FIC: YLD2 (77-87/151) (NC-17)

[vanessagalore]

Previously on The Year of Living Dangerously Part II [Spoilers for chapters 1-76] (for those of you who didn't take notes)

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
Risk Management
Veronica tries to hang on; the monitoring
team disagrees; Mac's family meets with
the U.S. Marshals.
Veronica: Kristen Bell. Keith: Enrico Colantoni.
Carrie: Amber Heard. Mac: Tina Majorino.
Maria: Gina Mantegna. Kavner: Eric Bana.
Tony: Romany Malco. Epstein: Scott Grimes.
Dr. Kinny: Dan Castellaneta. Alan: Ned
Vaughan. Agent Lynley: James Badge Dale.
Samuel Mackenzie: David Grant Wright.
Natalie Mackenzie: Courtney Gebhart. Ryan
Mackenzie: Michael Drummond. US Marshal:
Fred Weller. Brenda: Katherine Bailess.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CHAPTER SEVENTY-SEVEN: "RISK MANAGEMENT"

Fri. 3/13/09 morning: Briar Hill Academy, Manchester Center, VT

Veronica finally falls asleep late that night only to be woken a few hours later with everyone else. When she wakes up, she's disoriented–headachy and out of sorts–but she quickly remember where she is when Maria starts the day by screaming at her to hurry up. Maria is scornful and disparaging when Veronica admits that she wet the bed the night before. She gets dressed quickly, hoping that breakfast will help clear her head.

As they head into the dining room, Veronica stumbles a little, and Maria glances at her sharply. "What now?" she asks crossly.

"I think I need to see a doctor. I don't feel good at all, and–"

"Stop your whining! You're fine."

"Please...I really–"

"No!" Maria responds with finality. "Of course you don't feel good, you just got punished for acting out. Let's go, we have chores to do. And we have to wash your dirty sheets too, you stupid cow."

Shit. Veronica passes her hand across her forehead and wonders if she's running a fever. Maybe I can get a message to Kavner; he could get me antibiotics or.... She realizes the right thing to do would be to end the operation, right now. It would be so easy to just say it, to just say 'California' or 'Lamb'. 'I really could go for a rack of lamb with a side order of California rolls.' Maria would look at me like I was insane, then when Dad breaks down the front door, I could punch her in the mouth. She chuckles under her breath. C'mon Veronica, you don't feel too bad right now; you can fight it off. All we need is a good video of the attack therapy and maybe a takedown for the feds. I can do it. I can get through this. I'm not that sick. And...I got 'em on tape again, denying me access to a doctor. She feels perversely proud of herself. Remembering that her dad is listening and probably worrying, she says quietly, "I'm sorry, Maria. You're right, I'm tired from being punished. I'm just really missing my dad. I wish...I wish I appreciated him more before...before he sent me here."

Maria rolls her eyes. "You really can't shut up, can you? You're going to be here forever."

After they take care of Veronica's bedding, they are assigned to work in the bathroom. Tony stops in and pulls Maria aside to talk. Veronica notes that Maria looks at her and nods; she wonders what the hell is going on now. After Tony leaves, Maria gets an old toothbrush from a cabinet and explains that Veronica is going to scrub the floor.

Veronica looks at the toothbrush. You're fucking kidding me. She takes the toothbrush and gets down on her hands and knees, still a little shaky from her throbbing headache. Maria points at the corner and brings Veronica a bucket of soapy water; Veronica begins scrubbing the floor. Her shoulders, already aching from being confined by the restraints, are screaming after a few short minutes. When Veronica takes a second to stretch, Maria, wiping down the walls with a sponge, yells, "What are you doing? This hard work is good for you. You're supposed to be thinking about how hard is to beat your addiction, how tough the battle is for your soul."

Sorry...I missed that, Veronica thinks wryly. I'm not getting all the fine subtleties of the program. I must be stupid or something. Aloud, she says, "I'm sorry, I'll try harder."

Tony pokes his head in, wondering about Maria's outburst. "Everything okay?"

"She's just slacking off. I thought she might have learned something while she was in restraints, but she's still resisting."

Tony watches a moment before leaving.

Veronica tries to scrub harder, her shoulders protesting bitterly. After a few minutes, she asks quietly, "Maria?"

"Now what?" Maria replies in exasperation.

"I...I don't understand the Lifeboat Exercise we did last night." Veronica makes sure to keep at her task while she talks. "I can't get better, I can't do better if I don't understand."

"What don't you understand?"

"How does it help me, or anyone else?"

"Well, look at Tara. She won. Look at all the girls who thought she was worthy of living," Maria says impatiently. "See? It was a good experience for her, to see that the girls here believe in her."

"But Klein said she still died."

"Because she didn't value herself enough to give herself a seat."

Veronica doesn't have to pretend to sound confused. "But I thought it was selfish to take a seat away from someone you thought was more deserving. And it was so awful to hear someone yell 'you die' in your face. How can that help you?"

"Oh my god, you're impossible. I don't think you're ever going to graduate," Maria snaps. "I can't deal with you when you're like this. Stop talking and work harder."

I'm impossible? I think we just found out that Maria doesn't understand the point of the exercise either. Veronica is assaulted by a new wave of fatigue; she closes her eyes for a minute against the increased pain in her head. When she opens her eyes, she sees Maria approaching in her peripheral vision, and Veronica tries to scrub even harder as Maria watches.

~ • ~

Fri. 3/13/09 morning: Rented house, Manchester Center, VT

Epstein calls Keith over to look at an email he has received.

Keith says sharply, "The teacher?"

Epstein nods, saying "Apparently. She's willing to meet with me tomorrow morning. She's in New York State, near Albany. That's about an hour and a half from here."

"She admits she helped Hannah escape?"

"Not in so many words. She says, 'I'm familiar with the incident you describe.'"

Keith thinks for a minute. "This is too big an opportunity to pass up. She might even have information relevant to our lawsuit. I need to go with you." He glances at the monitors; the video shows the empty group meeting room, and the audio feed is mostly silent, with an occasional comment from Maria exhorting Veronica to scrub harder. "The mornings are usually chores, with not much going on–I think I can leave the monitoring to Dr. Kinny and Agent Lynley. We can be back by late morning, in time to monitor lunch and then the group therapy in the afternoon." Epstein nods, and Keith goes back to watch the main monitor.

"What's going on?" Kinny asks.

"We're going to have to meet with someone tomorrow morning," Keith says evasively, keeping his voice down to prevent from Carrie from hearing. "It's important for the case. We'll leave you and Agent Lynley in charge, but we'll be in constant contact by cell. We can be back in a couple hours if anything changes."

Kinny says, "Veronica asked for a doctor this morning."

"Yes, that's one of the things we needed to document: that the girls are refused medical attention."

"She did say that she missed you afterwards; I don't think Veronica thought she could ask to call you without raising a red flag. So...she kind of used the code, but...I don't know. Her voice sounds a little off today," Kinny notes.

"Are you thinking she's actually sick?" Keith says, worried.

"Maybe."

"I'll let Kavner know. Make sure Lynley knows about it, so he can be listening for it as well. But she didn't say anything about 'California', or use the other two code words, 'Lamb' or 'Lianne'?"

"No...but Maria shut her down pretty quickly," Kinny explains.

For a moment, Keith wavers in his resolve; he pictures Veronica home from school, lying in bed surrounded by boxes of tissues and her favorite stuffed animals, and he decides that he's going to end this. Enough.

Lynley comes into the room. "I just spoke to the judge. I laid out the evidence we have, and he said it's not enough for a warrant to search the premises and subpoena his financial records."

Keith rubs his forehead. "What does he need?"

"He's looking for an actual physical altercation to substantiate the child abuse accusations, and he'd like to have a recording of Klein discussing his financial arrangements with the education commissioner," Lynley says. "I'm sorry. He's firm about this; he agreed that what we've got is sick, possibly even rising to the level of depraved indifference. But it doesn't clearly demonstrate a failure to notify under child abuse legislation, especially when the parents signed releases permitting the school to do just about anything to the girls. It's not enough evidence for a criminal investigation...which means, probably not a felony conviction for Klein."

"How are we going to get Klein to make contact with the education commissioner?" Keith asks dispiritedly. "I'm really wanting to end this sooner rather than later. Veronica's been undercover a long time."

Carrie raises her hand and says, "Why don't you phone in an anonymous tip about the school to the education department? Won't they have to investigate it, or at least tell Klein to prepare for a surprise inspection? Or better yet, call the local TV station with the tip. They'll call the education department and ask why the school isn't being inspected properly. Behr will be on the phone to Klein in a second telling him to get ready for a media brigade."

Keith nods. If I hadn't been so distracted by Veronica's condition, I would have thought of that. "It's good, Carrie. You have a certain...flair for this sort of thing. Let's try it; it's worth a shot." We'll get Veronica out as soon as possible.

~ • ~

Fri. 3/13/09 morning: Briar Hill Academy, Manchester Center, VT

Kavner gets Keith's text and tells Tony he needs something from his room. He collects a few Tylenol from his bathroom, then heads back to the main building. Kavner finds where Veronica is slaving over the bathroom floor with Maria supervising. "Need a break, Maria? I know this one's a handful."

"Don't turn your back on her," Maria warns. She leaves the bathroom.

"Are you okay?" Kavner whispers. Loudly, he says, "Come on, princess, put your back into it."

Veronica nods. Kavner pushes the Tylenol into her hand; Veronica smiles wanly and dry-swallows them.

Kavner mutters, "A day, maybe two, and that's it. You gotta get them to take you down. Okay?"

Veronica nods again. She resumes her scrubbing in case someone walks by. Kavner whispers, "I'll bring more later," and she nods again. Maria comes back in as Kavner says disgustedly, "You call that clean? I bet you were one of those spoiled rich kids that never did a day of work in your life."

You'd be betting wrong, she thinks. She's ridiculously comforted by the knowledge that her dad and the others are paying attention to everything she says, and she feels her headache dissipating as her resolve strengthens. I'm going to finish this. I can do it. You're going down, Klein. I'll be looking forward to visiting you...behind bars.

~ • ~

Fri. 3/13/09 morning: San Diego RCFL, San Diego, CA

Mac, with her parents and her brother, sits in Alan's office. Her mom hasn't let go of Mac's hand for the last two days. Last night, Mac decided that she wasn't willing to put her family in any more danger; they will be in witness protection as a family, but she will be on her own. Today is their last day together before her family leaves her, forever.

The U.S. Marshals representative goes over the paperwork a final time with Sam and Natalie Mackenzie. Ryan lies on the couch playing with his PSP2; Mac is certain that he doesn't really grasp the severity of the situation, and she's glad of that. He's still not one hundred percent recovered from his emergency appendectomy. The surgeons at Neptune Mercy Hospital insisted that the federal agents wait three days before transferring Ryan to San Diego, and today is his first day out of bed.

Mr. Mackenzie asks, for the thousandth time, "Are you absolutely certain this is necessary?"

The U.S. Marshal nods. "Families who take this as an opportunity to get a fresh start tend to do well in the WitSec program. We've located a position for you as a sporting goods manager of a large franchise. I don't want to say the location..." he adds, glancing at Mac.

"I don't want to know. I want them to be safe," Mac reiterates.

"Exactly. Mrs. Mackenzie, do you have any other questions?"

"No. I'm still just...in shock I guess," Mac's mother replies. "The schools are good there, I suppose? I don't know...what else should I be asking about? Do we get to pick our names?"

The Marshal shakes his head 'no'. "You'll be briefed on your new identities when you arrive at your destination."

"Mom, I'm so sorry. I would never have–" Mac says impulsively.

"You didn't do anything wrong," her father says. "We're so proud of you. What Alan said...that they arrested fifteen Russian mobsters because of the information you gave them. It sounds like you accomplished something important."

Yeah, I made sure that Dick Casablancas could watch streaming porn videos, she thinks. "Still...I should have left it alone." She can't meet her dad's eyes. He's told her over and over again that he's proud of her, but Mac feels completely responsible for ruining her family's life.

Alan adds, "We have to finish up here and get to our next meeting, Mac."

Mac nods that she remembers. The meeting...with the agent who's going to pretend to be me at my family's 'funeral'.

Mac's mother says impulsively, "Can we have...I don't know...like a family night tonight? Just pretend that everything is okay, and we're all together just because...just because we're a family."

"Of course," the Marshal replies. "We'll have to arrange for some additional security at your hotel, but that sounds possible."

Mac turns to her mom. "Maybe a movie and Monopoly? Like we used to do, when we went camping in the RV."

"You hated camping," her mother reminds her.

"No, I didn't," Mac lies. "That would be really fun. We can pretend we're in Yellowstone again. You know, your famous campground chili and s'mores for dessert."

Mac's mom hugs her tightly.

Alan clears his throat. "We have to go to our meeting now, Mac. We'll get you back to your family as soon as possible."

Mac hugs her mom one more time, then hugs her dad. She goes over to Ryan and kisses him on the forehead. He glares at her, and she smiles back. "Behave yourself, squirt."

As they walk down the hallway, Mac says, "Alan, there's something else. I wanted to run it past you before I told the Marshal."

Alan glances at her.

Hesitantly, she says, "Apparently there was a mixup at the hospital when I was born. I was switched with another baby." At his incredulous expression, she continues indignantly, "I'm not making this up! My friend Veronica investigated and figured it out. There was a lawsuit against the hospital, and my parents and the other family settled. My parents never told me; I guess they thought it wouldn't help to know, but...."

"You're not kidding, are you?"

"No, I'm not kidding. And, well, I do have a relationship with my biological mom. We meet for coffee about once a month. We don't really talk about the switched-at-birth thing; I just wanted to get to know her a little. Anyways, if Veronica could figure it out...."

Alan sighs. "I suppose you're right. Is there a lot of evidence of the relationship between you and this other family?"

"No, not at all. Veronica's just really...good at that kind of thing; that's how she was able to figure it out. I just wouldn't want anybody else to get hurt," Mac explains.

Alan looks at her sharply. "This is not your fault. And remember, you're personally going to be paying an awfully high price for someone else's crimes, for the rest of your life. You shouldn't feel guilty."

Mac sighs. "What about my friends? Do you think they'll be okay? Veronica...Wallace...you don't think they'd hurt them do you? What about that guy Dick who's always writing me?"

"We'll be watching them, of course. I'll talk to the Marshals about your concerns. The Russian mafia is mainly known for going after the families in retribution. I don't think your...biological family or your friends are going to be threatened, but I'll apprise the Marshals of the situation." He stops at an office and opens the door for Mac.

Inside, a young, petite female agent, a woman with a clipboard, and a man with a video camera are waiting. The young agent walks over to Mac and shakes her hand. "Hi Mac, I'm Brenda. I'll be taking your place at your family's 'funeral'. I hear you took down half of the Russian mafia."

"I didn't do anything," Mac mutters. She looks at the woman and thinks, She doesn't look anything like me.

Alan takes a seat and motions that Mac should sit down as well. "So here's what we're doing. We're going to have you walk around the room and do a few other things for the camera to record. Mrs. McMillan," he nods toward the woman with a clipboard, "is going to be in charge of duplicating your hair and general physique. We've located a suitable outfit for the funeral from your dorm room. Brenda's about your height, but she's thinner than you. Of course, she's going to be wearing a vest, so that really won't be an issue. Brenda needs to work on how you walk and your general mannerisms."

"How can you do this?" Mac blurts out, looking at Brenda. "Aren't you scared? You're trying to get the Russian mafia to take you out."

"It's my job," Brenda says ruefully. "And I'll be well-protected. Don't worry about me. I just need you to try to show me how you walk and act normally so we can do our job."

Mac shrugs, and the woman with the clipboard takes notes as the cameraman records every movement. Brenda watches Mac carefully and imitates Mac's movements.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
Prima Facie Evidence
Klein reports to Connie's 'dad'; Kendall
in the news; Klein makes Connie his
special project.
Veronica: Kristen Bell. Keith: Enrico Colantoni.
Duncan 2.0: Chris Carmack. Klein: Clancy
Brown. Maria: Gina Mantegna. Tony: Romany
Malco. Kavner: Eric Bana. Dr. Kinny: Dan
Castellaneta. Megan: Anna Lynn McCord.
Dave: Jason Wiles. Alyssa: Christina Hendricks.
Alan: Ned Vaughan. Agent Lynley: James Badge
Dale. Randy Winsome: Mark Valley.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT: "PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE"

Fri. 3/13/09 noon: Rented house, Manchester Center, VT

Agent Lynley nods that he's ready, and Keith dials the main phone number for Briar Hill. After a short wait, he is connected to the headmaster's office. "Mr. Klein? It's Keith Morris. I'm calling to see how my daughter Connie's doing. I'd really like to speak to her."

"Yes, Mr. Morris. I'm afraid...well, I'm afraid that Connie's not reacting well to the program. She's been consistently verbally abusive to our employees. In fact, she even struck one of the guards."

"Oh my god, was somebody hurt?" Keith replies in a nervous voice.

"No, she was put in a hold to prevent her from hurting herself or anyone else. Mr. Morris, we have a strict policy that students who are violent have their next phone call with their parents taken away."

"You mean..." Keith says.

"Yes, I can't allow you to speak with her. She understands why she won't be allowed to speak with you. She's not happy about it, but we find that the best policy is to have strict rules about consequences for bad behavior."

"What did the psychiatrist say when she was admitted? I'm so worried about her," Keith presses.

"She's showing some symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder. We don't believe in medicating for that condition here. The girls usually begin to show improvement as they see that reward and punishment are the logical results of their behavior patterns, and they begin to modify their actions appropriately." Klein sighs heavily into the phone. "You know, in Connie's case, it's really apparent that she's been consistently abusing drugs and alcohol for quite a while now. It can sometimes take months for the brain to adjust to a non-altered way of viewing the world, especially in a teenager's brain that is still growing and developing."

"But has she shown any sign of improvement since she arrived?"

"What often happens is two steps forward and one step back. A little progress is usually followed by some backsliding, and that's what we're seeing with her. She is doing well at her school work; she's obviously a smart girl, someone who might be able to make something of herself if she applies herself to her rehabilitation. Of course, it's good that she's away from all the bad influences that were tempting her to act out and use illicit substances instead of dealing with reality."

"How long do you think Connie will have to stay at the school?" Keith asks, trying for a desperate tone.

"I think you should count on a year minimum...possibly longer. She's seriously troubled."

Keith sighs. "I hate to even say this...I'm worried about your fees. This is going to take my entire life savings. I want to do the right thing for my daughter, but–"

"You know about our referral program right? I can have our financial aid person talk to you. If you recommend other students who might benefit from our program, we can prorate your daughter's tuition ten percent for each student who enrolls. And you'd be helping other children as well," Klein answers.

"Oh, that would really help," Keith says gratefully, thinking, you smug son of a bitch. "You know, it's just so hard to come home to an empty house every night. I miss her so much...even though she was cursing at me and acting like a crazy person. Can't I speak to her for just a minute?"

Klein replies, "No, I'm sorry. That's not possible. Frankly, at this point, you still can't trust her to tell you the truth about her treatment here. She would be making up horror stories about supposed abuse and mistreatment at the school. You wouldn't believe what I've heard some of these girls tell their parents. It's frightening to hear, and you don't need that at this point. I will let her know that you love her and are worried about her. She knows that if she works hard, she can earn a phone call to you."

"Oh, thank you so much. You're sure she's doing okay? She's getting enough sleep and eating all right? She can see a nurse if she's not feeling well?" Keith asks. Come on, say it. She just asked for a doctor; come on, asshole. He keeps his fingers crossed that's he's not pushing it.

"Of course. We would let you know right away if she needed medical attention. I'll tell you what...I usually don't allow this, but you can call me next week, and I'll personally give you an update on her progress. Don't worry, Mr. Morris; you're doing the right thing. Your daughter's going to be just fine."

Keith terminates the call. Lynley gives him a thumbs up, and Keith thinks, Gotcha, you bastard.

~ • ~

Fri. 3/13/09 afternoon: Duncan Kane residence, Neptune, CA

Duncan opens the Neptune Register. He half expects to see a story saying, 'Kane heir sought in connection to blonde bombshell's mysterious murder.' To his relief, the lead story merely identifies the woman first thought to be Katerina Beversdorf as actually Kendall Casablancas, the wife of Richard Casablancas, Sr. The newspaper summarizes the Richard Casablancas saga in lurid detail, and notes that Kendall was the CEO of an investment group known as the Phoenix Land Trust, which was dissolved after the death of Cassidy Casablancas. The story concludes with a request for anyone with knowledge of Kendall's recent whereabouts to contact the Neptune Sheriff's Department.

A sidebar discloses that the SEC has reopened the investigation into the Casablancas real estate swindle, hoping to recover more of the funds stolen from investors. The article quotes Samuel Nelson Pope, a former investor in Casablancas REIT Enterprises, as saying that the majority of the shareholders received almost no restitution when Richard Casablancas pled guilty to fraud. Pope continues, "The shareholders received pennies on the dollar while Mr. Casablancas got off with six months in a country club federal prison. The SEC seized all of Mr. Casablancas' assets, but the majority of the funds invested by small shareholders has disappeared into thin air. The magnitude of this fraud was shocking; many investors such as myself lost our entire savings."

Duncan frowns. I thought Kendall said five million. What Pope is saying sounds like a lot more than five million was missing.

FLASHBACK: Kendall is being interrogated in Duncan's hotel room at the Neptune Grand.

Kendall says, "I knew Dick Senior was crooked, but I thought he was too smart to get caught. And there was so much money changing hands, it was easy to make some of it spill into my hands."

Keith asks, "How much?"

"Five million. My cut was half. Liam and I had an arrangement. But I never trusted him; I always knew he was likely to screw me over. When Beaver took his swan dive, I decided to take the Phoenix Land Trust money and run."

Duncan thinks, I don't know why anybody trusted a word she said. Maybe she had all of Dick Senior's money.

Duncan rereads the article, stopping at the phrase requesting information on Kendall's recent whereabouts. Goddammit! He throws the paper across the room. He gets his cell phone and deletes the photo of Kendall with a savage stab of his thumb. I don't want anything connecting me to that whore. I'm going to lie low until the custody hearing. He drops onto the couch and holds his head in his hands.

~ • ~

Fri. 3/13/09 afternoon: Briar Hill Academy, Manchester Center, VT

After lunch, the girls file into the group therapy room. The Tylenol helped for a little while; Veronica's headache has diminished, but she still feels exhausted and weak. Dave and Alyssa are already in the room, sporting parkas and hiking boots. Veronica thinks, Fuck...now what? Klein is leaning against the lectern at the front of the room. He directs the girls to stand in a line and keep quiet.

