyfriend, Bronson.
“Hey.” Logan reached into his back pocket. “Veronica asked me to bring you this.” He handed her the wireless card.
“Performing a favor from a jail cell? The girl has serious friendship skills.” She tossed the wireless card on her desk. “How is she?”
Logan shrugged, “Fine. She’ll probably be out by tonight. Lamb’s only holding her because he’s an ass.”
“So, everything’s okay with her?”
Logan frowned, “Why wouldn’t things be?”
Mac shook her head, “Nothing. It’s just… it’s not everyday that a friend ends up in jail. Especially Veronica.”
He was about to question her further, what with Veronica needing to talk to him and Mac’s odd behavior, but was interrupted by Parker.
“Logan, can we… borrow you?”
He paused, considering. “Will I be returned in my current pristine condition?”
“Yes.”
“Go on.”
--
After being released from prison, Veronica had been accosted by a suspected murderer, saved a would-be eye witness to said murder, discovered that the murder wasn’t actually a murder, and helped the suspected murderer skip the country. She sighed in relief when it was all over. That was until she reached her dad’s office the next morning.
“My buddy in customs found footage of Josh crossing the border on a fake ID. Please tell me it’s just a coincidence.”
“Dad-”
“You want to give me plausible deniability? I suggest you remember to unplug the laminator next time.” His hand slammed down on his desk. “Why, Veronica?”
“You know Josh didn’t do it.” Veronica had never seen her father so angry. She could feel the tears building in her eyes.
“Only guilty people flee the country, Honey.”
She pulled a CD from her bag. “Here’s something you need to see.” She left him alone to watch the video and answered the ringing phone, “Mars Investigations.” She put the caller on hold and walked back to her dad’s office. “It’s the County Commissioner’s office.”
Keith quietly shut his laptop. “So Josh is planning to stay gone until his family’s insurance money is safe?”
“That’s his plan. He said he’d try to get in touch with his mom, tell her what really happened, but that it was more important for her and his little brother to be taken care of. He said it was time for him to be a man.”
Keith sat, deep in thought.
“Dad, the County Commissioner,” she reminded and then left him alone. She sat back at her desk and set up her computer to work. She looked up when she heard her dad say, “What?” Concerned and wanting to hear news about Lamb, she walked back to his door.
Keith set the phone down and looked at her somberly. “He… he says Sheriff Lamb’s dead.”
--
“I can’t believe Josh did it and just disappeared.” Wallace stood in line beside her, lunch tray in hands. He sighed, shaking his head, “How awful for that guy’s family.”
Veronica received her change and stopped. She considered telling Wallace the truth, but thought better of the idea. She turned her attention to scan the cafeteria for an empty table. Her eyes landed at a far table where she saw Logan and Parker chatting. They looked happy, like they were having fun… and even from the distance, she could see something familiar in Logan’s eyes.
It did not leave her with a pleasant feeling.
She turned when Wallace nudged her.
“You okay?” He looked off at the pair that had enraptured her.
“I’m fine.” She headed in the direction of some empty tables.
“You still haven’t told him yet.” Wallace set his tray down. “You have to tell him, V.”
“I will. Just with jail and Josh… and Lamb… I haven’t had time. I promise. I’m going to call him tomorrow.”
He glanced back over his shoulder at Parker and Logan. “You better do it fast. It looks like he’s already trying to move on.”
Veronica glared. “Don’t tell me that. I don’t want to know that.”
“Are you sure you don’t?”
--
Having watched her mentor, Professor Landry, arrested by her father, Veronica had gone off with Tim to try to prove Hank’s alibi. The stripper came forward and stated that she remembered Hank on the night of the murder. Afterward Tim and Veronica searched Batando’s home and found some interesting recordings, but nothing extremely helpful. Now, the Sheriff’s Department was trying to find Mindy O’Dell who had shipped her kids to England to her parents, and then skipped town; and Hank Landry who seemed to have followed her.
Veronica was now listening to the recordings of Landry’s phone tap, while she worked her shift at the library. She heard a reference to ‘papa’s cabin’ and called Tim for any insight. Shutting her phone, she turned just as Parker arrived.
“Hey,” Parker greeted.
“Hey,” Veronica smiled.
“Long time, no see.”
Gathering her stuff, she asked, “Yeah. What’s up?”
“Nothing. No, it’s just… it’s kind of weird. I don’t know if you know, but… Logan and I… we’re sort of… I don’t know… hanging out,” Parker said weakly.
