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jesterladyficThis chapter's title comes from Barbara Brown Taylor
Veronica entered the office secure in her new position there. Two things set off her detective senses as she came in. One, there were electoral posters on every available surface. The other was the smell.
“You are aware that blanketing the electorate is like a figure of speech.” She leaned on the doorjamb to her dad’s office. He looked up at her while stuffing some papers in his briefcase. “What's that smell?”
“A buddy of mine in Sanitation called. One of his crews found those in a dumpster downtown.”
He passed by her into the outer office and started to collect some more things.
“At least Lamb has the sense not to use the dumpster behind the sheriff's department.”
Veronica started to organize her desk in disgust. Keith leaned against her desk and folded his arms.
“Your father's campaign is riding on a gravy train with biscuit wheels. Woody's numbers guys just called to say I've got a twelve point lead. I don't need to roll around in the mud with Lamb. I’ve got too many cases to worry about. Gotta run, kiddo.”
“In that case it sounds like you don't need a photographer from the Neptune Navigator who knows how to shoot your good side.”
Veronica used her hands to frame his face.
“Got nothing but good sides, baby,” Keith assured her.
Veronica smiled at him indulgently.
“You had cases,” she reminded him.
He nodded and got up to go.
“By the way, sweetheart, could you please do some small surveillance on the Bosworth case? I promised them before tomorrow and I’m running behind. Small work, you understand?”
“What would you do without me?”
When Keith had gone, Veronica set about getting rid of the posters that were threatening to return her mandarin salad to her in a less appealing form. Once that was finished, she organized the cases into most urgent down to no work required.
The Bosworth’s were indeed in desperate need of assistance. But then so was she if she was going to pull this one off.
There was a reason Wallace was number two on her speed dial.
“So, Wallace, I need a favor.”
***
Veronica met up with Wallace later that night and collected his side of the incriminating evidence. She was surprised to see he looked less than perky to be helping her out.
“You get in a fight with your girlfriend?” she asked teasingly.
“I wonder why,” he said sarcastically.
Veronica raised her eyebrow.
“What does that mean?”
“It means it appears that you mean more to me than she does.”
“Well, you have known me longer.”
“It’s not funny. Jane’s upset with me.”
“So, explain. You’re her boyfriend, I get that.”
“I know you do, it’s just not that apparent to her.”
Veronica sighed.
“Look, Wallace. I’m really sorry Jane’s not doing the understanding thing. But I haven’t been trying to sabotage the Love Boat. I like you and Jane.”
“I get it. Don’t mind me.”
Wallace made as if to leave. Veronica hesitated for a second.
“Um, hey, could you do me one more favor before you go?”
Wallace stopped for a minute before turning around and looking at her as if she was crazy.
“No, Veronica! How about you doing me a favor for once? Did you not hear anything I just said?”
“I know. I’m sorry. I needed it before you said anything though.”
“Well, why does it have to be about you all the time? Look, Jane’s right about one thing...it's your world, I just live in it.”
He laughed a little bitterly.
“I can’t just change who I am because you have a girlfriend.”
“I'm asking you for a favor, Veronica. Let it go. I've always been a shoulder you could lean on. You give me no time, no sympathy. Nothing. Don’t bother asking me for any more favors any time soon.”
Veronica stared in shock as Wallace exited the office.
***
“I love Neptune. I wouldn't be running if I didn't, but...my main reason would probably have to be the subtle changes in Neptune over the last few months.”
“You mean violent crime dropping eleven percent?” Lamb interjected.
“I'm talking about the growing sense of resentment, of friction, of polarization within our community.”
Veronica smiled in satisfaction as the audience applauded, apparently sharing the sentiment. Starting with Felix’s death and Logan’s delayed arrest and ending with the bus crash, Neptune had never been an edgier place to live. These people obviously realized that the only way that was going to stop was with a competent sheriff who would get to the bottom of things instead of a greasy handed, dirty politician who needed his own personal weight room.