In a quiet voice, Klein says, "You are here at Briar Hill because your life out in the world didn't work. We are the end of the line. We are your last hope." He pauses, meeting the eyes of each girl. The directness of his gaze is intimidating and penetrating; Veronica tries to unfocus her eyes while still appearing to compliantly watch him. He walks over to her and stares her down. "Some of you think you already know the solution. You may even think that I don't know what I'm talking about. You might even think that you've had a hard life and that I can't possibly understand why you're like this....It's bullshit!! You don't know a fucking thing. We are the last ones left in the world who give a crap about you. And this is your last chance to prove to us that you deserve our help."

He walks up and down the line. "You might be tired because of everything we've asked of you. Your body might be aching because we made you face facts. And the pain that you feel makes you think that you've earned a break; you think you deserve a second chance. Well, guess what? You don't. You don't deserve a fucking thing." He stops in front of Veronica again. "If you think you're feeling pain now, you are kidding yourself. You're going to cure yourself with your pain. You're going to concentrate on it until you can see its shape and color, feel its rough edges, and hear it screaming your name. You're going to push yourself farther than you've ever gone before. You're going to empty out all the blackness from inside you, and let us fill you up again. If you keep choosing out, you're going to slip into that blackness forever, and we won't be able to pull you out."

Still focused on Veronica, Klein takes it up a notch. "You're not going to be able to use the bullshit you've been relying up until now. We know you're pathetic, and there's nothing in you worth saving. You are at the end of the line here, and we are your last hope. Choose life."

The girls, including Veronica, quickly chant together, "Choose life. Choose the program."

"Love you, Connie," Klein says.

Veronica isn't sure how to respond. Maria strikes her in the back, and Veronica stumbles forward. She mumbles, "Love you."

Klein looks around, and the girls say as one, "Love you, Connie." Veronica gets back in place in the line, staring at Klein's contorted and angry face.

Klein gets an inch away from Veronica's face. "Connie, today you're going to think about everything you've ever done wrong in your life. I know you. I know you use everyone around you just like you use drugs and alcohol and sex. I know you don't care about anyone but yourself. And most of all, I know that the people in this room are the last people in the world who just might save you, if you're willing to save yourself....You're going to make a list in your head of everyone you've ever hurt. And when you're done, we'll start writing your guilt letters. And then, you're going to think some more. Because we're just getting started. You're just getting started. Love you, Connie."

The girls repeat, "Love you, Connie."

"Are you ready to begin, Connie?" Klein asks.

Veronica takes a breath and tries to look contrite. She thinks, Fuck you, asshole. You're a fucking lunatic, and you don't know shit about me. She stares back, wanting to scream at him, but willing herself to keep quiet.

Klein appears to read her mind. He leans in and says, "Not fast enough, Connie. I guess you're still not ready to let us help you." He motions toward Maria. "Take her down."

Maria grabs Veronica's hair and pushes her to the ground. The other girls jump in and viciously hold her to the floor. Two girls sit on her torso; Maria takes Veronica's arm and twists it painfully behind her back. Megan holds Veronica's head sideways against the floor, and Veronica's face contorts with the pain.

Klein kneels down next to her. "I see we still have a lot of work to do with you."

"Why are you doing this? I didn't do anything! I want to call my dad! I know my rights!" she replies shakily, grimacing against the pain as Megan increases the pressure on her head.

"YOU DON'T HAVE ANY RIGHTS! YOUR OLD LIFE IS OVER, AND WE'RE YOUR LAST HOPE! WHY CAN'T YOU ACCEPT THAT WE LOVE YOU?!" he screams at her.

"I WANT TO CALL MY DAD! WHEN HE FINDS OUT ABOUT THIS, HE'S GONNA MURDER YOU!" she screams back.

Klein stands up, laughing bitterly. He says to Alyssa, "No water for her on the hike." He looks at Maria and says, "Get her up."

Maria stands up and pulls Veronica's arm at an angle. Veronica feels something pop in her shoulder, and she starts to cry and tries to pull away from Maria. "I think you broke my arm....I want a doctor, and I want my dad!"

"God, you're a fucking broken record." Maria shoves Veronica's injured shoulder, and Veronica moans, clutching her arm to her side. "I don't want to hear another word out of you today, or I'll break your other arm."

Veronica thinks furiously, You are not going to break me! I am going to make you pay for this. I don't choose your fucking program.

Klein stares at her. Suddenly Veronica feels certain that he is reading her mind. "You know, I truly feel sorry for you, Connie. You're pathetic."

Alyssa leads the girls out of the room. Maria tries to push Veronica again, but Veronica shies away and joins the line of girls heading for the entrance. As they leave the room, Kavner is standing outside. He walks over to Tony, who is also watching with interest. "What's going on?"

Tony replies, "Klein decided to change things up a little bit. We're canceling therapy today and doing a hike." He leans closer and says quietly, "Klein's concerned about the new girl. He's worried that she's not responding well to treatment."

Kavner answers, "Right." I don't like this at all.

When Veronica walks past, she shakes her head subtly at his expression. With every molecule of her body, she tries to send the message, Don't you dare stop this!

As soon as Tony moves away, Kavner goes outside and lights up a cigarette. He turns his back to the main building and sends a quick text to Keith, then, glancing back over his shoulder, heads over to the employee quarters to find Logan.

~ • ~

Fri. 3/13/09 afternoon: Rented house, Manchester Center, VT

When Veronica disappears from view on the video feed, Keith pushes himself up out of his chair and walks outside. It's colder today than it's been; his breath is visible in the chilled air as he tries to slow his pounding heart.

Dr. Kinny joins him. "You okay?"

"Not really," he replies brusquely.

"Do you want to stop it? No one will blame you. I think we have enough now," Kinny asks. "We can get the feds in and–"

"No, Veronica was pretty clear. She said it three times." 'I want to call my dad.'

"Still, it's your call."

Keith sighs. "What do Lynley and Epstein think?"

"Epstein can only think about the lawsuit. Lynley wants to nail the education commissioner....We do have them doing a takedown on video now; it'll definitely be admissible in court."

"But it's the other girls doing it. Klein and his staff are relatively insulated from prosecution," Keith says morosely. "He's really good at this. He whips the girls into a frenzy, makes them worry about getting more time added to their own programs, and he gets them to brutalize each other."

"What would Veronica say if you could talk to her?"

Keith laughs. "She'd insist that we kept going. Even not feeling well, even with her arm hurt...." He looks at Kinny. "When I was investigating the Lilly Kane murder, she never told me to back down. She lost all her friends because of it. Hell, she lost her mother because of it. But she knew it was the right thing to do." His phone beeps, and he flips open the front to read the new text message. "Kavner says the hike was a last-minute change; he's not going to be able to get assigned to it. And Logan's...."

"Right, they won't put him on it because of his knee."

"So she's alone on the hike." Keith draws in a breath. "It's pretty cold today." He nods at the ground. "There's a couple inches of snow on the ground also."

"You know, we can try Carrie's suggestion–see if we can shake things up a bit. If a TV crew is there snooping around, that will protect Veronica. The school will have to be on their best behavior for the cameras," Kinny points out. "You know, Veronica might not be feeling well, but that was impressive. Your daughter has guts."

"I know," Keith responds. And she thinks she's invincible. "You're right. We'll get Carrie to call a local news station. I'll feel a lot better if the media is there snooping around." He sends a reply text to Kavner: Call me when you can talk, 911.

~ • ~

Fri. 3/13/09 afternoon: WMCT Television Studios, Manchester Center, VT

"Action News, 'We get there first,'" the receptionist says into the phone.

"I need to speak to one of your reporters. This is going to be a huge story!" Carrie says excitedly.

The receptionist transfers the call. One of the reporters in the newsroom picks up the extension. "Action News. This is Randy Winsome. How can I help you?"

"I'm calling about a private school in Manchester Center. You wouldn't believe what's going on there! The girls are being mistreated; there's no way this is legal. I saw a girl being beaten by one of the teachers," Carrie explains hurriedly.

"Hold on...slow down a second. What school...and what's your name?" Randy asks.

"It's Briar Hill Academy, just outside of Manchester Center. I'd rather not say my name...I'm afraid of those people! I wasn't supposed to see what's going on. Aren't private schools regulated by the state? Are they allowed to just do whatever they want to the students?" Carrie keeps her tone somewhat hysterical.

"Of course not." Randy jots down a few notes. "When did this happen? What exactly did you see?"

"Yesterday. One of the girls was being beaten by a teacher in front of the other students. I'm sure if you go to the school you'll see the girl. She was badly bruised."

"I'd like to get some more information from you–" Randy realizes he's talking to a dial tone. He calls across the room to another reporter. "Hey, didn't you work on that Briar Hill story last year? The school where one of the students was murdered? I just got a tip that something going's on there."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
Disclosure
Veronica struggles on the hike; Leo investigates
Kendall's murder; Logan reluctantly does his job.
Veronica: Kristen Bell. Logan: Jason Dohring.
Leo: Max Greenfield. Keith: Enrico Colantoni.
Klein: Clancy Brown. Carrie: Amber Heard.
Maria: Gina Mantegna. Kavner: Eric Bana.
Tara: Kirsten Prout. Tony: Romany Malco.
Dr. Kinny: Dan Castellaneta. Megan: Anna
Lynn McCord. Alyssa: Christina Hendricks.
Alan: Ned Vaughan. Dave: Jason Wiles.
Agent Lynley: James Badge Dale. Tina: Anna
Campbell. Desk Clerk: Rebecca Rhae Larsen.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE: "DISCLOSURE"

Fri. 3/13/09 afternoon: Briar Hill Academy, Manchester Center, VT

Veronica lags slightly behind the other girls. Alyssa is behind her and occasionally barks, "Let's go." Her shoulder aches with every step, and, this time, Veronica doesn't have to pretend to be having trouble keeping up on the hike. She's breathing through her mouth after just a few minutes; she tries to stabilize her arm by putting her hand in the waistband of her sweatpants, but it's not enough to relieve the pain. Her headache is starting to come back as well. What were you thinking, Veronica? Without making a sound, she mouths the word 'California', trying to imagine what would happen if she gave up and used the code. She pictures federal agents in windbreakers with large lettering reading 'FBI' emerging with guns drawn from behind the trees. Then she realizes: she's all alone. There's no way that her bug will be heard from the woods, and Kavner and Logan aren't here to watch over her. Gotta get through this, Veronica. Fuck...gotta get back to the school.

Her foot missteps slightly, and she lurches to the right. The pain in her shoulder increases exponentially as her body twists. She thinks about one of the senior girls on pep squad in her freshman year; Claire Bennett was always dislocating her shoulder. After the first few times when she was rushed to the emergency room, Claire would just grit her teeth and try to pop her own shoulder back in. 'Being a cheerleader is hard work. Hard, treacherous work,' she said ruefully as Veronica tried not to watch.

Veronica tries to picture how Claire used to do it. She grabs her right wrist with her left hand, holds it firmly, and takes a deep breath. She pulls on her arm and feels the bone move slightly in the socket. Gasping against the pain, she maneuvers her arm that way Claire did and manages to get her arm bone resituated in her shoulder socket. It still hurts like hell, but the pain is more manageable. Maria looks back at Veronica, annoyed because Veronica has fallen behind again.

"What is the problem here?" Alyssa says from behind Veronica.

"You know, I'm just, you know, like Mr. Klein said...I'm thinking about all the people I've hurt," Veronica mumbles.

"Get it in gear, Connie! I'm sick of you lagging behind. I think you're just lazy and used to everyone coddling you," Alyssa says. She shoves Veronica in the back, and Veronica winces, the tears coming to her eyes. Her shoulder might be back in its socket, but it's definitely badly injured.

Alyssa takes out her walkie-talkie and calls ahead to Dave at the front of the group. "Let's pick up the pace." Veronica hears a burst of static in response. The group begins to move faster through the woods, and Veronica really has to concentrate to keep her footing. As the tree cover gets more dense, they are dealing with more and more snow on the ground.

After an hour, they reach a small clearing, and Dave calls a halt. The girls wearily brush the snow off rocks or logs and sit down for a brief break.

Alyssa says, "Connie!" and Veronica turns around.

"Stand in the middle of the group. You said you were thinking about the people you've hurt. Let's hear about it."

Fuck. Veronica stares at Alyssa, thinking. Her mind is a blank; all the crazy stories of drinking and drugging that she prepared elude her in her tiredness. Finally in desperation she says, "I told my best friend that her boyfriend was cheating on her. It's the worst thing I ever did."

Alyssa laughs scornfully. "Wait...that's what you think we're talking about when we discuss how we hurt the people around us? You have a long way to go, Connie, if you think–"

Veronica interrupts her. "She died because of it. It was my fault. I was interfering. I should have stayed out of it. Do you hear what I'm saying? She died." Veronica realizes she sounds a little hysterical and shuts her mouth. Fuck...I'm getting really tired. Try to focus, Veronica. She tries to push aside the remnants of last night's nightmare; all day she's been remembering Logan's bitter words to her. 'All you ever do is use the people around you, then you turn on them when it's convenient. I'm sick of it, Veronica.' It's not true, I don't use people. I didn't.... She shakes her head, trying desperately to clear her thoughts to concentrate on the problem of Alyssa's probing.

Alyssa stares at her. "I suppose you were drinking and drugging at the time? Was she one of your druggie friends? What about the boy?"

What about the boy...Veronica muses. She observes that all the girls are looking at her curiously. She drops her eyes and says, "Yeah, we all drank a lot. We were a mess. Parties on the beach...kegs...people would hook up...." Careful, Veronica! Beach–you're supposed to be from Boston. She thinks for a second and improvises, "You know, summer parties on Cape Cod. We used to shoplift dresses from one of the stores and then return them for the cash. Then we'd buy kegs with the money." Pretty tame, Veronica; they're going to want more.

"How did your friend die?" Alyssa presses.

Veronica sighs. "She was killed by..." she swallows, "by her older lover."

"Oh, so you're saying she was a slut? Sleeping around?"

"No! He took advantage of her!" Veronica replies angrily. "He was...you don't understand!"

"No, actually I do understand. Teenagers drinking, drugging, out of control...having sex with whoever they feel like. It's not surprising when someone dies because of it."

Oh you fucking bitch, Veronica seethes. Then she remembers where she is...far away from the cavalry, injured and exhausted. As she thinks about it, her headache begins to pound again. She mutters, "You're right. We were out of control." Fucking leave me alone. Damn it....

Alyssa turns to the other girls. "What do you think?"

"It's bullshit," Maria says quickly.

Megan laughs. "She's not digging deep at all. I think she's making it up."

Tara says quietly, "She's not being honest with us. Come on, Connie."

Alyssa says sternly, "You're going to have to do better. Everybody up, let's go. I think we're going to pick up the pace a little more, because Connie needs to work a little harder on her honesty."

When Maria stands up, she accidentally-on-purpose bumps into Veronica's bad shoulder, saying, "Oh sorry," and then sotto voce, "you fucking cunt."

Right back at you, Maria darling, Veronica thinks, wincing. She notices that all the girls are staring at her angrily.

~ • ~

Fri. 3/13/09 afternoon: Rented house, Manchester Center, VT

Keith and the rest of the monitoring team are gathered around the computer, listening to the wire tap on Klein's phone that the feds installed.

CARL BEHR: IT'S ME.

KLEIN: I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU NOT TO CALL–

BEHR: SOME TV STATION CALLED ASKING FOR A QUOTE ABOUT THE SCHOOL. APPARENTLY, SOMEONE CALLED IN A TIP ABOUT A STUDENT BEING ABUSED.

KLEIN: WHAT?

BEHR: ONE OF THE INSPECTORS AND I ARE HEADING DOWN THERE RIGHT NOW TO PERFORM A 'SURPRISE' INSPECTION. I THINK YOU BETTER BE PREPARED FOR A MEDIA STORM. GET THE STUDENTS UNDER CONTROL.

KLEIN: FUCK.

The room is filled with the sound of a dial tone as Klein hangs up.

Lynley does a happy dance. "This is great. We got them both. Combined with your photos that document a financial link, we got 'em."

"And in the meantime, they'll be on their best behavior, so we know Veronica will be safe," Keith comments. He hears something from the audio bug that Logan put in Klein's office, and Keith shushes everyone as he turns up the gain on that device.

"Mobile One, this is home base. We're sending two of the jeeps. I want everyone back ASAP and on your best behavior...[buzz of static]...Don't argue with me. Meet up at Hilltop Road...[clicking sound]...Tony, get Oakley. Take two of the jeeps and pick up the girls on Hilltop Road. Bring them back to the school right away; we have a media situation."

Keith nods at Carrie. "Good work."

~ • ~

Fri. 3/13/09 late afternoon: Neptune Grand Hotel, Neptune, CA

Sheriff D'Amato enters the hotel lobby and walks over to the front desk. He puts the enlarged photo from Katerina Beversdorf's passport picture on the counter. "I'm trying to trace the recent whereabouts of this person. By any chance, was she staying at this hotel?"

The woman behind the counter looks at the photo and then at Leo's serious expression. "Uh, let me get our manager." She picks up the extension and says, "Tina...Sheriff D'Amato's here; you need to speak to him."

A young woman approaches the desk and extends her hand. "Hi, I'm Tina, I'm the manager here. Why don't you come back to my office? I'd be happy to help you."

In Tina's office, she picks up the photo and stares at it. "Yes, she's been a guest here, for about four weeks I'd say." She clicks a few keys on her computer. "She checked in on February 2."

"And you didn't think it would be appropriate to call the Sheriff's Department when the news of her murder hit the papers?" Leo asks.

"I've actually just returned from vacation this morning. I wasn't aware of a murder."

Then why aren't you surprised to hear about it? Leo thinks. "So what name was she using here at the hotel? Her passport says Katerina Beversdorf, but her birth name was Priscilla Banks. And of course, if you have a chance to check the papers, you'll see that she's much more famous in this town as Kendall Casablancas. Practically notorious, you might say."

Tina flushes. "She used a credit card for her deposit in the name of Pamela Hollister. But she paid cash for the room, two weeks in advance always."

"Cash? That's unusual. That didn't raise an alarm for you?"

"It's still not illegal, as far as I know," Tina says defensively. "We sometimes get Hollywood stars recuperating from plastic surgery here. We have a reputation for protecting the privacy of our guests."

"So Tina, is there anything you want to volunteer at this point about Katerina's stay at the hotel? Or Pamela or Kendall, or however you'd like to think of her," Leo adds.

"She definitely kept to herself. She only allowed housekeeping to make up her room once a week, and I'm pretty sure she used room service for almost all her meals," Tina explains.

"I'll need to see her room of course. Did she have any visitors?" Leo presses.

"We don't keep track of that," Tina replies.

"You do have security, though, right? Do you keep video of any surveillance footage?"

"Yes, of course, our insurance requires it. I'll have our head of security make you a copy of the footage during the time of Ms. Hollister's stay here," Tina promises.

"And I'd like to speak to your housekeeping and room service staff," Leo says.

"Certainly. We'd like to cooperate with your investigation in every way. Is there anything else?"

"I'm going to need a list of everyone who was staying here when Ms...uh...Hollister was registered here," Leo requests.

"I'll have the front desk print that out for you. In the meantime, let's take a walk to our security office. I'll get them to make up that video footage for you and deliver it to the sheriff's department." Tina stands up and escorts Leo down the hall. "And I'll set you up in a conference room to talk to our employees."

"I appreciate it, Tina. I'll get our crime scene technicians over to process her room immediately."

~ • ~

Fri. 3/13/09 late afternoon: Briar Hill Academy, Manchester Center, VT

Logan pulls up behind Tony's jeep at the parking spot on Hilltop Road. He steps out to wait with Tony. "What's going on?"

"I'm not sure. Klein just said that he wanted the girls back early for some reason," Tony says evasively.

Logan watches the girls approaching on the rough trail. They are hustling; Dave is setting a very fast pace, and Alyssa is sweeping at the rear, just behind Veronica. Haven't seen her since...last night, the Lifeboat exercise, he thinks, trying to sort out the days in his head. Last night's dream, with Hannah, and then Veronica, in the restraints was so realistic that it's been haunting him the whole day. Veronica sees him and refuses to look at him. Okay; it's okay...she's just being cautious.

Tony says, "Okay, everyone in the jeeps, let's go. You five with Dave and me. The rest of you with Alyssa and Roger in the other jeep." Veronica is directed to go into Logan's jeep. The girls squeeze into the back. Veronica's face is pale, and she's sweating. Logan notices that she winces when another girl presses up against her, although she is taking pains to hide it. He slams the rear door; Alyssa gets in the passenger seat, and Logan starts up the jeep and follows Tony back to the school.

He adjusts the rear-view mirror, hoping to catch Veronica's eye. She sees him and immediately closes her eyes. As he drives cautiously down the rutted road, he keeps looking at her, wishing she'd open her eyes. When Keith talked to him and Kavner, he mentioned that Veronica might have been injured when the girls took her down before the hike. Open your eyes, goddammit! How am I supposed to see if you're okay if you won't try to communicate with me? Come on, Veronica!

His first response to Keith's news about Veronica's violent takedown was, "If she's hurt, let's end it. Come on. That's your daughter! What the hell is wrong with you?" They argued back and forth for ten minutes, with Keith stressing that Veronica was very adamant about continuing, based on her use of the code words. The familiar anger at her recklessness asserted itself, and Logan had to catch himself before he started yelling at Keith again. He finally agreed to keep going, but Logan swore to himself that he didn't care if he jeopardized the mission; I am going to make sure she's all right. He accidentally hits a deep rut in the road and the jeep lurches sideways; when Logan checks the mirror, he is certain that Veronica is really hurting from her facial expression.

When they reach the school, Logan walks around to the back of the jeep and helps the girls get out. As he hoped, Veronica is last. He gets right in front of her and whispers, "Stop this." She shakes her head at him and avoids looking at him again. She pushes past; he touches her arm lightly, and she flinches. "Please..." he mutters under his breath. She walks away, following the other girls into the main building.

The girls are told to get cleaned up as quickly as possible and then are ushered into the group therapy room. The girls know that something is going on; they all appear nervous. Alyssa starts abruptly. "I'm only going to say this once. You all know this. Anyone who speaks to a reporter without an employee present automatically gets six months added to your program. I don't care if you tell them that this is the best thing that's ever happened to you or if you say that this is the biggest hellhole on earth; the consequences will be the same. You keep your mouths shut."