Veronica seemed too distracted to pay attention. She was packing her stuff, on her way to meet Tim at Landry’s house. “Actually, Parker, I’m just running out. Is it okay if we catch up later?”
“Yeah. Okay.”
Veronica rushed out of the library. She may have appeared distracted, but Veronica was nothing, if not a great multitasker. She silently congratulated Parker for having the guts to show up and tell her that she was stealing her boyfriend.
For now, Veronica had other things to do. She’d deal with the Parker/Logan situation later.
--
Logan joined Parker in the cafeteria. Setting down his books, he smiled, “So, guess who went to a class today?” He slid into the seat next to her. “Me. And guess what? I learned.” He finally noticed her dejected mood and commented, “You don’t seem like your usual ebullient self.”
“Actually, Logan, I have to…” She gave up, “I don’t know.”
“What?”
Parker sighed, “Having a friend like Veronica… that’s important to me. I’m just worried, you know.”
He became somber. “I know.” He stared at his books for a moment before grabbing them. “Okay.”
Parker regretfully watched him walk away.
He’d been waiting for days for Veronica to call him to have this talk that apparently they needed to have. He assumed that her cases had kept her too busy… or she forgot. Logan pulled out his cell phone and called Veronica. He let it ring until he got her voicemail. Shutting his phone without leaving a message, he continued his trek to his car.
--
The news was coursing through the grapevines at a rapid rate. Professor Landry was arrested for the murder of Dean O’Dell and Mindy O’Dell. They story was that Landry had murdered the Dean to get Mindy to run away with him. But when she learned the truth and ran herself, he murdered her as well and then gave himself up to the police.
Veronica knew that that wasn’t quite right, but she wasn’t going to be correcting anyone. Especially when Landry still denied responsibility for Dean O’Dell’s death. She was rushing to meet Tim in his office, when she heard her name shouted down the hall. She stopped and turned waiting for Logan to join her. “We’re on a last name basis now? We skipped right over androgynous nicknames?”
“I tried calling you ‘Chuckles,’ but it didn’t stick,” he smirked.
She glanced up at him. “So, what’s up, Echolls?”
“Nothing. Just,” he touched her arm, stopping her, “I wanted to… ask you about something. You know, it’s kind of weird, but… you know, I was thinking of asking Parker out and I wanted to make sure it was cool with you.”
Tim, with his great timing, called from his office, “Veronica, are you coming in?”
“Yeah, one second.” She looked up at Logan, her previous teasing mood gone. She took a deep breath and with a small shake of her head, “No, I’m not cool.”
Logan’s eager expression turned sour. “Veronica¬-”
“Logan,” she stopped him, “I’ll explain, but now’s not the time.”
“Then when is the right time? I’ve been waiting a week for you to call me so we can have this talk that you wanted.” Logan’s voice was beginning to rise, “If you have something to say, then say it already.”
After weeks of putting off the inevitable, Veronica decided that now was as good a time as any to drop the bomb. “I’m pregnant.” Before he could say anything, she managed her escape. “Now, I have to go. We’ll talk later.”
Logan was left in the hall, stunned, Tim’s office door closing in his face.
--
to be continued...
Author: Snuffybaby
Disclaimer: RT owns the VM universe
Rating: PG
Word Count: 10,490
Pairing: LoVe; mentions of Parker/Logan
Spoilers: Season 3 up to 316 “Un-American Graffiti”
Summary: AU - set during 312 “There’s Got to be a Morning After Pill.” What if the answer to Keith’s question had been different?
Author’s Note: You know I was going to do it. And thanks to Inigo at vmtranscripts.com for the lovely transcripts.
Well, I've been MIA for a long time, haven't I? No, I didn't abandon the LoVe. I've just been exploring other fandoms (lost in Harry Potter for awhile too). So, as thanks for all the nice feedback and inquiries into my whereabouts, I'm posting this little fic. Hopefully there will be more to follow soon.
--
Veronica entered her apartment and smiled at her dad. “Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, Honey,” he said somberly.
“So, I found out something on the O’Dell case. There was a guy who heard the shot around 2:20.” She paused at his look. “What?”
“Is there anything maybe you want to tell me?”
“About what?”
He held a photo out to her. “I found this in our mailbox today.”
Veronica sat down beside him, taking the photo. She was shocked by the image of herself leaving the Neptune Women’s Clinic.
He read the note that had accompanied the package. “‘Dear Sir, the enclosed photographs were taken at Neptune Women’s Clinic, which performs abortions.’” He lowered the letter and looked at her.
She looked at the photo in anger. “I can’t believe these people. They sit up in a building with their telephoto lens and take pictures of people in their most private, personal moments.” She sneered, “That’s disgusting.”
