Well, this can't be good (Keith, Veronica, Logan) 3/?
Title: Well, this can't be good (WIP) 3/?
Author: Kristen
Pairing/Character: Keith, Veronica, Logan, Vinnie (mentions of ensemble)
Word Count: 3115
Rating: PG
Summary: I know you so well, Veronica Mars.
Spoilers: Futurefic, know the whole series
Warnings: Mild language
Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of Veronica Mars. No copyright infringement is intended.
There is one line that was more me wishing Logan would have said this on the show. I apologize for the transference. Anyway, thanks to
peznarski for the beta, all mistakes are mine.
Part One, Two
“Maybe we can try…” Veronica said.
“Try?”
“…being friends.”
Keith looked away quickly. The Hearst cafeteria was the last place he wanted to be, and things were about to get even more uncomfortable. Updating Logan on a potential break in the case wasn’t supposed to mean walking in on an intimate conversation involving his own daughter.
It was tough to pinpoint, but there was something really wrong with everything he had encountered thus far. Veronica had done an extensive check of the Leary finances. No secret ransoms expended or otherwise exorbitant cash withdrawals.
Candice’s plane ticket and subsequent travel splurges all checked out. In fact, just two days ago a periodic check revealed Candice had dropped over a grand at a sunglass tiki hut. Despite even that, the contents in his jacket pocket kept his frown in place.
He hung back from the two, relieved that they hadn’t noticed him.
“Before you made happy with Piz’s face, before Parker, before Lilly,” she said.
“Do you even remember that far back?”
Veronica smiled at Logan. Her eyes clouded with the memories of her old life. It was as if she was just beginning to remember there was an actual time where things were much simpler. Keith found his own thoughts drifting to those moments.
Lamb was still a deputy, eagerly vying for Keith’s attention, wanting to soak up all he could of how to be a good officer, a good man.
Lianne welcomed him every night, promptly at six, with a home-cooked meal and a smile of adoration.
Keith could walk through the streets of Neptune knowing he had the respect of his colleagues and the love of his community.
“Some days better than others,” she said.
Logan only mustered a wan smile. His reaction caused Veronica’s smile to drop and return back to their conversation. Keith could have intervened right then. It wasn’t Logan’s fault for bringing her back to reality, but by doing so Keith felt pulled back as well. Even if it was a façade, why couldn’t they both just pretend for a little bit longer?
“We’re not so good ‘friends’,” Logan said.
Veronica’s face turned playful. In fact, she almost looked relieved that he hadn’t acceded so quickly. Logan mimicked her expression.
Keith struggled not to roll his eyes. The kid thought he was so smooth. Keith’s strategy of shuffling his weight from one foot to another wasn’t helping stave off his restlessness. ‘Dropping in’ was looking better and better.
“Better ‘friends’ than nothing at all,” she said.
Keith pulled tightly-wound fists into his jacket pockets. It was a technique he would use during stake-outs when the need for rash saving-of-damsels crowded in on his common sense. Veronica would only be mortified if he swooped in, but he couldn’t stand to hear the vulnerability in her voice.
At least Logan had the decency to look chastened. Any hint of cocky bastard and the decision would be made for him, common sense or no.
“Okay,” Logan said. “But I want ground rules.”
Veronica scoffed in time with Keith. After a stern look from Logan, she sobered slightly, still reluctant but willing to hear him out.
“I’m not the bad guy,” he said. “So I don’t want you treating me like I am and I don’t want you avoiding me ‘cause I’ve somehow landed on your list of suspects.”
“Logan--,” she said.
“--and if you’re gonna do background checks on the girls I choose to date, give me a heads up,” he said.
“But you ask--,” she said.
“--you know you lo-jacked Candice way before she went missing.”
Keith’s face softened. He would never admit it, but a small smile wrinkled the corners of his mouth. His stay was long past due. Communicating that to the rest of his faculties had been difficult up until then, but they were slowly coming around.
He turned on his heel and walked towards the double doors.
“I know you so well, Veronica Mars.”
