Fic: Twist of Fate 16/? (Veronica/Weevil) (rated nc-17 overall)
TITLE: Twist of Fate 16/?
AUTHOR: 38gnihsurc
PAIRING: Duncan/Veronica, Weevil/Veronica
RATING: en.sea.xvii (NC-17) overall
WORD COUNT: 2931
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anyone. I'm just having a little fun. I'll put the characters back when I'm finished, I promise.
SPOILERS: AU; although general seasons 1 and 2 knowledge applies.
NOTES: I had a thought while I was watching old episodes and making caps: what if Veronica had been on the bus? So, much of this is going to be AU. I apologise in advance ;)
After Keith told Veronica where he believed Woody was hiding, he assured her that he would be fine, and then he kissed her cheek.
"I'll call as soon as I have him," he promised.
He flashed her a grin and then left her side to take a seat in the stands. She watched him walk away; then, she noticed Eli escorting his grandmother, Leticia, and two small children to their seats in the front. She smiled, watching his grandmother fuss over him, watching him blush slightly.
She hadn't seen him in a while---not because she was avoiding him, but because she had been busy with the trial, and then because they had their own family obligations the night before graduation.
She took her seat, and tried not to fall asleep as speeches were given, as the rows of students were called in alphabetical order.
"Wallace Fennel."
Veronica put her hands to her mouth to amplify her shout-out for her best friend. She could hear Alicia and her father clapping behind them, in the stands.
When she felt a poke in her shoulder, she turned and saw Mac grinning at her. She leaned back, since they were separated by a student, and Mac did the same.
"Guess what?" Mac whispered excitedly.
"Stacey Fields," Van Clemmons announced over the microphone.
"What?" Veronica asked.
"Beaver got us a room at the Neptune Grand for tonight."
Veronica grinned. "Ooh-la-la."
"Any advice?"
"Close your eyes and think of England?"
Mac rolled her eyes.
"Howard Grigsby."
Veronica smiled. "Just relax," she advised.
Mac flashed her another quick grin and then returned her attention to the ceremony's proceedings.
A few minutes later, their row was standing up. She met Eli's eyes and she smiled. Green wasn't exactly his colour, but she admired the way he looked in his cap and gown---not because it was a good look on him, but because of what it represented. He had graduated; his grandmother would see him walk across the stage.
"Hadley Klien."
A flash of light caught Veronica's eye. She turned and saw Sheriff Lamb and one of his deputies entering the gym and heading for Eli.
Her heart leapt into her throat.
"Phil Klemmer."
"Eli Navarro," Lamb said when he was closer. "You are under arrest in connection with the murder of Eduardo Orozco."
Veronica almost burst into tears as she saw the look on Eli's face---defeated, desperate.
"You have the right..."
"You're not going to do this... not here---"
"...to remain silent," Lamb continued, "Anything you say may be---"
"Just give me ten minutes, okay?" Eli begged, tears in his eyes.
"---used as evidence in a court of law. You have the right to an attourney. If you cannot afford one---"
Eli jumped up; Veronica almost shouted out, but she felt Mac touch her arm and she recoiled back inside herself.
"Just let me graduate!" Eli shouted.
Veronica turned and looked up at the stage. Clemmons had covered the microphone and was leaning over the podium, looking concerned. Lamb, on the other hand, didn't seem to care at all.
"---one may be appointed for you," he continued. "Do you understand these rights?"
"Please... don't do this, man," Eli begged.
"Cuff him," Lamb ordered his deputy. "Let's get him out of here."
"Todd McDade," Clemmons said, moving on with the ceremony.
It took a few minutes, but Eli finally relented and allowed himself to be handcuffed and dragged away. As he passed Veronica, she gave him a watery smile and put her hands over her heart. He ducked his eyes and nodded slightly.
"Cindy MacKenzie."
Veronica smiled again and clapped as she walked to the stage behind the guy between them.
"Scott Markham."
"Veronica Mars."
As she approached the podium, she heard her father cheer---above a loud roar of applause, with only a few boo's. The sounds stunned her; she didn't make it to the podium immediately.