She pushed to the back of her mind the thought that Keith’s first act as sheriff might be to arrest Logan. That could be dealt with at a later date. She brought her camera up to snap some more photos.
An aide walked to the front and handed a newspaper to the speaker. She scanned the headlines before turning quickly to the microphone.
“Sheriff Lamb, I have here in my hand a newspaper article stating that you gave evidence uncovered in the sheriff country logs that Mr. Mars failed to comply with department policy as a deputy. Is this true?”
Lamb leaned into the microphone while the rest of the room reacted in shock.
“Unfortunately, it is. While doing routine maintenance, a deputy read through his old files and brought this lack of propriety to my attention. It seems that Mr. Mars was fond of simply following home the people he found to be under the influence rather than follow procedure. As a result many of these drivers were later indicted with further violations of the law that could have been prevented.”
“Mr. Mars? Your response?”
Keith looked a little stunned.
“I’m sorry, I don’t believe I can comment at this time until I have reviewed the so called evidence Sheriff Lamb claims to have found. I have no memory of these encounters.”
Lamb’s smug smile grew as the reporter’s cameras started to flash with renewed vigor. Veronica’s own camera hung at her side as she marveled at the depths to which he would descend. He was going down for this.
***
Logan walked towards the school, whistling slightly and throwing his keys in the air. Duncan ran slightly to catch up with him. Despite their reconciliation weeks before, there hadn’t been too much time for them to talk and it was still semi uncomfortable to be around each other.
“So I was thinking. You're an emancipated minor, I'm an emancipated minor. Maybe we should get together Thursday night. Chug cough syrup, mug some old ladies...?”
Logan grinned.
“Oh, golly, I don't know. I was thinking about staying home, making a hope quilt for the lonely.”
“A little Hot Shots? Golf tourney? Order in Chinese?”
”Ah, you're on.”
Duncan nodded, relieved. They both continued walking across the parking lot only to meet up with Veronica.
“Heard about your dad, bummer,” Logan said insincerely. “So, all that righteous anger he used on me last summer; does he not use it on criminals because he’s busy saving it for his daughter’s boyfriends?”
“Just the jackass ones,” she said lightly.
“Hmm, pity that seems to be where your heart lies,” Logan returned before walking around her with exaggerated care. “See ya, DK.”
“I don’t know why you are so desperate to be friends with him again,” Veronica told Duncan. “I think that knock would have to include you too.”
“You know who he really is, Veronica. You’re not exactly a welcome wagon where he’s concerned.”
“We’ve got issues, agreed. Moving on?”
“What can I do for you since I’m assuming you’re not here to discuss the weather?”
“I need a favor. Any chance you can spot me some Kane software stationary?”
“Are you kidding?”
“No.”
Duncan looked at her incredulously and when nothing else was forthcoming, he gave up.
“Fine, I guess I’ll find out what for along with everyone else.”
“Thanks, you’re the best.”
“So they say.”
***
Veronica made her way down the hall and decided to ignore the fact that Wallace was ignoring her. She’d already tried calling him and apologizing but it didn’t look like he would be ready to talk anytime soon.
“Did you hear about Michele? She’s been totally broken up, but she seems way better now.”
Veronica tried to sidestep past two idle gossipers in the hall.
“After she got that message from Rhonda, I don’t blame her. Imagine hearing the last seconds of their lives before they went off the cliff!”
Veronica stopped cold and turned around.
“Repeat that.”
***
Veronica made her way across the lunch tables to where a blonde sat by herself.
“Do you mind if I sit here?”
Michele looked taken aback but nodded.
“I hope you don’t think I’m being nosy, but I heard you have a message from when the bus went over. Do you still have it?”
Michele picked up her phone lying on her lap and pressed some buttons before handing it over.
“Please, don't tell anyone I have this, Veronica.”
Rhonda’s voice came in loud and clear to Veronica’s ears.
“Michele, why aren't you picking up, you big loser? I can't believe you bailed on the field trip without telling me. Hey, about next weekend -"
The voice was cut off as a loud noise like an explosion burst into the message. People started to scream in the background and then there was a second burst and then nothing but static.