“Honey, that’s how we pay the rent.”
“It’s different.”
“I like to think so. Back on point. Is everything okay? Does this have something to do with you and Logan?”
“No,” she said softly. “I’m working a case. A girl I know was slipped RU-46 and she lost her baby. The clinic is the only place you can get the pill locally.”
“So you weren’t going there… as a patient.” He let out a sigh of relief. But then he caught her expression. “Veronica?”
“Dad,” she took a breath, “I am pregnant.”
“Please tell me this is some kind of joke.”
“No joke.” She laid the photos on the table. “I was going to tell you tonight.” She took another bracing breath. “The doctor confirmed it for me yesterday. I’m pregnant,” she repeated, pounding the fact home - for both her and her father. “Don’t hate me… or Logan. We were always careful.” Her voice became bitter, cracked, “I apparently seem to be part of the lucky three percent for whom condoms fail.”
The initial shock had mostly faded. Keith clenched his hands together, holding in the urge to break every bone in Logan’s body. “This isn’t why you broke up with him. You didn’t suspect-”
“No. I just found out yesterday. I didn’t have a clue.”
“Are you going to keep it?”
“Yeah,” she said softly. “I can’t kill a baby.”
He relaxed and wrapped an arm around her, hugging her to him. His baby wasn’t a baby anymore. “When do you plan to tell Logan?”
She leaned into her father for support. “I don’t know. Do I have to?”
“He deserves to know that he’s going to be a father.”
“Do you think I could take a little while to let this sink in first?”
He squeezed her tight. “I think we both need a little time.” He kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry about a thing. We’ll work it all out.”
“I love you, Dad.”
“I love you, too, Honey.”
--
Veronica went with Keith the next morning to the offices of Good Word Press, where she discovered that Reverend Capistrano’s CFO was part of the shame campaign and that Dick’s latest fling may have provided the RU-46.
It didn’t take her long to track down Dick’s fake Olympic athlete and rule her out as a suspect and she was back to square one.
Morning came again and she made plans to visit the office of Reverend Ted’s CFO. Changed into her churchwear, she was on her way out the door when she saw that she had a voicemail. Listening to the message play, she was forced to sit when she realized it was Logan.
“Ah! Veronica’s voicemail! So, where are you, Veronica?” His voice was laved with bitterness and little to no humor. “Out digging through someone’s trash, maybe?”
“Something wrong, Honey?” Keith asked, seeing his daughter chewing on her thumbnail.
She looked up in surprise. “No! Voicemail.” She waited for her father to return to the bathroom before she brought the phone back to her ear.
“… confession? You know if you dig deep enough, you’re gonna find that everyone’s a sinner. Judge not, Veronica, etcetera, etcetera.” There was a pause. “Alright, stay on message, Logan.” His voice softened and she could hear the tears. “Okay, honestly… it’s encouraging that someone still has such high expectations of me.” He took a deep, shuddering breath. “Veronica, I would give anything if I could take back that night in Aspen. I’m sorry it causes you so much pain. I’m sorry it happened. And… I really love you, Veronica.”
The automated voice announced, “End of messages,” drawing Veronica from her revelry. Pressing a few keys on her phone, another segment played, “Message saved.”
Keith had finished brushing his teeth and came out, a look of concern on his face. “Who was it?”
She glanced up at him. “Logan.” Remembering that she had a job to do, she quickly shoved her phone in her bag and stood. “I’ve got to run.”
--
Veronica stood in the scrap yard, umbrella over her head as it rained all around her. Reverend Capistrano’s words kept repeating in her head.
“Anger will tear you down. It’ll make you less of the person that you want to be. And it will tear apart your soul.
“The bible teaches us that he who is slow to anger is better than the mighty and he who rules his spirit can capture a city.
“He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.”
She stood there waiting for Weevil to show, contemplating the car in front of her. The brand new Mercedes, birthday gift to the girl she loathed above all others. Should she really forgive the heinous bitch who was responsible for the roofie that got her raped?
If Bonnie could forgive Phyllis for killing her baby, maybe Veronica could find it in herself to forgive as well.
Weevil arrived, his hands tucked in his pockets, but itching to get the task done. “So, we’re all set to go as soon as they finish. I even washed it so it’d be shiny when we crush it. I know it doesn’t sound logical, but trust me, it’s much better.”
He frowned when she didn’t immediately respond. “You still want to do this, right?”
She finally looked away from the cubed car and looked at him. “Crush it.”