When she finally did make it to the podium, Clemmons covered the microphone and leaned in towards her.
"You were expecting some other reaction?"
Veronica blushed.
He continued talking. "I can't decide if my life is going to be easier or more difficult with you gone. Anything I should know in case I get another one like you someday?"
She smirked, despite the urge to cry she felt every time she revisited the image of Eli being hauled away.
"Don't keep all your passwords taped on the bottom of your stapler."
Clemmons looked stunned. Then, he reached out and passed her two scrolls. Confused, she looked down and saw her diploma, as well as Eli's; she blinked back a few tears and looked at the man in front of her.
He smiled and tilted his head. "If you see Mr. Navarro in the next couple of days, tell him he'll be pleased to see an improvement in his grades this last semester," he said in a quiet voice.
"Stay cool, Mr. C," Veronica murmured, before moving the tassel to her cap onto the other side of the point. She saluted him and then walked away.
For the rest of the ceremony, Veronica stared down at Eli's scroll in her hands, tears in her eyes.
When she got outside, her father greeted her with a hug and a kiss. He took the scrolls out of her hands and pulled an envelope out of his jacket.
"For you on this momentous occasion," he told her.
She took the envelope and pressed her fingers along the surfaces. Then, she shook it. Then, she smelled it. After that thorough inspection, she jumped up and down excitedly.
"A pony?!"
Keith chuckled.
She opened up the envelope and pulled out two airline tickets.
"New York?!" she asked excitedly.
"We leave Tuesday," he told her.
"Broadway? Soho? The MOMA?!"
Keith shook his head and grinned. "Yankee Stadium, Shea Stadium, Madison Square Gardens---"
Veronica jumped into his arms and hugged him fiercely. "Oh thank you so much," she murmured, "this is awesome!"
When she pulled back, she slapped his arm. "Awesome. Now, go catch Woody. I get creeped out just knowing he's out there somewhere."
"I have a stop to make, and then I'll be on my way," he assured her. "You have fun tonight."
She smiled. "I'll try."
After he left, Veronica looked down at the tickets---until Dick Casablancas slapped her ass. When he came into focus, she scowled; he didn't pick up on his wrongdoing.
"Put on your dancing shoes, Mars, 'cause tonight---" he said, while starting to dance, "---we're gonna upchuck the boogie to the rhythm of the boogie the beat."
Veronica blinked. "Up... chuck?"
He pointed at her. "You heard me."
She rolled her eyes and smiled a little, before turning and heading down the stairs to her car, tugging her gown off as she walked.
She put her gown on the back seat of her car and tucked the plane tickets in the glove compartment, before she heard Alicia call out for her.
She turned and saw Wallace's mother and her father's 'lady friend' holding a piece of paper.
"Did you know about this?"
"I... I don't. What's wrong?"
"Wallace left this note for me on my windshield," the older woman explained, "and he's booked himself a flight to Paris. He's gonna try to track down Jackie."
Veronica paused. In all the excitement over the past few days, she had forgotten about Jackie planning to leave after graduation---and then leaving before the ceremony. She and Wallace hadn't talked much, either, lately---between Eli, the PCHers, prom, exams, the trial, and graduation, there hadn't been much time for her and Wallace to touch base.
She sighed. "I'll see if I can get him back," Veronica told Alicia. "I'll let you know what's up, okay?"
Alicia nodded. "Thanks, Veronica."
The blonde gave Wallace's mother a small smile, and then she hopped into her car.
&&&&
By the time she arrived at the Sheriff's Department, she had changed her clothes, tracked Jackie down, convinced her to find Wallace at the airport, and had almost figured out what her plan would be for getting Lamb to release Eli.
She parked her car and rushed to the door, Eli's diploma in her hand; at the door, she reached out to pull it open and almost fell over as someone pushed it open from the other side.
"Veronica, careful," her father said with a pleasant smile on his face.
"Dad? What're you..."
"I'm off to Texas. See you later, honey," he said dismissively.