Veronica wonders if her dad is involved; did he arrange this to get me back from the hike? She doesn't dare look at Logan, leaning against the wall off to the side of the room.

Alyssa walks over to Veronica. "Come up front, Connie. Let's continue what we started on the hike."

Logan suddenly feels scared. Kavner reported what Tony had said to him: 'Klein's concerned about the new girl. He's worried that she's not responding well to treatment.'

Fuck! They are targeting her. Goddamn it. He watches as Veronica makes her way up to the front. She's moving slowly; Logan's quite certain that she's not just tired but in actual physical pain. She turns toward the other girls, and Logan moves to the back wall of the room so that she can't avoid looking at him.

Damn you, she thinks. This is hard enough. The image from her dream of Logan ratting her out to Klein is still vivid and disturbing.

He feels her thought like a punch to the gut. He stares at her, trying to make her understand, trying to make her give this up, before she is really hurt, before they are really hurt.

She stares back, determined; then she breaks away from his gaze, looking at Alyssa for instruction.

"Connie, tell us more about your friend who died. You said you told her that her boyfriend was cheating on her, and then you said that led to her death," Alyssa prompts.

No, you fucking did not tell them about Lilly, Logan thinks, suddenly filled with rage. You fucking did NOT tell these lunatics about her!

Veronica looks at the floor to avoid looking at Logan. "He, uh, was frustrated with her, because she took him for granted. And he was just...he just kissed a girl because he was lonely and upset. My friend was cheating on him too, and blowing him off whenever she felt like it."

"Sounds like your friends had a pretty loose moral code," Alyssa jeers. "Is that the way you think people should behave? If you're not happy, you just have sex with someone new?"

"Of course not. It's not that simple," Veronica says before she can think.

Megan pumps her arms in the air, and Alyssa recognizes her. She jumps to her feet and says, "It's actually an act of kindness to tell people about their moral failings."

"Continue, Megan."

"You have to help people face their flaws so they can get better. That's what we're doing here," Megan says smugly. "You shouldn't feel guilty about trying to help your friends behave in a moral way."

"Except that if I hadn't broken them up, they would have been together that day, and she wouldn't have had her head bashed in by an ashtray," Veronica retorts. "You don't know the situation."

"Well, maybe you should have told them to stop fucking around earlier than you did. Maybe you're right. You were a shitty friend." Megan sits down.

Alyssa says, "I think the point is that none of you were behaving morally. You said you all were doing a lot of drinking? Avoiding acting responsibly right?"

Logan can't believe this. The conversation is insane and incredibly hurtful. Why is she doing this? Why would Veronica talk about Lilly?

Veronica mumbles, "Yeah. We were screwing around. Just kid stuff." I gotta get them off this. Why did I talk about Lilly?

"You made it sound like your friend was a slut...sleeping around on her boyfriend. Why would you be friends with someone like that? Did you want to be like her?"

"No!...I mean, I loved her, she was my best friend, she was crazy but–"

"What about her boyfriend? Were you trying to get him for yourself? That's a pretty crappy thing to do to your friend. And then she got killed because of it."

Veronica's heart pounds. "No, it's not true. I didn't know what to do, I screwed up." For just a second, she catches Logan's eye. He stares at her, and she drops her eyes to the floor again.

"Sounds like you don't have any kind of moral code at all, Connie....Come on, tell us about the drugs now."

The abrupt change in topic throws Veronica for a loop. "What?"

"I know you were doing drugs with your friends. I want to know what kind of drugs you were using."

"Uh, ecstasy. And weed. A lot of weed. Sometimes there was coke, but I never wanted to try it."

"Bullshit, Connie," Alyssa says scornfully. "I think you wanted to try everything for yourself."

"No!" Veronica counts to five before continuing. Remember, they think what you admit willingly is false, what has to be pulled out is true; don't admit anything! She takes a breath and says, "I didn't want to do anything more than a little pot. So I didn't." Suddenly she feels a little stronger; she knows they think they are in control of this, but she knows what they want. So bring it on, Alyssa. I'm ready now.

"Tell me what it feels like when you get high, Connie."

Whoops. Guess I should've indulged more. "I like feeling a little out of control, like maybe things are going to get a little crazy. It's exciting...and you know...you think differently. You see people differently, you get out of yourself a little."

Several people enter the back of room. One man holds a video camera. Alyssa smiles and says, "Welcome to Briar Hill. This is our group therapy session. Connie, why don't you take your seat. We'll continue this later. Maria, can you come up front please?"

As Veronica walks back to her seat, she feels Logan's eyes on her. For a second, she imagines that he's going to walk up to Alyssa and tell her everything, and Veronica stumbles as she tries to sit down without looking at him.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
Guilty Party
Leo investigates; Duncan reaches out
to Wallace; Connie works on her program.
Veronica: Kristen Bell. Leo: Max Greenfield.
Keith: Enrico Colantoni. Duncan 2.0: Chris
Carmack. Wallace: Percy Daggs III.
Candice Pauling: Toy Connor. Klein: Clancy
Brown. Epstein: Scott Grimes. Megan: Anna
Lynn McCord. Alyssa: Christina Hendricks.
Shari: Jessalyn Gilsig. Jim: Adrian Quinones.
Housekeeper: Jenny O'Hara. Coach: Richard
T. Jones. Randy Winsome: Mark Valley.
Deputy Sacks: Brandon Hillock.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CHAPTER EIGHTY: "GUILTY PARTY"

Fri. 3/13/09 early evening: Neptune Grand Hotel, Neptune, CA

Leo surveys Kendall Casablancas' hotel room. After going back and forth with the other deputies about calling her Priscilla Banks, or Katerina Beversdorf, Leo finally issued a directive that, for the sake of simplicity, all communications should refer to her by the name she used while living in Neptune. The head housekeeper stands in the doorway fidgeting. Leo turns to her and asks, "When was this room cleaned last?"

"Yesterday. She almost always had the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door. She usually only allowed us to clean up once a week or so. We had to try to take advantage of an opportunity to do our job. Miss Tina is insistent that we don't bother the guests, but we still have to make sure the rooms are clean."

"And how was the room yesterday?"

The housekeeper says nervously, "It was a mess."

"Was she usually a messy guest?"

"No, not at all. The bed was usually made, and everything was put away. We don't go into the drawers or the closets if they're shut. We ask the guests to put their dirty towels in the tub if they want more."

Leo presses, "So yesterday...which was after she was found dead...her room was a mess, which was unusual."

"Yes, but we didn't know–"

"Of course. Tell me about the mess."

The housekeeper describes a room that has been thoroughly searched; all the contents of the drawers and the closets were rifled through, with the drawers and closet doors left ajar. The housekeeper admits that all the cosmetics and lotions had been poured into the drain, with the empty containers strewn on the bathroom floor.

Looking for something small, Leo thinks. "Anything missing that you had noticed before?"

The housekeeper replies hesitantly, "Her computer."

"Why didn't you report this?"

"It's not my business to keep track of the guests, and they're certainly allowed to take their personal possessions out of the room," she answers nervously.

And you didn't want to be accused of stealing it. Leo surveys the room which is now crawling with evidence techs searching for clues. It's probably hopeless. This room was completely cleaned yesterday. And...I don't think she was killed here anyways.

Deputy Sacks comes into the room. "Here's that list of everyone who was registered here since Katerina...I mean Priscilla...oh hell. Since Kendall checked in," he finally finishes triumphantly.

Leo quickly scans the list. No name strikes him immediately, and he sighs. This is going to be a lot of work.

~ • ~

Fri. 3/13/09 early evening: Briar Hill Academy, Manchester Center, VT

My dad is a genius, Veronica thinks. The tension that usually permeates the school has had a brief respite with the presence of the media. The television crew is interviewing Klein and another man while the girls eat dinner. A few phrases waft her way: "The plain food here, presented without options, is purposely designed to meet the girls' nutritional needs." The reporter asks why there is no choice, and Klein reiterates the standard line. "The girls are here to escape a world in which there's too many options; too many choices and too many decisions lead to the wrong path far too often. The outside world is far too complicated, with drugs and sexualized entertainment and the easy access to immorality through the internet. We keep it simple at Briar Hill, so they can concentrate on making their lives better when they graduate." Veronica laughs a little under her breath; yeah, my simple peanut butter sandwich is the only thing standing between me and the inevitable degradation of becoming the next Playboy centerfold.

The main thing is that the incessant rhetoric aimed at her has eased up for a short time. I can't let them beat me, she vows again. She's completely exhausted; the hike took the last bit of energy she had. She puts the sandwich down between bites to rest a little. Her shoulder is still incredibly painful. If she hadn't had this respite, Veronica thinks she might have had to end the mission. But I really want to document whatever Klein is going to try next...I want that fucker in jail for the rest of his life.

She leans her head on her left hand and looks around at the other girls. Maria seems a lost cause; the combination of whatever horrible abuse occurred to her with the years of inhumane treatment here appear to be irreversible. Still...Veronica wouldn't want her to have to go to Serenity Bay. The stories of children spending days or weeks on end in doghouse sized cages in the hot sun still make her shiver when she lets herself think about it.

Megan...well, Megan probably was a juvenile delinquent. She might have even needed some type of residential treatment, and Veronica doesn't doubt that Megan was using drugs. But her experience here has apparently exaggerated Megan's natural inclination to tattle and lie and fueled her tendency to aggrandize her life experiences.

Tara is the girl that Veronica thinks can still be saved from her experience at Briar Hill. Her heart breaks every time Tara regurgitates the twelve-step philosophies that are hammered into the girls' heads twenty-four hours a day; but Veronica sees that Tara is not a true believer...yet.

The other girls are a mix; certainly most of the girls were in serious trouble before coming here, and their parents probably agonized over the right course of action. But some of the girls, like Maria, seem to have committed nothing wrong other than the sin of having parents who lacked parenting skills and the desire to improve them, and the school appeared to be an easy way to dispose of inconveniently misbehaving teenagers for those with the resources to afford such a program.

Veronica picks up the peanut butter sandwich left-handed and takes another bite before putting it down again. She forces down more of the disgusting 'bug juice', worrying that she got even more dehydrated on the hike. She still feels feverish and wishes she could see a doctor. For just a moment, she considers going up to Klein, who is still speaking with the reporter, and asking for a doctor. It would certainly lead to a doctor's visit, but she knows her dad would end the operation immediately.

Veronica sets her jaw. She really wants to face off against Klein, and she knows...it's coming.

~ • ~

Fri. 3/13/09 evening: Hearst College, Neptune, CA

The announcer says gleefully, "Fennel, shooting 85 percent from the stripe, sinks the shot! Hearst wins, 81 to 80 on the back of Wallace Fennel, our player of the game."

The coach pats Wallace on the back, saying, "Good job on that last free throw."

"Thanks, Coach," Wallace replies. Several of the players congratulate him as the crowd begins to leave the arena. Wallace notices a young man in a baseball cap trying to catch his eye. Duncan Kane. He looks...well, he looks really stressed out compared to the last time I saw him, when we talked to Lizzie at San Diego State. Wallace heads over to the bleachers. "What's up?"

"Need to talk to you," Duncan replies shortly.

"My girlfriend and I are getting something to eat. You want to join us?" Wallace nods at Candice sitting a short distance away.

"Okay," Duncan agrees.

Calling good night to the other players, Wallace meets up with Candice and Duncan outside the locker room. He introduces them to each other, telling Candice only that Duncan is another old friend from Neptune High. Really, Veronica's friend, he thinks to himself.

Wallace skips over the details with Candice, but in his head, he'll always think of Duncan as the guy who froze out Veronica junior year. He's somehow forgiven Logan all his misdeeds, but Duncan Kane.... The guy fled the country two times to escape his problems, and Wallace has never really wanted to get to know this guy who can't seem to face the music and always left Veronica behind to take the heat. He thinks about coming back from Chicago to a Veronica Mars who had once again subtly reinforced her tough-as-nails exterior to try to cope with the revelation of Meg's pregnancy.

"Really great game, Wallace," Duncan comments. Candice holds onto Wallace's hand as they walk toward the parking lot. Duncan follows as Wallace drives to a restaurant not far away. Once in the restaurant, Wallace fields the inevitable high-fives and hearty congratulations on Hearst's first trip to the finals of their division in recent memory. They make small talk and place their order with the waitress.

"So what's going on, Duncan?" Wallace asks when they are served their burgers and fries.

"I need to get in touch with Veronica," Duncan says abruptly.

"If this is about the subpoena, I told Keith about it already. He'll make sure that Veronica's there for the hearing."

"Where is she?" Duncan asks impatiently. His voice rises. "I really need to talk to her. Can you get in touch with her?"

Once again, Veronica's supposed to clean up all his messes for him, Wallace thinks bitterly. He remembers, Duncan's the reason that Keith was digging up graveyards, so it's not just Veronica taking chances to save his ass. His voice takes on an angry edge. "She's on an important undercover operation, and she can't be disturbed until it's over. Keith assured me that your custody hearing won't be a problem. If necessary, he'll end her undercover status early to comply with the subpoena. In the meantime...well, she could be in danger if she's distracted. She needs to concentrate on what she's doing."

Candice looks at him with surprise, wondering at his attitude toward someone who's supposed to be his friend. She turns to Duncan and asks, "Is everything okay? Is there something that we can help you with?"

Duncan sighs. "It's not just the custody hearing. There's something else that I really need to talk to her about. Wallace, I know...I know you're pissed that Veronica is involved in my problems."

Wallace stares at him impassively, then shrugs. "Girl's a marshmallow; she's always had a soft spot for you. I just don't want her to get hurt."

"I know that. I don't want her to get hurt either. That's just it; I don't understand what's going on, and I'm worried it will hurt her."

"All I can do is talk to Keith right now. Duncan, what I'm worried about right now is the Mackenzie funeral. I know Veronica would be really upset if she wasn't there for Mac. But I know Keith hasn't even told her what happened. What she's doing...it's really dangerous, that's all I can say, and she has to be on her game. She can't be distracted by anything right now. I'm hoping the undercover operation will be over soon."

Embarrassed, Duncan replies, "Shit, I didn't even think about Mac." What kind of friend am I...I've been so upset about Kendall that I didn't even realize Veronica would be worrying about her friend who lost her whole family. Duncan stands up. "You're right, it'll have to wait. Just...when she gets back and has a moment...just tell her I need to talk to her. When you talk to Keith, tell him I'm worried about Veronica too."

"Duncan, don't go. Stay and finish your burger," Candice says.

"No, I've lost my appetite." He takes out his wallet and puts two twenties on the table. "Dinner's on me."

"Can't accept that," Wallace says, pushing the money back at Duncan.

Duncan grimaces, then takes the money, nods, and walks out of the restaurant.

Candice looks at Wallace questioningly, and he fills her in on a little more of the history of Neptune High School.

~ • ~

Fri. 3/13/09 late: Briar Hill Academy, Manchester Center, VT

The television crew continues to film and the Education Department inspectors observe as the girls go to their evening classes. Shari, the teacher, subtly guides the crew to focus their attention on the more compliant students by remarking on their achievements. The reporter interviews two of the oldcomers, who talk about the progress they've made since they came to Briar Hill. "The teachers have been really great here," Veronica overhears Megan saying enthusiastically. "They always encourage us to look up any words we don't know. I never used to do that. And because we all work at our own pace, I never feel frustrated because another girl is doing better than me. I always feel a real sense of accomplishment when I finish a worksheet." Veronica keeps her head down and works hard on her own sheets.

The reporter wraps up his interviews. He moves to the hallway and films a tagline to his report. "This is Randy Winsome for Action News, reporting from Manchester Center on an alternative education system that really works." There's going to be egg on your face in a few days, Randy, Veronica thinks.

Once the reporters have left, Shari beckons one of the guards, Jim, and tells him to take Veronica to Alyssa's office. Veronica is halfway through a worksheet on photosynthesis; she puts down her pencil and follows Jim without an argument. Hmm, photosynthesis–I wonder how it all turns out...oh wait, I remember now, glucose plus oxygen plus water. Now that's a happy ending.

Veronica sits down across from Alyssa. The counselor opens a desk drawer and puts a stack of lined notebook paper and a pencil in front of Veronica. Alyssa says to Jim, "You know we had an incident with this one with a pen her first day. I need you to watch her."

Veronica feels perversely proud of her hard-earned reputation but keeps her mouth shut.

Alyssa continues, "So tonight we're going to work on your first guilt letter. We've talked about working the steps, and we've done a little work on Step Four, your moral inventory, in group. Your guilt letters are part of Step Nine, making amends. We're going to write down an admission of your flaws, and you will take responsibility for all your past bad actions; then you're going to beg the person you injured for forgiveness and hope to hell they grant it to you. We find that the guilt letters often clarify the work of the program for our students."

Veronica stares back at Alyssa. I can do this. This is no big deal, she thinks. Bring it on.

Alyssa says, "We're going to write a letter to the mother of the girl whose death you caused...the girl you talked about in group today."

No fucking way, Veronica thinks. Fuck!

"What's her name? You never said. The girl you didn't give a shit about, that you didn't call on her bad behavior until it was too late. Good job helping your friends, Connie."

"You don't know a fucking thing about Li-" Veronica stops and takes a breath. "I loved...Linda."

"I guess you need more specific instructions, Connie. I want you to write, Dear Mrs..." Alyssa prompts.

Veronica wants to write 'Dear Mrs. Bitch Cuntwad', but she writes 'Dear Mrs. Ka' instead before stopping to reconsider. She hesitates and then finishes, 'Dear Mrs. Kahan.'

Alyssa dictates, "I'm writing this letter to beg for your forgiveness. My actions have hurt the people around me, and I'm hoping that by writing down the terrible things I've done I might begin to become a better person."

Veronica writes:

Dear Mrs. Kahan,

Your daughter was the most beautiful person I ever knew. I loved her with all my heart. I don't know why you treated her the way you did.

Alyssa stands up and walks around behind Veronica to read what she has written. "What the hell is your problem? Write what I'm telling you!"

"I thought it was my guilt letter. Aren't I allowed to express my feelings?" Veronica retorts.

"Scratch that last sentence and write what I said," Alyssa yells.

Veronica revises.

Dear Mrs. Kahan,

Your daughter was the most beautiful person I ever knew. I loved her with all my heart. I don't know why you treated her the way you did.

I'm writing this letter to beg you for forgiveness. I did a terrible thing, and I hurt everyone around me with my actions. I'm trying to become a better person by admitting my guilt.

Alyssa says, "Better. Now write down exactly what happened."

I saw Linda's boyfriend kissing another girl. I told Linda about it, and she broke up with him.

"Continue," Alyssa prompts when Veronica pauses.

"I don't know how to say it. I...I know it was...." Veronica replies.

"Just write the truth."

If I hadn't broken them up, they would have been together that day, and Linda wouldn't have been killed. I'll never forgive myself for that.

"You're not stressing the important part," Alyssa says impatiently. "That you should have called Linda on her promiscuity and drugging and helped her to live a moral life."

I'd like to have seen you try to get Lilly to behave. If Celeste couldn't make her into a Stepford wife, no one could. Veronica asks, "Aren't we supposed to be responsible for ourselves? 'Let go, and let God,' and all that. I don't understand how that means that we're supposed to tell other people how to behave."

Sarcastically, Alyssa responds, "Listen, Miss Denial, you don't get to pick and choose which parts of the program you get to utilize. You accept all of it, or you die. You don't question the program. You open yourself to the help that we give you, and that's how you get better."

Right. It's all clear to me now, Veronica thinks.

Alyssa continues, "You need to list your own moral flaws that prevented you from helping your friend."

Veronica pretends to think a minute and writes some more.

'I was wrong to let Linda do the things she did without telling her that she should stop. I wanted to drink and drug with her and sleep around the way she did, so I never did the right thing. I never tried to get Linda to stop all the terrible things she did.'

I never...considered that it was my responsibility to make Lilly behave. I never...wanted to punish her for being a free spirit. Then Veronica has a moment of doubt. I never...broke up Lilly and Logan because I wanted him for myself. I never...caused the death of my best friend because I secretly loved her boyfriend...No, I didn't! I couldn't have done that. Her expression betrays her uncertainty.

Alyssa pounces. "What are you thinking?"

"Nothing!" Veronica lies. "I'm just trying to get it right. I'm really trying!" Jim looks at her curiously as well.

"I think there's something you're still not telling us. Connie, you are not going to get better if you keep hiding from the truth about yourself. Take another piece of paper. Write down as many of your flaws as you can. Let's go! You're obviously not ready to write a guilt letter yet, Connie. We're going have to spend a lot more time looking at your bad behavior." She pulls out a copy of the moral inventory sheet and gives it to Veronica as a template.

Veronica starts listing her flaws. Well, this is easy. I just have to write down everything Logan ever accused me of, she thinks half-sarcastically.

Reckless
Dishonest
Sarcastic
Judgmental
Liar
Self-righteous
Justifying
Critical
Suspicious

Alyssa looks at her list and says, "Okay. That's a good start. Now, I'd like you to write down an incident from your life that demonstrates each of these flaws."

For the next two hours, Veronica tries to satisfy Alyssa's demands. Her shoulder begins to ache again from all the writing. Each time she tries to fudge a description from her real past, Alyssa somehow sees through the lie and insists that Veronica revise it. Finally, Veronica writes:

Suspicious: I accused my boyfriend of murdering my best friend. I didn't have faith in him even though I loved him, and he loved me. I didn't trust him. I assumed he cheated on me to hurt me.

Alyssa remains doubtful. "I don't know, Connie...I really don't know how you managed to survive up until now when all you do is lie to yourself. We're going to be doing this a lot, Connie. You've got a lot to answer for. Jim, you can take her now." The guard leads her to the sleeping room, where the other girls are already getting ready for bed.

Veronica crawls into her upper bunk. I don't think I've ever been so tired in my life. The effort of trying to satisfy Alyssa and keeping all the various subterfuges and tales of debauchery straight in her head has exhausted her. Even though she intellectually knows that Alyssa's techniques are evil, she is completely disheartened by her self-examination. She keeps remembering Logan's fury on the beach when he confronted her about her accusation that he had killed Lilly, and those old nightmares of Logan balancing on the bridge while Weevil interrogates him keep playing whenever she tries to close her eyes. She hears him begging for her forgiveness for sleeping with Madison: 'She meant less than nothing to me...I wasn't trying to hurt you,' and she hears herself, replying coldly and viciously, 'Imagine if you tried.'