Veronica took several breaths to calm herself. That wasn’t exactly what she’d been expecting, but it explained a lot. She quickly forwarded the message and handed the phone back to Michele.
“Thanks, I gotta go.”
“Are you okay?”
“Fine.”
Veronica walked unsteadily, processing the information. A bomb. Someone had put a bomb on the bus.
The only way Veronica could think to calm herself down was by listening to what Lamb might be up to after she’d bugged his office. Her reasoning wasn’t sound, even to her, if you thought about how angry Lamb made her. But she needed to feel a different kind of feeling than the enormous guilt that overwhelmed her at the thought of what those people might have gone through because of her.
Lamb was infinitely boring and still as pompous when he thought he was by himself. He made phone calls and ordered Sacks around, but not much else. After an extended absence from the room to question some guys in the holding cells Lamb made a call that perked Veronica’s attention. It was to a wealthy sports player who lived in Neptune during the off season. Apparently he was in town and Lamb wanted to see him. Why?
Several hours later on the tape, the man arrived and Veronica settled in to listen carefully. The crux of the matter came down to Lamb’s announcement:
“I got a guy in a holding cell back there says you did favors for gentlemen who bet extensively on baseball. Now, I’d say that’s worth a thousand tickets, wouldn’t you? I’d much rather deal with you than the tabloids.”
Veronica sat back and shook her head ruefully. She’d always known Lamb was a jerk and dirty, but he was seriously breaking an ethical code even she wouldn’t touch. But, on the other hand, it was perfect for vindicating her father and she knew just the place for it too.
A knock on the door interrupted her and she went to answer it. Weevil stood on the other side.
“You ignoring me?” he asked.
“Should I be?”
Veronica stepped aside to let him in.
“You never told me about the Curly number.”
“Darn, knew I was forgetting something.”
She still hadn’t decided how much to tell Weevil since he might, after all, have killed Curly himself. That would mean that he also might have something to do with why Curly had her name on him.
“Listen, you don’t trust me, I get it. Just help me out, V.”
She sighed.
“The call came from a number listed under Aaron Echolls. But before you try to kill Logan again, I already talked with him and confirmed that he wasn’t the only one who could have made the call. So, just don’t do anything unless I find out something else.”
“Can’t promise anything,” Weevil said. “But I’ll be on my best behavior.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
***
Not that Weevil didn’t have every intention of doing what he’d told Veronica he would, but he still wanted answers. Growing up as he did, he only knew a few ways to get them.
“Hot date?”
Logan sighed as he saw Weevil waiting outside his car as he left to go to Duncan’s.
“I will get serious about that restraining order, you know.”
“I’m sure that attitude works with your rich 09er friends, but I don’t care.”
“You obviously care about something or you wouldn’t be here,” Logan pointed out.
“I care that the number on my cell phone came from your house.”
“Don’t you wish pesky blondes knew how to keep a secret?”
“Why would you do that? Were you trying to get me sent up for assault so the PCH cred would go down when it came time to convict you? Or did you actually crash the bus?”
“May I remind that dizzying intellect of yours that at the time of the call you were in my house? For all I know you called yourself just to give Veronica something to investigate.”
“Now why would I wanna do that?”
“Make my life hell? I don’t know. Whatever the reason, I am innocent as the pure driven snow so stop waiting for me outside my house.”
“I’ll stop waiting when you’re in prison.”
“Then you might want to install an easy chair.”
Logan started his car and drove off while Weevil stood staring after him.
***
Duncan stopped in the doorway. It felt stupid to be doing what he was doing, but he didn’t know what else to do. Lizzie had helped him arrange it and even if they weren’t happy with the fact he’d knocked up their daughter, her parents seemed glad he was sticking around.
He adjusted his tie and walked to the bed where Meg lay. Right now all their classmates were dancing at the homecoming dance. Meg couldn’t go because she was lying here in a hospital bed.