She shook her head and slowly made her way into the county building.
"Are you here to see Weevil?" Deputy Sacks asked when she stopped at the front desk.
Veronica blinked. "Uh... yeah," she said quietly.
The phone rang and Sacks politely excused himself to answer it. Veronica tapped her fingers over the counter; she couldn't help but eavesdrop when Sacks put the call on hold.
"Sheriff?" he called out.
"Yeah?" Lamb hollered from his office.
"An anonymous tip just came in about Orozco's murder," Sacks announced.
Lamb immediately came out of his office, evil glint in his eye. "What? Someone saw Navarro dumping his body?"
"Not quite," Sacks replied. "Turns out he was dragged into the old stadium before it was destroyed."
Veronica smiled and cleared her throat, before speaking up. "Weevil was at the ceremony. He stood next to my dad. I'll bet one of the news crews caught him there in the crowd."
"So he was there, checking to see his handy work was done."
"Remember how Thumper was working for the Fitzpatricks?" Veronica shot back. "You know at least one of them works for that demolition crew? Do you see any connection there, or do I have to spell it out for you?"
"We have witnesses, Miss Mars," Lamb reminded her, putting his hands on his belt.
"Witnesses of what? A fist fight in a neighbourhood far from the stadium? Sounds like you got 'im."
Sacks picked the phone back up and put it to his head. "Sir? If you don't mind repeating what you told me to the Sheriff... yes, please. Thank you. Hold one moment."
Veronica sighed and started to pace as the sheriff's case was deflated. She wondered who was giving the tip, who was helping Eli stay out of jail; she made a quick note of the time, and decided she'd check some phone records of possible suspects when she returned home.
Lamb slammed the phone down and growled. "Damn," he muttered.
"Your case lookin' like swiss cheese, sheriff?" Veronica asked coyly.
"We'll find something else to bring your friend in on, I'm sure," he shot back, sneering a little.
"Well, for now, how about you go back there and let him out," she said with a mockingly-sweet smile.
She knew that if looks could kill, Lamb's glare would have most certainly done some damage. She smiled as sweetly as she could and shrugged, before gesturing towards the back of the office.
Twenty minutes later, Eli was walking towards her.
"How'd you do that?"
She shrugged and hugged him. "Didn't," she murmured.
"Still picking winners, I see, Veronica," Lamb commented from behind them.
Veronica smirked over Eli's shoulder at him. "Like I said before, Lamb-ikins," she drawled, "the second I start picking losers, I'll be all over you."
Eli chuckled. "C'mon, V... let's get out of here," he said quietly.
She smiled and nodded, turning to leave the office with Eli at her side. She waved to Lamb and then blew him a kiss, before rounding the corner with Eli.
Once they were outside, she grinned and hugged him again. She kissed him once, and then pulled back to show him the scroll of paper she had obtained for him.
"Here," she said quietly, "I know it's not the same, but I managed to get it from Clemmons. He told me your grades went up this semester... go home, show your grandmother."
"V..."
"I'm really proud of you for graduating," she murmured.
"Can I kiss you again?"
"What?" she murmured teasingly. "A couple of hours behind bars and you get horny for some lovin' with your girl?"
"I look at you and I get horny," he growled.
Veronica smiled and kissed him.
"Honestly," Logan said in an exasperated tone of voice from behind them. "All I see you two do is make out."
Veronica gasped and turned around. "Logan?"
He smirked and held up a disposable cell phone. "Let's just call me 'Anonymous Tipster number five,'" he told the couple.
Veronica blinked and looked at Eli. "You told him?" Before Eli answered, she turned back to Logan. "And you bailed him out?" She rolled her eyes. "What is this? Bizarro-Neptune?"
Logan shrugged. "Not so much. Call it a rare moment, passing back the 'get out of jail, free' card," he replied, "or a return of a favour, if you will."
Veronica smiled and walked over to him. She kissed his cheek. "Thank you," she whispered.
He blushed.
