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jesterladyficThis chapter's title comes from John Keats
If a school bus, traveling forty miles per hour drives off a cliff and plunges ninety feet into the jagged coastline how many seconds did the six high school students, their teacher, and bus driver have to contemplate the fact that they're about to die? Two Mississippi's worth of screams, life flashes, and prayers, maybe? But if anyone used that time to make a deal with his maker, only one of them was heard.
Veronica paused outside of Meg’s hospital room. She could hear voices inside and didn’t want to interrupt anything personal. A few minutes later, a doctor exited and she felt safe enough to tap on the open door. Duncan and Meg’s parents stood by the bedside, looking as if they’d just received bad news.
“How is she?”
“Hanging in there,” Duncan reassured her.
Meg’s mother let out a stifled sob and left. Her father followed with a slightly apologetic look. Veronica couldn’t have blamed them if she tried.
“How’s she really doing?”
Veronica moved closer to the bed and winced at the sight of Meg’s bruised face.
Duncan shrugged helplessly and sat down in the chair beside the bed. He put his head in his hands.
“She’s unconscious and they don’t know if she’ll ever wake up. But they did say all her vitals seemed strong apart from her brainwaves or something like that. I don’t know.”
“Sh, Duncan, it’s okay. I’m really sorry.”
Veronica put her hand on his shoulder.
“I get the feeling her parents aren’t telling me something. They don’t want me in here without letting them know, or talking to the doctor alone. They keep giving me funny looks, like I did something wrong.”
“That’s insane. You’ve been wonderful for Meg.”
“She’s been wonderful for me,” he answered quietly.
Veronica swallowed and turned to go.
“Well, I don’t want to disturb you.”
“I want your help.” Duncan stood up and faced her. “I want to know how this happened.”
“I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
“You’ll figure it out. Please, Veronica. I need to know.”
Veronica sighed as she acquiesced.
“I’ll do what I can. But I can’t promise anything.”
“Thank you.”
Why did everyone expect the impossible of her?
***
Wallace drove slowly to avoid all the reporters. It was sickening how they swarmed all over the borders of the school trying to find anyone who would talk about the bus crash. All he knew was that he woke up every day thanking God that Veronica had gotten off the bus. Since the day she’d cut him off the flag pole, he’d never been happier, and he didn’t want to find out what it would be like to not be best friends with her.
Wallace made the turn into the school and swerved as a reporter jumped in front of his car trying to get him to roll down his window. A sickening crash rent the air as Wallace plowed into someone else’s car.
“Sir, sir, are you all right? How did it happen? Were you one of the kids from the limo? Did you know anyone on the bus?”
Questions seemed to be flung at him from a million directions as he got out of the car. The reporter who’d caused the accident was the most gregarious of them all.
“Man, get away from me,” Wallace warned him and the rest. “I got nothing to say to you. I didn’t know the kids on the bus and now I never will. So unless you want to explain to whoever’s car that is that it wasn’t my fault, you best clear out of here.”
Gradually the crowd lessened and Wallace made his way over to the other car. There was a significant dent and it would cost. Wallace was furious, but he got out a notebook anyway and started to write a note.
“I saw what happened,” a girl said, limping up to him with a cast on her leg. “You don’t really need to write the note.”
Wallace glanced in surprise at the pretty girl offering him freedom from months of extra work at the Sac and Pac once his mom found out about this.
“Well, it’s not like he’s going to pay. And, hey, I could have just run him over and saved us both the trouble.”
“Better luck with forethought next time. Thanks, I appreciate your honesty.”
“I’m Wallace,” he said, sticking out his hand.
The girl adjusted her crutches and shook it.
“I’m Jane. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Considering the circumstances, I’d say it was fate.”
“Fate, huh? Now why would you say that?”
“Why don’t I tell you about it over lunch? Then maybe we continue it further on some Friday night?”
Jane’s face broke into a smile.
“Well, I would ask if you were driving, but I don’t know if I want to drive with you. You don’t have a very good track record.”
“The records never talk about how it’s only when there’s hot blondes on the sidewalk,” Wallace assured her. “You’re safe with me, I promise.”
“Coming from someone who would ask a girl out who just had knee surgery, I don’t know if I would trust that.”
“Oh, that’s just sad. Let me carry your books and see if we can’t change that opinion.”