There it was, the cocky Echolls bravado. The only thing that surprised Keith was how long it took Logan to get there. Take away his monetary resources and exclusive privilege and he was still that punk kid from high school hanging around Veronica like he had a stake in her.
Keith sat down on a stiff cafeteria chair a ways off from them both. The hard backing prevented him from becoming completely comfortable, but he preferred it that way. This was no time for relaxing.
His hands sought refuge as they clasped together. He was going for calm, but the tight set of his jaw made the rest of his frame look strained. Once they stood to leave, either Veronica or Logan would be able to see him. The idea eased his mind, loosening the rise in his shoulders.
He wasn’t some random eavesdropper skulking around in the shadows. From the moment he held the runty seven pound eleven ounce blonde in his arms, he knew he would be protecting her against harm for as long as he was able. And Veronica was like catnip for bad guys, whether she sought them out or not. With all that Logan had done for Veronica, good or bad, Keith couldn’t make up his mind where Logan fell on the hero/villain scale.
But he had promised to help the kid. Keith reviewed that statement over and over like a mantra.
I promised Veronica. I promised Veron--
“Do you wanna hug on it or something? Friends hug,” Veronica said.
“Not the way we do it,” Logan said.
“Shake?”
Keith held in his groan as the two shook hands. If their matching grins were testament, it looked like they wished they had gone for the hug. After a moment longer than Keith felt was necessary, the two broke hands.
“Bye, friend,” Logan said.
Veronica was the first to depart. Her smile faltered as soon as her eyes met Keith’s. She recovered quickly, straightening her shoulders and walking towards him.
“I thought I told you to meet at the carpool lane and do the honk and wave,” Veronica said.
“You did,” Keith said. “But I’ve been an extra cool dad these past couple of weeks. Showing up at your school unannounced balances things out.”
She looked like she was about to quip back, but the weight of Keith’s words silenced her reply. Keith frowned. He hadn’t meant the conversation to turn somber so quickly.
“You have news,” she said.
Keith nodded and retrieved a manila envelope from his coat pocket. He hadn’t intended to share any of the case details with Veronica, but figured she’d find out sooner or later. It was really the Mars family way. Even though she’d said she’d keep her distance, normal college sophomore wasn’t really Veronica.
She had dropped a few of her criminology classes that first week, but still kept office hours at Mars Investigations. He hadn’t asked what classes replaced the old ones, and she didn’t offer. There was an unspoken shame in the air, like an unacknowledged failure would make it less real.
“Is this news going to make me happy I went with today’s ice-cream-for-lunch option?” she said.
Keith pulled back the brass brads and slipped the contents from the sheath. He looked up at her with wistful fondness.
“All I ever wanted for you was proper nutrition,” he said.
“Mr. Mars?”
An internal sigh withdrew at the sight of Logan. Keith couldn’t help it. He had spoken with Logan on three separate occasions during the past two weeks, all cordial, all brief. Yet there was still a pause required to brace himself before any Logan interaction. The kid was trying. He knew that. He also knew it was probably more for Veronica’s sake than his own. Veronica and Logan’s overheard conversation wasn’t helping.
“Logan.”
It was mean to let the air hang amid sidelong glances between Veronica and Logan, but Keith didn’t care. He was in no rush to make things easier for either of them.
“Dad,” Veronica said. “You stretch out that pause any longer, and I’m going to start to think you’re enjoying this.”
“Nothing gets past you, sweetheart,” Keith said.
“Did you find something?” Logan said.
Keith flipped over the glossy photos. Looking down at his handiwork was preferable to registering Logan’s reaction. This was his least favorite part.
“A couple of somethings,” Keith said as he fanned the pictures like a ViewMaster reel.
Logan scrutinized each photo as if looking up close would somehow alter the images. Keith’s hope was that Logan’s frame would obstruct Veronica’s view in some way, shielding her from another shining example of people letting you down.
He should have known it wouldn’t help. Veronica could smell infidelity, visual assistance or no.
After a few dead ends, a contact from the hospital came through. Ten minutes before visiting hours ended a leggy redhead would be seen visiting the private suite of one Grandma Leary. These visits were always brief, but for the past three nights, the redhead would come like clockwork.