She’d chalk if up to hormones, but those two words brought so much joy to her heart.
--
Sitting at a table in the student union, Veronica tried to cheer Wallace up after the twenty point loss his basketball team had most recently suffered. “Well, you did play a lot of minutes for a guy who had to quit the team first semester. That’s a side, and it’s somewhat bright.”
“Me starting means Mason isn’t. And that’s been awkward,” Wallace reminded.
“Why? If you’re the better player…”
“That’s the thing. I’m not sure I am. It’s just that Mason’s always in the coach’s doghouse and I’m-”
“You’re you,” she fully understood the situation. Wallace was just an all around good guy. There was no real way to dislike him.
“So, he hasn’t been speaking to me. Bright-side-wise, it’s break-even at best. You got one more try,” he grinned.
“Well…” she wracked her brain, but her shoulders dropped. “I got nothing.” She chucked him in the shoulder, “Walk it off, Fennel.”
Wanting to change the topic, he asked, “You doing okay? With the Logan situation, I mean?”
“I’ve been trying really hard not to think about it, so thanks for bringing it up,” she said with fake cheer. She took a deep breath and said, “There’s actually something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”
He knew it was something big or she wouldn’t have bothered to preface whatever she was about to say. Bracing himself, he nodded, “Hit me. You know I can take it.”
Like removing a bandage, she metaphorically ripped it off. “I’m pregnant.”
Reflexively, he shoved away from the table and away from her, holding his palms up in surrender. “I didn’t do it.”
Veronica looked at him with amused confusion. “I know.”
He looked at his raised hands before dropping them. Shifting his chair back to the table, he said with chagrin, “Sorry. Just… that’s the kind of thing a guy my age usually dreads hearing.”
She smiled at his antics. “Well, don’t worry. You had nothing to do with this.”
He studied her in earnest. “Does Logan know?”
“That’s assuming he’s the father.”
His mouth fell open in shock.
Veronica laughed out loud. “Of course he’s the father.”
Wallace placed his palm over his chest. “Don’t scare a brother like that.” He glared at her before saying, “So I guess that means he doesn’t know.”
“I haven’t had a chance to talk to him yet.” She folded her hands in her lap. “I’ve kind of been letting it sink in.”
“When are you going to tell him?” At her look, he became alarmed. “You are going to tell him?”
“Of course I am.” Her arms crossed over her chest defensively. “I am!”
“He deserves to know.”
--
“You’re not still looking for the fire, right?” Dick asked as he unlocked the balcony door to let Logan back into the newly cleaned hotel suite. Receiving no response, he walked out to the balcony to join his sullen friend. “So, I got a message for you from the guy who teaches our economics class. You got to show up or he’s gonna fail you. It’s a said state of affairs when I’m the academic on the balcony.” Pausing, he moved on to a more pleasant topic. “So, in other news, I met this girl…”
Logan just allowed him to blather on, listening with half an ear. There were more important things to brood on than Dick’s newest catch. In fact, by the time night came, Logan was still in his soiled t-shirt and boxers, unconcerned by the impending arrival of the ‘hot sisters.’ The only sign of a reaction came when the door opened to reveal the sister that was supposed to be for him… the eleven-year-old sister. His lip curled up and said wryly, “Which one’s yours?”
Planning on staying in the suite anyway, Logan didn’t protest much when he was left with babysitter duty. He simply told Heather that she could order a movie and headed to bed. Logan fully expected to be left in peace to brood, but his plans were disrupted when he woke the next morning to find the girl still in the suite. His amazement over the fact that Dick hadn’t returned with Heather’s sister was turned to annoyance when Dick finally called. The call was to inform Logan of their impromptu trip to Vegas and subsequently to guilt-trip him into taking care of Heather for another day.
Logan tried to spend the day huddled in his bed, but was disturbed again when Heather asked for help with the Game Cube. They spent the afternoon playing Mario Cart.
“So, are you all sad about a girl?” Heather asked.
--
After visiting Josh in jail, Veronica set to work on baking some peanut butter cookies in hopes that they would cheer the boy up. After all, it wasn’t everyday that a boy was number one suspect in his own father’s murder.
Keith entered the apartment and stopped in his footsteps. He frowned and then teased, “Did you suffer a blow to the head?”
“It’s work.”
“Are your mothering instincts acting up already? I thought those didn’t kick in until the third trimester.”
“They’re for Josh.”
“So, this means you believe him?”
“I’m not sure. I certainly want him to believe I believe him.”
“Sneaky. He may need some cheering up. I checked with Mason’s girlfriend. She confirmed he was with her the night of the murder.”