Jane pretended to consider the question for a minute and then handed him her books. They walked slowly toward the school, talking animatedly.
After school Wallace made a discreet trip to Jane’s car and slipped his insurance information under the windshield. Along with his number.
***
“You know who I am, right?”
”I do,” Veronica replied carefully. She pulled a paper towel from the dispenser and wiped her hands.
”Just out of curiosity, did you know who I was last week?”
”Nope.”
Veronica threw the towel in the trash and faced Jessie who sighed dramatically.
”Your dad drives one bus off a cliff and your days of being under the radar are over.”
“I'm sorry, did you want something?”
Veronica was feeling extremely uncomfortable with this girl staring at her. Jessie sighed and unfolded her arms.
“Yeah, so I need proof that my father didn't kill himself. Um, I have a mother and a little brother and we've become accustomed to having a place to live and, like, food. Insurance companies don't pay if they decide it's suicide.”
“Jessie, I wouldn't even know where to start with that. I mean, how do you prove that someone didn't kill themselves?”
“If I knew, I wouldn't be waiting for Veronica Mars in a bathroom.”
“Point. Okay, I’ll look into it.”
“Thanks.”
Jessie left the bathroom and Veronica leaned against the sink. It had been true what she told Duncan and what she’d repeated to Jessie. She didn’t know where to start. At least with two clients on the same case it wouldn’t take up as much of her time, but how was she supposed to pull this off?
***
Keith walked onto the ball field wondering why Woody Goodman wanted to see him. The words that greeted him were surprising.
“Neptune: cleaner, safer. That's my entire platform. I'm running for county supervisor because I care about this town, Keith. It's my home. You know what the key element to my safer plank is?”
“I don't.”
”Having an effective sheriff in office. Keith, I want you to run for Sheriff.”
Keith raised his eyebrows skeptically. It wasn’t that running hadn’t occurred to him before, but Woody Goodman wasn’t necessarily who he thought would be backing him.
“I'm prepared to use all my resources to support your candidacy.”
“I’ll think about it,” Keith promised.
Woody gave him a huge smile and headed over towards his players. One of them was limping and Woody bent down to look at the foot, pulling off the shoe. The little kid winced and Woody gave him a small hug before going to get some ice. Keith smiled slightly and left.
Later, at their apartment, Keith told Veronica about Woody’s proposition.
“I believe, and correct me if I'm wrong, that Woody Goodman is what some people might call a shoo-in.”
“He is unopposed,” Keith admitted.
“So he's basically guaranteeing you a victory? What is there to think about?”
“Elections aren't that easy, Veronica.”
She ladled out the contents of her frying pan on to his plate.
“Sure they are. Couple of catchy bumper stickers, your handsome mug plastered on all the benches in Neptune. Done and done.”
“Elections dredge up ugliness, and I don't want to subject you to that again.”
“You want to protect me? Run for Sheriff.”
Veronica placed a fork load of eggs in her mouth. Keith followed her example and chewed thoughtfully.
“I will think about it, honey.”
“Can’t ask for more than that.”
***
“Being with a younger guy must suck,” Logan murmured as he pressed kisses along Kendall’s neck.
She started to laugh and he lowered her to the floor.
“Wait!” she said, listening. “Someone’s home.”
They scrambled away from each other and Logan grabbed his clothes, heading upstairs.
Not for the first time, he wondered what he was doing and how he’d gotten here. He honestly couldn’t say how he’d started sleeping with his friends’ stepmom. Thinking it directly made it sound so much worse. He hastily dressed and switched on Dick’s TV. He was busily engrossed when Dick and Cassidy entered the room. It was time to turn on the Logan innate ability to compartmentalize.
It was a little hard when the man whose wife he was banging entered the room.
“Hey, Logan. How's everything going?”
“Really well, thanks for asking, Mr. C, and you?”
“Excellent.”
“See, you had to one up me.”
Dick Sr. smiled.
“You're welcome here anytime, son. You like to bust chops. I respect that.”
“Hm, thanks.”
Logan wondered if the guilt showed all over his face. It was somewhat disquieting, but, at the same time, he felt really good that Mr. Casablancas was being so nice to him. But, then again, maybe it was just his daddy issues. The situation was complicated enough without him trying to substitute Dick Sr. as a father figure. Sleeping with his wife was pushing it as it was.