Veronica wishes she could excise the memories or block them out with alcohol or drugs. I guess that's what you call a denial problem, she thinks. If only I could deny my character flaws by getting high...yeah, I'm getting much better here at Briar Hill. She tosses and turns, attempting to think of anything but her relationship with Logan and all the mistakes she's made in her life.

Her shoulder begins to bother her intensely as she tries to get comfortable in the narrow bunk. She turns over onto her back and stretches her arm over her head, which is far worse. Veronica tries lying on her left side, but no matter what position she puts her right arm in, it throbs painfully. Finally, she puts the pillow under her back and leans her right side against it; the pillow supports her arm enough that its twinges diminish slightly.

Unfortunately, her contortions to try to get comfortable accidentally unhook the bug in her bra from the transmitting wire concealed as an underwire, and the audio transmitter goes silent.

~ • ~

Fri. 3/13/09 late: Rented house, Manchester Center, VT

Keith and the others listen to the scuffling sounds of the girls getting ready for bed. There is no talking, no laughter or jokes about cute boys, and Keith always finds it depressing and unnatural. The audio feed goes silent, and they assume that Veronica has fallen asleep. Epstein volunteers to take the first four-hour shift, and the others go to bed.

The guilt-letter session with Alyssa really bothered Keith; when he heard Veronica say 'ashtray' in this afternoon's group therapy, he immediately realized that she was incorporating real-life details in her answers. He tries to reassure himself; he always trained her to stick to the truth as much as possible when employing a ruse in order to help keep her story straight. He tells himself that that's what's going on here. Keith worries about her until he finally falls asleep.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
Disintegration
A witness comes forward; Veronica is
stressed; technical difficulties.
Veronica: Kristen Bell. Logan: Jason Dohring.
Leo: Max Greenfield. Carrie: Amber Heard.
Klein: Clancy Brown. Maria: Gina Mantegna.
Kavner: Eric Bana. Dr. Kinny: Dan Castellaneta.
Alyssa: Christina Hendricks. Agent Lynley:
James Badge Dale. Oswaldo: Frankie Rodriguez.
Guard: Kevin Rankin.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE: "DISINTEGRATION"

Fri. 3/13/09 late: Neptune Grand Hotel, Neptune, CA

Leo has been interviewing employees on the night shift in one of the Neptune Grand's conference rooms. Each employee seems to have the same story: yes, they remember Kendall; no, they never saw her with anyone. Kendall kept to herself, didn't want her room cleaned very often, and seemed to have room service every night. A few of the staff from the kitchen mention that she was a lousy tipper. Leo motions one of the deputies to bring in the last employee for the shift.

"Oswaldo Cortez?" Leo asks, and the young man nods. Leo scans the paper summarizing Oswaldo's employment history at the hotel and notes that he's been working maintenance at the hotel for the last four years. "So, Mr. Cortez, I'm sure you've heard that we're investigating the murder of one of the guests. She was registered as Katerina Beversdorf, room 214. But her real name was–"

"Kendall Casablancas. Yeah, I can read the newspaper," Oswaldo interrupts.

Surprised, Leo asks, "Were you aware that she was Kendall before she was killed?"

"No. But I remember her from before," Oswaldo replies suggestively.

"Before?"

"Listen, I know something about Kendall from a few years ago. I didn't see it in the paper. I bet I know who killed that bitch." Oswaldo pauses.

"So? Let's hear it," Leo prods.

"You know, Sheriff, I'm trying to get out from under a bullshit assault charge right now. If that goes away, I might just remember who Kendall used to hang out with here at the hotel three years ago. But, you know, I can't quite put my finger on it, who it was. If only I could remember," Oswaldo says sarcastically.

Leo leans back in his chair, trying to assess if this guy actually has worthwhile information. He says, "Cortez, huh. You any relation to Hector Cortez?"

"My cousin."

"You're certain you saw Kendall with someone?"

"Yeah. Someone she wasn't supposed to be with. His name slips my mind at present. I'm a little distracted though, worrying about that assault charge."

"So three years ago you saw Kendall with this guy. What does that have to do with now?"

"He's been here since then...while Kendall was here. I saw him getting into the elevator late one night...maybe about two weeks ago."

"If you have information, you need to tell us what you know," Leo says forcefully.

"Unh-unh. I want that assault charge to go away. And then, I feel certain I'll be able to remember," Oswaldo responds emphatically. He leaves the conference room. Once he's in the hallway, he pulls out his cell phone and dials a number. He says quietly, "Ya viene la tormenta."

~ • ~

Fri. 3/13/09 very late: Briar Hill Academy, Manchester Center, VT

Veronica is woken up by someone shaking her roughly. The room is still dark, and she is uncertain what's going on. Maria says quietly, "Get out of bed now, and don't wake up any of the other girls."

Veronica scrambles out of the top bunk, suppressing a moan when she knocks her shoulder against the bed frame. Maria and an unfamiliar guard take her to the exercise room. Veronica, still half-asleep, is pushed to the center of the room. As an exercise room, it's barely equipped. There are no free weights or Nautilus machines; Veronica assumes that anything that could be used as a weapon has been banished from this room. There are two fixed slanted crunch boards in one corner with no other exercise equipment in sight. So much for the vaunted physical education advertised in the brochure. There are no mirrors; again, Veronica assumes this is to prevent a broken mirror from being used as a weapon. The walls have ragged posters depicting calisthenic type exercises. Veronica turns around and faces Maria and the guard.

Maria says, "Two hundred jumping jacks. Let's go."

What the hell? I've completely behaved myself since the hike. I did the fucking guilt letter with Alyssa. I wrote down all my flaws. Veronica takes one look at Maria's bitter face, and she keeps silent and tries to do a jumping jack. When she raises her arms over her head, she cries out, "Ah," and bends over in pain, cradling her shoulder. "I can't, Maria. My shoulder...I'm sorry," Veronica says quietly. "Please."

"Would you rather do fifty push-ups?" the guard says sarcastically. "Stop faking. Let's go." He approaches, and Veronica realizes he might strike her if she refuses to do the exercises.

She tries again and manages a slow jumping jack; she doesn't put her arms all the way over her head, and she jumps as lightly as possible to avoid jarring her shoulder. With each repetition, Veronica feels her shoulder rip a little more, and the pain increases. At 117, she has to stop; she collapses on the ground, trying to roll away from her shoulder. She's covered with sweat and shaking from the ordeal, but the guard leans over her and begins to scream at her to keep going.

I can't. I can't! She whispers, "California." In a slightly stronger voice, she says, "I really wish I was in California." I'm sorry, Daddy.

Maria looks at the guard. "She's fucking nuts." She reaches down to pull Veronica up to her feet; Veronica flinches and pulls away. Maria yells, "Get the fuck up! Let's go!"

Veronica pushes herself off the floor slowly. They're going to come in. It's going to be Logan coming through the door, any minute now. She pictures his determined face as he pounded his fist into Gory's nose. She starts jumping again, expecting a commotion at any second. She completes a few more and stops again, listening in vain for pounding on the front door of the main building or maybe an approaching siren. Something's wrong! What's happening? Maybe I'm dreaming. She shakes her head and thinks, wake up, wake up, wake up, this can't be happening.

Veronica is beginning to completely panic; she's never felt so alone. The guard and Maria stare at her as she jumps; her shoulder throbs viciously with each movement of her arm, and the tears begin to stream down her face. She finally manages to complete the 200 repetitions, hoping desperately all the while that somehow her dad will break down the door to stop this. She clasps her arm to her body, trying to mitigate the burning pain in her arm socket, as Maria and the guard lead her back to bed.

Veronica lies on the bed, her shoulder screaming and her brain flailing around for possible explanations. Where are you, Dad? Why didn't you come to get me? Finally, her exhaustion overtakes her, and she falls into a restless sleep.

Two hours later, she is woken again. This time, it's Alyssa shaking her awake. Alyssa leads her to the meager library adjacent to the classroom. The counselor pulls all the books off the shelves into a big pile in the center of the room. "You'll be allowed to go back to bed when the books are back on the shelves. And I'll be checking to make sure they're in order. If they're in the wrong order, we'll start over." Alyssa sits down to watch Veronica work.

Veronica thinks, WHY? WHY? Why are you doing this? I was good. I didn't say a word today. I participated in your fucked-up group therapy; I didn't resist or act out even after you threw me to the ground. I wrote your fucking list!! I did the jumping jacks!! Why isn't Dad stopping this? I can't do this anymore. Using her left hand, she starts to put the books on the shelves as Alyssa observes her. Her right arm brushing against her body is agonizing; the only good thing about the pain is it helps keep her alert and awake enough to try to do the job right. She debates saying "California" again, but the lack of response so far has her completely unnerved. Come on, Veronica, try to...try to get through this. He's on his way, I know he is.

She attempts to work as efficiently as possible and keeps completely quiet. Veronica keeps expecting her dad and Logan to rush in to get her out; she listens for the slightest sound that wil tell her that they're coming. It's not going to be long now, she tries to reassure herself. Logan was willing to get himself arrested to beat up Mercer; there's no way he'd...he hasn't stopped.... Every time she looks at Alyssa, the counselor stares back as if Veronica is an interesting lab experiment, not a tired, worn-out girl with an injured arm, and Veronica gets more and more terrified.

~ • ~

Fri. 3/13/09 very late: Briar Hill Academy, Manchester Center, VT

Logan can't sleep. He wonders if it's his brain refusing to deal with any more nightmares about Veronica and Hannah. In any case, he's been staring at the ceiling for hours. He gets up and throws on some clothes and a warm jacket.

Logan walks around the campus. It's snowing lightly. He reflects that the snow is so different from the powdery-white stuff he is most familiar with from his trips to Aspen. Vermont always seems to be gray and cloudy, even in the middle of the night, and the cold and damp seep into his body. He suppresses a shiver as he meanders around.

He sees someone approaching. It's Alyssa; Logan checks his watch and thinks, What the hell is she doing up at 4 a.m.? When she passes by, he nods to her. She acknowledges his greeting silently and walks on by.

I've got a bad feeling about this. When he's certain that Alyssa has gone into the employees' quarters, he pulls out his cell phone and dials Keith's number.

"Agent Lynley here."

"Uh, hi. This is Logan. Is Keith around?" Logan says.

"He's sleeping. What's going on?"

"Are you...are you monitoring Veronica now?" Logan asks.

"She's sleeping. There's been no audio from her bug since bedtime," Lynley responds.

"Are you sure? I just saw the counselor, Alyssa, walking back from the main building to the employees' quarters. I think something's up."

Lynley replies, "Let me double-check. I'll run back the recording from Veronica's audio feed." There are a few moments of silence, then he continues, "Nothing. Just keep alert."

"We're going to end this soon, right? I mean, we've got enough, don't we?"

"I think so. You're doing a great job. I'm sure Veronica is safe, Logan," Lynley reassures him.

Logan doesn't say anything, worrying silently. Something's wrong. I know it.

"Try to get some sleep, Logan. She's all right, I promise you."

Logan terminates the call and heads back to his room. He lies down and stares at the ceiling again, trying to figure out just what feels wrong to him.

~ • ~

Sat. 3/14/09 early morning: Briar Hill Academy, Manchester Center, VT

Veronica finally is allowed to go back to bed and sleeps heavily for an hour before the girls are woken for breakfast. Still no sign of Dad. What the hell is going on? She plays a little with her oatmeal, wishing for something a little more substantial, and she longs for a large cup of coffee, preferably a Joltin' Java from the Hut. She reminisces about the double shot of espresso that used to get her through senior year's sex ed class. Only Mrs. Hauser could make oral sex boring. Her head continues to pound, and her shoulder is making her completely miserable. When she touches her forehead, she feels certain that she's running a fever.

Maria seems to be extra bitchy today. I guess my jumping jacks wore her out, Veronica thinks bitterly.

Maybe...maybe they didn't hear me last night. Maybe the repeater doesn't work in that room. That's it, that's gotta be it. She decides to try to send a message again.

She looks at Maria and says, "My dad and I were supposed to take a vacation in California for spring break. He promised me at Christmas. You know, Disneyland, Paramount Studios, and Grauman's Chinese Theater. And then a trip up the California coastline on the Pacific Coast Highway to San Francisco...everything that California's famous for. But he sent me here instead. So, fuck him. I don't want to talk to my dad ever again." Do you get it, Dad? Come on! California! California! I even reversed the code that means I'm okay.

"What the fuck are you talking about? California, California. You've finally lost it, Connie." Maria, who was given an apple in addition to her oatmeal, takes a big bite ostentatiously. "Mmm, this apple's good. Do you think you'll ever earn the right to more food, Connie? I don't think so. I think you'll be stuck on newcomer phase for the next five years."

"Five years? What the hell are you talking about? I'm out of here when I turn eighteen. Screw my dad," Veronica retorts.

"Not if you don't graduate. Now, I'm going to be graduating in three months. I'll be free. You can think about me this summer when you're doing hikes and rotting away in Observation Placement," Maria taunts.

"What makes you think they're going to let you graduate?" Veronica replies.

"I've earned it! I've worked hard to change myself. You don't know anything. I'm out of here in June," Maria retorts. "Shut up!"

Veronica goes back to eating her oatmeal. I'm too tired to try to fight with you today. She listens for a sound that will tell her that her dad is on the way: a siren or a commotion in the hallway, anything. Kavner's not here either. Did they just...leave me here? What the hell is going on? She tries to control her panic. It's just something with the court case, they're just waiting for something, it's going to be all right, it's going to be all right. I can go on. I'll be okay. She takes a breath and thinks, Keep your head down, Veronica. Don't give 'em a reason....

~ • ~

Sat. 3/14/09 early morning: Rented house, Manchester Center, VT

Dr. Kinny checks his watch and frowns. He turns up the gain on Veronica's microphone and listens. He goes into one of the bedrooms and wakes up Lynley. "Something's wrong," he says pointedly.

"What? What are you talking about?"

"It's eight a.m. The girls are usually at breakfast by seven thirty, but I haven't heard anything from Veronica's bug this morning." Both men are immediately seized by the possibility that her bug was discovered and removed from her.

Lynley asks, "Are you sure? Did you try turning up the volume?"

"Of course."

"Are Keith and Epstein gone already?"

Kinny sighs. "Yeah, they left about an hour ago for Albany."

Lynley follows Kinny back out to the living room. Lynley plays with the controls on the Sonic Snoop program. He rubs his forehead and says, "I think the bug's not working. I'm not picking up any ambient noise either." He opens up a second window and displays the wave form from the surveillance of the day before. "See? In the track we recorded yesterday, there's always a small amount of static; the wave form is never completely flat." When he increases the volume on yesterday's track, they hear a low hum and occasional rustling noises.

Carrie wanders into the living room, sleepily rubbing her eyes. "What's going on?"

Lynley replies, "We think something's wrong with Veronica's bug."

"Should we call Keith and tell him to get back here?" Kinny asks.

"Yeah, I think we have to. Last night, Logan called around four a.m. He saw Alyssa coming back to the employees' quarters from the main building. And he had a feeling something was going on."

Lynley dials Keith's cell. He gets a message that the party he is trying to reach is out of range. Lynley drums his fingers on the table, trying to decide whether to send in the local police. He calls Kavner to see if he knows anything.

Kavner says worriedly, "I'm not on campus. Tony sent me up to White River Junction on an errand first thing. I'm on my way back, but see if Logan can check on her in the meantime."

Just then, the video bug in the group therapy room shows the girls entering. There is a backup audio bug in this room as well, and Lynley quickly turns up the sound.

Kinny points to the screen. "There she is." Carrie peers over his shoulder at the display and watches intently.

From the phone, Kavner says, "What's going on?"

Lynley replies, "The girls are going into group therapy."

"They're not doing chores?"

"No. Veronica looks okay. She looks tired, but she's all right," Lynley observes. "There must be something wrong with her bug."

"I'll hurry back to the school. I'll make contact and let her know," Kavner responds.

~ • ~

Sat. 3/14/09 morning: Briar Hill Academy, Manchester Center, VT

After breakfast, the girls are led to the group room and listen to a long lecture from Alyssa about everything happening for a reason. Peter Klein unobtrusively takes a seat in the back of the room to observe. Veronica begins to nod off after her sleepless night. She finds that it is impossible to pay attention to the convoluted reasoning and eventually gives up. She stares into space, her eyes unfocused.

Veronica begins to hallucinate that she's somehow back in a classroom at Neptune High. The faces of the girls around her are replaced by those of her enemies, both old and new: Madison, Kendall, Shelly Pomroy, Ashley Banks, Carrie Bishop, Caitlin Ford, Fern Delgado; even Carrie Murray the reporter is skulking in the corner. Veronica imagines that they are secretly plotting against her and knows it has something to do with why she hasn't been allowed to sleep and why her dad hasn't come to rescue her. I thought Carrie was with my dad; what the hell is she doing here? She stares at Carrie, daring her to cause some trouble. Out of the corner of her eye, she thinks she sees Shelly passing a note to Madison, and Veronica whirls around. "Eyes front!" Alyssa shouts at her. Veronica realizes that she's dreaming, and she shakes her head to try to clear it; she tries desperately to focus on the interminable lecture.

Finally, the lecture concludes and the girls are instructed to pull the chairs into a circle. The girls, working in an eerie silence, quickly assemble the chairs and sit down. Alyssa points at Veronica. "It's time for you to get honest. Bring your chair into the center of the circle." Veronica looks around and sees that everyone is looking at her. She drags her chair to the center of the circle. She sits down and waits for her next instruction. She tries to conceal her trembling, but the counselor notices and smiles disingenuously, saying, "Don't worry, Connie. You know we love you here. You just need to accept it."

Peter Klein, smiling widely, walks up to the front of the room to join Alyssa. He brings a chair into the center of the circle. He sits in the chair facing Veronica and says, "Hello, Connie. You really don't have to be afraid of us. We only have your best interests at heart. Love you, Connie."

The other girls repeat, "Love you, Connie."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
Unraveling
Keith and Epstein meet with the Guardian
Angel; Klein increases the pressure on Connie.
Veronica: Kristen Bell. Keith: Enrico Colantoni.
Klein: Clancy Brown. Epstein: Scott Grimes.
Michelle Weisz: Winona Ryder.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO: "UNRAVELING"

Sat. 3/14/09 morning: Apartment building, just outside of Albany, NY

"This must be it," Keith comments, looking at the printed driving instructions from MapQuest. Epstein pulls into the parking lot and shuts off the car. They go into the lobby of the apartment building and ring a buzzer for one of the apartments. They are buzzed into the lobby and take the elevator to the third floor.

A woman about thirty, thin and physically fit, with her dark hair pulled back into a ponytail, answers the door. Epstein asks, "Michelle Weisz? I'm James Epstein. This is Keith Mars."

"James, it's nice to meet you. I've followed your work on the lawsuits against the schools on the internet," Michelle says, shaking Epstein's hand. "Keith Mars?" She turns to Epstein and asks, "This is the private detective?" Epstein nods. "Come on in. I have coffee if you'd like."

The apartment is sparsely furnished with threadbare furniture. There are a few boxes lying around; in the adjoining room, they see an inexpensive laptop on the dining room table, connected to a phone jack. They sit down in the living room, and Michelle brings in a pot of coffee, three cups, and cream and sugar. She pours three cups of coffee and sits back, waiting. No one seems to know how to start this conversation.

Keith takes a sip of his coffee and puts the cup down on the table. He plunges in. "Michelle–it's okay to call you Michelle?"

She nods, and he continues, "Jim told you we've been investigating Briar Hill. We discovered your name in the Workers' Compensation database. The dates you were employed at Briar Hill Academy overlap with the time that a student named Hannah Griffith was at the school."

Michelle hesitates. "Do you have some identification? How do I know you're not working for the school?"

Keith opens his wallet and passes his California private investigator's license toward her. "You can call Hannah's mother, Ms. Denenberg, and she can confirm that we are working for her. Here's her phone number." Keith takes out a pen and scrawls Ms. Denenberg's number on a business card.

"If you don't mind, I'll look up her phone number for myself. Please excuse me." Michelle goes into the dining room and taps some keys on the laptop computer. She uses a cell phone to quietly place a call.

"She's pretty nervous," Keith remarks under his breath.

"If what I've heard is true, the schools have vowed to find her and stop her. She's put herself in danger trying to rescue these kids," Epstein explains.

Michelle walks back into the room. "All right, she confirmed your story. What is it you'd like to know?"

Keith pulls out a yellow legal pad from his briefcase to take notes. "Did you help Hannah escape from the school?"

"Yes. I told Hannah's oldcomer that the counselor wanted to speak to her, then I told Hannah to hit me in the face, as hard as she could, and then to hurry outside and get in the trunk of my car. Hannah surprised me; she hit me in the mouth quite hard, and my lip started to bleed. I waited as long as I dared, then I called for help. The school raised the alarm, and all the employees fanned out to search the grounds. Of course I pretended to help with the search. Several hours later, they called off the search until morning, and I drove off the campus. I took Hannah to the bus station in Montpelier and gave her $200. The hardest part was going back to the school the next day; Klein called me in his office and went over the incident repeatedly. He's not quite sane, you know."

"We've surmised as much," Keith notes. "But why did you help Hannah? Did something in particular happen?"

Michelle sighs. "I have a masters in social work as well as an undergraduate degree in education. I've always been interested in working with troubled youth. And, at first, I thought Briar Hill was excellent. All the group therapy seemed to be producing results; most of the girls were testifying that they had learned the error of their ways. But I thought the education methods were completely useless. Kids need stimulation to learn, not repetitive drills and a mindless focus on tests. I went to Klein with my observations and begged for permission to try to teach some subjects as a seminar, with students contributing their observations and having real discussions about the topics. He absolutely refused, saying that these kids were not like normal kids and you couldn't expect to use normal teaching methods with them. Klein basically said that the girls needed to be reprogrammed to be compliant in order to allow them to function in society."

"Reprogrammed is an appropriate description," Keith remarks.

"Some of the girls were violent and obviously needed to be at the school. One girl in particular, Maria, was constantly being assigned to Observation Placement..." she pauses, and Keith and Epstein nod that they are familiar with the term. "She would act out, strike one of the guards or the counselor, and then be confined for days on end. I'm ashamed to say that she scared me. She seemed almost schizophrenic, with wild tales of her father impregnating her and forcing her to get an abortion. It was apparent to me that she was severely disturbed. She had been at the school for almost a year, but still seemed to show little improvement in her behavior."

"We actually think that Maria's stories are true," Keith says. "Her father is a prominent politician in California, and one of our undercover operatives saw a scar that he believes was caused by a cigarette burn."