“Dad, do me a favor.” She couldn’t help it, but her eyes were watery.
“Anything,” he responded seriously.
“Don’t get murdered.”
His arms wrapped around her, holding her close. “Honey.”
“Because I couldn’t live without you and all I’ve been doing is thinking about what I would do if I didn’t have you.”
He looked at her with concern. “Maybe you should let me handle this case by myself.”
“You know that won’t work.” She tried to add humor to break the seriousness of their discussion. “I only brood when I’m not doing anything.”
“Maybe you should brood a little on how you’re going to tell Logan about his impending fatherhood.”
She bit her lower lip. “I’m going to tell him.”
“When?” he asked patiently.
“After the first trimester?” she said weakly. At her father’s look, she sighed, “I know. I’m going to tell him. I will. I just need to find the right moment.”
“And when will that be?”
“The next time I’m at the Neptune Grand.”
He grinned. She walked right into his trap. “Speaking of the Neptune Grand, I hit up my sources at the hotel, but they don’t keep surveillance tape that long.”
“Tell me again why you have a relationship with Neptune Grand Security.”
He grinned, but brushed away her comment. “I may have learned something bigger. According to valet records, someone took out the Volvo at 1:51 a.m. and returned it at 2:59 a.m.”
“The witness said they heard the gunshot somewhere between 2:20 and 2:30.”
“I know.”
“So, it’s one of them, right? It has to be.”
“It doesn’t have to be, but it looks that way. My relationship at the Grand doesn’t have access to registration receipts. You know anyone over there who might be willing to bend some rules.”
Veronica thought about it for a moment. “Possibly.
--
The tall blond concierge smiled and greeted. “Good evening, Logan’s girlfriend. Veronica, right?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Veronica answered. “That’s… right.”
“How can I help you?”
“You remember Rory Finch.”
“Your mystery guest.” She tapped some keys and pulled up the records. “Haven’t seen him in a while.”
“Like, since December tenth?”
Scanning the monitor, she nodded. “That’s his last day.”
“Do you have a record of the charges made to the room that night?”
“Let’s see.” Pulling up some extra records, she read, “They have a room-service charge, crème brûlée just before midnight. And then they started a pay-per-view movie at 2:02 a.m.”
“I know it always says that the movie title isn’t listed on the bill, but you guys know, right?”
“So true,” Tina said conspiratorially. “It was Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang.”
“You don’t have any way of checking to see who delivered the room service, do you?”
“No, but I know who works the graveyard. His name’s Jeff Ratner. They stuck him on the shift after they busted him for stealing toiletries.”
“Ratner, eh?”
--
After a quick tour of the hallway with Ratner, they headed to the elevator. And who should Veronica run into but Logan. She hesitated before getting on. “Hi,” she greeted awkwardly.
Logan, leaning against the back wall, avoided her gaze. “Hey.”
Veronica, curious, glanced at Heather, wondering what Logan was doing with her. She frowned, “Is that my shirt?”
Heather looked down at the t-shirt Logan had given her.
“Yeah,” he responded, “she was out of clothes.”
Heather’s eyes widened. She tugged at his sleeve and began to bounce on her heels. “It’s her. It’s her.”
Logan tried to shush her.
“It’s her, isn’t it? Oh, my God! It’s her. Tell her!” she urged.
“Shh,” he repeated. “Shut up.”
Veronica wanted to cover her face in embarrassment, but she was also dying to know what the little girl wanted Logan to say. Internally scolding herself, she knew that they had other things that needed to be discussed - more important things. She took a breath, building up the courage to tell Logan that they needed to talk. She opened her mouth and-
“Excuse me, Miss. Veronica? Were you listening to Super Hits 98? ‘Cause there was just this dedication…”
“Yeah, I,” she glanced at Logan’s expression, “heard it.”
“Well, it’s true. Logan’s sorry, and he misses you. And he wants you back. And you two should get back together… Because he totally loves-”
She was cut off by Logan’s hand clamping over her mouth and urging her off the elevator. “This is our floor.” He turned and shared an intense look with Veronica, which was only ended by the closing of the elevator doors.
Jeff looked at Veronica. “Trouble in paradise?”
--
“‘Dear Sir, in my twenty-five years working in academia, I have not come across a young person with more initiative, intelligence and character than Veronica Mars. I enthusiastically recommend her and would be happy to discuss this remarkable young woman in greater detail. Sincerely, Cyrus O’Dell. Dean of Students, Heart College.’”