“Hey, ah, Dick Jr. and I are going over to the firing range tomorrow. Interest you in a little target practice?”
“Oh, as long as I'm not the target.”
Everyone laughed and Dick Sr. left the room. Cassidy settled on the floor in disgust.
“Okay, so I guess I'll just stay here and knit something.”
Logan reached over and tousled his hair while Cassidy yanked away.
A few hours later Logan sprang into his SUV and drove home. He was at his gate before he saw Weevil leaning against it. Sighing, Logan pulled over. Like his day hadn’t been full enough already.
“You know,” he said as he got out, “I hadn’t realized your affection had bloomed into full blown stalker-dom. Should I be considering legal options?”
“Considering you’re going away for a long time, yeah, I would consider it.”
Weevil’s face was hard. The additional loss of one of his boys on the bus was obviously not making Felix’s death any easier.
“You’re not still playing that tune, are you?” Logan leaned idly against the Xterra. “I haven’t exactly been convicted, but you could always do some extra praying. I’ve got enough to do without worrying about another gang attack upon my person.”
“Like the law would ever convict a rich, white boy like you!” Weevil scoffed.
The apparent injustice of the Neptune law enforcement seemed to sicken him.
“Hmm, well, they didn’t seem to have a problem putting my father away for murder.”
“His trial’s pending.”
“But he actually committed the crime he’s been accused of, so I would sleep at night if I were you.”
“I won’t sleep until you’re behind bars with him!” Weevil retorted and then got back onto his bike. “So watch your back!”
“I’m simply glad to hear I’m still special to you,” Logan replied, opening the gate and driving to his house.
But he could hear the motorcycle still revving and cursed. Why couldn’t Weevil leave him alone? Why was he responsible for everything that went wrong? Inwardly, he shrugged and decided to blame it on Veronica. What the hell. She could take it. She was obviously made of iron and steel to have not crashed on the rocks when the bus went over. Or was that just in his dreams when he tossed and turned at night thinking about her not getting off the bus?
***
Keith walked into the Sheriff station. He wasn’t sure if who he was looking for was there or not. Going down the hallway, he noticed a blonde girl talking to Sheriff Lamb. Well, attempting to talk to would be a better way to put it. She was obviously pleading while the good Sheriff got food from the vending machine.
Keith walked close enough to hear what was being said.
“Please, I’m getting new evidence. Veronica’s been helping me.” Keith winced. Using Veronica’s name would not be the way to get Lamb to listen to her. “My dad did not commit suicide! That note was something else!”
Without staying to see how it ended, after all, he knew, Keith walked on. Spotting Woody, he approached him.
“Keith, hit me with some good news!”
“I’ve decided to run, Woody.”
Woody’s face broke into a huge smile.
“I couldn’t be more pleased. We’ll start on a campaign right away!”
“Sounds good.”
“Excellent! I’ll call you to do some brainstorming.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
They shook hands and Keith left, pausing to stare at Jessie who had slumped over and squatted with her head in her hands while Lamb walked away.
Keith knew he was doing the right thing.
***
Cassidy started upright as his father crept up behind him. Popcorn spilled everywhere and he was again the brunt of his father’s humor. Humiliation flooded him as Kendall told him to clean it up.
He got down on his knees and started picking up handfuls of popcorn. His fingers brushed something plastic and his breath caught in his throat as he pulled out a condom wrapper.
He turned his head to stare at the place where Kendall had just stood. True, it could be Dick’s, but he didn’t think so. Even as horror crept across his face, a small smile appeared. He might just have gotten the evidence he needed.
***
It felt like he was walking into hell, but Weevil kept on resolutely. Acting up and demanding to see the Sheriff came easily, but once Lamb was grudgingly sitting at his desk facing him, there was nothing easy about what came next.
“When are you going to do your job?”
“My job, my job?” Lamb leaned back in his chair. “Seems to me like my job is booking criminals, so if you just want to put your hands up?”
“What about charging a murderer? When is Logan Echolls going to jail for Felix’s murder?”
“When the DA decides the evidence is hard enough.”
“My boys are willing to testify. You got all the evidence you need.”