Veronica smiled more and then returned to Eli's side as Logan tossed the phone into a nearby trash can. She looked at her boyfriend. "Go see your grandmother, okay?" she murmured.
"Yeah," Eli agreed.
"Take my car," she insisted. "I have one errand to run... but Logan can probably take me, right?"
"Your chariot awaits," Logan said with a humourous flourish.
"And call me later," Veronica told Eli. "We'll go out and celebrate or something."
Logan spoke up. "Huge bash at the Neptune Grand. You should both be there. Celebrate the moments of our lives."
"Assault?" Veronica inquired. "Espionage? More assault?"
"Oh, the good times," Logan mused.
&&&&
"We're going where?" Logan asked as he drove his SUV. "If you want a burger, let's just get one back at the hotel---"
"I need to check a photograph," she interrupted.
Her phone rang. She reached into her purse and grabbed it. Upon seeing her father's name on the display, she smiled and answered it.
"You caught him?"
"Loading him onto his own plane as we speak," Keith told her, "and as soon as the pilot gets here, we'll be homeward bound."
Veronica beamed. "Did he confess to the crash? Because with those two on the bus---"
"Unfortunately, he insists that he didn't do it," Keith interrupted gently, "so we're gonna need a lot more evidence to nail him." He paused and then asked, "Did you find out if there was another speaker on the audio file, or if it was just dead air?"
Veronica sighed. "It's definitely a third speaker," she told him. "The way the other two speak... there had to be someone prompting them. Anyway... I've got everyone on the team identified except one guy. I think I know where to find him, though."
Keith spoke next. "Pilot just got here. I'll be in late, so don't wait up. See you in the morning, honey."
"Love you, dad."
"Love you, too, kiddo."
When she put the phone back in her purse, Logan looked over at her. "Woody's caught?"
"On his way back," Veronica confirmed.
"So who are you looking for and in what picture?" he asked as he continued to drive towards the restaurant.
Veronica turned and looked at him. "I need to see a picture of the little league team, the Sharks, from when Marcos Oliveres and Peter Ferrer played on the team. I'm trying to identify the third speaker on the tape... and I've cleared almost everyone---"
"Did you talk to Beaver?"
Veronica blinked. "What?"
"Did you talk to Beaver?" Logan repeated, word for word. "He played little league with them. For the Sharks."
Veronica closed her eyes as her world started to spin unsteadily. "Pull over," she croaked.
"What?"
"Pull over!" she shrieked.
Logan hadn't stopped the car for more than two seconds, before Veronica opened the door and threw up all over the curb and sidewalk.
"Veronica... what's going on?" Logan asked quietly.
She shook her head and started to cry.
"Veronica... talk to me."
She sniffled and looked up at Logan. "Cassidy is the third voice on the phone," she whispered. "Cassidy gave me an STD. He got it from Woody."
Logan's face fell. "Shelly... Pomroy's party," he mumbled.
"Yeah," she agreed quietly. "I'm betting Marcos and Peter were going to tell someone, go public... and Beaver didn't want them to. He... he was in the limo behind us... easy to call..." she trailed off. As she realised where he was at that moment, her eyes widened. "Oh, god. Mac. I have to get Mac away from him. She doesn't know---"
She stopped and grabbed her phone. As she dialed, Logan asked, "Are you okay now? Can I keep driving?"
Veronica closed the door and nodded. "Yeah... sorry about that."
He smiled a bit. "I'm just glad it wasn't splashed all over the interior. Just had it detailed a couple of days ago."
Veronica punched his upper arm playfully and then dialed Mac's cellular phone number.
"Pick up, pick up, pick up," she mumbled as it rang in her ear.
"It's Mac," her voice mail said cheerfully, making a mockery of the entire situation unfolding around Veronica and her friends, "leave a message."
"Mac," Veronica said hurriedly, "it's Veronica. You have to get away from Beaver. Do whatever you have to do, but get away from him. He's dangerous. Call me when you hear this."
She ended the call and quickly called Eli, filling him in on enough so he knew something serious was about to happen at the Neptune Grand.
"I'll be there soon, V," he promised.