Hoping something would come of it, Keith tailed the redhead one of the nights to find that, not only was Little Miss Incognito none other than Candice Leary herself, but she was also cavorting with Uncle Alfie a bit too familiarly than common decency dictated.
Keith had stopped tracking the play-by-play before they reached the main event, but the wounded look in Logan’s eyes told Keith that what little he had seen had done enough. Part of him felt sorry for the kid. If it wasn’t stolen video and tape degaussers, it was philandering girlfriends with shady lawyers.
“I still don’t know why they would want to make people think she was out of the country, but I can do some more digging,” Keith said.
Logan nodded, as if Keith’s words were not the healing balm he was hoping to find. “What about the roommate? Did you ever find her?”
Keith shook his head. Veronica had talked to the college roommate as follow-up per Alfie’s suggestion, but the school registry showed Candice had dropped out way before she had been assigned anyone.
Everything about this case felt odd. If it weren’t for Veronica’s personal connection, Keith might’ve cut his losses right then and told Logan to do the same. Candice was apparently a lying cheat, but at least she wasn’t missing.
“I’m going to have to bail, guys,” Veronica said. “My next class is in Sterling Hall. If I don’t leave now I’ll be late.”
“You know they stop giving perfect attendance awards when you graduate high school,” Logan said.
He sobered quickly at the double-shot of glower coming from both Veronica and Keith.
“Try to play nice while I’m gone,” she said, looking more towards Keith’s direction than to Logan’s. “And if the apocalypse comes, beep me.”
Keith and Logan gazed at Veronica with a dual longing that she would stay. The whip of her ponytail bounced in time with her power walk. Knowing Veronica, a part of her was probably enjoying the forced company she was leaving behind.
“I should get going as well,” Keith said. “And don’t you have a class you should be attending?”
Logan barely moved his head, concentrating instead on the line of people waiting to stuff their mouths with the Chili’s daily special. Keith let the silence draw out a little longer before motioning his intent to leave.
“Why do you think she did it?”
Keith fell back into his chair, hesitant to come up with a viable excuse for Candice’s behavior. He had seen so much in the fields of law enforcement and private investigation to ever truly be surprised when the people you thought you knew weren’t who they seemed. Hell, he had seen too much in his personal life.
“Why do you?” Keith said.
Logan shrugged. It was obvious that his go-to method of coping had little to do with waxing philosophic about the motives of the reprehensible. Logan looked more like a drowning-your-sorrows kind of a guy. Keith wondered if the truce with Veronica played a part in Logan’s demeanor.
“We only dated for a couple of months,” Logan said.
“And in that time you weren’t able to acquire any personal details into your girlfriend’s psyche?”
“She wasn’t my girlfriend,” Logan said. “We were seeing each other, but it was casual.”
“Casual enough for you to enlist Veronica’s help when it seemed pretty obvious Candice had just left?” Keith said.
For the first time since Logan sat down, he looked at Keith in appraisal. The cold determination in his stare could have rattled even the most seasoned of tough guys, but Keith had much tougher skin.
“I didn’t ask Veronica for help to get back into her good graces,” Logan said.
“I’m glad,” Keith said. “I’d hate to think that considering what she’s going through right now, you would take advantage of her affection for you.”
Logan frowned in confusion for only a second before slipping back on his poker face. “Why don’t I believe you’re glad?”
It was Keith’s turn to shrug. He craned his head to the side, noting students taking their leave. The conversation was souring fast. Hearst cafeteria hardly felt appropriate for the airing of long-time grievances.
Logan leaned into his chair with languid casualness. If Keith hadn’t been paying extra close attention, he might have been fooled. The eyes gave Logan away. He was surely spoiling for a fight.
“Like I said, I should get going.”
“Keith,” Logan said, rising from his chair. “Mr. Mars.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Logan.”
“I don’t need you to like me,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for your help, but I’m not a miracle worker.”
Keith took a moment to assess the situation. Logan’s frankness was laced with a confidence Keith had never encountered from him before. There was no ostentation, no show of insincerity. By all accounts, it appeared Logan had shed a part of that shiny veneer that made Keith so uncomfortable in the past. It was a trait that the great Aaron Echolls had in spades, the candy-coated covering of a seedy underbelly.
