jesterladyfic (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
jesterladyfic) wrote2008-10-30 03:14 pm
jesterladyfic) wrote2008-10-30 03:14 pm
Tyranny of the Urgent: Chapter Nineteen: Refusing to be Baffled
This chapter's title comes from Edmund Gosse
“We of the poor and measly ought to get days like this more often,” Veronica commented.
Keith nodded lazily as they drifted on air mattresses in their complex pool.
“How’d you score the day off work?”
“How’d you score the day off school?”
“Let’s pretend this exchange never happened,” Veronica suggested.
“Today nothing exists outside this pool,” Keith agreed.
“Can one tiny thing exist?” she pleaded.
“What thing would that be?”
“Insurance policy.”
“The insurance policy?”
“The very one.”
“The judges will allow it.”
“What did you find out?”
Veronica gently eased her way over on her stomach so she was facing her dad.
“Richard Casablancas was using the life insurance he'd taken out for Dick and Cassidy as a tax shelter. The payout on their policies is over eight figures, and here's the kicker: The beneficiary should both brothers die simultaneously? Kendall Casablancas.”
“The wicked stepmother trying to bump off her rich husband's spawn. That's a Disney movie, isn't it?”
“She certainly had motive. It's her capability I'm not sure of.”
“I wouldn't underestimate her capabilities. She went from spandex to cashmere pretty fast.”
“You wanna poke around; see what she was up to the day of the crash?”
“Whatever happened to letting the law handle it?”
“Sometimes we hire the assistance of licensed private investigators.”
“So, I’m getting paid for this?”
“By none other than the state of California.”
“I’ll look into it.”
***
Veronica stopped walking down the hall when she spotted Mac hitting her forehead repeatedly on her locker. It was a strange sight, one which, at times, she would have savored; but she didn’t want any permanent damage done to the technological genius, so she headed over.
“Mac attack, what's the haps?”
Mac halted her self abuse and turned to face the amused Veronica.
“I got mugged. By my own principal. They took my cell phone interceptor and apparently plan on keeping it until the end of the year. What happened to end of the day? Why wasn't that working?”
“Everyone still kept bringing in their cell phone interceptors?” Veronica suggested brightly.
“Is there any chance you can get it back for me? I borrowed it from my buddy at Radio Shack, because apparently I've become a psycho ex-girlfriend and I wanted to listen to Cassidy's cell phone calls.” Veronica looked appraisingly at her and Mac shifted uncomfortably. “You're judging me.”
“No. I'm judging myself. Why don't I have a cell phone interceptor?”
Mac brightened up immediately.
“Please, respect the business model, Veronica. I do the gadgets. You do the actual espionage.”
Veronica nodded in affirmation of the arrangement.
“I'll see what I can do.”
I don’t know if Mac will quite like it when she sees exactly what it is I can do about it.
“I’m going to kill you,” Mac said later on.
“Mac, Clemmons changed his locks. I’m sorry.”
“You sold me down the river.”
“Almost at your request. It was for you.”
“Says the wife beater, I’m sure.”
Mac grabbed her cell phone interceptor and headed grumpily down the hall. Veronica smiled after her irritated friend.
***
Veronica moseyed into the apartment and prepared to thrill her dad with the news of Mac’s unfortunate prom date, but he looked up at her seriously and she dropped her bag on the floor and sat next to him.
“Why the long look, partner?”
“We found the murder weapon, the one used to kill Lilly.”
“What about the ashtray you found in the pool?”
“We figured that's what he used. Why else would it be in the pool?”
Veronica sank back into the couch cushions.
“Okay, but that doesn’t really change anything, does it?”
“We found Aaron’s Oscar statue buried in the Kane's back yard.”
“What were you doing digging in Duncan’s yard?”
“Aaron’s prosecution has been pressing for a further investigation of the scene. They got a warrant. Aaron’s been pushing for Duncan to be investigated. This will make it worse. I might have to take him into custody.”
“What? Why? Doesn't that...help us with Aaron’s prosecution?”
“Honey, in addition to Lilly's blood, our team found some of Duncan's hair on the murder weapon.”
“You know that’s a set up and lie, Dad!”
“I also know my job, Veronica.”
“You can’t do it! Let me figure out what happened, how he did it!”
Veronica jumped up from the couch. Keith rose with his hands outstretched to placate her.
“No one’s arresting anyone today, kiddo. The hair isn’t everything. The sex tapes and yours and my testimony are what’s important. But I just warn you, because I’m a witness in the trial…”
“They won’t let you make decisions on the case.”
“Probably not.”
“Well, at least I won’t have to be mad at you.”