"Thanks," she whispered, before ending the call.
TBC...
AUTHOR: 38gnihsurc
PAIRING: Duncan/Veronica, Weevil/Veronica
RATING: en.sea.xvii (NC-17) overall
WORD COUNT: 2931
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anyone. I'm just having a little fun. I'll put the characters back when I'm finished, I promise.
SPOILERS: AU; although general seasons 1 and 2 knowledge applies.
NOTES: I had a thought while I was watching old episodes and making caps: what if Veronica had been on the bus? So, much of this is going to be AU. I apologise in advance ;)
After Keith told Veronica where he believed Woody was hiding, he assured her that he would be fine, and then he kissed her cheek.
"I'll call as soon as I have him," he promised.
He flashed her a grin and then left her side to take a seat in the stands. She watched him walk away; then, she noticed Eli escorting his grandmother, Leticia, and two small children to their seats in the front. She smiled, watching his grandmother fuss over him, watching him blush slightly.
She hadn't seen him in a while---not because she was avoiding him, but because she had been busy with the trial, and then because they had their own family obligations the night before graduation.
She took her seat, and tried not to fall asleep as speeches were given, as the rows of students were called in alphabetical order.
"Wallace Fennel."
Veronica put her hands to her mouth to amplify her shout-out for her best friend. She could hear Alicia and her father clapping behind them, in the stands.
When she felt a poke in her shoulder, she turned and saw Mac grinning at her. She leaned back, since they were separated by a student, and Mac did the same.
"Guess what?" Mac whispered excitedly.
"Stacey Fields," Van Clemmons announced over the microphone.
"What?" Veronica asked.
"Beaver got us a room at the Neptune Grand for tonight."
Veronica grinned. "Ooh-la-la."
"Any advice?"
"Close your eyes and think of England?"
Mac rolled her eyes.
"Howard Grigsby."
Veronica smiled. "Just relax," she advised.
Mac flashed her another quick grin and then returned her attention to the ceremony's proceedings.
A few minutes later, their row was standing up. She met Eli's eyes and she smiled. Green wasn't exactly his colour, but she admired the way he looked in his cap and gown---not because it was a good look on him, but because of what it represented. He had graduated; his grandmother would see him walk across the stage.
"Hadley Klien."
A flash of light caught Veronica's eye. She turned and saw Sheriff Lamb and one of his deputies entering the gym and heading for Eli.
Her heart leapt into her throat.
"Phil Klemmer."
"Eli Navarro," Lamb said when he was closer. "You are under arrest in connection with the murder of Eduardo Orozco."
Veronica almost burst into tears as she saw the look on Eli's face---defeated, desperate.
"You have the right..."
"You're not going to do this... not here---"
"...to remain silent," Lamb continued, "Anything you say may be---"
"Just give me ten minutes, okay?" Eli begged, tears in his eyes.
"---used as evidence in a court of law. You have the right to an attourney. If you cannot afford one---"
Eli jumped up; Veronica almost shouted out, but she felt Mac touch her arm and she recoiled back inside herself.
"Just let me graduate!" Eli shouted.
Veronica turned and looked up at the stage. Clemmons had covered the microphone and was leaning over the podium, looking concerned. Lamb, on the other hand, didn't seem to care at all.
"---one may be appointed for you," he continued. "Do you understand these rights?"
"Please... don't do this, man," Eli begged.
"Cuff him," Lamb ordered his deputy. "Let's get him out of here."
"Todd McDade," Clemmons said, moving on with the ceremony.
It took a few minutes, but Eli finally relented and allowed himself to be handcuffed and dragged away. As he passed Veronica, she gave him a watery smile and put her hands over her heart. He ducked his eyes and nodded slightly.
"Cindy MacKenzie."
Veronica smiled again and clapped as she walked to the stage behind the guy between them.
"Scott Markham."
"Veronica Mars."
As she approached the podium, she heard her father cheer---above a loud roar of applause, with only a few boo's. The sounds stunned her; she didn't make it to the podium immediately.