“Go to class,” Keith said. “I’ll call you with news.”
Logan nodded as he made his exit. Keith might’ve even imagined hopefulness in the corners of Logan’s eyes. Then again, maybe it was relief.
Keith hung his head low, trying to steady his breathing. Being alone allowed him a moment to show how much energy this was costing him. The pungent smell of waning cafeteria food freshness made his eyes water. He swiped at them hastily with the sleeve of his arm.
“Former interim sheriff, Keith Mars.”
“Private dick, Vinnie Van Lowe.”
It was a weak comeback and they both knew it. Evolved maturity wasn’t going to be on the docket today.
Keith kept his attention steady. If Vinnie wanted literal face time with him, he would have to work a little harder. Screw whatever reason brought him there in the first place.
As if reading his mind, Vinnie weaved in front of Keith and spun around. A sputter of oil hit the side of Keith’s cheek in the process. Vinnie’s hair was slicked back with so much of it there were puddles dripping onto the back collar of his shirt. The evolution from ethically stagnant shamus with a Don Johnson fixation to Erik Estrada didn’t make this any easier.
“I got some news on the case you’ve been working on.”
Vinnie flicked imaginary lint from the shoulder of his uniform. He leaned back, grinning wide and jutting out his stomach, gripping the sides of his utility belt. Keith almost wished Vinnie had just come to scope out college co-eds and ride campus golf carts.
“So tell me the truth,” he said.
Keith held his stoic expression with growing impatience. Vinnie then edged closer, dipping his head towards Keith’s conspiratorially.
“Does the uniform make me look fat?”
Any response felt like acquiescence so Keith sidestepped past Vinnie in pursuit of getting away. Wardrobe choices and hair product aside, the only thing that had surprised Keith in this whole living nightmare was Vinnie’s commitment to the position as sheriff.
Though it was poor taste to bad-mouth the dead, Vinnie was a vast improvement to Don Lamb. Neptune was still a breeding ground for nefarious acts, but by all accounts Vinnie wasn’t leading the parade float of the morally corrupt. Rather he was on the fringes, making sure the marching band didn’t stray onto the sidewalks.
“Okay, okay, slow down,” Vinnie said.
Keith adjusted the envelope under his arm and kept his pace. The only reason why Vinnie would specifically come to him was either to goad or proposition him. From Keith’s standpoint, neither felt particularly appealing.
“Geez, does that stick up your ass come with the early retirement or is this just my lucky day?”
The sigh Keith had been trying to hold in finally released. He stopped in his tracks, waiting for Vinnie to catch up. Part of him instantly regretting doing so, as the smile on Vinnie’s face only widened.
“Now that’s more like it. You don’t wanna hurt my feelings. I might not go halfsies on the reward money.”
“Vinnie, what are you talking about?” Keith said.
“Candice Leary?” Vinnie said. “Friend found her body last night. Reward for her killer is $500 G’s and rising. Grandma wants the information before she kicks it herself. Good thing she’s an impatient ole broad.”
“Where did they find her?”
“Sunbathing off the coast of too-rich-for-my-blood island. Local law enforcement is a joke. They wanna bring out the big boys. What do you say, Keith?” Vinnie said.
“I’m gonna need a copy of the coroner’s report. I’ll call if I need you,” Keith said.
Vinnie tipped an imaginary hat and made his exit. His ebullient demeanor came from knowing the silent offer of complete access to the sheriff’s resources was too enticing to pass up.
Everything felt tipped on its side. The steamy tryst with Uncle Alfie had occurred less than forty-eight hours ago. Why did it feel like everyone was lying?
Keith shielded his eyes as he walked out into the sun. A moment of squinting allowed him to take in the sights of the Hearst campus. Kids were throwing a Frisbee to his right, running through the manicured lawn without cares of murder or corruption. It was a beautiful day, perfect California weather.
The effort it took to reach for his cell phone and dial felt more taxing than he thought it would. He was wrong. This was his least favorite part.