Duncan set the flowers he’d brought in a vase and smiled down at his girlfriend. Lizzie had done Meg’s hair and makeup and she was wearing a beautiful dress. For one night anyway, she wouldn’t have to be the coma girl in the hospital gown.
“Hey,” he whispered, putting a corsage on her wrist, “you look beautiful.”
You were supposed to talk to coma victims anyway, weren’t you? They were thought to be able to hear it. At least he’d read that somewhere.
Sitting down next to her, he hooked up the Ipod he’d brought and started it. Everything was perfect except for the fact that she was asleep and the locale was a long term hospital room.
“I’m glad you said yes to coming with me,” he continued. “I was nervous just like the first time I asked you to a dance. I was really happy to see you with my flowers on your wrist, even if you were wearing that awful pink dress.” He picked up her hand and kissed it. “We’re going to have a good time tonight. I have an excellent music set for us and I have no problems sitting here just looking at you.” Duncan cleared his throat. “But, first, I have to ask. Why didn’t you tell me, Meg? Why didn’t you trust me with that pretty important information? Were you worried I would be angry? Why? It’s my fault too. It doesn’t have to be bad news. Were you worried I'd walk away? That I'd blame you? That we couldn't cope? Whatever the reason, I want you to know, I’ll take care of you and the baby.”
The music continued unabated and for the rest of the night Duncan sat by Meg’s bedside as her homecoming date.
***
Logan scanned the dance floor. He had become rather popular and unpopular since the events of the summer. Girls either dug the murder rap or avoided him like the plague. Still, it looked like he was about to get lucky. A sophomore from across the room was giving him the look. He crossed to her side and leaned against the wall while preparing to be charming.
***
Veronica entered the gym and looked around for Wallace. She saw him with Jane on the dance floor, but when he spotted her, he immediately moved to the other side of the room. She sighed and went to visit Corny at the DJ booth. Then she headed towards a corner where she could wait for her big moment. To her extreme disgust she spotted Logan making out with some sophomore in her destination flight path.
“You know, I think you’re supposed to save that for the hotel room daddy’s money booked.”
Logan looked up momentarily.
“I’m sorry, are we disturbing you?”
“Only by testing my up chuck reflex.”
“Pity.” Logan shook his head. “Well, I would go to the hotel, but since she isn’t my date, I didn’t have the opportunity. Still, we could always go back to my place since no one will be there and all.”
“I thought only psycho chicks would want to go to Casa de Killer,” Veronica pondered. “I guess that doesn’t say much about your date.”
“Why don’t you go get some punch, Bonnie,” Logan said in an aside to his girl. “I’ll deal with the ex and meet you later.”
“It’s Ashley,” she said before walking away.
“Whoops. I just can’t ever seem to keep them straight. Which one are you again?”
“You’re truly sick,” Veronica snapped and started to leave.
Logan caught her arm.
“It ever occur to you I might not be so virulent if you weren’t doing it to me first?”
“Should that matter?”
“Going by the Veronica Mars rule of justice, then, yeah, it should.”
“Got me there,” Veronica admitted sarcastically.
“Look, Veronica, I offered to help you, I haven’t spilled any of your dark secrets. Hook me up with a little bit of credit.”
“Don’t spend it too fast,” she said before walking away.
When she reached the other side of the room she watched Logan go in search of Ashley and pull her out of the room. Veronica couldn't hide the hurt she felt from herself, but at least the hurt had the advantage of overshadowing the slight guilt his words had ignited in her.
“Can I get everyone’s attention?” Corny’s voice resounded through the gym. “I have a special homecoming dedication here. I’m gonna play it for y’all. It’s dedicated to our very own Sheriff Lamb.”
There were whispers of confusion that escalated as soon as the recording started. They quickly became whispers of excitement as the implications of the voices became clear. Veronica gave a small smile. Wallace may have started hating her, Weevil might have killed a man, Logan was a jerk whose truth hurt, but at least Lamb was getting his own. If he was still Sheriff tomorrow she’d eat her own shoes.