When she finally did make it to the podium, Clemmons covered the microphone and leaned in towards her.
"You were expecting some other reaction?"
Veronica blushed.
He continued talking. "I can't decide if my life is going to be easier or more difficult with you gone. Anything I should know in case I get another one like you someday?"
She smirked, despite the urge to cry she felt every time she revisited the image of Eli being hauled away.
"Don't keep all your passwords taped on the bottom of your stapler."
Clemmons looked stunned. Then, he reached out and passed her two scrolls. Confused, she looked down and saw her diploma, as well as Eli's; she blinked back a few tears and looked at the man in front of her.
He smiled and tilted his head. "If you see Mr. Navarro in the next couple of days, tell him he'll be pleased to see an improvement in his grades this last semester," he said in a quiet voice.
"Stay cool, Mr. C," Veronica murmured, before moving the tassel to her cap onto the other side of the point. She saluted him and then walked away.
For the rest of the ceremony, Veronica stared down at Eli's scroll in her hands, tears in her eyes.
When she got outside, her father greeted her with a hug and a kiss. He took the scrolls out of her hands and pulled an envelope out of his jacket.
"For you on this momentous occasion," he told her.
She took the envelope and pressed her fingers along the surfaces. Then, she shook it. Then, she smelled it. After that thorough inspection, she jumped up and down excitedly.
"A pony?!"
Keith chuckled.
She opened up the envelope and pulled out two airline tickets.
"New York?!" she asked excitedly.
"We leave Tuesday," he told her.
"Broadway? Soho? The MOMA?!"
Keith shook his head and grinned. "Yankee Stadium, Shea Stadium, Madison Square Gardens---"
Veronica jumped into his arms and hugged him fiercely. "Oh thank you so much," she murmured, "this is awesome!"
When she pulled back, she slapped his arm. "Awesome. Now, go catch Woody. I get creeped out just knowing he's out there somewhere."
"I have a stop to make, and then I'll be on my way," he assured her. "You have fun tonight."
She smiled. "I'll try."
After he left, Veronica looked down at the tickets---until Dick Casablancas slapped her ass. When he came into focus, she scowled; he didn't pick up on his wrongdoing.
"Put on your dancing shoes, Mars, 'cause tonight---" he said, while starting to dance, "---we're gonna upchuck the boogie to the rhythm of the boogie the beat."
Veronica blinked. "Up... chuck?"
He pointed at her. "You heard me."
She rolled her eyes and smiled a little, before turning and heading down the stairs to her car, tugging her gown off as she walked.
She put her gown on the back seat of her car and tucked the plane tickets in the glove compartment, before she heard Alicia call out for her.
She turned and saw Wallace's mother and her father's 'lady friend' holding a piece of paper.
"Did you know about this?"
"I... I don't. What's wrong?"
"Wallace left this note for me on my windshield," the older woman explained, "and he's booked himself a flight to Paris. He's gonna try to track down Jackie."
Veronica paused. In all the excitement over the past few days, she had forgotten about Jackie planning to leave after graduation---and then leaving before the ceremony. She and Wallace hadn't talked much, either, lately---between Eli, the PCHers, prom, exams, the trial, and graduation, there hadn't been much time for her and Wallace to touch base.
She sighed. "I'll see if I can get him back," Veronica told Alicia. "I'll let you know what's up, okay?"
Alicia nodded. "Thanks, Veronica."
The blonde gave Wallace's mother a small smile, and then she hopped into her car.
&&&&
By the time she arrived at the Sheriff's Department, she had changed her clothes, tracked Jackie down, convinced her to find Wallace at the airport, and had almost figured out what her plan would be for getting Lamb to release Eli.
She parked her car and rushed to the door, Eli's diploma in her hand; at the door, she reached out to pull it open and almost fell over as someone pushed it open from the other side.
"Veronica, careful," her father said with a pleasant smile on his face.
"Dad? What're you..."
"I'm off to Texas. See you later, honey," he said dismissively.
She shook her head and slowly made her way into the county building.