“Logan? Keith Mars. I have some bad news.”
Author: Kristen
Pairing/Character: Keith, Veronica, Logan, Vinnie (mentions of ensemble)
Word Count: 3115
Rating: PG
Summary: I know you so well, Veronica Mars.
Spoilers: Futurefic, know the whole series
Warnings: Mild language
Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of Veronica Mars. No copyright infringement is intended.
There is one line that was more me wishing Logan would have said this on the show. I apologize for the transference. Anyway, thanks to
peznarski for the beta, all mistakes are mine.
Part One, Two
“Maybe we can try…” Veronica said.
“Try?”
“…being friends.”
Keith looked away quickly. The Hearst cafeteria was the last place he wanted to be, and things were about to get even more uncomfortable. Updating Logan on a potential break in the case wasn’t supposed to mean walking in on an intimate conversation involving his own daughter.
It was tough to pinpoint, but there was something really wrong with everything he had encountered thus far. Veronica had done an extensive check of the Leary finances. No secret ransoms expended or otherwise exorbitant cash withdrawals.
Candice’s plane ticket and subsequent travel splurges all checked out. In fact, just two days ago a periodic check revealed Candice had dropped over a grand at a sunglass tiki hut. Despite even that, the contents in his jacket pocket kept his frown in place.
He hung back from the two, relieved that they hadn’t noticed him.
“Before you made happy with Piz’s face, before Parker, before Lilly,” she said.
“Do you even remember that far back?”
Veronica smiled at Logan. Her eyes clouded with the memories of her old life. It was as if she was just beginning to remember there was an actual time where things were much simpler. Keith found his own thoughts drifting to those moments.
Lamb was still a deputy, eagerly vying for Keith’s attention, wanting to soak up all he could of how to be a good officer, a good man.
Lianne welcomed him every night, promptly at six, with a home-cooked meal and a smile of adoration.
Keith could walk through the streets of Neptune knowing he had the respect of his colleagues and the love of his community.
“Some days better than others,” she said.
Logan only mustered a wan smile. His reaction caused Veronica’s smile to drop and return back to their conversation. Keith could have intervened right then. It wasn’t Logan’s fault for bringing her back to reality, but by doing so Keith felt pulled back as well. Even if it was a façade, why couldn’t they both just pretend for a little bit longer?
“We’re not so good ‘friends’,” Logan said.
Veronica’s face turned playful. In fact, she almost looked relieved that he hadn’t acceded so quickly. Logan mimicked her expression.
Keith struggled not to roll his eyes. The kid thought he was so smooth. Keith’s strategy of shuffling his weight from one foot to another wasn’t helping stave off his restlessness. ‘Dropping in’ was looking better and better.
“Better ‘friends’ than nothing at all,” she said.
Keith pulled tightly-wound fists into his jacket pockets. It was a technique he would use during stake-outs when the need for rash saving-of-damsels crowded in on his common sense. Veronica would only be mortified if he swooped in, but he couldn’t stand to hear the vulnerability in her voice.
At least Logan had the decency to look chastened. Any hint of cocky bastard and the decision would be made for him, common sense or no.
“Okay,” Logan said. “But I want ground rules.”
Veronica scoffed in time with Keith. After a stern look from Logan, she sobered slightly, still reluctant but willing to hear him out.
“I’m not the bad guy,” he said. “So I don’t want you treating me like I am and I don’t want you avoiding me ‘cause I’ve somehow landed on your list of suspects.”
“Logan--,” she said.
“--and if you’re gonna do background checks on the girls I choose to date, give me a heads up,” he said.
“But you ask--,” she said.
“--you know you lo-jacked Candice way before she went missing.”
Keith’s face softened. He would never admit it, but a small smile wrinkled the corners of his mouth. His stay was long past due. Communicating that to the rest of his faculties had been difficult up until then, but they were slowly coming around.
He turned on his heel and walked towards the double doors.
“I know you so well, Veronica Mars.”
There it was, the cocky Echolls bravado. The only thing that surprised Keith was how long it took Logan to get there. Take away his monetary resources and exclusive privilege and he was still that punk kid from high school hanging around Veronica like he had a stake in her.