Veronica released a teary laugh. “I would have settled for ‘I find her nosiness charming.’”
“Man had good taste,” Keith nodded, “Let’s honor him by putting his killer behind bars.”
“Agreed.” She sniffled, brushing the stray tear that seeped from her eye.
Keith filed away the letter and looked at Veronica. “So, how did Logan take it?”
She bounced to her feet and headed to her desk. “He didn’t.”
Not willing to let her escape, he followed her out of his office. “He didn’t take it well? Do I have to take out my shotgun?”
She slumped in her chair, clasping her hands on her desk. “I didn’t tell him.”
“Veronica.”
“I didn’t get the chance. He had guests… and things to do…” She looked up at her dad. “I’ll tell him. I promise.”
Keith studied her for a moment. He knew how hard it was for her, especially consider it was Logan. Sighing, he cupped her head and placed a kissed to her forehead. “Just don’t take too long.”
--
Keith walked up to her and gave her a look. “Please tell me you didn’t help an accused murderer escape jail so that you could avoid telling Logan.”
Veronica climbed off the cot in the jail cell and started shadowing boxing. “Yo, Pops, check it out. This girl ain’t gonna be nobody’s bitch. You better recognize.”
Keith frowned, “What’s that on your arm?”
She pulled the sleeve of her t-shirt up over her shoulder and showed off her newly inked bicep. She’d drawn My Little Pony under the banner ‘Thug Life.’ “I’ve had some free time. And, no, I didn’t help Josh escape to get away from Logan.” She pouted, “Not intentionally. It turns out he’s allergic to peanuts. His plan was to take advantage of my kindness.”
“That’s got to be the first time that’s worked for anybody,” Keith smirked.
Veronica frowned when her lawyer entered with an odd expression on his face. “Clifford. Something wrong?”
“I just remembered I need to return Caged Heat to the video store.” He shook the image from his head and walked further into the room. “You folks want to hear the good news or the bad news first?”
“I’m gonna say the good news,” Keith picked.
“Josh’s cellmate and key witness to the cookie incident ate the evidence and, icing on the cake, blew a point two-one on the breathalyzer when they booked him. No way Lamb can get a conviction and he knows it.”
“Well, that sounds like great news.”
“But he’s gonna hold Veronica as long as he possibly can.”
Keith turned back to his daughter. “Can I get you anything, Honey?”
“Oh, a couple cartons of smokes.” At his disapproving look, she snarked, “What, Dad? It’s currency on the inside.”
“Did you take your pills yet?” Keith reminded.
Contrite, she shook her head. “I was going to take them after my morning class.”
“I’ll bring them by.” He sighed, “Any guess where I might find Josh?”
“Mexico?”
“So you think he did it?”
“I don’t know. If he didn’t, he sure panicked quickly.”
“That was my thought, too.”
“Anyone want to know what I think?” Cliff asked. At there skeptical looks, he sulked, “Fine, I’ll keep it to myself.” He started to back out of the room, but couldn’t resist sharing his thoughts before leaving. “I’m just saying, my entire workday is spent sorting through my various clients’ lies. This kid? I think he’s on the up-and-up.”
Keith started to leave. “Okay, I’ve got an appointment with Dean O’Dell’s old assistant. I can’t just put his murder case on hold.” He was almost out the door, when he stopped and turned back.
“What?” Veronica smiled.
“Just… I thought this sight would be more traumatic for me, but…” He shrugged and left.
Veronica was left to pout, offended.
--
It was a couple hours before Veronica received another visit from her dad. “You bring my harmonica? I’ve got the blues, Pa, the sittin’-in-my-jail-cell blues.”
He held out a bottle of water and her prenatal vitamins. “Did you bug Hank Landry’s phone?”
She sat up, surprised. “Wait, what?”
“He just came storming into the office, saying he found a bug in his cell phone, asking me if I planted it. I didn’t. Did you?”
“No.” She noticed his hard stare and adamantly denied it. “Really. Come on, Dad.” She drew a halo in the air above her head. “This is the face of truth.”
“Yeah, that played better in a different context. But, okay, I’m a sucker. I believe you.”
She walked to him and took the proffered items.
“Word of advice: you might want to start looking for a new mentor.”
“Wait. He suspected me?”
“Vigorously. Though he emphasized that it was my bad influence. That you’re a sharp kid, just a bit misguided.”
“The movie,” she said in realization. “He knew why I asked about Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang.”
“You want to pick at his alibi, you should have asked him about the Clippers game that night. Men routinely accept the idea that women don’t know sports. That’s just a… mentoring sample, for if you’re interested.” Keith offered a wide grin, pointing at himself. He asked one last time, “You didn’t bug him?”