"Oh my god," Michelle replies, shocked. She stands up and starts pacing around the room. "I never believed Maria. Klein always said her father was a doctor and that she was a pathological liar. Maria's behavior was completely erratic; she hit some of the guards and never stopped cursing at them. I got her assigned to Observation Placement several times for acting out in class. I assumed....I assumed that she was one of the girls who truly needed some kind of residential treatment." She sits down heavily and drops her head into her hands. "I don't know why I trusted Klein about anything. I should have...I wish I had paid more attention to her. Poor Maria...if even a tenth of what she said was true, then her father should be in prison. Of course she was acting out, and then that bastard Klein was always confronting her in group about her 'lies,'" she ends bitterly. She stares off into space, trying to reconcile this new information. Michelle wipes the corner of her eye, obviously distressed.

"What about Hannah? Did you feel that she was benefiting from the treatment she was receiving?"

"What?" Michelle replies, startled out of her preoccupation with Maria. "Oh. Right." She sighs. "The point I was trying to make was that Hannah was not like the other girls at the school. She was obviously well-educated and emotionally well-adjusted. I observed her in group, and I believed her, that she hadn't done anything. Her story was consistent and reasonable. I took my concerns to Klein, and he was furious with me. He told me that I needed to stay out of the therapy sessions and concentrate on my responsibilities in the classroom. By this point, I was becoming very disturbed by my observations. I called my thesis advisor and described the situation; my professor said that this was clearly an abusive situation, and he directed me to some research about drug rehab facilities in the eighties. Some of the first-person accounts sounded like what I was observing at the school. I became convinced that the school was destructive and harmful to the girls, and I decided to leave."

Epstein asks, "But then you decided to help Hannah first?"

"Hannah and one other girl who appeared to be there for no reason. I realized that I couldn't leave them there to be abused by Klein's sick program. I had the opportunity to help Hannah first. She didn't hesitate when I told her to go; she was very brave."

"What happened with the other girl?" Keith asks curiously.

"It was about six weeks later. I couldn't use the same scenario again. I got her away from her oldcomer by lying and saying that her oldcomer had stolen food. That's a big no-no for Klein; he loves to make the girls compliant be restricting their food and their sleep. But when I approached the girl, she refused to run. The school had added some guard dogs to their security because of Hannah's successful escape, and this girl was deathly afraid of them. I'm afraid she wasn't as strong as Hannah; she broke down in group therapy on a regular basis. It almost seemed like Klein was enjoying her discomfort, and he would take charge of attacking her in group."

Michelle sighs before continuing. "I decided I couldn't take the chance of staying at the school any longer; it was likely she would eventually tell someone that I had offered to help her escape. I felt badly about abandoning her, but Klein scared me. Every time he looked at me, I thought, he knows. I resigned a few days later. I called the girl's parents and tried to convince them the school was harming her, but they were adamant that the school was the right treatment for her. I told them everything that was going on, and they told me that their daughter was a con artist who could convince anyone of anything. I still feel incredibly guilty that I couldn't get her out of there."

"Still, that was very brave to try to help these girls," Epstein comments.

"You don't understand. That was the girl who was murdered last year. Two of the girls got together and killed her to try to force the authorities to shut the school down."

Keith nods. "But nothing happened. The girls were sent to prison, but the school stayed open. And almost all of the parents insisted on returning their daughters to the school after the investigation was concluded."

"Klein's a real bastard. He has those parents convinced that he's the only thing standing between the girls and certain death. He lies through his teeth, and the parents eat it up. I should have tried harder to save that girl," Michelle says regretfully.

"That's why we're doing this undercover investigation. He won't be able to get out from under the abuse charges we're planning on filing. We have him on tape telling me that of course my daughter can see a nurse if necessary just a few minutes after my daughter was denied permission to see a doctor. And my daughter managed to get herself placed in restraints as well."

"Your daughter?" Michelle asks, horrified.

"She's a professional investigator too," Keith explains.

"You know, the restraints are no joke. I saw some very tough girls, girls who had been to juvenile detention, completely broken by that punishment."

Keith nods solemnly. "I think the operation's going to end today. Michelle, did you hear what happened to Hannah? Her murder?"

"Yes, it was utterly heartbreaking after what she went through at the school," Michelle replies.

"We're fairly certain Hannah wasn't killed by a serial murderer, and my daughter thinks that she was killed because of something that happened at the school. We've found some evidence that Klein is paying off the Vermont Department of Education commissioner. And it's possible that he's taking payoffs from Maria's father as well. Could Hannah have witnessed something at the school?" Keith hesitates. "Was there any sexual abuse going on? Could Hannah have seen something like that?"

Michelle stares at him, completely shocked. "Sexual abuse? No, I don't think so." She thinks for a moment. "I'm not surprised to hear that there might be payoffs going on. I do remember an inspection; we knew about it ahead of time, and the whole day seemed very scripted to give a good impression....I have to tell you, I can't imagine one of the students witnessing anything like a payoff. They are so controlled. Every movement they make is observed by their oldcomers, by the guards and the other staff." She turns to Epstein. "And you know as well as I...a threat by one of the girls to expose the school is just not a credible scenario. The court cases against the schools are never successful. When the girls testify about their experiences, it's hard to make the juries see how abusive it is. The schools bring up the girls' history and denounce them as lying addicts. And the girls are traumatized emotionally. They can't give compelling testimony; it all becomes jumbled in their heads, and their stories don't make sense. I think Hannah would have wanted to just get away from the school and try to forget about it."

Keith asks, "Do you know where Hannah went after you left her at the bus station? Did you ever hear from her again?"

"Yes, I got a postcard. She didn't sign it, but I'm sure it was from her. Let me get it for you." Michelle walks over to some boxes stacked against the wall. She rummages through one of them and presents a postcard to Keith. He looks at the front, which is a peaceful scene of a meadow, then turns it over. It's postmarked 'Rio Linda, CA, August 5, 2006.' The text says merely, 'Thank you for everything. I am safe and happy because of you.'

"How do you know this is from Hannah?" Keith asks.

"It was sent to a post office box I rented to give her a way to contact me if she needed help. And she talked about a meadow when we were driving to the bus depot. She said that she used to imagine herself running through a meadow, completely free and happy, whenever she was being attacked or punished at the school. When I said goodbye, Hannah said, 'I'll be looking for that meadow. I'll let you know when I find it.' I told her not to use her real name and never to tell anyone her true story, or the school would find her and drag her back."

"Yes, they apparently did try quite vigorously to find her. They also searched for you after you resigned. You're lucky they've never found you. You've been helping other kids get out of the schools, too, Epstein said," Keith comments.

"Well, I don't stay anyplace for longer than a few weeks. I had a pretty close call with some goons from a school in Mississippi about six months after I helped Hannah. I use cash and prepaid cell phones, and I've gotten quite good at staying under the radar. I've become quite adept at covering up my tracks on the internet as well," Michelle replies. "As soon as I've earned a little money, working in a restaurant or something, I pick another school and scout it to try to get another child out. Unfortunately, it seems like my work will never be done."

Epstein asks, "Michelle, is there any chance you'd be willing to testify in our lawsuit?"

She hesitates. "I don't think so. I think you've got a good chance of being successful without me. And...if you're not, I want to be able to keep doing what I'm doing."

Keith gives Michelle another business card. "That's my number, if you think of anything else." He considers for a moment, then takes out his wallet. He pulls out the majority of his cash, about four hundred dollars, and presses it into her palm. "I'd like to help. And...if you do have to keep going, helping kids escape, I'd like to offer to help you with finding places for the kids to live until they turn eighteen."

Michelle looks at the cash, then back at Keith's face. "Thank you, Mr. Mars. Please tell your daughter she's doing an incredible thing. And...make sure you take care of her when your investigation is over."

Keith and Epstein return to the car. They are both silent, reflecting that every day brings a new understanding of the problem of these schools. Before Keith starts the car, he pulls out his laptop. "Hmm, not a great signal around here," he comments as he starts up the wireless cell modem. He looks up a map of California, then rotates the screen so Epstein can see it. Rio Linda is a small town near Sacramento, the state capital of California.

~ • ~

Sat. 3/14/09 morning: Briar Hill Academy, Manchester Center, VT

Klein sits with his knees brushing against Veronica's, completely violating her personal space. He leans forward and takes her hands into his own. "Connie...I wish I could make you see that there's nothing to be frightened of. We truly love you here." His unblinking eyes, cold and hard, are inexorably focused on her face, drilling into her eyes with icy steel.

Veronica stares back, completely frozen by fear.

"We want to restore you to sanity. Your life has been one lie after another until now, and we want to help you get honest. The first step is to admit that you have a problem. Connie, can you at least be that honest with us? Can you admit that you have a problem?"

Klein pats the back of her hand, and Veronica feels her skin crawl. She pulls her eyes away from his face, looking down into her lap, and says quietly, "I have a problem."

"Good girl. Tell us about your problem," he prompts.

Fuck.

"Come on, Connie."

She glances at Klein's crazed face and is completely consumed by the thought, Dad, please come, come NOW, please Daddy...

"Connie, do you think you might be an alcoholic? You've been learning a lot about that disease here."

He's not going to stop until I say it. "I'm an alcoholic. I'm a drug addict."

Klein continues to stroke her hands as he talks. "What do you think about God? Do you believe in Him?"

Veronica shakes her head 'no', then reconsiders. "I...I'm not sure what I believe."

"Okay. Well, we talk a lot about a Higher Power here. There's a lot of different names that you can use, if you don't want to talk about God. But even if you are a skeptic, you need to accept what we're teaching you here. If you are willing to let your intellectual doubts about God prevent you from accepting a program that could save your life, then I truly feel sorry for you."

"Higher Power," Veronica repeats. Damn, my head hurts. I can't even understand what he's talking about. Why can't he leave me ALONE?? She tries to pull her hands out of Klein's, but he grasps her tighter.

"You see, the program never fails, people just fail at the program. You need to let go of your old ideas; they weren't working for you, because all they did is get you here. Right now, you're thinking, I can't possibly tell them my secrets. You're thinking, they can't understand, I don't want them to know about me. But the truth is, we're all here, because We're. Not. All. There. We are all just as sick and diseased as you are, and that's why we can help you. We can help you, Connie. We are here for you."

Klein puts her hands back in her lap and stands up to pace around. He stops behind her and places his hands on her shoulders. She winces a little at the pressure of his touch on her injured shoulder. "I want you to tell us about the first time you got high. Not the first time you tried drugs...the first time that you really got high."

Veronica stays completely silent, praying to the God she doesn't believe in to end this. Klein massages her shoulders a little, and she sucks in a breath, please stop. Klein says, "Come on, Connie. We love you. Tell us."

After a minute, Veronica takes a deep breath and plunges in. Her voice is shaky and weak. "It was at the beach. We had some kegs, and I had a lot to drink." She looks around the circle. The faces of the other girls are suspicious and accusing. "I...I didn't realize how much I had to drink, I wasn't really aware, and then someone passed me a joint. When I first tried to inhale, it was...I was coughing and choking. And he took the joint, let me get my breath, and then he gave it back to me. It was different; I felt a little like I was going to throw up. He...he rubbed my back, and he took a hit. He started kissing my neck, and it was...I felt so relaxed and I wasn't scared at all and it just seemed...I don't know. I was out of it, I know."

Klein removes his hands from her shoulders and says harshly, "I don't believe you. You're telling us what you think we want to hear. Let go of the bullshit, Connie. Stop thinking and start talking."

Veronica wildly tries to come up with a new scenario. She stalls a little. "I don't know why you won't believe me. That really happened."

"A couple tokes is not getting high. I know you're hiding something from us, and I want to know what it is."

"I'm not hiding anything! I'm admitting it, I'm fucked up, okay?" she replies desperately.

"No doubt you're fucked up, Connie. But I know I still haven't heard the truth come out of your mouth yet. I know you're lying to me. And you're quite good at it. You've obviously been practicing. I bet the people around you have no idea how good you are at telling lies. But I'm sure they know that there's something deeply wrong with you." He moves in front of her and yells into her face, "They just haven't been able to penetrate your FUCKED-UP BULLSHIT! You live your life resenting everyone and everything. You think you're allowed to do whatever you want because the whole world has treated you badly. Well, guess what? Addicts and alcoholics can't afford resentments. You need to get it through your head that you can't trust your thinking. Stop thinking and start talking. Let's go!"

He grabs her by the shoulders and shakes her; she moans aloud from the pain in her arm. "Are you hurting, Connie? That's what it feels like to everyone around you who loves you when you use them and lie and cheat and drug your way through your life. Even your dad can't love you anymore. He can't stand to see what you're doing to your life."

He shakes her again making her gasp and close her eyes. "Please, my shoulder, please don't," she begs him. The pain in her arm is vile and angry; it clouds her vision and threatens to turn her inside out. For a second she thinks, code word, say the code word again, but the thought eludes her; she can't remember what she's supposed to say, and she can only focus on trying to make the pain stop.

"Tell me! I want you to use the pain to help you break through! I want to hear about the first time you really lost control doing drugs!" He squeezes her shoulder harder, and she tries to bend away from him. Klein takes her right arm and viciously twists it behind her back, and Veronica screams.

Stop stop stop fuck where's Dad say anything sayanything make him stop I don't understand why he's not coming Daddy please stop stop FUCK stop Daddy don't you still loveme loveme

She whispers in desperation, "I was roofied and raped. That's the first time I...I ever blacked out. Please, I'll tell you, just...please let go of my arm."

Klein releases her arm. He strokes her head. "I believe you, Connie. You just took your first step toward sanity. Now we can start our work. Love you, Connie."

The girls repeat, "Love you, Connie."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
The Crucible
Kinny steps up; Oswaldo tells his
story; Klein faces off with Connie;
Leo gets confirmation.
Veronica: Kristen Bell. Logan: Jason Dohring.
Leo: Max Greenfield. Keith: Enrico Colantoni.
Wallace: Percy Daggs III. Klein: Clancy Brown.
Kavner: Eric Bana. Dr. Kinny: Dan Castellaneta.
Epstein: Scott Grimes. Alyssa: Christina Hendricks.
Agent Lynley: James Badge Dale. Oswaldo:
Frankie Rodriguez. Paramedic: J.P. Hubbell.
Special guest: ???
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE: "THE CRUCIBLE"

Sat. 3/14/09 morning: Rented house, Manchester Center, VT

Dr. Kinny turns to Agent Lynley angrily. "Call in the feds. I'm stopping this."

"She didn't use the code words!" Lynley argues. "I think she's acting. You heard her dad, she can take on a persona at the drop of a hat."

"I don't think she can use the code words. I'm seeing a dissociative state. She's been stressed beyond the breaking point. And you notice that she didn't say that she wants to call her dad."

Lynley says, "That's because he's not giving her an opportunity to say it. She is a professional, and she's trying not to jeopardize the operation."

"God damn it, Lynley! It's enough!" Kinny yells. "I'm quite sure she's losing touch with the reality of the situation. I think that last part about being roofied and raped might have been the truth. I don't think she's capable of pretending any more."

"Call Keith first," Lynley suggests. "See if he's aware of a rape in her past. I don't think he would have allowed her to go undercover if she'd had a trauma like that. I'm seeing a professional working the situation, and it's brilliant."

Kinny dials Keith's cell phone and gets a message that the person he is trying to reach is out of range. "Fuck!" Kinny swears, uncharacteristically. He turns to Lynley and says, "Will you at least send a text to Logan? I want him to go in and see what he thinks. I have a very bad feeling about this. You have enough; send in the feds."

Lynley hesitates, and Kinny, frustrated with Lynley's obstinacy, begins fumbling with the phone. "Damn it!" he curses as he hits the wrong keys.

"Give it here," Lynley barks. "I think this is premature." He sends a brief message to Logan asking him to assess Veronica's status in the group therapy ASAP.

"And I think you're wrong." Kinny puts out his hand for the phone as Lynley finishes texting. He redials Keith's number, hoping that he will come back in range.

~ • ~

Sat. 3/14/09 morning: Neptune Sheriff's Department, Neptune, CA

Oswaldo Cortez, accompanied by his lawyer, enters Sheriff D'Amato's office. Leo hands some paperwork to the attorney who carefully reads through the legalese before nodding to his client to sign. Oswaldo picks up the offered pen and signs the immunity agreement in the indicated spaces.

"Let's hear it," Leo says brusquely.

"About three years ago, Kendall Casablancas was having an affair with Logan Echolls. I saw them together at the Neptune Grand maybe twenty times over six, seven months," Oswaldo says.

"Logan Echolls, a high school student? And why would you have noticed this? What do you care about either of them?" Leo asks dubiously.

"One night at the end of my shift, I saw Eli Navarro coming out of Echolls' room. And they were supposed to be sworn enemies. The PCHers wanted that prick Echolls to go down for murdering Felix Toombs. So when I told my cousin what I saw, he told me to keep my eye on Echolls."

"Eli Navarro? Weevil? Weevil was hanging out with Echolls," Leo repeats incredulously. "What the hell would an 09er be doing with Weevil Navarro?"

"You tell me. So I was watching Echolls to see what he was up to with Weevil. And he was banging Kendall. I don't blame the fucker, she's a hot lay," Oswaldo comments.

"So that's three years ago."

"Yeah. And then about two weeks ago, I saw Echolls with that blonde cunt he goes with in the elevator," Oswaldo explains.

Leo frowns. He shuffles some papers on his desk and finds the list of registered guests at the Neptune Grand. He quickly skims the list. "He's not listed on the register."

Oswaldo laughs. "Yeah, well, Tina's hot for him. She always used to kiss his ass when he lived there. She'd spread her legs for him in a second if he snapped his fingers. And, you know, she told us that she wanted the employees to keep their mouths shut about the guests. Tina's a real starfucker; she's always hoping one of these Hollywood types will take her away from all this."

"So you saw Echolls two weeks ago? Do you remember which day this was?"

Oswaldo ponders. "I think it was Saturday night. Yeah...I'm sure it was Saturday, I had a date with my girl Rosa that night."

Leo stands up, ending the interview. "I'll be in touch if I have any more questions. Thanks for being cooperative."

"No, thank you, Sheriff," Oswaldo says sarcastically, waving his immunity agreement.

Leo hits the intercom. "Sacks, can you bring in the DVDs of the security footage from the elevator at the Neptune Grand?"

~ • ~

Sat. 3/14/09 morning: Briar Hill Academy, Manchester Center, VT

Logan is in his room when he gets the text from Lynley.

ASSESS V'S CONDITION IN GRP THERAPY ASAP. LYNLEY

He grabs his shoes and heads over to the main building. He looks around to see if anyone is watching, then he uses his keycard to unlock the front door and enter. The double doors at the entrance of the group therapy room are shut. Logan quietly engages the handle and cracks open the door. He peers into the room.

The girls are in a circle, and Veronica and Klein are in the center. Logan can only hear a murmur of voices, with an occasional word heard clearly. He chances opening the door a little more, and he sees that two of the toughest guards on the staff are watching the session.

He tries to focus on Veronica. Her head is bent down, and Klein takes her chin and raises her head. She is talking quietly, and Klein appears to be prompting her.

Logan quietly closes the door and exits the main building. He finds a secluded spot and calls Lynley.

"What's going on?" he asks the moment Lynley picks up.

"How does she look?" Lynley asks.

"I can't tell. She's sitting in the middle of a circle with that fucker Klein. What's going on?" he repeats.

He hears scuffling noises on the other end, and Kinny comes on the phone. "I'm worried about her. I want to shut it down. I can't get in touch with Keith."

"Did she use the code words?" Logan asks nervously.

"No, but we think something might be wrong with her wire."

"Fuck! So she might have been calling for help for a while now?" he says, thinking about seeing Alyssa returning to her room at four in the morning.

"Can you get her out of there?" Kinny asks.

"There's two guards plus Klein and Alyssa. And the girls. I don't know what Maria would do if I went in there and tried to bust heads. What about Kavner? Where the hell is he?"

"Tony sent him on an errand first thing. Kavner didn't know about the surprise group therapy," Kinny replies.

"Yeah, he didn't know about the hike yesterday either," Logan says.

"Kavner's on his way back," Kinny says. Muffled, he continues, "What? Yeah, he said two guards plus Klein and Alyssa."

Logan hears a muted conversation, and Lynley comes back on the phone.

Lynley says, "Kinny's convinced she's in trouble. Without Kavner there to intercede on her behalf, I don't think we have any choice. I'm going to call in the feds. If Kavner gets there in the meantime, he can get his weapon and go in with you to get her out. Otherwise, I don't want you going in alone. I don't want to have to rescue you too. The feds can be on campus on twenty minutes."

"Oh, you fucker," Logan says bitterly. "What the hell is she saying that you're stopping it?" When Lynley doesn't respond, Logan repeats, "WHAT IS SHE SAYING?"

"Wait for the feds or for Kavner. That's an order," Lynley says.

"I don't take orders from you, dickhead," Logan says, terminating the call.

~ • ~

Sat. 3/14/09 morning: Briar Hill Academy, Manchester Center, VT

Hesitantly, Veronica begins. "It was the end of the year party. I wasn't going to go. I didn't have anyone to go with. But...at the last minute I decided I wasn't going to stay home moping."

"Moping?" Klein repeats.

"My boyfriend dumped me...and some of the kids at school had been...targeting me. Calling me a slut and..." Veronica's voice trails off.

"So you went to the party to prove them wrong," Klein suggests. "What were you wearing?"

"It was a white dress, it had thin straps and...I don't know. What does it matter?" she asks.

"You were trying to look good. You were showing them that you weren't a piece of trash." She nods, and he suggests, "When you got to the party, you started drinking."

She nods again and adds, "Someone gave me a drink. I found out later...someone put GHB in the drink."

"You took a drink from someone without watching it being poured? Surely your father told you never to do that? Pretty careless, don't you think?"

Veronica drops her eyes and shrugs. "I don't know. I wasn't thinking." How could I have done that? Dad told me over and over....

"Exactly. So then what happened?"

"I don't remember," she lies.

"Bullshit. Tell me what happened."

Tell him something, tell him anything.... "Someone told me I was...making out with everyone. I don't remember it," she repeats. She flashes on laying on top of Dick, with him saying, 'You like grabbing hair, huh? That's nice, huh.' Veronica shudders, trying to erase the memory.

"What?" Klein probes. "Tell me."

"I guess I was making out with someone who...who I don't like very much. I really don't remember, and people told me later what happened, I don't really know, I don't really know," she protests. "Everyone said something different, I don't know what I really did."

Veronica rubs her eyes. When she opens them again, Klein is staring at her intensely. "We don't do anything when we're high that we don't secretly want to do when we're sober."