Keith sat down on a stiff cafeteria chair a ways off from them both. The hard backing prevented him from becoming completely comfortable, but he preferred it that way. This was no time for relaxing.
His hands sought refuge as they clasped together. He was going for calm, but the tight set of his jaw made the rest of his frame look strained. Once they stood to leave, either Veronica or Logan would be able to see him. The idea eased his mind, loosening the rise in his shoulders.
He wasn’t some random eavesdropper skulking around in the shadows. From the moment he held the runty seven pound eleven ounce blonde in his arms, he knew he would be protecting her against harm for as long as he was able. And Veronica was like catnip for bad guys, whether she sought them out or not. With all that Logan had done for Veronica, good or bad, Keith couldn’t make up his mind where Logan fell on the hero/villain scale.
But he had promised to help the kid. Keith reviewed that statement over and over like a mantra.
I promised Veronica. I promised Veron--
“Do you wanna hug on it or something? Friends hug,” Veronica said.
“Not the way we do it,” Logan said.
“Shake?”
Keith held in his groan as the two shook hands. If their matching grins were testament, it looked like they wished they had gone for the hug. After a moment longer than Keith felt was necessary, the two broke hands.
“Bye, friend,” Logan said.
Veronica was the first to depart. Her smile faltered as soon as her eyes met Keith’s. She recovered quickly, straightening her shoulders and walking towards him.
“I thought I told you to meet at the carpool lane and do the honk and wave,” Veronica said.
“You did,” Keith said. “But I’ve been an extra cool dad these past couple of weeks. Showing up at your school unannounced balances things out.”
She looked like she was about to quip back, but the weight of Keith’s words silenced her reply. Keith frowned. He hadn’t meant the conversation to turn somber so quickly.
“You have news,” she said.
Keith nodded and retrieved a manila envelope from his coat pocket. He hadn’t intended to share any of the case details with Veronica, but figured she’d find out sooner or later. It was really the Mars family way. Even though she’d said she’d keep her distance, normal college sophomore wasn’t really Veronica.
She had dropped a few of her criminology classes that first week, but still kept office hours at Mars Investigations. He hadn’t asked what classes replaced the old ones, and she didn’t offer. There was an unspoken shame in the air, like an unacknowledged failure would make it less real.
“Is this news going to make me happy I went with today’s ice-cream-for-lunch option?” she said.
Keith pulled back the brass brads and slipped the contents from the sheath. He looked up at her with wistful fondness.
“All I ever wanted for you was proper nutrition,” he said.
“Mr. Mars?”
An internal sigh withdrew at the sight of Logan. Keith couldn’t help it. He had spoken with Logan on three separate occasions during the past two weeks, all cordial, all brief. Yet there was still a pause required to brace himself before any Logan interaction. The kid was trying. He knew that. He also knew it was probably more for Veronica’s sake than his own. Veronica and Logan’s overheard conversation wasn’t helping.
“Logan.”
It was mean to let the air hang amid sidelong glances between Veronica and Logan, but Keith didn’t care. He was in no rush to make things easier for either of them.
“Dad,” Veronica said. “You stretch out that pause any longer, and I’m going to start to think you’re enjoying this.”
“Nothing gets past you, sweetheart,” Keith said.
“Did you find something?” Logan said.
Keith flipped over the glossy photos. Looking down at his handiwork was preferable to registering Logan’s reaction. This was his least favorite part.
“A couple of somethings,” Keith said as he fanned the pictures like a ViewMaster reel.
Logan scrutinized each photo as if looking up close would somehow alter the images. Keith’s hope was that Logan’s frame would obstruct Veronica’s view in some way, shielding her from another shining example of people letting you down.
He should have known it wouldn’t help. Veronica could smell infidelity, visual assistance or no.
After a few dead ends, a contact from the hospital came through. Ten minutes before visiting hours ended a leggy redhead would be seen visiting the private suite of one Grandma Leary. These visits were always brief, but for the past three nights, the redhead would come like clockwork.