Veronica hugged him fiercely and then ran into her room.
She wanted to throw something. Aaron Echolls was in jail and he was still ruining everyone’s life. It took her a long time to get settled, but she immediately started to work on the case. After awhile, she ran into a dead end and did some homework before looking into Kendall Casablancas. She pulled up Kendall’s high school photo.
Hmmmm…a Kendall Casablancas with really weird hair who is not Kendall. Interesting. Of course, even more interesting is the six months she spent in jail for wire fraud. Looks like our favorite trophy wife is perfectly capable of setting off bombs. The only question is how did she do it when she wasn’t out there? Did she have an accomplice? Who? I’m going to have to talk to Logan about his little playmate, aren’t I? Getting paid isn’t even worth it.
***
“Table Four requested to sit in your section.”
Jane smiled in pleasure at the compliment and hurried to help her customer. Her boyfriend customer.
“And what can I get for you today, sir?”
She playfully poised her pencil over her pad.
“How about that cute as a bug new waitress at the Hut?”
“You might have to order that special.”
“Anything. Just get me my order.” Wallace grinned. “I’ll pay extra.”
“Lucky girl. Well, how soon would you like that?”
“I’d say right now, but her boss might have a problem with that.”
“She might,” Jane agreed.
“How about you tell me when her break is?”
Jane checked her watch.
“Funny, but it’s right now.”
“Well, how about that?” Wallace leaned back into the booth. “Think she’d want to break with me?”
“I’ll just ask.”
Jane stuck her pad and pencil in her apron pocket and sat down. Wallace slung his arm around her shoulders and she greeted him with a kiss.
“I’ve been thinking,” he began.
“Never a good sign,” she interrupted.
“Well, I was going to ask you to prom, but see if I do it now,” he teased.
“Why, Wallace!” Jane laughed at his indignation. “I’ll go with you.”
“Well, all right then. I guess I better head down to Ayres Formal Wear. I hear those top hats and those canes go quick.”
Jane chuckled and they chatted before she gave him a kiss goodbye and went back to work with the glow of a girl who’d just been asked to prom.
***
“I’ve been trying, Duncan. I started as soon as my dad told me, but it’s incredibly hard to figure out the complex strings of this ruse in one day.”
“Veronica,” Duncan said as he started to pace, “this isn’t good. You know it isn’t. Meg and I were this close to winning Lilly for good, but the judge has demanded another hearing due to this new crap from Aaron.”
“I’m sorry. Duncan, I’m doing my best. You and I both know what happened.”
“It was bad enough with her parents airing the news of my needing medication all over the place.”
Duncan sat down and put his head in his hands.
Veronica watched him sympathetically, but there was nothing else she could do. She’d checked out the backgrounds of everyone on the investigation team. She’d looked at all of Aaron’s lawyers. She still hadn’t really been able to figure out the connection between Thumper and the lawyers. It seemed obvious that while Thumper had killed Felix on his own, somebody else, namely Aaron, had been helping him by framing Logan. What had Thumper had to do in return? Get some of Duncan’s hair maybe? Who planted the statue and did any of it have anything to do with Cliff’s briefcase being stolen? The questions continued to pile up and Veronica had no answers for Duncan.
***
Nothing like keeping your mind off what you can’t do by finding a classmate’s dead dog’s personal Grim Reaper. If only Gia would stop dogging me trying to be my BFF. Doesn’t she know Wallace gets that position forever?
“You placed this ad, right?” Gia ran to catch up with Veronica in the hall. “This is your email.”
“Yeah.”
Veronica stopped walking.
“I've seen this car. This car mooned me. Or at least some guy in the car did.”
“Where, when?”
“September 13th, 7 pm, Pacific Coast Highway.”
“Gia!” Veronica breathed in realization.
“It passed by our limo just a few minutes before the bus went off the cliff.”
“So you're saying a green Barracuda passed you guys in the limo?”
“Yeah! I mean, is this a Barracuda? I'm not a car person.”
“Yes. What did the guy look like?” Veronica asked in great anticipation.
Could Kendall’s accomplice be revealed?
“All I saw was his butt. I just figured they were a couple of stupid college kids.”
“How long before the crash was it?”
“A few minutes. And I only remember because I was on the phone with my dad. He was calling to see where I was to make sure I was able to pick up Rodney after his piano lesson. I totally freaked out when I saw the guy’s butt and so my dad was all concerned and I told him and he started laughing. But then the bus went over and…”
“Thanks.”
Veronica walked away pondering.