Veronica entered the office secure in her new position there. Two things set off her detective senses as she came in. One, there were electoral posters on every available surface. The other was the smell.
“You are aware that blanketing the electorate is like a figure of speech.” She leaned on the doorjamb to her dad’s office. He looked up at her while stuffing some papers in his briefcase. “What's that smell?”
“A buddy of mine in Sanitation called. One of his crews found those in a dumpster downtown.”
He passed by her into the outer office and started to collect some more things.
“At least Lamb has the sense not to use the dumpster behind the sheriff's department.”
Veronica started to organize her desk in disgust. Keith leaned against her desk and folded his arms.
“Your father's campaign is riding on a gravy train with biscuit wheels. Woody's numbers guys just called to say I've got a twelve point lead. I don't need to roll around in the mud with Lamb. I’ve got too many cases to worry about. Gotta run, kiddo.”
“In that case it sounds like you don't need a photographer from the Neptune Navigator who knows how to shoot your good side.”
Veronica used her hands to frame his face.
“Got nothing but good sides, baby,” Keith assured her.
Veronica smiled at him indulgently.
“You had cases,” she reminded him.
He nodded and got up to go.
“By the way, sweetheart, could you please do some small surveillance on the Bosworth case? I promised them before tomorrow and I’m running behind. Small work, you understand?”
“What would you do without me?”
When Keith had gone, Veronica set about getting rid of the posters that were threatening to return her mandarin salad to her in a less appealing form. Once that was finished, she organized the cases into most urgent down to no work required.
The Bosworth’s were indeed in desperate need of assistance. But then so was she if she was going to pull this one off.
There was a reason Wallace was number two on her speed dial.
“So, Wallace, I need a favor.”
***
Veronica met up with Wallace later that night and collected his side of the incriminating evidence. She was surprised to see he looked less than perky to be helping her out.
“You get in a fight with your girlfriend?” she asked teasingly.
“I wonder why,” he said sarcastically.
Veronica raised her eyebrow.
“What does that mean?”
“It means it appears that you mean more to me than she does.”
“Well, you have known me longer.”
“It’s not funny. Jane’s upset with me.”
“So, explain. You’re her boyfriend, I get that.”
“I know you do, it’s just not that apparent to her.”
Veronica sighed.
“Look, Wallace. I’m really sorry Jane’s not doing the understanding thing. But I haven’t been trying to sabotage the Love Boat. I like you and Jane.”
“I get it. Don’t mind me.”
Wallace made as if to leave. Veronica hesitated for a second.
“Um, hey, could you do me one more favor before you go?”
Wallace stopped for a minute before turning around and looking at her as if she was crazy.
“No, Veronica! How about you doing me a favor for once? Did you not hear anything I just said?”
“I know. I’m sorry. I needed it before you said anything though.”
“Well, why does it have to be about you all the time? Look, Jane’s right about one thing...it's your world, I just live in it.”
He laughed a little bitterly.
“I can’t just change who I am because you have a girlfriend.”
“I'm asking you for a favor, Veronica. Let it go. I've always been a shoulder you could lean on. You give me no time, no sympathy. Nothing. Don’t bother asking me for any more favors any time soon.”
Veronica stared in shock as Wallace exited the office.
***
“I love Neptune. I wouldn't be running if I didn't, but...my main reason would probably have to be the subtle changes in Neptune over the last few months.”
“You mean violent crime dropping eleven percent?” Lamb interjected.
“I'm talking about the growing sense of resentment, of friction, of polarization within our community.”
Veronica smiled in satisfaction as the audience applauded, apparently sharing the sentiment. Starting with Felix’s death and Logan’s delayed arrest and ending with the bus crash, Neptune had never been an edgier place to live. These people obviously realized that the only way that was going to stop was with a competent sheriff who would get to the bottom of things instead of a greasy handed, dirty politician who needed his own personal weight room.