Hoping something would come of it, Keith tailed the redhead one of the nights to find that, not only was Little Miss Incognito none other than Candice Leary herself, but she was also cavorting with Uncle Alfie a bit too familiarly than common decency dictated.
Keith had stopped tracking the play-by-play before they reached the main event, but the wounded look in Logan’s eyes told Keith that what little he had seen had done enough. Part of him felt sorry for the kid. If it wasn’t stolen video and tape degaussers, it was philandering girlfriends with shady lawyers.
“I still don’t know why they would want to make people think she was out of the country, but I can do some more digging,” Keith said.
Logan nodded, as if Keith’s words were not the healing balm he was hoping to find. “What about the roommate? Did you ever find her?”
Keith shook his head. Veronica had talked to the college roommate as follow-up per Alfie’s suggestion, but the school registry showed Candice had dropped out way before she had been assigned anyone.
Everything about this case felt odd. If it weren’t for Veronica’s personal connection, Keith might’ve cut his losses right then and told Logan to do the same. Candice was apparently a lying cheat, but at least she wasn’t missing.
“I’m going to have to bail, guys,” Veronica said. “My next class is in Sterling Hall. If I don’t leave now I’ll be late.”
“You know they stop giving perfect attendance awards when you graduate high school,” Logan said.
He sobered quickly at the double-shot of glower coming from both Veronica and Keith.
“Try to play nice while I’m gone,” she said, looking more towards Keith’s direction than to Logan’s. “And if the apocalypse comes, beep me.”
Keith and Logan gazed at Veronica with a dual longing that she would stay. The whip of her ponytail bounced in time with her power walk. Knowing Veronica, a part of her was probably enjoying the forced company she was leaving behind.
“I should get going as well,” Keith said. “And don’t you have a class you should be attending?”
Logan barely moved his head, concentrating instead on the line of people waiting to stuff their mouths with the Chili’s daily special. Keith let the silence draw out a little longer before motioning his intent to leave.
“Why do you think she did it?”
Keith fell back into his chair, hesitant to come up with a viable excuse for Candice’s behavior. He had seen so much in the fields of law enforcement and private investigation to ever truly be surprised when the people you thought you knew weren’t who they seemed. Hell, he had seen too much in his personal life.
“Why do you?” Keith said.
Logan shrugged. It was obvious that his go-to method of coping had little to do with waxing philosophic about the motives of the reprehensible. Logan looked more like a drowning-your-sorrows kind of a guy. Keith wondered if the truce with Veronica played a part in Logan’s demeanor.
“We only dated for a couple of months,” Logan said.
“And in that time you weren’t able to acquire any personal details into your girlfriend’s psyche?”
“She wasn’t my girlfriend,” Logan said. “We were seeing each other, but it was casual.”
“Casual enough for you to enlist Veronica’s help when it seemed pretty obvious Candice had just left?” Keith said.
For the first time since Logan sat down, he looked at Keith in appraisal. The cold determination in his stare could have rattled even the most seasoned of tough guys, but Keith had much tougher skin.
“I didn’t ask Veronica for help to get back into her good graces,” Logan said.
“I’m glad,” Keith said. “I’d hate to think that considering what she’s going through right now, you would take advantage of her affection for you.”
Logan frowned in confusion for only a second before slipping back on his poker face. “Why don’t I believe you’re glad?”
It was Keith’s turn to shrug. He craned his head to the side, noting students taking their leave. The conversation was souring fast. Hearst cafeteria hardly felt appropriate for the airing of long-time grievances.
Logan leaned into his chair with languid casualness. If Keith hadn’t been paying extra close attention, he might have been fooled. The eyes gave Logan away. He was surely spoiling for a fight.
“Like I said, I should get going.”
“Keith,” Logan said, rising from his chair. “Mr. Mars.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Logan.”
“I don’t need you to like me,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for your help, but I’m not a miracle worker.”
Keith took a moment to assess the situation. Logan’s frankness was laced with a confidence Keith had never encountered from him before. There was no ostentation, no show of insincerity. By all accounts, it appeared Logan had shed a part of that shiny veneer that made Keith so uncomfortable in the past. It was a trait that the great Aaron Echolls had in spades, the candy-coated covering of a seedy underbelly.