“No.”
He left her with a smacking air kiss as she sat down to take her vitamins. She looked up when she heard another visitor enter. “Logan?” She quickly shoved her pills under the pillow on the cot and stood.
“No holiday decorations, huh?”
“Actually, that’s just why I’m in jail, to avoid Valentine’s Day.” As he approached, she smiled softly, “Glad to see you.”
“We’re both adults now, right? We can be civil.” At her nod, he took another step closer. “You need anything?”
She bit her lip. “There’s something we need to talk about…” She glanced at the deputy stationed at the door. “But this isn’t exactly the appropriate venue.”
“What is it?” he asked with concern in his eyes.
“Maybe we could get together later?”
“Not even a little clue?” Knowing that she wouldn’t give, he nodded, “Call me.”
Her lips merged into a little smile. “There is one thing you could do for me… if you’re heading back to campus. Get my wireless card back from the deputy. I was taking it to Mac when I got arrested. She said she needed it for a thing tonight.”
“Sure.”
“Thanks. You’ve nearly warmed this cold, cold heart of mine.”
Logan smiled, taking a step back and bringing out his cell phone. With a quick snap, he took a picture of a confusion Veronica behind bars for posterity. “Well, this definitely warms mine.”
--
“Logan,” Parker greeted him at the door.
“Hey, is Mac around?”
“Yeah, come in.”
“Hey.” Mac joined her boyfriend, Bronson.
“Hey.” Logan reached into his back pocket. “Veronica asked me to bring you this.” He handed her the wireless card.
“Performing a favor from a jail cell? The girl has serious friendship skills.” She tossed the wireless card on her desk. “How is she?”
Logan shrugged, “Fine. She’ll probably be out by tonight. Lamb’s only holding her because he’s an ass.”
“So, everything’s okay with her?”
Logan frowned, “Why wouldn’t things be?”
Mac shook her head, “Nothing. It’s just… it’s not everyday that a friend ends up in jail. Especially Veronica.”
He was about to question her further, what with Veronica needing to talk to him and Mac’s odd behavior, but was interrupted by Parker.
“Logan, can we… borrow you?”
He paused, considering. “Will I be returned in my current pristine condition?”
“Yes.”
“Go on.”
--
After being released from prison, Veronica had been accosted by a suspected murderer, saved a would-be eye witness to said murder, discovered that the murder wasn’t actually a murder, and helped the suspected murderer skip the country. She sighed in relief when it was all over. That was until she reached her dad’s office the next morning.
“My buddy in customs found footage of Josh crossing the border on a fake ID. Please tell me it’s just a coincidence.”
“Dad-”
“You want to give me plausible deniability? I suggest you remember to unplug the laminator next time.” His hand slammed down on his desk. “Why, Veronica?”
“You know Josh didn’t do it.” Veronica had never seen her father so angry. She could feel the tears building in her eyes.
“Only guilty people flee the country, Honey.”
She pulled a CD from her bag. “Here’s something you need to see.” She left him alone to watch the video and answered the ringing phone, “Mars Investigations.” She put the caller on hold and walked back to her dad’s office. “It’s the County Commissioner’s office.”
Keith quietly shut his laptop. “So Josh is planning to stay gone until his family’s insurance money is safe?”
“That’s his plan. He said he’d try to get in touch with his mom, tell her what really happened, but that it was more important for her and his little brother to be taken care of. He said it was time for him to be a man.”
Keith sat, deep in thought.
“Dad, the County Commissioner,” she reminded and then left him alone. She sat back at her desk and set up her computer to work. She looked up when she heard her dad say, “What?” Concerned and wanting to hear news about Lamb, she walked back to his door.
Keith set the phone down and looked at her somberly. “He… he says Sheriff Lamb’s dead.”
--
“I can’t believe Josh did it and just disappeared.” Wallace stood in line beside her, lunch tray in hands. He sighed, shaking his head, “How awful for that guy’s family.”
Veronica received her change and stopped. She considered telling Wallace the truth, but thought better of the idea. She turned her attention to scan the cafeteria for an empty table. Her eyes landed at a far table where she saw Logan and Parker chatting. They looked happy, like they were having fun… and even from the distance, she could see something familiar in Logan’s eyes.
It did not leave her with a pleasant feeling.
She turned when Wallace nudged her.
“You okay?” He looked off at the pair that had enraptured her.
“I’m fine.” She headed in the direction of some empty tables.