“Your boys,” Lamb pointed out, “are gang members and their reason for being witnesses would show them as wanna be murderers. As much as I would love to put that kid away, no jury will buy it at the moment. So, keep your shirt on, Nevarro. The Echolls kid will get arrested in due course. Probably be keeping you company in Cell B.”
Weevil sighed. He’d known it would be a waste of time but the thought of Felix’s killer being allowed to drive around in that yellow SUV of his made his blood boil
“Watcha doing, Weevil?” Veronica’s peppy voice cut in to their conversation. “Did Lamb proposition you again? I told you, be firm, say no.”
Veronica was obviously acting on the tacit truce they’d come to since the bus crash.
“Sorry, V, not in the mood.”
Weevil pushed himself out of his chair and left.
***
Veronica watched Weevil go with a thoughtful expression on her face, then beckoned Jessie to follow her and turned back to Lamb.
“You know he’s a sensitive young boy, why do you torture him so?”
“Only returning the favor,” Lamb said with a sigh. “I’m busy, Veronica.”
“Too busy to help clear an innocent man’s name? Yup, that sounds like you.”
“What evidence do you think you have this time?”
“I have a woman who will testify to being Ed Doyle’s mistress whom he was planning on running away with. She has proof of their affair.”
“Now will you listen to me?” Jessie asked.
Veronica watched Jessie with pride. She knew that as much as the affair hurt, Jessie knowing she and her brother were not left out of the equation was soothing.
Lamb sighed and picked up the phone. He told the DA the news and listened to the other end with a grimace.
“Bring your woman in; we’ll have another press conference.”
“I knew you’d go for it,” Veronica said with a smirk. “Ta then, good luck catching all those actual bad people.”
***
Lamb’s phone rang and he grasped at it with relief. Anything to get away from Veronica Mars and her latest do good project. What he heard caused him to sit up straight in his chair.
“We’re on our way,” he said into the receiver and then hung it up.
Twenty minutes later Lamb and Sacks were walking on the beach. Other officers were just turning over the body. Lamb bent to inspect it, checking the pockets. As he started to stand up, he noticed something and slowly smiled.
“Hey, check this out,” he told Sacks.
Opening the dead man’s hand, he pointed at it. Sack’s eyes grew wide as the words Veronica Mars were revealed to be etched on the man’s hand.
If a school bus, traveling forty miles per hour drives off a cliff and plunges ninety feet into the jagged coastline how many seconds did the six high school students, their teacher, and bus driver have to contemplate the fact that they're about to die? Two Mississippi's worth of screams, life flashes, and prayers, maybe? But if anyone used that time to make a deal with his maker, only one of them was heard.
Veronica paused outside of Meg’s hospital room. She could hear voices inside and didn’t want to interrupt anything personal. A few minutes later, a doctor exited and she felt safe enough to tap on the open door. Duncan and Meg’s parents stood by the bedside, looking as if they’d just received bad news.
“How is she?”
“Hanging in there,” Duncan reassured her.
Meg’s mother let out a stifled sob and left. Her father followed with a slightly apologetic look. Veronica couldn’t have blamed them if she tried.
“How’s she really doing?”
Veronica moved closer to the bed and winced at the sight of Meg’s bruised face.
Duncan shrugged helplessly and sat down in the chair beside the bed. He put his head in his hands.
“She’s unconscious and they don’t know if she’ll ever wake up. But they did say all her vitals seemed strong apart from her brainwaves or something like that. I don’t know.”
“Sh, Duncan, it’s okay. I’m really sorry.”
Veronica put her hand on his shoulder.
“I get the feeling her parents aren’t telling me something. They don’t want me in here without letting them know, or talking to the doctor alone. They keep giving me funny looks, like I did something wrong.”
“That’s insane. You’ve been wonderful for Meg.”
“She’s been wonderful for me,” he answered quietly.
Veronica swallowed and turned to go.
“Well, I don’t want to disturb you.”
“I want your help.” Duncan stood up and faced her. “I want to know how this happened.”
“I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
“You’ll figure it out. Please, Veronica. I need to know.”
Veronica sighed as she acquiesced.
“I’ll do what I can. But I can’t promise anything.”
“Thank you.”
Why did everyone expect the impossible of her?
***
Wallace drove slowly to avoid all the reporters. It was sickening how they swarmed all over the borders of the school trying to find anyone who would talk about the bus crash. All he knew was that he woke up every day thanking God that Veronica had gotten off the bus. Since the day she’d cut him off the flag pole, he’d never been happier, and he didn’t want to find out what it would be like to not be best friends with her.