She pushed to the back of her mind the thought that Keith’s first act as sheriff might be to arrest Logan. That could be dealt with at a later date. She brought her camera up to snap some more photos.
An aide walked to the front and handed a newspaper to the speaker. She scanned the headlines before turning quickly to the microphone.
“Sheriff Lamb, I have here in my hand a newspaper article stating that you gave evidence uncovered in the sheriff country logs that Mr. Mars failed to comply with department policy as a deputy. Is this true?”
Lamb leaned into the microphone while the rest of the room reacted in shock.
“Unfortunately, it is. While doing routine maintenance, a deputy read through his old files and brought this lack of propriety to my attention. It seems that Mr. Mars was fond of simply following home the people he found to be under the influence rather than follow procedure. As a result many of these drivers were later indicted with further violations of the law that could have been prevented.”
“Mr. Mars? Your response?”
Keith looked a little stunned.
“I’m sorry, I don’t believe I can comment at this time until I have reviewed the so called evidence Sheriff Lamb claims to have found. I have no memory of these encounters.”
Lamb’s smug smile grew as the reporter’s cameras started to flash with renewed vigor. Veronica’s own camera hung at her side as she marveled at the depths to which he would descend. He was going down for this.
***
Logan walked towards the school, whistling slightly and throwing his keys in the air. Duncan ran slightly to catch up with him. Despite their reconciliation weeks before, there hadn’t been too much time for them to talk and it was still semi uncomfortable to be around each other.
“So I was thinking. You're an emancipated minor, I'm an emancipated minor. Maybe we should get together Thursday night. Chug cough syrup, mug some old ladies...?”
Logan grinned.
“Oh, golly, I don't know. I was thinking about staying home, making a hope quilt for the lonely.”
“A little Hot Shots? Golf tourney? Order in Chinese?”
”Ah, you're on.”
Duncan nodded, relieved. They both continued walking across the parking lot only to meet up with Veronica.
“Heard about your dad, bummer,” Logan said insincerely. “So, all that righteous anger he used on me last summer; does he not use it on criminals because he’s busy saving it for his daughter’s boyfriends?”
“Just the jackass ones,” she said lightly.
“Hmm, pity that seems to be where your heart lies,” Logan returned before walking around her with exaggerated care. “See ya, DK.”
“I don’t know why you are so desperate to be friends with him again,” Veronica told Duncan. “I think that knock would have to include you too.”
“You know who he really is, Veronica. You’re not exactly a welcome wagon where he’s concerned.”
“We’ve got issues, agreed. Moving on?”
“What can I do for you since I’m assuming you’re not here to discuss the weather?”
“I need a favor. Any chance you can spot me some Kane software stationary?”
“Are you kidding?”
“No.”
Duncan looked at her incredulously and when nothing else was forthcoming, he gave up.
“Fine, I guess I’ll find out what for along with everyone else.”
“Thanks, you’re the best.”
“So they say.”
***
Veronica made her way down the hall and decided to ignore the fact that Wallace was ignoring her. She’d already tried calling him and apologizing but it didn’t look like he would be ready to talk anytime soon.
“Did you hear about Michele? She’s been totally broken up, but she seems way better now.”
Veronica tried to sidestep past two idle gossipers in the hall.
“After she got that message from Rhonda, I don’t blame her. Imagine hearing the last seconds of their lives before they went off the cliff!”
Veronica stopped cold and turned around.
“Repeat that.”
***
Veronica made her way across the lunch tables to where a blonde sat by herself.
“Do you mind if I sit here?”
Michele looked taken aback but nodded.
“I hope you don’t think I’m being nosy, but I heard you have a message from when the bus went over. Do you still have it?”
Michele picked up her phone lying on her lap and pressed some buttons before handing it over.
“Please, don't tell anyone I have this, Veronica.”
Rhonda’s voice came in loud and clear to Veronica’s ears.
“Michele, why aren't you picking up, you big loser? I can't believe you bailed on the field trip without telling me. Hey, about next weekend -"
The voice was cut off as a loud noise like an explosion burst into the message. People started to scream in the background and then there was a second burst and then nothing but static.