"No! I would never have done that," she protests, shaking her head. "No, they drugged me. I mean, she drugged me."

"She?"

"It was a mixup. Logan and Luke and Sean got the drugs, and Luke gave it to Dick, and then Dick tried to get Madison to drink it, and she gave it to–" Veronica stops short. I just said everyone's real name. What am I doing? She looks around, worrying that Logan is listening. Oh please, PLEASE don't tell him...PLEASE don't tell Klein....

Klein snaps his fingers in her face. "Pay attention, Connie. Nice friends you hang out with, huh? Do you think that's an okay way to behave?"

"No, of course not. I told you, they drugged me. And after that, I don't really remember what happened..."

Klein sighs. "Tell me exactly what happened after you were given the drink."

"I didn't feel good, I tried to get away...Chinese lanterns, by the pool...pretty. Then someone was licking my neck, and it was...it didn't feel bad, it was..." her voice trails off again. "They were drinking and laughing. I was laughing too. It tickled."

"You were enjoying it," he encourages her.

"They were laughing, I thought maybe...maybe they didn't hate me anymore," she admits.

"It felt good to be so out of control."

She nods.

"Maybe you thought it would feel even better if you had sex with someone," he suggests.

"No. I know I didn't think that. I don't..." she protests. She clearly remembers walking by Duncan when she got to the party, a girl hanging onto him and kissing his neck; Duncan acting like nothing mattered, nothing had happened. She had looked at him and thought, 'How can you smile? How can you act like we never...I'll show you. I'll show you what you're missing.' Then later that night, when she was completely out of it, she had sat on Casey's lap and trailed her fingers down his chest, hoping that Duncan was watching. Wait...did I do that? We don't do anything when we're high that we don't wish we could do when we're sober, she thinks and feels a little sick.

"You had a few drinks, because it made it a lot easier to go after what you wanted."

"No," she responds, shaking her head.

"You were going to show your boyfriend that he was wrong, that he was a fool to let you go, so you got drunk and had sex with the first willing guy."

"No!"

"And then when you realized what you had done, you said 'rape'. You refused to take responsibility for your actions. Come on, Connie, you're never going to get better if you don't admit it."

"There's nothing to admit," she whispers.

"Tell me about this rape you say happened."

"I don't remember it. I was drugged," she replies.

"You mean you don't want to remember it. You don't want to admit that you're a slut."

"No!" she cries. "He...I don't know...he...."

All of a sudden, she remembers something; it's vague and dreamlike, confused and stuttering in and out of focus.

FLASHBACK: Beaver is on top of her, her dress pushed up and her panties around her feet. He's trying to put himself in her, cursing, stroking himself, desperately trying to make an erection happen. He's still too soft, but he pushes in anyways, trying to force himself in her. Beaver fondles her breast roughly, saying, 'Dammit, dammit.' He rips off the condom he's wearing and tries again, finally succeeding in entering her, but only briefly before he loses his erection again. He gives up and pulls out.

He sits on the bed crying, and Veronica sits up sleepily and hugs him. 'What's the matter, Beaver?'

Beaver starts in surprise and says, 'Fuck!' He quickly gets dressed, then he pushes her back down on the bed and pulls her underwear up and her dress down. He tries to straighten her clothes while she props herself up on her shoulders and smiles giddily. 'You're all right, Veronica, just go back to sleep,' he tries to reassure her.

Veronica says, 'Don't go, Beaver...what's the matter?' But he runs out of the room without saying another word. The room is spinning, and Veronica shuts her eyes and lays back down.

Veronica rocks back and forth. No...no....

"What are you remembering? Tell me! I want to help you," Klein insists.

"No, you don't," Veronica replies. "You're evil. I hate you. I want my dad." Wait, that's not right. I do want my dad, I just.... She drops her face in her hands, crying.

"Connie, we love you here. You're never going to be able to live a moral life if you don't admit you're a slut and an addict. You're still not able to be honest with yourself. Why won't you let us help you?"

~ • ~

Sat. 3/14/09 morning: Briar Hill Academy, Employees' Quarters, Manchester Center, VT

Logan dials Kavner's cell phone. "Where the hell are you?"

"I'm five minutes out. What's going on?"

"I'm not sure...they're...fuck, they're doing something to Veronica in group therapy. Bob and Mike are guarding and Klein and Alyssa are doing...I don't what they're..." Logan says frantically. "We've got to get her out. Lynley is sending the feds in, but who knows when they'll get here."

"Calm down. You're not any good to her if you're upset and out of control," Kavner orders.

Logan grips the phone tightly.

"I'm turning onto route 30 now. Wait for me by my room. I want to get my weapon. Don't do anything until I get there. Promise me!" Kavner says urgently.

"I know. Just...hurry." He terminates the call and paces as he waits.

~ • ~

Sat. 3/14/09 morning: Route 7, near Arlington, VT

Keith's phone beeps, and he looks at the screen. '4 missed calls' He hits send twice and waits for Lynley to pick up.

"It's Keith. What's going on?"

"I've called in the feds," Lynley reports. "We think there's a problem with Veronica's wire, and Kinny's convinced that Veronica needs help."

"Are any of the bugs working?" Keith asks.

"Yes, we're watching them in the group therapy room."

"They're doing therapy now?"

"Klein is definitely targeting her for intensive therapy."

"Put Kinny on, now," Keith barks.

After a second, Kinny says nervously, "Keith–"

"What's happening? What's she saying? Has she used the code words?"

"No. I don't think she's able to. I think they were stressing her during the night. She's been talking about a rape. Was Veronica ever assaulted? I don't think she's making it up. Somebody with that background shouldn't have been put in this situation."

"I don't think–" Keith stops short, remembering Veronica's surprising chlamydia diagnosis. Veronica...no....

He hears a rustling sound, then Lynley is back on the phone. "The agents are going to be there in about fifteen minutes. Logan's been apprised. Kavner was off campus; he should be there before the feds, and he and Logan can get control of the situation."

"Call 911 and report a fire with injuries. They'll get there before the federal agents do, and if Veronica needs an ambulance, they'll already be on the scene," Keith orders tersely.

"All right," Lynley agrees.

"I'm going to call you back in two minutes. I want to know everything that's going on." Keith stabs at the 'end' button to terminate the call. He quickly pulls the car to the side of the road and looks at Epstein as he exits the vehicle. "Drive. I need to be making phone calls."

Keith hustles around to the passenger side as Epstein slides over to the driver's seat. Keith slams the car door, and Epstein guns it. Keith looks up a name in the contact menu and hits 'send'. "Wallace. No bullshit now. Was Veronica ever raped? We have an emergency situation here."

Wallace only hesitates for a moment. "Yes, sophomore year. Shelly Pomroy's party. Someone gave her a spiked drink."

"Who was it?" Keith asks furiously.

"Beaver...and Duncan. Duncan was drugged too. It was a mess, Mr. Mars. She's been okay about it lately," Wallace says lamely. "She didn't know how to tell you. I'm sorry...I didn't want to break her confidence."

Keith rubs his forehead. "Damn it. Wallace, I'll be in touch."

"Keith...wait! Is she all right?" Wallace asks quickly.

"I don't know." Keith ends the call and closes his eyes for a moment. Epstein glances over. Keith calls Lynley again. "Lynley, did you call 911?"

"Yeah, they're on their way."

"I talked to Veronica's best friend. She was raped five years ago; Kinny was right. You said the bug in the group therapy is still working right? Turn up the gain and keep the line open so I can hear what's going on."

~ • ~

Sat. 3/14/09 morning: Briar Hill Academy, Manchester Center, VT

Logan is waiting outside the group therapy room. He cracks the door again; he thinks he can hear Veronica crying. Her back is to the doorway; it looks as if several girls are holding Veronica's upper body, and Alyssa is doing something to her face. What the fuck are they doing? He breathes out heavily, his nerves completely on edge. He looks at his watch and thinks, Two more minutes, and I'm going in. I don't give a shit what happens to me. I'll kill that fucker with my bare hands.

Kavner enters the lobby and hisses, "I thought I told you to wait by my room." He cracks the door open and looks at the situation for himself. He lets the door close silently and passes Logan a taser. "Do you know how to..." Logan nods. Kavner holds up a second taser and then shows Logan a holstered gun under his jacket. "We're going to go in. You're going to take Bob, and I'll take Mike. The taser's already set to the proper voltage. Don't. Fuck. With it," he adds sternly, looking at Logan's expression. "When they go down, we head for Veronica. I'll take Klein, and you take charge of Veronica. I don't want anyone to get hurt. On three." He motions with his fingers, one, two, three, and he bursts through the door with Logan directly behind him.

Bob and Mike turn around, startled; they've obviously been absorbed in the sick drama in front of them. They go down quickly when they are tasered, and Logan and Kavner head for the front of the room.

"What the hell is going on?" Klein shouts at them. He strides toward them angrily.

"We're stopping you, you sick fuck. Get your hands off her!" Logan cries.

Kavner unholsters his weapon and points it at Klein. "Put your hands above your head. Alyssa, get away from her. Now." He nods at Logan, who runs to Veronica. Klein stops short, glaring at them; Kavner motions with the gun, and Klein reluctantly puts his hands up. Alyssa slinks off to the side; she and the girls huddle together, uncertain and disoriented.

"Veronica, it's okay, it's over." Logan hears sirens in the distance, and they're the most beautiful music he's ever heard. He walks in front of her and almost vomits. They've applied thick, garish makeup to her face; heavy rouge, dark blue eye shadow, and bright red lipstick. On her forehead, they're used the lipstick to write 'S L U T'.

Veronica cringes, pulling away from him. "Go away. Leave me alone." She slips off the chair and curls into a fetal position on the floor as he watches helplessly. No...don't look at me, don't touch me.

"Veronica, it's all right, I'm here, it's over. It's over, Veronica. I'm sorry," he babbles. oh god oh god is she...is she ever going to be okay again oh fuck fuck fuckfuckfuck

Klein says imperiously, "You don't know what you're doing. This girl was about to have a breakthrough. The efficacy of the therapeutic methods we're using here is well-documented, even if they're not pleasant for laypersons who are unfamiliar with them."

Logan kneels down beside her and tries to caress her, but she skitters away, frightened and sobbing, more scared than he's ever seen her. She looks at him blankly, apparently not recognizing him; then, with a desperate gasp, she knows him.

Veronica exhales a quiet scream and tries to scramble to her feet to run away. He's going to take me back to the restraints, he's going to...please don't, I'm sorry I didn't behave...PLEASE don't tell them what you know about me, I'm sorry for everything.... He grabs her hands; she shakes her head and mutters, "No, no, no, please stop...please don't!"

Logan holds on to her as she thrashes in fear. He's nauseous and furious and overwhelmed by panic all at once, faced with this remnant of the strongest girl he's ever known.

Firemen burst through the back door, followed closely by paramedics. Kavner, still holding his weapon trained on Klein, says, "Over here. This girl needs attention right away."

Klein is still talking. "This is completely outrageous. This is an accredited school that passed an inspection by the State Department of Education just yesterday. And the inspection was documented by a television crew. We have a proven record of successful drug and alcohol treatment programs." He continues to ramble on about the wonders of the school.

The paramedics kneel beside Veronica; one touches Logan on the shoulder and says, "Sir, let us work here." Logan stares at him blankly, and the paramedic repeats, "Let us do our job. Can you step back?" Logan lets go of her and rocks back on his heels. He watches intently as one paramedic takes her vital signs while the other begins to assess her injuries. He examines Veronica's right arm, and Logan feels sick again when he sees that her shoulder is visibly out of place, with Veronica clearly in severe pain from the injury. Veronica fights against them, trying to push them away.

Klein says, "This girl has a severe addiction problem and was just begining to make progress in her program. Your ignorance is tragic and will certainly lead to a relapse."

Logan suddenly stands up and walks over to Klein. He punches him viciously in the face, and Klein is knocked off balance. Logan pulls back and throws another punch at Klein's gut. Klein falls to the floor, and Logan leans over and begins to slap his face repeatedly. "You fucker, beating up on young girls! What the fuck is wrong with you?" Klein tries to protect his face, but Logan slaps his hands away and punches him in the mouth. Two of the firemen grab Logan and stop him, but not before Logan manages to kick Klein forcefully in the kidneys.

Kavner yells, "Logan! Go to Veronica, now. She needs you. Stop!"

Logan shakes his head; the adrenaline is as intense as he's ever felt. He breathes in and out, and he just wants to rip Klein's limbs from his body. With difficulty, he gets himself under control and returns to Veronica. The paramedics are administering something with a hypodermic needle. Logan asks worriedly, "Is she going to be all right? She didn't know me! I'm her boyfriend...what the hell did he do to her?"

"She has a temperature of 103, and she's severely dehydrated. Her shoulder's been dislocated. Her mental status is pretty altered, and we've given her a sedative to calm her down," the paramedic answers.

Logan kneels down. Veronica is too out of it to move away now, but she still looks terrified of him. He takes her hand, and she tries to pull it away weakly before her eyes stop focusing and her eyelids flutter and close. He strokes her hair, sickened by the writing on her face. I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry

Federal agents enter the room, and all hell breaks loose. Alyssa begins to protest that she was just doing her job, and Klein yells that he wants Logan and Kavner to be arrested for assault and impersonating police officers. The girls are herded into a corner by two female agents. The federal agent in charge walks over to Klein and says, "You have the right to an attorney. Do us a favor and keep your mouth shut until you talk to one." He roughly hauls Klein up from the floor and handcuffs his hands behind his back. The two guards and Alyssa are handcuffed as well, and Kavner accompanies several agents who go to arrest the other employees of the school.

The paramedics strap Veronica onto a stretcher, making sure to immobilize her right arm, and wheel her out to the ambulance. Logan walks with them and gets in the ambulance without asking permission. When the doors are shut, he says, "Can you give me something to clean her face?"

"No...we can't do that. This looks like a criminal case; they'll need to document it at the hospital," the paramedic responds.

"THERE WAS A VIDEO CAMERA IN THERE TAPING EVERYTHING. There's enough fucking evidence to convict him twenty times over! Give me something, goddammit!" Logan's face contorts in anger; it's the very least he can do when what he really wants is to burn the school down, to take on every employee at the school one by one and make them pay...make them pay. MY fault...I should have stopped her, should have bundled her over my shoulder and run with her, even if she never forgave me.

The paramedics take a look at his face and decide to cooperate. They give Logan some sterile wipes and saline solution, and he begins to tenderly clean the writing and makeup off her face. Logan tries to ignore the panic and rage that are consuming him. What have we done...god what have we done.... Veronica, please, Veronica, please be okay. He begins to cry, the tears streaming down unchecked as he tries to remove the evidence of Briar Hill from her face. The lipsticked lettering on her forehead smears into an angry red mark, and he chokes back a bitter sob.

~ • ~

Sat. 3/14/09 morning: Neptune Sheriff's Department, Neptune, CA

Sheriff D'Amato rewinds the video and watches again.

Logan Echolls and Veronica Mars enter the elevator. The date stamp in the lower left hand corner reads 2/28/09 23:49. Echolls presses the top button on the panel and turns to Veronica. He whispers, "Do you want to give the security guards a show?" He bends down and begins to kiss her neck.

Veronica replies, "Stop it. Do you have to be a bad boy all the time?"

Echolls says, "Yes, I do," and begins to kiss her mouth.

Pretty hot stuff, Leo thinks. Not quite as valuable as, say, the Lilly Kane-Aaron Echolls sex tapes, but pretty racy all the same. Guess it runs in the family.

They continue to make out in the elevator. The elevator stops with a quiet 'ding', and Veronica says, "Oh...there's definitely something about a bad boy." Echolls grabs her hand and leads her out of the elevator.

Yeah, I wonder just how a bad a boy Echolls was. Do you think Veronica knew about Kendall? What the hell do these girls see in this loser?

Leo thinks about that humiliating phone call to the district attorney three weeks ago when he had to admit that he had been 'completely wrong' about the evidence that pointed to Keith Mars' guilt in the arson case. The innuendos about his incompetency are still rampant at the county courthouse, and Leo has overheard more than one nasty joke at his expense. One moment of temptation...the payday that would have meant I never had to worry about my sister again...and Echolls, that smug fucker Logan Echolls, calling me a pretty boy, threatening to expose me.... He flushes again in anger watching Echolls work his magic on Veronica in the video. 'Nobody forced you to take Aaron Echolls' money to steal the tapes, Leo.' On the video, she's whispering sweet nothings in Echolls' ear, but Leo can only hear her accusations ringing in his ears.

Leo pauses the video and pulls up some of the news stories about Logan Echolls from shortly after Hannah Griffith's murder. One extremely detailed story with the byline 'Carrie Murray' features a long interview with Madison Sinclair. In the article, Madison stated, "Logan Echolls was involved romantically with his best friend's stepmother. He was an emancipated minor living alone in the Neptune Grand Hotel, with no parental supervision." Leo makes a note to track down Ms. Sinclair and find out what she knows about Echolls' affair with Kendall Casablancas.

Leo picks up the phone to call Judge Cramer. He discusses the evidence in detail, and the judge agrees to issue a subpoena for Logan Echolls' financial records.

Leo hits the intercom and says, "Sacks. I want you to pick up Dick Casablancas Jr. for questioning." He leans back in his chair twirling his pen in his fingers and thinking about videos.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
Dislocation
Veronica wakes up in the hospital; Leo
questions Dick.
Veronica: Kristen Bell. Logan: Jason Dohring.
Leo: Max Greenfield. Keith: Enrico Colantoni.
Dick: Ryan Hansen. Dr. Arthurs: Glenne Headly.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR: "DISLOCATION"

Sat. 3/14/09 evening: Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, VT

LOGAN

Logan sits watching her breathe. In and out, in and out...eleven, no, twelve times per minute according to the monitor. All of Veronica's readings are perfectly normal, according to the doctor who checks in every hour. But Veronica just sleeps. Dr. Arthurs reassures Keith and Logan that her heavy sleep is due to her exhaustion and the sedation given to her, but Logan still counts her breaths and worries.

Dr. Arthurs went over Veronica's condition thoroughly with Logan and Keith. Her dislocated shoulder has been stabilized and will require surgery when she is stronger. Her fever is due to a minor kidney infection, presumably from the bathroom restrictions Veronica had been subject to, and Dr. Arthurs predicts that her temperature will return to normal rather quickly with IV antibiotics. Neither Keith nor Logan ask the questions that preoccupy them about Veronica's mental status.

It took only twenty-five minutes to ride to the hospital in Bennington from Manchester Center. It felt like hours to Logan. He had a million questions for the paramedics but couldn't form the words to ask them. He watched as they took her vitals; he listened as they called in a report to the hospital detailing the situation. When the ambulance reached the hospital, Keith jumped out of his car directly behind them in the ambulance bay and ran over to the stretcher as they wheeled her into the emergency room. Logan recognized the nauseous expression on Keith's face as the mirror image of his own.

A short while after they arrived, the emergency room doctors briefed Keith on Veronica's condition. Logan overheard the phrases from a short distance away– 'dehydration...exhaustion ...kidney infection...anterior subcoracoid dislocation...closed reduction and pain management ...consult with an orthopedic surgeon'–with each word causing him more and more distress as the doctors calmly discussed the medical options. Keith succinctly summarized for the doctors what Veronica had been doing for the past week, and the doctors assimilated the information and reassured Keith that his daughter appeared to be strong and was likely to have a complete recovery. They admitted Veronica to a private room, and Keith and Logan settled in for a vigil.

At one point, Keith urged Logan to get some dinner and promised to page him immediately if she woke. Logan found the cafeteria and tried to swallow a tasteless burger; he managed a few bites before pushing the food aside. He wandered into the pharmacy next to the cafeteria; he looked at balloons that trumpeted 'Get Well Soon!' and brightly wrapped boxes of chocolates and dismissed them as too little, not enough, and completely besides the point. In the toiletry aisle, he picked up a small can of shaving cream and a pack of disposable razors. In the fluorescent glare of Veronica's bathroom, he carefully shaved off the hated beard and mustache, recalling despondently his decision to change his appearance to hide from her. Keith looked at his clean-shaven face and made no comment as he pretended to thumb through a worn copy of 'People' magazine.

After a brief and sickening conversation about the group therapy session, they mutually decided not to discuss the operation. Logan waited with his guts twisted into a knot, expecting Keith to berate him for his part in Veronica's rape and his negligence in guarding her during the undercover operation, but Keith just seems lost and completely devastated; time enough for recriminations later, he supposes. Keith told him about the explosion that killed Mac's family, and Logan wondered how the hell they would tell Veronica.

Keith's cell phone has vibrated with call after call for the entire afternoon. At intervals, he left the room, and Logan assumed he was getting updates from Lynley and letting Wallace know that she was all right. At one point, Logan turned on the television with the sound muted and saw Carrie Murray shoving a microphone in Vincenzo Frazzino's face at his Sacramento home. She must have jumped on a plane as soon as she knew the operation was over, he muses. The shit is definitely going to hit the fan. He clicked through a few channels and saw that Klein's arrest and the closing of the school was the lead story on every local newscast.

Dr. Arthurs comes into the room and examines Veronica again. She is no-nonsense, yet somehow compassionate and empathetic, and appears to be a woman who likes her job and her patients. She smiles and nods reassuringly at Logan and asks Keith to come into the hallway to discuss Veronica's condition. Logan listens to their murmuring conversation without being able to distinguish the words. He pulls his chair closer to the bed and takes her left hand in his for perhaps the hundredth time that day, he supposes. He caresses her fingers gently, avoiding the IV coming out of the back of her hand. This is what it was like for her last fall, when I was lying unconscious, he realizes.

He looks up at her face and notices with a shock that her eyes are open. "Veronica..." he whispers. His voice fades away as he comprehends that she is terrified. "I'll get your dad," he chokes out. Logan releases her hand and gets Keith from the hallway.

KEITH

FLASHBACK TO THE MORNING: Epstein takes a curve a little too fast, and the car fishtails a little before he gets it under control. Keith listens to the group therapy session over his cell phone.

KLEIN: TELL ME ABOUT THIS RAPE YOU SAY HAPPENED.

VERONICA: I DON'T REMEMBER IT. I WAS DRUGGED.

KLEIN: YOU MEAN YOU DON'T WANT TO REMEMBER IT. YOU DON'T WANT TO ADMIT THAT YOU'RE A SLUT.

VERONICA: NO! HE...I DON'T KNOW...HE....

KLEIN: WHAT ARE YOU REMEMBERING? TELL ME! I WANT TO HELP YOU.