Wallace made the turn into the school and swerved as a reporter jumped in front of his car trying to get him to roll down his window. A sickening crash rent the air as Wallace plowed into someone else’s car.
“Sir, sir, are you all right? How did it happen? Were you one of the kids from the limo? Did you know anyone on the bus?”
Questions seemed to be flung at him from a million directions as he got out of the car. The reporter who’d caused the accident was the most gregarious of them all.
“Man, get away from me,” Wallace warned him and the rest. “I got nothing to say to you. I didn’t know the kids on the bus and now I never will. So unless you want to explain to whoever’s car that is that it wasn’t my fault, you best clear out of here.”
Gradually the crowd lessened and Wallace made his way over to the other car. There was a significant dent and it would cost. Wallace was furious, but he got out a notebook anyway and started to write a note.
“I saw what happened,” a girl said, limping up to him with a cast on her leg. “You don’t really need to write the note.”
Wallace glanced in surprise at the pretty girl offering him freedom from months of extra work at the Sac and Pac once his mom found out about this.
“Well, it’s not like he’s going to pay. And, hey, I could have just run him over and saved us both the trouble.”
“Better luck with forethought next time. Thanks, I appreciate your honesty.”
“I’m Wallace,” he said, sticking out his hand.
The girl adjusted her crutches and shook it.
“I’m Jane. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Considering the circumstances, I’d say it was fate.”
“Fate, huh? Now why would you say that?”
“Why don’t I tell you about it over lunch? Then maybe we continue it further on some Friday night?”
Jane’s face broke into a smile.
“Well, I would ask if you were driving, but I don’t know if I want to drive with you. You don’t have a very good track record.”
“The records never talk about how it’s only when there’s hot blondes on the sidewalk,” Wallace assured her. “You’re safe with me, I promise.”
“Coming from someone who would ask a girl out who just had knee surgery, I don’t know if I would trust that.”
“Oh, that’s just sad. Let me carry your books and see if we can’t change that opinion.”
Jane pretended to consider the question for a minute and then handed him her books. They walked slowly toward the school, talking animatedly.
After school Wallace made a discreet trip to Jane’s car and slipped his insurance information under the windshield. Along with his number.
***
“You know who I am, right?”
”I do,” Veronica replied carefully. She pulled a paper towel from the dispenser and wiped her hands.
”Just out of curiosity, did you know who I was last week?”
”Nope.”
Veronica threw the towel in the trash and faced Jessie who sighed dramatically.
”Your dad drives one bus off a cliff and your days of being under the radar are over.”
“I'm sorry, did you want something?”
Veronica was feeling extremely uncomfortable with this girl staring at her. Jessie sighed and unfolded her arms.
“Yeah, so I need proof that my father didn't kill himself. Um, I have a mother and a little brother and we've become accustomed to having a place to live and, like, food. Insurance companies don't pay if they decide it's suicide.”
“Jessie, I wouldn't even know where to start with that. I mean, how do you prove that someone didn't kill themselves?”
“If I knew, I wouldn't be waiting for Veronica Mars in a bathroom.”
“Point. Okay, I’ll look into it.”
“Thanks.”
Jessie left the bathroom and Veronica leaned against the sink. It had been true what she told Duncan and what she’d repeated to Jessie. She didn’t know where to start. At least with two clients on the same case it wouldn’t take up as much of her time, but how was she supposed to pull this off?
***
Keith walked onto the ball field wondering why Woody Goodman wanted to see him. The words that greeted him were surprising.
“Neptune: cleaner, safer. That's my entire platform. I'm running for county supervisor because I care about this town, Keith. It's my home. You know what the key element to my safer plank is?”
“I don't.”
”Having an effective sheriff in office. Keith, I want you to run for Sheriff.”
Keith raised his eyebrows skeptically. It wasn’t that running hadn’t occurred to him before, but Woody Goodman wasn’t necessarily who he thought would be backing him.
“I'm prepared to use all my resources to support your candidacy.”
“I’ll think about it,” Keith promised.
Woody gave him a huge smile and headed over towards his players. One of them was limping and Woody bent down to look at the foot, pulling off the shoe. The little kid winced and Woody gave him a small hug before going to get some ice. Keith smiled slightly and left.