Veronica took several breaths to calm herself. That wasn’t exactly what she’d been expecting, but it explained a lot. She quickly forwarded the message and handed the phone back to Michele.
“Thanks, I gotta go.”
“Are you okay?”
“Fine.”
Veronica walked unsteadily, processing the information. A bomb. Someone had put a bomb on the bus.
The only way Veronica could think to calm herself down was by listening to what Lamb might be up to after she’d bugged his office. Her reasoning wasn’t sound, even to her, if you thought about how angry Lamb made her. But she needed to feel a different kind of feeling than the enormous guilt that overwhelmed her at the thought of what those people might have gone through because of her.
Lamb was infinitely boring and still as pompous when he thought he was by himself. He made phone calls and ordered Sacks around, but not much else. After an extended absence from the room to question some guys in the holding cells Lamb made a call that perked Veronica’s attention. It was to a wealthy sports player who lived in Neptune during the off season. Apparently he was in town and Lamb wanted to see him. Why?
Several hours later on the tape, the man arrived and Veronica settled in to listen carefully. The crux of the matter came down to Lamb’s announcement:
“I got a guy in a holding cell back there says you did favors for gentlemen who bet extensively on baseball. Now, I’d say that’s worth a thousand tickets, wouldn’t you? I’d much rather deal with you than the tabloids.”
Veronica sat back and shook her head ruefully. She’d always known Lamb was a jerk and dirty, but he was seriously breaking an ethical code even she wouldn’t touch. But, on the other hand, it was perfect for vindicating her father and she knew just the place for it too.
A knock on the door interrupted her and she went to answer it. Weevil stood on the other side.
“You ignoring me?” he asked.
“Should I be?”
Veronica stepped aside to let him in.
“You never told me about the Curly number.”
“Darn, knew I was forgetting something.”
She still hadn’t decided how much to tell Weevil since he might, after all, have killed Curly himself. That would mean that he also might have something to do with why Curly had her name on him.
“Listen, you don’t trust me, I get it. Just help me out, V.”
She sighed.
“The call came from a number listed under Aaron Echolls. But before you try to kill Logan again, I already talked with him and confirmed that he wasn’t the only one who could have made the call. So, just don’t do anything unless I find out something else.”
“Can’t promise anything,” Weevil said. “But I’ll be on my best behavior.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
***
Not that Weevil didn’t have every intention of doing what he’d told Veronica he would, but he still wanted answers. Growing up as he did, he only knew a few ways to get them.
“Hot date?”
Logan sighed as he saw Weevil waiting outside his car as he left to go to Duncan’s.
“I will get serious about that restraining order, you know.”
“I’m sure that attitude works with your rich 09er friends, but I don’t care.”
“You obviously care about something or you wouldn’t be here,” Logan pointed out.
“I care that the number on my cell phone came from your house.”
“Don’t you wish pesky blondes knew how to keep a secret?”
“Why would you do that? Were you trying to get me sent up for assault so the PCH cred would go down when it came time to convict you? Or did you actually crash the bus?”
“May I remind that dizzying intellect of yours that at the time of the call you were in my house? For all I know you called yourself just to give Veronica something to investigate.”
“Now why would I wanna do that?”
“Make my life hell? I don’t know. Whatever the reason, I am innocent as the pure driven snow so stop waiting for me outside my house.”
“I’ll stop waiting when you’re in prison.”
“Then you might want to install an easy chair.”
Logan started his car and drove off while Weevil stood staring after him.
***
Duncan stopped in the doorway. It felt stupid to be doing what he was doing, but he didn’t know what else to do. Lizzie had helped him arrange it and even if they weren’t happy with the fact he’d knocked up their daughter, her parents seemed glad he was sticking around.
He adjusted his tie and walked to the bed where Meg lay. Right now all their classmates were dancing at the homecoming dance. Meg couldn’t go because she was lying here in a hospital bed.