“Go to class,” Keith said. “I’ll call you with news.”
Logan nodded as he made his exit. Keith might’ve even imagined hopefulness in the corners of Logan’s eyes. Then again, maybe it was relief.
Keith hung his head low, trying to steady his breathing. Being alone allowed him a moment to show how much energy this was costing him. The pungent smell of waning cafeteria food freshness made his eyes water. He swiped at them hastily with the sleeve of his arm.
“Former interim sheriff, Keith Mars.”
“Private dick, Vinnie Van Lowe.”
It was a weak comeback and they both knew it. Evolved maturity wasn’t going to be on the docket today.
Keith kept his attention steady. If Vinnie wanted literal face time with him, he would have to work a little harder. Screw whatever reason brought him there in the first place.
As if reading his mind, Vinnie weaved in front of Keith and spun around. A sputter of oil hit the side of Keith’s cheek in the process. Vinnie’s hair was slicked back with so much of it there were puddles dripping onto the back collar of his shirt. The evolution from ethically stagnant shamus with a Don Johnson fixation to Erik Estrada didn’t make this any easier.
“I got some news on the case you’ve been working on.”
Vinnie flicked imaginary lint from the shoulder of his uniform. He leaned back, grinning wide and jutting out his stomach, gripping the sides of his utility belt. Keith almost wished Vinnie had just come to scope out college co-eds and ride campus golf carts.
“So tell me the truth,” he said.
Keith held his stoic expression with growing impatience. Vinnie then edged closer, dipping his head towards Keith’s conspiratorially.
“Does the uniform make me look fat?”
Any response felt like acquiescence so Keith sidestepped past Vinnie in pursuit of getting away. Wardrobe choices and hair product aside, the only thing that had surprised Keith in this whole living nightmare was Vinnie’s commitment to the position as sheriff.
Though it was poor taste to bad-mouth the dead, Vinnie was a vast improvement to Don Lamb. Neptune was still a breeding ground for nefarious acts, but by all accounts Vinnie wasn’t leading the parade float of the morally corrupt. Rather he was on the fringes, making sure the marching band didn’t stray onto the sidewalks.
“Okay, okay, slow down,” Vinnie said.
Keith adjusted the envelope under his arm and kept his pace. The only reason why Vinnie would specifically come to him was either to goad or proposition him. From Keith’s standpoint, neither felt particularly appealing.
“Geez, does that stick up your ass come with the early retirement or is this just my lucky day?”
The sigh Keith had been trying to hold in finally released. He stopped in his tracks, waiting for Vinnie to catch up. Part of him instantly regretting doing so, as the smile on Vinnie’s face only widened.
“Now that’s more like it. You don’t wanna hurt my feelings. I might not go halfsies on the reward money.”
“Vinnie, what are you talking about?” Keith said.
“Candice Leary?” Vinnie said. “Friend found her body last night. Reward for her killer is $500 G’s and rising. Grandma wants the information before she kicks it herself. Good thing she’s an impatient ole broad.”
“Where did they find her?”
“Sunbathing off the coast of too-rich-for-my-blood island. Local law enforcement is a joke. They wanna bring out the big boys. What do you say, Keith?” Vinnie said.
“I’m gonna need a copy of the coroner’s report. I’ll call if I need you,” Keith said.
Vinnie tipped an imaginary hat and made his exit. His ebullient demeanor came from knowing the silent offer of complete access to the sheriff’s resources was too enticing to pass up.
Everything felt tipped on its side. The steamy tryst with Uncle Alfie had occurred less than forty-eight hours ago. Why did it feel like everyone was lying?
Keith shielded his eyes as he walked out into the sun. A moment of squinting allowed him to take in the sights of the Hearst campus. Kids were throwing a Frisbee to his right, running through the manicured lawn without cares of murder or corruption. It was a beautiful day, perfect California weather.
The effort it took to reach for his cell phone and dial felt more taxing than he thought it would. He was wrong. This was his least favorite part.
“Logan? Keith Mars. I have some bad news.”