Later, at their apartment, Keith told Veronica about Woody’s proposition.
“I believe, and correct me if I'm wrong, that Woody Goodman is what some people might call a shoo-in.”
“He is unopposed,” Keith admitted.
“So he's basically guaranteeing you a victory? What is there to think about?”
“Elections aren't that easy, Veronica.”
She ladled out the contents of her frying pan on to his plate.
“Sure they are. Couple of catchy bumper stickers, your handsome mug plastered on all the benches in Neptune. Done and done.”
“Elections dredge up ugliness, and I don't want to subject you to that again.”
“You want to protect me? Run for Sheriff.”
Veronica placed a fork load of eggs in her mouth. Keith followed her example and chewed thoughtfully.
“I will think about it, honey.”
“Can’t ask for more than that.”
***
“Being with a younger guy must suck,” Logan murmured as he pressed kisses along Kendall’s neck.
She started to laugh and he lowered her to the floor.
“Wait!” she said, listening. “Someone’s home.”
They scrambled away from each other and Logan grabbed his clothes, heading upstairs.
Not for the first time, he wondered what he was doing and how he’d gotten here. He honestly couldn’t say how he’d started sleeping with his friends’ stepmom. Thinking it directly made it sound so much worse. He hastily dressed and switched on Dick’s TV. He was busily engrossed when Dick and Cassidy entered the room. It was time to turn on the Logan innate ability to compartmentalize.
It was a little hard when the man whose wife he was banging entered the room.
“Hey, Logan. How's everything going?”
“Really well, thanks for asking, Mr. C, and you?”
“Excellent.”
“See, you had to one up me.”
Dick Sr. smiled.
“You're welcome here anytime, son. You like to bust chops. I respect that.”
“Hm, thanks.”
Logan wondered if the guilt showed all over his face. It was somewhat disquieting, but, at the same time, he felt really good that Mr. Casablancas was being so nice to him. But, then again, maybe it was just his daddy issues. The situation was complicated enough without him trying to substitute Dick Sr. as a father figure. Sleeping with his wife was pushing it as it was.
“Hey, ah, Dick Jr. and I are going over to the firing range tomorrow. Interest you in a little target practice?”
“Oh, as long as I'm not the target.”
Everyone laughed and Dick Sr. left the room. Cassidy settled on the floor in disgust.
“Okay, so I guess I'll just stay here and knit something.”
Logan reached over and tousled his hair while Cassidy yanked away.
A few hours later Logan sprang into his SUV and drove home. He was at his gate before he saw Weevil leaning against it. Sighing, Logan pulled over. Like his day hadn’t been full enough already.
“You know,” he said as he got out, “I hadn’t realized your affection had bloomed into full blown stalker-dom. Should I be considering legal options?”
“Considering you’re going away for a long time, yeah, I would consider it.”
Weevil’s face was hard. The additional loss of one of his boys on the bus was obviously not making Felix’s death any easier.
“You’re not still playing that tune, are you?” Logan leaned idly against the Xterra. “I haven’t exactly been convicted, but you could always do some extra praying. I’ve got enough to do without worrying about another gang attack upon my person.”
“Like the law would ever convict a rich, white boy like you!” Weevil scoffed.
The apparent injustice of the Neptune law enforcement seemed to sicken him.
“Hmm, well, they didn’t seem to have a problem putting my father away for murder.”
“His trial’s pending.”
“But he actually committed the crime he’s been accused of, so I would sleep at night if I were you.”
“I won’t sleep until you’re behind bars with him!” Weevil retorted and then got back onto his bike. “So watch your back!”
“I’m simply glad to hear I’m still special to you,” Logan replied, opening the gate and driving to his house.
But he could hear the motorcycle still revving and cursed. Why couldn’t Weevil leave him alone? Why was he responsible for everything that went wrong? Inwardly, he shrugged and decided to blame it on Veronica. What the hell. She could take it. She was obviously made of iron and steel to have not crashed on the rocks when the bus went over. Or was that just in his dreams when he tossed and turned at night thinking about her not getting off the bus?
***
Keith walked into the Sheriff station. He wasn’t sure if who he was looking for was there or not. Going down the hallway, he noticed a blonde girl talking to Sheriff Lamb. Well, attempting to talk to would be a better way to put it. She was obviously pleading while the good Sheriff got food from the vending machine.