So, some more research and I find my Barracuda. It belongs to some blind woman whose grandsons take it out joyriding. Looks like a bust. But at least I got them to compensate Harry without him putting an arrow through their throats. Everyone wins.
***
Weevil rolled out from under the car and froze when he saw Hector standing there. He got up and prepared himself for the worst.
“You here to start something, dawg? Why don’tcha let me wash up beforehand. Unless you don't mind grease around your throat.”
“We made a mistake.” Hector said it simply, without flair.
“A mistake? So you come here cause you think you can take it back?”
Weevil started to turn away.
“Cause it's all I can do. Thumper was wrong, man. He broke every rule in the book.”
“I got that memo, man.”
“The boys are lost without ya, Weevil. It’s seriously bad.”
“Not my problem.”
“No, but these are your people. We want you back.”
“I don’t want to go back,” Weevil said softly. “Hector, they’re your boys now. I trust you with them. Just stop being stupid.”
“That’s wack, Weevil.”
“It’s right. I’m always here when you get in trouble, but they’re not my people anymore.”
Hector nodded silently and walked away. It was a long time before Weevil got back underneath the car.
***
“You remember back to yesterday when you were doing the deed with Dick’s stepmom?”
“Vaguely.”
Logan groaned inside. It was not a good memory and it had actually been awhile since he’d been with Kendall. He didn’t want to go down that road anymore, though he wasn’t sure how to tell Veronica that without her looking smug.
“Were you with her on the day of the crash?”
“Man, you’re obsessed with my sex life. Do I need to start carrying around a webcam?”
“Logan!”
“Day of the crash, day of the crash. You know I’d really have to consult my feelings journal to be sure. But no, not at the time of the crash.”
“She stood to make millions by sending Dick and Beaver over that cliff.”
“Kendall requires a domestic staff to make cereal, you really think she’s capable of planning a murder?”
“Women will get you every time.”
Veronica wagged her finger in warning.
“They certainly have so far,” Logan said pointedly staring at her.
***
Veronica smiled inwardly. Not a bad day’s work so far. Kendall didn’t have an alibi and she still could make Logan writhe.
“Anything else? Oh. I, uh, I got to second base with Tammy Forrester in eighth grade in Duncan's closet.” Veronica’s own insides started to writhe and she rolled her eyes and began to walk away. He continued to talk and she was glad he couldn’t see her face. “And last summer, after you broke up with me, by the way; I made this townie girl moan without even using my hands. Is any of this relevant? Should I make a list?”
Nothing with him would ever be normal.
“We of the poor and measly ought to get days like this more often,” Veronica commented.
Keith nodded lazily as they drifted on air mattresses in their complex pool.
“How’d you score the day off work?”
“How’d you score the day off school?”
“Let’s pretend this exchange never happened,” Veronica suggested.
“Today nothing exists outside this pool,” Keith agreed.
“Can one tiny thing exist?” she pleaded.
“What thing would that be?”
“Insurance policy.”
“The insurance policy?”
“The very one.”
“The judges will allow it.”
“What did you find out?”
Veronica gently eased her way over on her stomach so she was facing her dad.
“Richard Casablancas was using the life insurance he'd taken out for Dick and Cassidy as a tax shelter. The payout on their policies is over eight figures, and here's the kicker: The beneficiary should both brothers die simultaneously? Kendall Casablancas.”
“The wicked stepmother trying to bump off her rich husband's spawn. That's a Disney movie, isn't it?”
“She certainly had motive. It's her capability I'm not sure of.”
“I wouldn't underestimate her capabilities. She went from spandex to cashmere pretty fast.”
“You wanna poke around; see what she was up to the day of the crash?”
“Whatever happened to letting the law handle it?”
“Sometimes we hire the assistance of licensed private investigators.”
“So, I’m getting paid for this?”
“By none other than the state of California.”
“I’ll look into it.”
***
Veronica stopped walking down the hall when she spotted Mac hitting her forehead repeatedly on her locker. It was a strange sight, one which, at times, she would have savored; but she didn’t want any permanent damage done to the technological genius, so she headed over.
“Mac attack, what's the haps?”
Mac halted her self abuse and turned to face the amused Veronica.
“I got mugged. By my own principal. They took my cell phone interceptor and apparently plan on keeping it until the end of the year. What happened to end of the day? Why wasn't that working?”
“Everyone still kept bringing in their cell phone interceptors?” Veronica suggested brightly.
“Is there any chance you can get it back for me? I borrowed it from my buddy at Radio Shack, because apparently I've become a psycho ex-girlfriend and I wanted to listen to Cassidy's cell phone calls.” Veronica looked appraisingly at her and Mac shifted uncomfortably. “You're judging me.”