VERONICA: NO, YOU DON'T. YOU'RE EVIL. I HATE YOU. I WANT MY DAD.

KLEIN: CONNIE, WE LOVE YOU HERE. YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO LIVE A MORAL LIFE IF YOU DON'T ADMIT YOU'RE A SLUT AND AN ADDICT. YOU'RE STILL NOT ABLE TO BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF. WHY WON'T YOU LET US HELP YOU?

Keith grips the phone with aching fingers, as if his tight grasp might somehow allow him to control this situation. He stops breathing, waiting...waiting for what Klein might try next with his daughter.

VERONICA: NO...WHAT ARE YOU DOING? PLEASE, DON'T. I WANT MY DAD, PLEASE, WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?

KLEIN: YOU NEED TO CONFRONT YOUR PAST. YOU CAN'T MOVE ON UNTIL YOU ADMIT YOUR MISTAKES, CONNIE. YOU KNOW YOU WERE ASKING FOR TROUBLE THAT NIGHT...AND YOU GOT IT.

She is crying and protesting incoherently. Keith closes his eyes, then asks Epstein where they are. Epstein replies tersely, 'fifteen minutes,' and Keith nods. Veronica is repeating over and over that she wants her dad, and Keith knows, without a shadow of a doubt, that she is not using the code. In his mental scrapbook, he pictures every scraped knee that he bandaged and kissed; he remembers every girlish bout of tears when a supposed friend gossiped about her behind her back; and, overwhelmingly, he hears her desperate screams coming unbelievably, nightmarishly, from within a freezer engulfed in flames. He didn't hesitate for a moment that night, and he rushed into the fire without a thought for his own safety.

Epstein looks over and says, 'She'll be all right."

Keith nods and listens again.

KLEIN: WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?

LOGAN: WE'RE STOPPING YOU, YOU SICK FUCK. GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER!

KAVNER: PUT YOUR HANDS ABOVE YOUR HEAD. ALYSSA, GET AWAY FROM HER. NOW.

LOGAN: ...VERONICA, IT'S OKAY, IT'S OVER.

VERONICA: GO AWAY. LEAVE ME ALONE.

LOGAN: VERONICA, IT'S ALL RIGHT, I'M HERE, IT'S OVER. IT'S OVER, VERONICA. I'M SORRY.

KLEIN: YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. THIS GIRL WAS ABOUT TO HAVE A BREAKTHROUGH. THE EFFICACY OF THE THERAPEUTIC METHODS WE'RE USING HERE IS WELL-DOCUMENTED, EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT PLEASANT FOR LAY PERSONS WHO ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH THEM.

Keith is enraged; every muscle in his body is tense and screaming. He listens as Logan lays into Klein, the sounds of the scuffle bitter and unmistakable.

KAVNER: LOGAN! GO TO VERONICA, NOW. SHE NEEDS YOU. STOP!

LOGAN: ...IS SHE GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT? SHE DIDN'T KNOW ME! I'M HER BOYFRIEND...WHAT THE HELL DID HE DO TO HER?

PARAMEDIC: SHE HAS A TEMPERATURE OF 103, AND SHE'S SEVERELY DEHYDRATED. HER SHOULDER'S BEEN DISLOCATED. HER MENTAL STATUS IS PRETTY ALTERED, AND WE'VE GIVEN HER A SEDATIVE TO CALM HER DOWN.

Altered...she's altered, he thinks.

They pull up to the main building, finally, just as an ambulance drives off. Keith jumps out of the car before it stops moving and finds Lynley.

"She's all right, they're taking her to the hospital in Bennington. She's going to be fine," Lynley reassures him.

Keith nods, unable to form coherent words. Epstein volunteers to stay at the school to help with any questions and hands Keith the car keys. Keith gets back in the car and heads for Bennington. He catches up to the ambulance quickly and stays on its tail.

FLASHBACK TO SEVERAL HOURS AGO: Once Veronica is settled into her room and appears to be resting comfortably, Keith checks in with Lynley. Klein, Alyssa, and the other employees have been taken to the county jail to be questioned and charged. Lynley is overseeing the local sheriff's department and coordinating with the FBI.

Lynley says, "They don't know what to do with the students. None of them are talking."

Keith replies, "They're worried about what will happen to them when this is over. When the girl was murdered last year, most of the students were returned to the school, and there were dire consequences for any student who had talked to the police."

"We've assured them that the school will not be reopened," Lynley protests.

"They've seen evidence to the contrary. Their reality is that the school is in control of their lives," Keith responds. "Their parents didn't believe them before when they told tales of being abused; they're not going to take the chance that we won't believe them again."

Lynley sighs. "We don't know what to do with them. For instance, Maria...she's clearly guilty of assaulting Veronica, but at the same time, she's a victim as well. The Department of Child and Family Services has been arguing with the county sheriff's department. Family Services usually would return a child to their own family, but so far every parent we've contacted has sworn that the school saved their child's life and has stated that they will find a new residential program if Briar Hill is closed. We've asked for an emergency hearing with a family court judge. I have an agent working to compile the video evidence you collected to present at the hearing. Epstein told me to expect vigorous protests from the parents if the girls are placed in foster care."

Keith muses, "The parents are victims too. They were trying to do the right thing."

"Most of them," Lynley comments. "I talked to Frazzino's chief of staff, and he denied that Frazzino's daughter was even at Briar Hill. He claimed that she's studying abroad."

"How the hell does Frazzino think he's going to spin this?" Keith says angrily.

Lynley says, "I don't know. You know, Carrie's on her way to California already. She's practically salivating at the chance to nail him."

"I don't doubt it."

Hesitantly, Lynley asks, "How's Logan doing?"

"He's barely said two words. I think he blames himself. But you know there's plenty of blame to go around," Keith replies.

"I should have listened to him last night. He had a feeling–" Lynley starts.

"There's plenty of blame to go around," Keith repeats. "My daughter should never have been there at all. Period. Listen, I'll talk to you later."

VERONICA

I'm so tired. I don't feel...right. I feel weird. Floaty. My shoulder is numb. What happened to it? When I try to move it, it's...I don't know.

What are they doing to me now?

Open your eyes, just...just look and see. Don't let them see you're awake. I don't want them to know I'm awake. Maybe they'll...maybe they'll stop.

Oh god, he's looking at my hand. He's going to...they must be thinking about putting me back in restraints. He must have told them...everything. What's different about his face? I don't understand...I'm so confused. God...there's an IV in me!! What are they doing now?!?

Please...I'm so ashamed of myself. I know I have a lot of work to do. I promise to work hard on my program. Please...I promise!

~ • ~

Sat. 3/14/09 evening: Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, VT

Keith rushes back into the room followed by the doctor. "Honey, it's all right. Veronica, you're okay, it's all over now."

She stares back blankly, not comprehending.

The doctor gently pushes Keith aside and moves to the bed to evaluate her. "So you've decided to wake up, I see. Can you tell me your name?"

It's a trick. "Connie Morris," she whispers.

"Veronica, honey, it's over. We've shut down the school–" Keith starts, but Dr. Arthurs turns to him and with a look asks him to be silent.

"You're in a hospital in Bennington, Vermont," the doctor explains. "Do you remember why you came to Vermont?"

Veronica looks at her dad. Suddenly she realizes that she's not wearing a bra. She touches her chest and knows that the bug is gone. I'm so confused. She remembers the code words and says, "I'd really like to be in California," and she watches her dad for his reaction. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees him across the room. He is watching her intensely, and she shivers.

"That's right," her dad says encouragingly. "I'd really like to be in California right now too. You have no idea, honey." He looks to the doctor for permission and continues. "Veronica, the undercover operation is over. Klein is behind bars. You're going to be just fine."

She whispers, "Why didn't you come? I said 'California' so many times. I'm...I'm so confused. It's not really over, is it?" She glances at Logan momentarily. "He told them what they wanted to know, didn't he? I promise I'll try harder. Please don't.... I'm going to work hard. I'm so...tired...." She closes her eyes again and slips back into a deep sleep.

Dr. Arthurs sees Keith's pained expression and quickly reassures him. "She's still quite feverish. And the sedatives we gave her are very strong. You can't expect her to be completely coherent until they wear off. I'm going to ask our psychiatrist to evaluate her condition in the morning. I'll have him speak to you about the particulars of her situation. Please don't worry, Mr. Mars. She's young and healthy; she'll get through this."

Logan forces himself to breathe again. It's not possible to bear this, he broods. Awkwardly, he sits down, compelling his limbs to move and fold into position. He watches her sleep and tries to drive out every foreboding thought by counting her breaths.

~ • ~

Sat. 3/14/09 evening: Neptune Sheriff's Department, Neptune, CA

Sacks escorts Dick Casablancas to Sheriff D'Amato's office. "Come in, Mr. Casablancas."

Dick walks in hesitantly and sits down opposite Leo. "What'd I do now, Sheriff? You talked to Jennie Budosh, right?"

"Yes, Ms. Budosh reluctantly confirmed that she was with you the night that your stepmother was killed," Leo replies.

"Reluctantly? I don't think so. I left Jennie begging for more, the way I remember it."

"Uh-huh. Some new information has come to my attention, Mr. Casablancas. What was the relationship between your stepmother and your friend Logan Echolls?" Leo asks.

Dick stares at Leo. "That was a long time ago. And it didn't mean anything."

"What didn't mean anything, Dick? I'm asking you what their relationship was."

"Okay, Logan was boffing her. The guy was lonely, and she was hot. And willing. Extremely willing, if you know what I mean."

"I'm still a little confused why a woman like Kendall would have had an affair with a high school boy. Make me understand, Dick. How is it that your best friend came to be Kendall's lover?"

"Logan's always been...advanced in his sack skills. And Kendall wanted to tap that, along with a lot of other girls. That's all there is to know," Dick explains.

"When did the affair start?"

"I don't know. Maybe the beginning of senior year? After Veronica dumped him," Dick muses.

"You sure it wasn't why Veronica dumped him?" Leo presses.

"You don't know Logan very well if you think that he would cheat on her. He's always been completely messed up about Veronica. He would never–" Dick stops short.

FLASHBACK: Veronica and Dick are sitting on a stone bench at Hearst College. Veronica says, "Logan slept with Madison when you guys were in Aspen."

Dick is surprisingly hurt by this information. It's been a long time since he and Madison were involved, but still.... He is also shocked that Logan would sleep with Madison, for whom Veronica appeared to have a completely obsessive hatred ever since Shelly Pomroy's party, and he wonders, not for the first time, about their fucked-up relationship. Love 'em and leave 'em is one thing, but love 'em and torture 'em–that's just sick.

Dick tries to pretend that Ms. Rich-Dude-Kryptonite has not just rocked his world. He shrugs and replies, "And?" trying for indifferent, but not quite succeeding.

Veronica tries to backpedal. "Sorry, Dick, I probably shouldn't have...."

Dick says carelessly, "Wot, me worry? Can we be done? I've got things to do."

Later that day, he finds Logan in his suite and confronts him. "Did you hook up with Madison?"

Logan nods and admits, "I did. It just happened, you know. I didn't think you had any feelings left over her."

Dick replies, "It's still uncool. You don't do that to a buddy."

Leo stares at Dick, waiting for an explanation.

Dick finishes lamely, "Logan would never cheat on Veronica. Kendall was just a rebound chick. Logan treated her like shit, and she kept coming back for more."

"And you weren't mad at him for sleeping with your stepmother?"

"Come on, she was like five years older than us."

"Try twelve years older, according to her birth certificate."

"Well, then she was doing a spectacular job as a trophy wife. She had an awesome bikini collection, and let's just say she filled them out magnificently," Dick muses. "And stepmother? That's really stretching it. I don't think 'mother' was in Kendall's vocabulary. It's not like me perving on Logan's mom," he adds. Which of course I totally did.

"Okay, so Logan and Kendall got together the beginning of senior year. How long did the affair last?"

"I don't know...off and on through that year? Why aren't you asking Logan these questions?" Dick realizes.

"Where is Logan Echolls right now?"

Dick pauses, then says, "I think there was a video of him partying in Madeira a while back. And then I heard he hooked up with Mischa Barton in Paris about a week ago."

"Yeah...I don't think so." Leo picks up a remote control and points it at the television in the corner of his office.

Dick watches as Logan and Veronica make out in the elevator of the Neptune Grand Hotel. Leo keeps his eyes on Dick's face as he watches; he notes that Dick looks more and more nervous as he watches.

Leo remarks, "You notice the time stamp, right?" He pauses the video and reads aloud, "2/28/09 23:49. That's just a few weeks ago. It's proof that Logan Echolls was in Neptune while he was supposedly in Europe playing the bad boy for the paparazzi. I'm wondering why he went to all that trouble to make sure that everyone thought he was out of the country. Have you talked to him since January?"

Dick stares at Leo. Damn. Where are you, Logan? This guy wants to put your balls in a vise. He finds his voice and says evasively, "If I hear from him, I'll let you know. Is there anything else, Sheriff?"

"Just this: Kendall was staying at the Neptune Grand the night this video was taken. Wouldn't that have been a coincidence if they ran into each other that night?" Leo suggests. "See if you can get in touch with Echolls. If not, I'm going to get a material witness warrant and get to the bottom of this. Sacks will give you a ride home," he says dismissively, looking down at the paperwork on his desk.

Dick, somewhat off-balance, stands up and leaves. He thinks, What the hell is going on?

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
Disorganized Thinking
Wallace updates Weevil on Veronica's
condition and tries a new tactic;
Veronica attempts to sort it all out;
Leo gets Logan's financial records.
Veronica: Kristen Bell. Logan: Jason Dohring.
Leo: Max Greenfield. Keith: Enrico Colantoni.
Wallace: Percy Daggs III. Eli: Francis Capra.
Sacks: Brandon Hillock. Dr. Arthurs: Glenne
Headly. Dr. McCoy: Bruce Davison.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CHAPTER EIGHTY-FIVE: "DISORGANIZED THINKING"

Sat. 3/14/09 evening: Hearst College, Neptune, CA

"Yo, it's me," Wallace says on his cell.

On the other end, Weevil replies, "Yeah, what's up."

"I heard from Keith. The undercover operation is over, and Veronica's out of there. She got hurt, and she's in the hospital, but Keith says she's going to be okay. It's on the news: Briar Hill Academy in Vermont. You can probably find it online."

"She got hurt? What happened?" Weevil asks.

Wallace explains, "Her shoulder was dislocated, and she has a kidney infection. Keith says she's mostly exhausted."

"Damn."

"Yeah...damn."

After a moment, Weevil asks, "What's happening with that yahoo address? Any ideas how to trace it?"

"No, I'm waiting for Keith to get back, to see if he has any ideas."

"Well, why don't we try another stakeout, see what those fuckers are up to–"

"No," Wallace interrupts. "Lookit; I made a promise to Candice to leave it alone."

"Oh man, you are completely whipped. You've been hanging out with Veronica too long and turned into a little girl." In a high voice, Weevil mocks, "Oh, the big bad micks are going to huff and puff and blow my house down."

"More like cap my ass, pendejo. How is you and me getting jacked up by the Fitzpatricks going to make the world a better place?" Wallace retorts. "She's got a point."

Weevil snorts. "Who you calling pendejo, ese? If the micks didn't kill me yet, they're not gonna. Hope you don't mind, I'm going to keep my eye on them. They're going to make a mistake one of these days."

"Yeah, if you don't make one first. I'll let you know how Vee's doing," Wallace says, disconnecting.

Wallace drums his fingers on his desk. Weevil's words cut more than he let on. He reflects that if Veronica was here right now, she'd probably be jumping on the back of Weevil's bike and staking out the Fitzpatricks herself while he was feebly protesting that it was too dangerous.

Maybe there's something I can do without breaking my promise to Candice. He remembers that in the Harmony case last fall, he had helped out by digging out all the real-life clients that resembled the characters in Keith's novel. Of course, that wasn't the real answer, but it led to the information that broke the case.

Wallace takes a sheet of paper and labels it 'FITZPATRICK CRIME FAMILY - ORGANIZATIONAL CHART'. At the top, he writes, MARY MCDONALD. He leaves room for her children and their spouses. Then across the page, he writes LIAM, CORMAC, PATRICK, CIARAN, PADRAIG, allowing space for the other eight siblings. On the next line, he writes MOLLY, leaving plenty of room for this generation's progeny. Using the Mars Investigation account, he logs into the PryingEyez database and begins to fill in the spaces on his chart.

~ • ~

Sun. 3/15/09 morning: Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, VT

A nurse is checking on Veronica as Keith and Logan are dozing. Veronica opens her eyes and looks around the room. She sees her dad sleeping soundly in a chair near the bed. Dad... she thinks. She closes her eyes again, trying to decide what was really a memory and what was just a nightmare.

The nurse asks, "How are you feeling today, Ms. Mars?"

Ms. Mars...oh that sounds very good. "I'm thirsty," she croaks. The nurse pours a glass of water from a pitcher on the bedside table.

Logan stirs. He looks over at Veronica and meets her gaze. The nurse adjusts the bed a little and helps Veronica to sit up; she hands her the glass of water, and Veronica drains the glass. The nurse leaves the room, and Logan walks over to the bed.

"Veronica." He watches for any sign of the terror that gripped her yesterday. She appears apprehensive but something of the old Veronica has returned.

"Hey," she replies quietly.

"We've been so worried about you," he says. "How do you feel?"

"A little confused," she admits. "How did I get here?"

"You don't remember?" he asks.

"I remember group therapy after breakfast, and Klein sitting down, asking me..." she starts hesitantly. "I'm not sure after that."

"Veronica?" Keith says, rubbing his eyes and joining them. "Honey, how are you feeling?"

"My shoulder feels funny, but it's not hurting the way it was before....I had such a headache."

"Your shoulder was dislocated, and you're going to need surgery to repair it. The doctors said you have a kidney infection, probably from all the bathroom restrictions, and you had a pretty high fever when you were admitted," Keith explains. He puts the back of his hand to her forehead, the way that he used to, when she stayed home from school. "I think your fever broke."

"Dad, I'm sorry...I'm so sorry I screwed up," she says suddenly.

"What do you mean, screwed up? You did a great job; Klein's going to prison for sure," Keith replies.

"We're the ones who screwed up," Logan adds.

"No, I pushed back too hard, and then I let him break me, and...." she says with a catch in her voice. "I thought I was strong enough for this, but...."

Logan glances at Keith. Keith pulls his chair over so he can sit next to her bed. "Veronica, honey, your bug stopped working after you were writing the guilt letters with Alyssa. We didn't realize because it was bedtime, and we thought you had just gone to sleep."

"At bedtime?" she asks puzzled. She remembers being exhausted, tossing and turning in the bed, unable to get comfortable with her shoulder aching and throbbing.

"When the hospital gave me your clothes, the transmitting wire had come loose from the bug," Keith explains.

"So...you didn't hear what happened during the night?" she says tentatively.

Keith shakes his head 'no'. Hesitantly, he asks, "Do you want to talk about it?"

"They...they woke me up two times. Oh, it sounds so stupid," she realizes suddenly. Jumping jacks and shelving books; it sounds like nothing, it sounds like...I just crumpled up and sobbed like a little baby. Her eyes well up, and she stops talking.

"It's okay, you don't have to talk about it," Keith says.

An unfamiliar doctor enters the room. "Mr. Mars? I'm Dr. McCoy; I'm one of the psychiatrists here. Dr. Arthurs asked me to check in on Veronica today." He turns to Veronica. "Hello, Veronica. Do you feel up to talking with me?"

She nods, taking a deep breath to try to compose herself.

"Tell me your name."

"Veronica Mars."

"Do you know where you are?" he asks.

"In the hospital. In Vermont I guess."

"Good. Do you remember what day it is?"

She thinks for a minute and shakes her head. "No, I'm not sure. March...twelfth, thirteenth maybe? 2009," she concludes firmly.

"Okay, that's pretty close. It's Sunday, the fifteenth." Dr. McCoy makes a note then continues, "Do you remember why you're here in Vermont?"

"I'm a private investigator. I'm working with my dad. We're collecting evidence on Briar Hill Academy for a lawsuit," she says. With each word, her voice gains confidence. Veronica concludes, "I was undercover, pretending to be a student at the school, and my uh,...friend, Logan, " she nods at him, "was undercover as well, with another professional investigator."

Logan lets out the breath that he didn't realize he was holding.

Dr. McCoy smiles. "It sounds like you were very brave."

Veronica pretends to smile back. No, actually...I let them break me. I'm not brave at all.

McCoy continues, "If you're hungry, we'd like you to get you off that IV and give you a good breakfast."

She nods, and Dr. McCoy leaves to find a nurse. On his way out, he explains, "I'll check back in on you later. We'll talk a little bit more and see how you're doing. Just take it easy for now."

Logan whispers in Keith's ear; Keith nods, and Logan leaves.

Dr. Arthurs comes in and checks over Veronica again; she orders the IV removed and changes Veronica to oral medication. "Now, listen to me, young lady; your job for the next twenty-four hours is to sleep. No stress. No getting out of bed. Understood? And if you continue to improve, in the morning we can discuss your options for your shoulder. I'm not worried at all about your infection; the antibiotics are working, and I'm sure you're going to be just fine, Veronica."

"Thank you, Dr. Arthurs," Veronica replies, smiling wanly. I really had my heart set on another all-day hike, but I think a day in bed sounds just fine.

Keith follows the doctor out to the hallway. "The FBI agent in charge of this case urgently needs to speak with Veronica," he explains. "The employees of the school where Veronica was undercover are being arraigned tomorrow morning, and her statement will be crucial. Do you think Veronica is up to it? I know she would be upset if the prosecution was not successful because she couldn't give a statement."

Dr. Arthurs sighs. "Stress is her biggest enemy right now, Mr. Mars." She lowers her voice. "I'm still quite concerned over her disorientation yesterday. Any interview needs to be very short. Let's say later this afternoon, after she's had a couple good meals and rested a bit more."

"Of course. What about..." Keith's voice trails off. He rubs his forehead worriedly and continues. "Veronica's best friend...well, her whole family was tragically killed in a terrible accident since we've been here in Vermont on this investigation. We haven't even told Veronica yet. The funeral is on Tuesday, and I know Veronica would want to be there for her friend."

"Back in California?" the doctor says quizzically.

Keith nods.

"You're making my job very difficult, Mr. Mars. Hold off on telling her until tomorrow, all right? Giving a statement to the FBI is enough stress for one day. We'll see how she's doing tomorrow."