Keith walked close enough to hear what was being said.
“Please, I’m getting new evidence. Veronica’s been helping me.” Keith winced. Using Veronica’s name would not be the way to get Lamb to listen to her. “My dad did not commit suicide! That note was something else!”
Without staying to see how it ended, after all, he knew, Keith walked on. Spotting Woody, he approached him.
“Keith, hit me with some good news!”
“I’ve decided to run, Woody.”
Woody’s face broke into a huge smile.
“I couldn’t be more pleased. We’ll start on a campaign right away!”
“Sounds good.”
“Excellent! I’ll call you to do some brainstorming.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
They shook hands and Keith left, pausing to stare at Jessie who had slumped over and squatted with her head in her hands while Lamb walked away.
Keith knew he was doing the right thing.
***
Cassidy started upright as his father crept up behind him. Popcorn spilled everywhere and he was again the brunt of his father’s humor. Humiliation flooded him as Kendall told him to clean it up.
He got down on his knees and started picking up handfuls of popcorn. His fingers brushed something plastic and his breath caught in his throat as he pulled out a condom wrapper.
He turned his head to stare at the place where Kendall had just stood. True, it could be Dick’s, but he didn’t think so. Even as horror crept across his face, a small smile appeared. He might just have gotten the evidence he needed.
***
It felt like he was walking into hell, but Weevil kept on resolutely. Acting up and demanding to see the Sheriff came easily, but once Lamb was grudgingly sitting at his desk facing him, there was nothing easy about what came next.
“When are you going to do your job?”
“My job, my job?” Lamb leaned back in his chair. “Seems to me like my job is booking criminals, so if you just want to put your hands up?”
“What about charging a murderer? When is Logan Echolls going to jail for Felix’s murder?”
“When the DA decides the evidence is hard enough.”
“My boys are willing to testify. You got all the evidence you need.”
“Your boys,” Lamb pointed out, “are gang members and their reason for being witnesses would show them as wanna be murderers. As much as I would love to put that kid away, no jury will buy it at the moment. So, keep your shirt on, Nevarro. The Echolls kid will get arrested in due course. Probably be keeping you company in Cell B.”
Weevil sighed. He’d known it would be a waste of time but the thought of Felix’s killer being allowed to drive around in that yellow SUV of his made his blood boil
“Watcha doing, Weevil?” Veronica’s peppy voice cut in to their conversation. “Did Lamb proposition you again? I told you, be firm, say no.”
Veronica was obviously acting on the tacit truce they’d come to since the bus crash.
“Sorry, V, not in the mood.”
Weevil pushed himself out of his chair and left.
***
Veronica watched Weevil go with a thoughtful expression on her face, then beckoned Jessie to follow her and turned back to Lamb.
“You know he’s a sensitive young boy, why do you torture him so?”
“Only returning the favor,” Lamb said with a sigh. “I’m busy, Veronica.”
“Too busy to help clear an innocent man’s name? Yup, that sounds like you.”
“What evidence do you think you have this time?”
“I have a woman who will testify to being Ed Doyle’s mistress whom he was planning on running away with. She has proof of their affair.”
“Now will you listen to me?” Jessie asked.
Veronica watched Jessie with pride. She knew that as much as the affair hurt, Jessie knowing she and her brother were not left out of the equation was soothing.
Lamb sighed and picked up the phone. He told the DA the news and listened to the other end with a grimace.
“Bring your woman in; we’ll have another press conference.”
“I knew you’d go for it,” Veronica said with a smirk. “Ta then, good luck catching all those actual bad people.”
***
Lamb’s phone rang and he grasped at it with relief. Anything to get away from Veronica Mars and her latest do good project. What he heard caused him to sit up straight in his chair.
“We’re on our way,” he said into the receiver and then hung it up.
Twenty minutes later Lamb and Sacks were walking on the beach. Other officers were just turning over the body. Lamb bent to inspect it, checking the pockets. As he started to stand up, he noticed something and slowly smiled.
“Hey, check this out,” he told Sacks.
Opening the dead man’s hand, he pointed at it. Sack’s eyes grew wide as the words Veronica Mars were revealed to be etched on the man’s hand.