Duncan set the flowers he’d brought in a vase and smiled down at his girlfriend. Lizzie had done Meg’s hair and makeup and she was wearing a beautiful dress. For one night anyway, she wouldn’t have to be the coma girl in the hospital gown.
“Hey,” he whispered, putting a corsage on her wrist, “you look beautiful.”
You were supposed to talk to coma victims anyway, weren’t you? They were thought to be able to hear it. At least he’d read that somewhere.
Sitting down next to her, he hooked up the Ipod he’d brought and started it. Everything was perfect except for the fact that she was asleep and the locale was a long term hospital room.
“I’m glad you said yes to coming with me,” he continued. “I was nervous just like the first time I asked you to a dance. I was really happy to see you with my flowers on your wrist, even if you were wearing that awful pink dress.” He picked up her hand and kissed it. “We’re going to have a good time tonight. I have an excellent music set for us and I have no problems sitting here just looking at you.” Duncan cleared his throat. “But, first, I have to ask. Why didn’t you tell me, Meg? Why didn’t you trust me with that pretty important information? Were you worried I would be angry? Why? It’s my fault too. It doesn’t have to be bad news. Were you worried I'd walk away? That I'd blame you? That we couldn't cope? Whatever the reason, I want you to know, I’ll take care of you and the baby.”
The music continued unabated and for the rest of the night Duncan sat by Meg’s bedside as her homecoming date.
***
Logan scanned the dance floor. He had become rather popular and unpopular since the events of the summer. Girls either dug the murder rap or avoided him like the plague. Still, it looked like he was about to get lucky. A sophomore from across the room was giving him the look. He crossed to her side and leaned against the wall while preparing to be charming.
***
Veronica entered the gym and looked around for Wallace. She saw him with Jane on the dance floor, but when he spotted her, he immediately moved to the other side of the room. She sighed and went to visit Corny at the DJ booth. Then she headed towards a corner where she could wait for her big moment. To her extreme disgust she spotted Logan making out with some sophomore in her destination flight path.
“You know, I think you’re supposed to save that for the hotel room daddy’s money booked.”
Logan looked up momentarily.
“I’m sorry, are we disturbing you?”
“Only by testing my up chuck reflex.”
“Pity.” Logan shook his head. “Well, I would go to the hotel, but since she isn’t my date, I didn’t have the opportunity. Still, we could always go back to my place since no one will be there and all.”
“I thought only psycho chicks would want to go to Casa de Killer,” Veronica pondered. “I guess that doesn’t say much about your date.”
“Why don’t you go get some punch, Bonnie,” Logan said in an aside to his girl. “I’ll deal with the ex and meet you later.”
“It’s Ashley,” she said before walking away.
“Whoops. I just can’t ever seem to keep them straight. Which one are you again?”
“You’re truly sick,” Veronica snapped and started to leave.
Logan caught her arm.
“It ever occur to you I might not be so virulent if you weren’t doing it to me first?”
“Should that matter?”
“Going by the Veronica Mars rule of justice, then, yeah, it should.”
“Got me there,” Veronica admitted sarcastically.
“Look, Veronica, I offered to help you, I haven’t spilled any of your dark secrets. Hook me up with a little bit of credit.”
“Don’t spend it too fast,” she said before walking away.
When she reached the other side of the room she watched Logan go in search of Ashley and pull her out of the room. Veronica couldn't hide the hurt she felt from herself, but at least the hurt had the advantage of overshadowing the slight guilt his words had ignited in her.
“Can I get everyone’s attention?” Corny’s voice resounded through the gym. “I have a special homecoming dedication here. I’m gonna play it for y’all. It’s dedicated to our very own Sheriff Lamb.”
There were whispers of confusion that escalated as soon as the recording started. They quickly became whispers of excitement as the implications of the voices became clear. Veronica gave a small smile. Wallace may have started hating her, Weevil might have killed a man, Logan was a jerk whose truth hurt, but at least Lamb was getting his own. If he was still Sheriff tomorrow she’d eat her own shoes.