“No. I'm judging myself. Why don't I have a cell phone interceptor?”
Mac brightened up immediately.
“Please, respect the business model, Veronica. I do the gadgets. You do the actual espionage.”
Veronica nodded in affirmation of the arrangement.
“I'll see what I can do.”
I don’t know if Mac will quite like it when she sees exactly what it is I can do about it.
“I’m going to kill you,” Mac said later on.
“Mac, Clemmons changed his locks. I’m sorry.”
“You sold me down the river.”
“Almost at your request. It was for you.”
“Says the wife beater, I’m sure.”
Mac grabbed her cell phone interceptor and headed grumpily down the hall. Veronica smiled after her irritated friend.
***
Veronica moseyed into the apartment and prepared to thrill her dad with the news of Mac’s unfortunate prom date, but he looked up at her seriously and she dropped her bag on the floor and sat next to him.
“Why the long look, partner?”
“We found the murder weapon, the one used to kill Lilly.”
“What about the ashtray you found in the pool?”
“We figured that's what he used. Why else would it be in the pool?”
Veronica sank back into the couch cushions.
“Okay, but that doesn’t really change anything, does it?”
“We found Aaron’s Oscar statue buried in the Kane's back yard.”
“What were you doing digging in Duncan’s yard?”
“Aaron’s prosecution has been pressing for a further investigation of the scene. They got a warrant. Aaron’s been pushing for Duncan to be investigated. This will make it worse. I might have to take him into custody.”
“What? Why? Doesn't that...help us with Aaron’s prosecution?”
“Honey, in addition to Lilly's blood, our team found some of Duncan's hair on the murder weapon.”
“You know that’s a set up and lie, Dad!”
“I also know my job, Veronica.”
“You can’t do it! Let me figure out what happened, how he did it!”
Veronica jumped up from the couch. Keith rose with his hands outstretched to placate her.
“No one’s arresting anyone today, kiddo. The hair isn’t everything. The sex tapes and yours and my testimony are what’s important. But I just warn you, because I’m a witness in the trial…”
“They won’t let you make decisions on the case.”
“Probably not.”
“Well, at least I won’t have to be mad at you.”
Veronica hugged him fiercely and then ran into her room.
She wanted to throw something. Aaron Echolls was in jail and he was still ruining everyone’s life. It took her a long time to get settled, but she immediately started to work on the case. After awhile, she ran into a dead end and did some homework before looking into Kendall Casablancas. She pulled up Kendall’s high school photo.
Hmmmm…a Kendall Casablancas with really weird hair who is not Kendall. Interesting. Of course, even more interesting is the six months she spent in jail for wire fraud. Looks like our favorite trophy wife is perfectly capable of setting off bombs. The only question is how did she do it when she wasn’t out there? Did she have an accomplice? Who? I’m going to have to talk to Logan about his little playmate, aren’t I? Getting paid isn’t even worth it.
***
“Table Four requested to sit in your section.”
Jane smiled in pleasure at the compliment and hurried to help her customer. Her boyfriend customer.
“And what can I get for you today, sir?”
She playfully poised her pencil over her pad.
“How about that cute as a bug new waitress at the Hut?”
“You might have to order that special.”
“Anything. Just get me my order.” Wallace grinned. “I’ll pay extra.”
“Lucky girl. Well, how soon would you like that?”
“I’d say right now, but her boss might have a problem with that.”
“She might,” Jane agreed.
“How about you tell me when her break is?”
Jane checked her watch.
“Funny, but it’s right now.”
“Well, how about that?” Wallace leaned back into the booth. “Think she’d want to break with me?”
“I’ll just ask.”
Jane stuck her pad and pencil in her apron pocket and sat down. Wallace slung his arm around her shoulders and she greeted him with a kiss.
“I’ve been thinking,” he began.
“Never a good sign,” she interrupted.
“Well, I was going to ask you to prom, but see if I do it now,” he teased.
“Why, Wallace!” Jane laughed at his indignation. “I’ll go with you.”
“Well, all right then. I guess I better head down to Ayres Formal Wear. I hear those top hats and those canes go quick.”
Jane chuckled and they chatted before she gave him a kiss goodbye and went back to work with the glow of a girl who’d just been asked to prom.
***
“I’ve been trying, Duncan. I started as soon as my dad told me, but it’s incredibly hard to figure out the complex strings of this ruse in one day.”
“Veronica,” Duncan said as he started to pace, “this isn’t good. You know it isn’t. Meg and I were this close to winning Lilly for good, but the judge has demanded another hearing due to this new crap from Aaron.”