“You still haven’t told him yet.” Wallace set his tray down. “You have to tell him, V.”
“I will. Just with jail and Josh… and Lamb… I haven’t had time. I promise. I’m going to call him tomorrow.”
He glanced back over his shoulder at Parker and Logan. “You better do it fast. It looks like he’s already trying to move on.”
Veronica glared. “Don’t tell me that. I don’t want to know that.”
“Are you sure you don’t?”
--
Having watched her mentor, Professor Landry, arrested by her father, Veronica had gone off with Tim to try to prove Hank’s alibi. The stripper came forward and stated that she remembered Hank on the night of the murder. Afterward Tim and Veronica searched Batando’s home and found some interesting recordings, but nothing extremely helpful. Now, the Sheriff’s Department was trying to find Mindy O’Dell who had shipped her kids to England to her parents, and then skipped town; and Hank Landry who seemed to have followed her.
Veronica was now listening to the recordings of Landry’s phone tap, while she worked her shift at the library. She heard a reference to ‘papa’s cabin’ and called Tim for any insight. Shutting her phone, she turned just as Parker arrived.
“Hey,” Parker greeted.
“Hey,” Veronica smiled.
“Long time, no see.”
Gathering her stuff, she asked, “Yeah. What’s up?”
“Nothing. No, it’s just… it’s kind of weird. I don’t know if you know, but… Logan and I… we’re sort of… I don’t know… hanging out,” Parker said weakly.
Veronica seemed too distracted to pay attention. She was packing her stuff, on her way to meet Tim at Landry’s house. “Actually, Parker, I’m just running out. Is it okay if we catch up later?”
“Yeah. Okay.”
Veronica rushed out of the library. She may have appeared distracted, but Veronica was nothing, if not a great multitasker. She silently congratulated Parker for having the guts to show up and tell her that she was stealing her boyfriend.
For now, Veronica had other things to do. She’d deal with the Parker/Logan situation later.
--
Logan joined Parker in the cafeteria. Setting down his books, he smiled, “So, guess who went to a class today?” He slid into the seat next to her. “Me. And guess what? I learned.” He finally noticed her dejected mood and commented, “You don’t seem like your usual ebullient self.”
“Actually, Logan, I have to…” She gave up, “I don’t know.”
“What?”
Parker sighed, “Having a friend like Veronica… that’s important to me. I’m just worried, you know.”
He became somber. “I know.” He stared at his books for a moment before grabbing them. “Okay.”
Parker regretfully watched him walk away.
He’d been waiting for days for Veronica to call him to have this talk that apparently they needed to have. He assumed that her cases had kept her too busy… or she forgot. Logan pulled out his cell phone and called Veronica. He let it ring until he got her voicemail. Shutting his phone without leaving a message, he continued his trek to his car.
--
The news was coursing through the grapevines at a rapid rate. Professor Landry was arrested for the murder of Dean O’Dell and Mindy O’Dell. They story was that Landry had murdered the Dean to get Mindy to run away with him. But when she learned the truth and ran herself, he murdered her as well and then gave himself up to the police.
Veronica knew that that wasn’t quite right, but she wasn’t going to be correcting anyone. Especially when Landry still denied responsibility for Dean O’Dell’s death. She was rushing to meet Tim in his office, when she heard her name shouted down the hall. She stopped and turned waiting for Logan to join her. “We’re on a last name basis now? We skipped right over androgynous nicknames?”
“I tried calling you ‘Chuckles,’ but it didn’t stick,” he smirked.
She glanced up at him. “So, what’s up, Echolls?”
“Nothing. Just,” he touched her arm, stopping her, “I wanted to… ask you about something. You know, it’s kind of weird, but… you know, I was thinking of asking Parker out and I wanted to make sure it was cool with you.”
Tim, with his great timing, called from his office, “Veronica, are you coming in?”
“Yeah, one second.” She looked up at Logan, her previous teasing mood gone. She took a deep breath and with a small shake of her head, “No, I’m not cool.”
Logan’s eager expression turned sour. “Veronica¬-”
“Logan,” she stopped him, “I’ll explain, but now’s not the time.”
“Then when is the right time? I’ve been waiting a week for you to call me so we can have this talk that you wanted.” Logan’s voice was beginning to rise, “If you have something to say, then say it already.”
After weeks of putting off the inevitable, Veronica decided that now was as good a time as any to drop the bomb. “I’m pregnant.” Before he could say anything, she managed her escape. “Now, I have to go. We’ll talk later.”
Logan was left in the hall, stunned, Tim’s office door closing in his face.
--
to be continued...