"Are you here to see Weevil?" Deputy Sacks asked when she stopped at the front desk.
Veronica blinked. "Uh... yeah," she said quietly.
The phone rang and Sacks politely excused himself to answer it. Veronica tapped her fingers over the counter; she couldn't help but eavesdrop when Sacks put the call on hold.
"Sheriff?" he called out.
"Yeah?" Lamb hollered from his office.
"An anonymous tip just came in about Orozco's murder," Sacks announced.
Lamb immediately came out of his office, evil glint in his eye. "What? Someone saw Navarro dumping his body?"
"Not quite," Sacks replied. "Turns out he was dragged into the old stadium before it was destroyed."
Veronica smiled and cleared her throat, before speaking up. "Weevil was at the ceremony. He stood next to my dad. I'll bet one of the news crews caught him there in the crowd."
"So he was there, checking to see his handy work was done."
"Remember how Thumper was working for the Fitzpatricks?" Veronica shot back. "You know at least one of them works for that demolition crew? Do you see any connection there, or do I have to spell it out for you?"
"We have witnesses, Miss Mars," Lamb reminded her, putting his hands on his belt.
"Witnesses of what? A fist fight in a neighbourhood far from the stadium? Sounds like you got 'im."
Sacks picked the phone back up and put it to his head. "Sir? If you don't mind repeating what you told me to the Sheriff... yes, please. Thank you. Hold one moment."
Veronica sighed and started to pace as the sheriff's case was deflated. She wondered who was giving the tip, who was helping Eli stay out of jail; she made a quick note of the time, and decided she'd check some phone records of possible suspects when she returned home.
Lamb slammed the phone down and growled. "Damn," he muttered.
"Your case lookin' like swiss cheese, sheriff?" Veronica asked coyly.
"We'll find something else to bring your friend in on, I'm sure," he shot back, sneering a little.
"Well, for now, how about you go back there and let him out," she said with a mockingly-sweet smile.
She knew that if looks could kill, Lamb's glare would have most certainly done some damage. She smiled as sweetly as she could and shrugged, before gesturing towards the back of the office.
Twenty minutes later, Eli was walking towards her.
"How'd you do that?"
She shrugged and hugged him. "Didn't," she murmured.
"Still picking winners, I see, Veronica," Lamb commented from behind them.
Veronica smirked over Eli's shoulder at him. "Like I said before, Lamb-ikins," she drawled, "the second I start picking losers, I'll be all over you."
Eli chuckled. "C'mon, V... let's get out of here," he said quietly.
She smiled and nodded, turning to leave the office with Eli at her side. She waved to Lamb and then blew him a kiss, before rounding the corner with Eli.
Once they were outside, she grinned and hugged him again. She kissed him once, and then pulled back to show him the scroll of paper she had obtained for him.
"Here," she said quietly, "I know it's not the same, but I managed to get it from Clemmons. He told me your grades went up this semester... go home, show your grandmother."
"V..."
"I'm really proud of you for graduating," she murmured.
"Can I kiss you again?"
"What?" she murmured teasingly. "A couple of hours behind bars and you get horny for some lovin' with your girl?"
"I look at you and I get horny," he growled.
Veronica smiled and kissed him.
"Honestly," Logan said in an exasperated tone of voice from behind them. "All I see you two do is make out."
Veronica gasped and turned around. "Logan?"
He smirked and held up a disposable cell phone. "Let's just call me 'Anonymous Tipster number five,'" he told the couple.
Veronica blinked and looked at Eli. "You told him?" Before Eli answered, she turned back to Logan. "And you bailed him out?" She rolled her eyes. "What is this? Bizarro-Neptune?"
Logan shrugged. "Not so much. Call it a rare moment, passing back the 'get out of jail, free' card," he replied, "or a return of a favour, if you will."
Veronica smiled and walked over to him. She kissed his cheek. "Thank you," she whispered.
He blushed.
Veronica smiled more and then returned to Eli's side as Logan tossed the phone into a nearby trash can. She looked at her boyfriend. "Go see your grandmother, okay?" she murmured.