“I’m sorry. Duncan, I’m doing my best. You and I both know what happened.”
“It was bad enough with her parents airing the news of my needing medication all over the place.”
Duncan sat down and put his head in his hands.
Veronica watched him sympathetically, but there was nothing else she could do. She’d checked out the backgrounds of everyone on the investigation team. She’d looked at all of Aaron’s lawyers. She still hadn’t really been able to figure out the connection between Thumper and the lawyers. It seemed obvious that while Thumper had killed Felix on his own, somebody else, namely Aaron, had been helping him by framing Logan. What had Thumper had to do in return? Get some of Duncan’s hair maybe? Who planted the statue and did any of it have anything to do with Cliff’s briefcase being stolen? The questions continued to pile up and Veronica had no answers for Duncan.
***
Nothing like keeping your mind off what you can’t do by finding a classmate’s dead dog’s personal Grim Reaper. If only Gia would stop dogging me trying to be my BFF. Doesn’t she know Wallace gets that position forever?
“You placed this ad, right?” Gia ran to catch up with Veronica in the hall. “This is your email.”
“Yeah.”
Veronica stopped walking.
“I've seen this car. This car mooned me. Or at least some guy in the car did.”
“Where, when?”
“September 13th, 7 pm, Pacific Coast Highway.”
“Gia!” Veronica breathed in realization.
“It passed by our limo just a few minutes before the bus went off the cliff.”
“So you're saying a green Barracuda passed you guys in the limo?”
“Yeah! I mean, is this a Barracuda? I'm not a car person.”
“Yes. What did the guy look like?” Veronica asked in great anticipation.
Could Kendall’s accomplice be revealed?
“All I saw was his butt. I just figured they were a couple of stupid college kids.”
“How long before the crash was it?”
“A few minutes. And I only remember because I was on the phone with my dad. He was calling to see where I was to make sure I was able to pick up Rodney after his piano lesson. I totally freaked out when I saw the guy’s butt and so my dad was all concerned and I told him and he started laughing. But then the bus went over and…”
“Thanks.”
Veronica walked away pondering.
So, some more research and I find my Barracuda. It belongs to some blind woman whose grandsons take it out joyriding. Looks like a bust. But at least I got them to compensate Harry without him putting an arrow through their throats. Everyone wins.
***
Weevil rolled out from under the car and froze when he saw Hector standing there. He got up and prepared himself for the worst.
“You here to start something, dawg? Why don’tcha let me wash up beforehand. Unless you don't mind grease around your throat.”
“We made a mistake.” Hector said it simply, without flair.
“A mistake? So you come here cause you think you can take it back?”
Weevil started to turn away.
“Cause it's all I can do. Thumper was wrong, man. He broke every rule in the book.”
“I got that memo, man.”
“The boys are lost without ya, Weevil. It’s seriously bad.”
“Not my problem.”
“No, but these are your people. We want you back.”
“I don’t want to go back,” Weevil said softly. “Hector, they’re your boys now. I trust you with them. Just stop being stupid.”
“That’s wack, Weevil.”
“It’s right. I’m always here when you get in trouble, but they’re not my people anymore.”
Hector nodded silently and walked away. It was a long time before Weevil got back underneath the car.
***
“You remember back to yesterday when you were doing the deed with Dick’s stepmom?”
“Vaguely.”
Logan groaned inside. It was not a good memory and it had actually been awhile since he’d been with Kendall. He didn’t want to go down that road anymore, though he wasn’t sure how to tell Veronica that without her looking smug.
“Were you with her on the day of the crash?”
“Man, you’re obsessed with my sex life. Do I need to start carrying around a webcam?”
“Logan!”
“Day of the crash, day of the crash. You know I’d really have to consult my feelings journal to be sure. But no, not at the time of the crash.”
“She stood to make millions by sending Dick and Beaver over that cliff.”
“Kendall requires a domestic staff to make cereal, you really think she’s capable of planning a murder?”
“Women will get you every time.”
Veronica wagged her finger in warning.
“They certainly have so far,” Logan said pointedly staring at her.
***
Veronica smiled inwardly. Not a bad day’s work so far. Kendall didn’t have an alibi and she still could make Logan writhe.
“Anything else? Oh. I, uh, I got to second base with Tammy Forrester in eighth grade in Duncan's closet.” Veronica’s own insides started to writhe and she rolled her eyes and began to walk away. He continued to talk and she was glad he couldn’t see her face. “And last summer, after you broke up with me, by the way; I made this townie girl moan without even using my hands. Is any of this relevant? Should I make a list?”
Nothing with him would ever be normal.