"Yeah," Eli agreed.
"Take my car," she insisted. "I have one errand to run... but Logan can probably take me, right?"
"Your chariot awaits," Logan said with a humourous flourish.
"And call me later," Veronica told Eli. "We'll go out and celebrate or something."
Logan spoke up. "Huge bash at the Neptune Grand. You should both be there. Celebrate the moments of our lives."
"Assault?" Veronica inquired. "Espionage? More assault?"
"Oh, the good times," Logan mused.
&&&&
"We're going where?" Logan asked as he drove his SUV. "If you want a burger, let's just get one back at the hotel---"
"I need to check a photograph," she interrupted.
Her phone rang. She reached into her purse and grabbed it. Upon seeing her father's name on the display, she smiled and answered it.
"You caught him?"
"Loading him onto his own plane as we speak," Keith told her, "and as soon as the pilot gets here, we'll be homeward bound."
Veronica beamed. "Did he confess to the crash? Because with those two on the bus---"
"Unfortunately, he insists that he didn't do it," Keith interrupted gently, "so we're gonna need a lot more evidence to nail him." He paused and then asked, "Did you find out if there was another speaker on the audio file, or if it was just dead air?"
Veronica sighed. "It's definitely a third speaker," she told him. "The way the other two speak... there had to be someone prompting them. Anyway... I've got everyone on the team identified except one guy. I think I know where to find him, though."
Keith spoke next. "Pilot just got here. I'll be in late, so don't wait up. See you in the morning, honey."
"Love you, dad."
"Love you, too, kiddo."
When she put the phone back in her purse, Logan looked over at her. "Woody's caught?"
"On his way back," Veronica confirmed.
"So who are you looking for and in what picture?" he asked as he continued to drive towards the restaurant.
Veronica turned and looked at him. "I need to see a picture of the little league team, the Sharks, from when Marcos Oliveres and Peter Ferrer played on the team. I'm trying to identify the third speaker on the tape... and I've cleared almost everyone---"
"Did you talk to Beaver?"
Veronica blinked. "What?"
"Did you talk to Beaver?" Logan repeated, word for word. "He played little league with them. For the Sharks."
Veronica closed her eyes as her world started to spin unsteadily. "Pull over," she croaked.
"What?"
"Pull over!" she shrieked.
Logan hadn't stopped the car for more than two seconds, before Veronica opened the door and threw up all over the curb and sidewalk.
"Veronica... what's going on?" Logan asked quietly.
She shook her head and started to cry.
"Veronica... talk to me."
She sniffled and looked up at Logan. "Cassidy is the third voice on the phone," she whispered. "Cassidy gave me an STD. He got it from Woody."
Logan's face fell. "Shelly... Pomroy's party," he mumbled.
"Yeah," she agreed quietly. "I'm betting Marcos and Peter were going to tell someone, go public... and Beaver didn't want them to. He... he was in the limo behind us... easy to call..." she trailed off. As she realised where he was at that moment, her eyes widened. "Oh, god. Mac. I have to get Mac away from him. She doesn't know---"
She stopped and grabbed her phone. As she dialed, Logan asked, "Are you okay now? Can I keep driving?"
Veronica closed the door and nodded. "Yeah... sorry about that."
He smiled a bit. "I'm just glad it wasn't splashed all over the interior. Just had it detailed a couple of days ago."
Veronica punched his upper arm playfully and then dialed Mac's cellular phone number.
"Pick up, pick up, pick up," she mumbled as it rang in her ear.
"It's Mac," her voice mail said cheerfully, making a mockery of the entire situation unfolding around Veronica and her friends, "leave a message."
"Mac," Veronica said hurriedly, "it's Veronica. You have to get away from Beaver. Do whatever you have to do, but get away from him. He's dangerous. Call me when you hear this."
She ended the call and quickly called Eli, filling him in on enough so he knew something serious was about to happen at the Neptune Grand.
"I'll be there soon, V," he promised.
"Thanks," she whispered, before ending the call.
TBC...