Keith nods again and goes back into Veronica's room. He fusses over her, fluffing her pillows, pouring her another glass of water, and asking if she wants the television on. She shakes her head, "No, just...I don't know. I'm just tired." Veronica shuts her eyes again, and her dad feels completely useless.

A short while later, Logan returns bearing three large styrofoam containers. Trying to sound casual, he announces, "Hey, Veronica. I couldn't bear to make you eat hospital food. Scrambled eggs, pancakes, or french toast?"

Veronica suddenly realizes that she's ravenous. "French toast." She smiles a little, and he feels slightly hopeful for the first time in a week.

Logan wheels the table over and opens the container. He uses the plastic utensils to cut the french toast and sausage into bite-sized pieces; he looks at her and asks, "You want syrup on everything right? And a lot of it, I assume?"

"Of course," she answers. Keith smothers a quiet chuckle, happy to see a glimpse of the old Veronica.

He opens two large containers of 'real Vermont maple syrup', saying, "I told them, only the good stuff, Grade A, 100% real maple syrup, and jumbo size." Logan sneaks a glance at her again, and Veronica is still smiling. "You want me to feed you?"

She stares at him; her smile is still frozen on her face, but her eyes well up with tears. "You don't have to feed me."

I said something wrong. "I know. You don't need me to. But I'd like to. You took care of me when my leg was broken, and I want to take care of you. But if you want, you can do it." He puts the fork on the left side of her styrofoam container and places a couple napkins within easy reach.

She picks up the fork a little clumsily with her left hand and tries to stab a bite of the french toast. After failing twice, she begins to sob and drops the fork into the container.

"Honey," Keith says. He goes to her and cautiously hugs her. She leans her head on his shoulder and lets the tears flow. He lightly pats her on the back and mutters, "It's okay, it's okay; you're just tired. It's going to be fine. I'm so sorry, honey."

She opens her eyes and sees Logan looking at her with concern. "Don't look at me like that!" She begins to cry even harder.

After a moment, Logan says, "I'll be back in a little while," and leaves the room.

Keith rocks his daughter, completely at a loss how to help her.

~ • ~

Sun. 3/15/09 morning: Neptune Sheriff's Department, Neptune, CA

Deputy Sacks knocks on the doorframe to Leo's office.

"Yeah, Sacks, what do you got?" Leo asks.

"It's that financial information on Logan Echolls that you requested. Bank statements and credit card receipts." Sacks places the papers on Leo's desk and turns to leave.

"Hey, Sacks, you know that partial fingerprint we got in Kendall's room?"

"Yeah, Sheriff...the one from inside the drawer, I remember. The crime scene techs haven't been able to match it with anybody in the databases."

"Which only means that they don't have enough points of comparison to get an absolute match through IAFIS. Can you ask them to review that fingerprint to see if it's consistent with Logan Echolls' prints? Or Veronica Mars?"

"Veronica?" Sacks asks, dubiously. "You don't really think Veronica had something to do with this?"

"Just see if it's possible that it's one of theirs, okay, Sacks?" Leo replies. "I'd like a report by the morning."

Sacks leaves, shutting the door behind him. Leo spreads Logan Echolls' financial records on his desk. All the credit cards except one have been unused since January 25, 2009. That card lists two charges to KLM Airlines and various restaurant and hotel charges in Europe. When Leo compares the receipts from before January 25 and after, he notes that there is a slight discrepancy in Logan Echolls' signature, and he decides that Echolls gave one of his credit cards to the impostor who showed up on the paparazzi videos. He turns to his computer screen and pulls up the video showing 'Echolls' club-hopping in Madeira; Leo thinks that if the State Department hadn't confirmed that Logan Echolls had never left the country, he himself might have been fooled into believing that was Echolls doing shots with various B-list celebrities.

Of course we know he was right here in my office, twisting the knife, on February 26th. On the day when Echolls and Veronica were telling him their theory about the Lilly Kane sex tapes, Echolls' credit card receipts have him buying dinner in the casino in Funchal. Pretty ballsy to confront a cop when your fake alibi is plastered all over Youtube, but then again he's relying on me never wanting to reveal what we talked about that day. Leo clicks on another link, and a video of a Gracie Jane interview starts to play. Gracie Jane smarmily discusses the Echolls' family legacy of statutory rape and murder, and for just a moment, Leo feels sorry for Logan Echolls. Then he thinks about Echolls angrily saying, 'The only reason to steal all the copies was to destroy the evidence against Aaron,' and Leo shuts down the video, pushing away all his doubts and deciding that where there's smoke, there's fire.

He turns to the other financial records. Echolls' bank account also appears to be dormant since January 27. Leo scrutinizes the transactions carefully. There is a check for $2000 written to Robert Thomas and another made out to Harvey Greenblatt in the amount of $20,000. Most notably, there is a cash withdrawal of $50,000. From the reverse side of the check written to Harvey Greenblatt, Leo finds the bank tracking number for the party who deposited the check. He looks up the number in a financial database and determines that the bank is a Bank of America branch on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. He googles 'Harvey Greenblatt Wilshire Los Angeles', and the first result is 'Greenblatt Talent Agency'. Leo clicks on the link and finds that Harvey Greenblatt is CEO. On the list of artists represented, he scrolls down and sees 'Aaron Echolls', but 'Logan Echolls' is not listed. When he clicks on 'Aaron Echolls', he learns that Aaron was Greenblatt's first major client. There are several photos of Aaron and Greenblatt with their arms around each other, posing at various red-carpet events.

I can kill two birds with one stone; that woman, Madison Sinclair, who mentioned Logan's affair in the article, is in Los Angeles too. And of course I'd really like to know what Greenblatt did for the son of his most famous client.

He hits the intercom. "Sacks. I want you to cancel all my appointments for tomorrow. And then I'd like to arrange two meetings for me in Los Angeles." He gives Sacks the pertinent details and begins compiling notes for the two interviews.

~ • ~

Sun. 3/15/09 morning: Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, VT

Keith knocks on the passenger window of Logan's car, and Logan hits the button to unlock the doors. Keith slides in and shuts the door. "She fell asleep again."

"Uh-huh."

"Just been sitting out here the whole time?"

"Uh-huh."

"Did you get some breakfast? You need to eat too."

Logan shakes his head.

Keith says, "C'mon. My treat. I could use another cup of coffee."

Logan shrugs, and they walk across the street to a diner. Logan orders eggs and bacon. Keith sips his coffee and watches as Logan pushes his food around the plate.

Finally, Logan pushes the plate away, his eggs half-eaten. He avoids looking directly at Keith. "I've been thinking it might be better if I head back to Los Angeles. She's scared of me."

"She's scared of what happened," Keith corrects.

"Come on. It's like what was happening to me at the school. She can't tell what's real anymore. And we still don't know what happened Friday night." Logan looks up at Keith. "I want to know what Klein was saying to her in that last session."

Keith hesitates.

"Just tell me!" Logan says, his voice rising a little. A couple patrons look over at him, and he lowers his voice to an intense whisper. "What happened during that last group therapy session? I couldn't hear what that asshole was saying to her, and it fucking killed me to sit outside the door, waiting for backup to go in and stop him. You didn't see what he did to her face. It was...despicable, the most vile thing you could think of to do to a rape victim....They put makeup on her, like she was a whore, and wrote 'slut' on her forehead."

Keith closes his eyes. "Kinny told me some of it. Klein was saying that we don't do anything when we're high that we don't wish we could do when we're sober. He was pressing her for details on her rape, and Veronica kept saying she didn't remember."

"She doesn't remember most of that night at Shelly's. Fuck...you mean he was saying that she was asking to be raped? That party was beyond crazy...we were all messed up that night. And Veronica accidentally got a drink with GHB in it." Logan swallows. "Mr. Mars?"

Keith looks up, realizing that this is the first time in perhaps four months that Logan has called him anything other than 'Keith'.

"I was one of the boys that brought the GHB to the party. I didn't give it to her, I swear. I swear I didn't mean for her to...it was...I swear it was a mistake that she got it in her drink," he finishes lamely. "I've begged her forgiveness...."

"Wallace said that it was Cassidy and Duncan who raped her. He didn't tell me the details but...Duncan Kane? Logan, I know Duncan pretty well, and I just can't see him–"

Logan laughs bitterly. "Yeah, well, that one's on me too. I gave Duncan some of the GHB, and I guess the GHB together with his epilepsy meds...Veronica said they ended up together at the end of the night, and Duncan was so screwed up he assumed that it was...consensual, I guess. Veronica was in really bad shape–"

"And Cassidy?" Keith asks sharply.

"Veronica doesn't remember anything about Beav– Cassidy." Logan remembers seeing Dick, Sean, and Beaver manhandling her and feeding her shots. I...hated her so much then, for what her dad was doing, for supporting him instead of.... I thought...she was just drunk and....No, I KNEW what was going on. And I let it happen. Hell, I was laughing about it. "God, how can you even stand to look at me. I'm sorry for everything. I should have never...." He stands up to leave, pulling out his wallet and throwing a twenty on the table. Logan grabs his coat and hurries out of the coffee shop.

Keith catches up to him a half a block away. He puts his hand on Logan's arm. "Stop....Stop!" Logan stops walking and stands uncomfortably, unable to look Keith in the eye. Keith says, "I know things were very rough for you with Aaron, and I've tried to forget about the things you did when you were younger. But Logan, that's my baby you're talking about. And what you're saying...if you had ANYTHING to do with that–" He sighs heavily. "You don't know what it's like for a father to have to hear that his daughter was raped. And then to hear that her boyfriend, who I've accepted like a son, was involved in it...I'm having a lot of trouble understanding that. But what I keep coming back to is that Veronica, my bad-ass Veronica, who couldn't even forgive her own mother...Veronica somehow forgave you."

"Except she didn't." At Keith's look, Logan continues quietly, "Every time she's ever needed to trust me, she's never been able to. She's NEVER been able to completely trust me ever since. She never says it's because of her rape, but I think she blames me for it. It's why we always ended up breaking it off, because she couldn't trust me. And if Klein was torturing her, saying that she wanted to be raped...and I was right there while he was fucking with her mind, I was the guy who was manhandling her and forcing her to–" he drops his voice, "forcing her to pee in a bucket like an animal...she's never going to...."

Hesitantly, Keith reaches out and puts his hand on Logan's arm. "I don't believe that she blames you for her rape. Logan, she chased you halfway across the country! She trusted you to watch over her on the undercover operation."

"And look what a great job I did," he retorts.

They stand silently looking at each other for a minute. Finally Keith says, "I need you to stay with her. Lynley has asked if I want to sit in on Klein's questioning this afternoon. And I really want to ask him about Hannah for Ms. Denenberg. But I don't want to leave Veronica alone."

"What if she freaks out again?"

"Then I trust you to call the doctor and take care of her for me. Can I count on you?"

Logan finally nods in response.

"There's plenty of blame to go around here. I can't believe I let her talk me into this undercover operation in the first place. And then when we were planning this, we thought all the bugs were overkill; but now I can't believe we didn't have every inch of the school wired with duplicate video feeds. And once the FBI got involved...I was thinking it would help the case and get her out of there quicker, but I was kidding myself. We should have gotten her out when they pulled that surprise hike, no matter how many times Veronica used the code that she wanted to keep going. If I had known she was really hurt....Logan, I have to believe that we're going to get past this. I have to believe it. Somehow she's going to be all right."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
Inquiries
Klein is questioned; Logan and Veronica
start to talk.
Veronica: Kristen Bell. Logan: Jason Dohring
Keith: Enrico Colantoni. Klein: Clancy Brown.
Lynley: James Badge Dale. Attorney: Ray
Wise. US Attorney Ruggerio: Nathan Fillion.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX: "INQUIRIES"

Sun. 3/15/09 afternoon: Manchester Center Police Department, VT

Lynley greets Keith with a handshake; he says quietly, "How's Veronica?"

Keith says, "She's okay. She'll be all right. She's mostly exhausted."

Lynley motions to the video screens. "I've been bringing the prosecutor up to speed; I've shown them a selection of the recordings. We're hoping to charge him on various state and local statutes for fraud and assault and battery as well as the racketeering and bribery charges. But of course the federal charges will take precedence."

"I'm concerned that Klein will cut a deal. I'd like to see him serve real jail time, and not in a cushy federal prison. Observation Placement would be too good for him."

Lynley nods. He points at a figure on the video screen. "The man on the left is US Attorney Don Ruggerio. He'll be running the interview. We can communicate with his assistant if we need to." They take their seats; Epstein joins them, a legal pad at the ready to take notes.

They watch as Klein is brought into the room in handcuffs. His attorney places his briefcase on the table, and Klein is released from the cuffs. They sit down; Keith, the veteran of numerous difficult interrogations, discovers that he's fuming at Klein's relaxed attitude.

Klein's attorney says, "Gentlemen, this is all a gross misunderstanding. A well-meaning parent, who is understandably distraught about her daughter's murder, is trying to find someone to blame. And the offenses committed by this private investigative firm certainly rise to the level of entrapment, and we will be seeking vigorous recompense for damages. My client is of course eager to cooperate with any investigation to prove that the school complies with all local and federal regulations."

Ruggerio shuffles some paperwork. "I'm glad to hear that Mr. Klein is interested in cooperating. We have documentary evidence of some unusual procedures at your school."

The attorney replies, "You do understand that, as a private school, Briar Hill Academy is allowed to set its own policies and procedures."

"As long as the minimum welfare of the students is guaranteed, yes, that's correct." Ruggerio looks down at his notes. "Let's talk about the intake procedure. Can you explain what the standard protocol is for a new student?"

Klein looks at his attorney, who nods. He says, "Our students usually don't come to the school voluntarily. We expect some resistance. Parents choose our school because of the secure environment."

"Resistance?"

"Most of the parents use a transport service which is not affiliated with the school in any way."

"But the transport service is recommended by you?" Ruggerio comments.

"No, actually by the education consultants who work directly with the parents," Klein explains. "And of course the education consultants are paid a standard fee, no matter what treatment they recommend."

"You're denying that these consultants are financed by your school?"

"They are independent consultants; their fee is paid directly by the parents," Klein says.

"Okay, so the students arrive. Now what happens?" Ruggerio asks.

"They are asked to remove their clothes. We search their belongings for contraband and issue them new clothes."

"What about a strip search?"

"Oh, that's definitely not standard procedure," Klein states.

"Really?" Ruggerio points a remote at a television screen. The video shows Veronica being forcibly stripped of her bra and panties; Ruggerio fast-forwards the video, then slows it down to show the girls fighting Veronica and forcing her down to the floor. He pauses the video for a moment on Maria striking Veronica in the face. Klein's attorney fidgets uncomfortably in his seat. Ruggerio starts the video again and shows the girls forcing Veronica into the stirrups on the table; he pauses it again on Maria, wearing a pair of surgical gloves, clearly moving to perform an invasive search.

Klein's attorney whispers in Klein's ear; he nods. "There are some very rough girls at the school. Clearly, they misunderstood what was expected of them and went too far. That video is absolutely not procedure. I think if you look in our student manual, you'll see the admission process outlined. If I had known what was happening, those girls would have been disciplined." The attorney whispers again, and Klein adds, "Was that not one of the private investigators watching that entire scene? One of our own employees would certainly have known to report that incident, and all the girls would have received consequences."

"I believe he actually did file a report on the incident," Ruggerio notes, pulling a piece of paper from his stack. "It's got your initials on it."

Klein flushes.

Ruggerio finds another piece of paper. "This is from Connie Morris' file. It's a psychologist report...dated the day she was admitted. I don't see a psychologist in the room here." He uses the remote to fast forward.

Klein says, "That's a clerical error. The psychologist actually reviewed the notes from our group therapy professional and made his assessment one day later."

"So Connie was not actually seen by this psychologist?"

"No, we usually only have cases reviewed by our psychologist, who is on call, but usually not at the school."

Ruggerio comments, "That's funny, because Mr. Morris was assured when he placed his daughter in your care that she would be evaluated–"

"And placed in appropriate treatment," Klein finishes. "And that's exactly what happened. She was evaluated by our staff; her treatment plan was reviewed and approved by our psychologist."

Bastard, Keith thinks. He remembers how difficult it was to get Dr. Castro to guarantee a psychiatrist's evaluation for his 'daughter'.

"And what would trigger an actual visit from your psychologist? What particular behaviors would alarm you enough to seek professional assistance?" Ruggerio presses.

Klein consults with his attorney again and responds, "Any situation that our staff was not able to handle, or a student who clearly needed medication."

"What about general medical attention? Ms. Morris asked for a doctor several times and was not seen by a doctor or a nurse," Ruggerio asks.

"Her claims were not credible. Many of our students are accomplished liars when they first start their programs," Klein responds.

"Yet you assured Mr. Morris that she could see a nurse if she wanted. Note my emphasis–if she wanted. This was not thirty minutes after Connie was denied access to medical care."

"By her oldcomer, who clearly was deviating from our accepted standards. I feel quite badly that Maria was treating Connie like that. If I had known, I would have stopped that immediately."

Keith muses that this could go on for hours; Klein, the veteran of numerous lawsuits, is immensely skilled at twisting the words of his accusers and at protecting himself by having students and lowly employees perform the majority of his unscrupulous 'treatments'. But he knows, from Epstein's experience, Veronica's experiences documented on video and audio are among the best evidence ever assembled against one of these tough-love programs.

Ruggerio asks, "So are your older students, your 'oldcomers', trained how to treat the newer students? Are they trained in restraint techniques? We witnessed Ms. Morris being restrained by both your students and your employees."

"We believe in experiential training," Klein states. "The students learn by observing the older students, and as they are able, they are given more responsibility to assist the newer students with their programs."

"So the training consists of watching other students who themselves were never trained in restraint techniques?"

"That's a gross oversimplification," Klein huffs. "These students are supervised very carefully by our employees. The student to faculty ratio is quite low, making for a very safe environment. You're suffering from a basic misconception about our use of restraints. Only students who have progressed satisfactorily in their program are given the privilege of restraining other students, and we find that they are grateful for the opportunity of helping others who are struggling."

"Privilege, I see. Okay, how about the training for your employees? And what about qualifications and credentials? What are the minimum requirements?"

"There is no one set requirement for all the positions; each employee is carefully selected for their position."

"Even the two investigators who were hired as guards without a background check and no training?" Ruggerio asks.

"Of course they received training; as they were assigned tasks, they were instructed in the proper performance of their duties and were given more responsibility as they earned it," Klein replies indignantly.

"Hmm. The investigators indicate that they were expected to help restrain girls in stress positions on their first day of work and received no instructions other than 'assist the older students, you'll see what's necessary,'" Ruggerio says, reading off a sheet of paper.

"Again, this is a clear case of entrapment. Most new employees have the common sense to ask questions in order to perform their job correctly. If these two men restrained girls improperly, it was of their own volition. There was clearly an agenda being pursued in this investigation, and several of the events during the past week appear to have been staged in order to cast the school in a poor light."

Keith is dismayed; he didn't expect Klein to crumble under questioning, but he is starting to doubt that the evidence they collected at such a great cost to Veronica will even be enough.

Klein's attorney says, "I'd like for us to take a short break now. I need to confer with my client."

Keith thinks, You bastard, you never gave Veronica a break. You made her wait to go to the bathroom for hours, caused her infection, allowed the girls to dislocate her shoulder... He begins to shake with anger and regret.

Epstein touches Keith on the shoulder. "Don't worry. He's good, but what we've got is better. We have a preponderance of evidence. He can try to explain it away, but no jury will acquit him. I swear to you: Veronica didn't do this for nothing. No one's ever had evidence like this before, and when the students see what we have, they'll be lining up to testify against him."

Ruggerio comes out of the room to talk to Keith. "A regular stone-cold bastard, huh? I'm not surprised that he's never been convicted before. But I'm impressed with the quality of the evidence you collected, Mr. Mars. It's very comprehensive; your daughter did an amazing job. He can dance around the facts all he wants, but the destructive nature of the school is clear to see. Agent Lynley said you also had a few questions about a related matter."

Keith summarizes what he knows about Hannah Griffith. He gives Ruggerio a copy of his own file on Hannah along with the file Logan had copied from Klein's office. Ruggerio looks at him questioningly. "What are you thinking?"

Keith explains, "It's a long shot. There's some evidence in Hannah's case that seems contradictory and possibly points to some sort of copycat murder. Hannah could have witnessed something at the school, perhaps Assemblyman Frazzino or the Education Commissioner making a payoff. Or maybe she remembered Maria Frazzino's crazy stories of being abused by her father and realized they weren't so crazy after all. We recently located a witness who puts Hannah in a town near Sacramento where Frazzino lives."

"Blackmail?" Ruggerio surmises.

"Yes. What if Hannah stumbled upon something that made her realize that Maria was telling the truth, and she decided to try to make Klein or Frazzino or both pay for it?"

Ruggerio taps the autopsy report on Hannah. "But this looks like whoever murdered her was familiar with the modus operandi of the true serial killer..."

"...Indicating somebody who has connections to the government, perhaps an ambitious state assemblyman with a reputation for being tough on crime," Keith concludes, nodding. "And I'm thinking some questions on Hannah's death might rattle Klein a bit. If he thinks you're pursuing him on that–"

"He might be more cooperative on some of the other issues," Ruggerio finishes. "Okay. I'll start with that when we come back."

~ • ~

Sun. 3/15/09 afternoon: Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, VT

On his way back to Veronica's room, Logan checks in at the nurse's station and asks for an update on her condition. The nurses reassure him that she's doing fine. When he enters the room, she's sleeping again. Logan quietly sits down in the chair next to the bed and watches her. Her face is relaxed and peaceful, not betraying the inner turmoil she was exhibiting earlier. He hates the red hair and unfamiliar hair style; even the temporary tattoos that seemed exotic and sexy when she got them now just appear grotesque and strange. Her arm is strapped to her chest, immobilizing it, and he wishes he could somehow make it all better.

Not for the first time, he thinks how gutsy she was to keep going after her injury. There's something about her strength and single-mindedness–no, bullheadedness–that are still capable of surprising him after all this time. And the thought that that bastard–prick motherfucker cocksuckingSONOFABITCH–might have broken her, might have driven that out of her forever...right now, he'd gladly go back to those vicious arguments when he was berating her for taking too many risks if it meant that she would be strong again, that she would be Veronica again.

He's so lost in thought that he doesn't realize she's opened her eyes and is looking at him again. "What happened to your beard?"

Startled, he stutters, "Wh-what?"

"You shaved," she replies.

He rubs his chin. "Couldn't stand it any more...looking in the mirror and seeing someone else staring back at me. I want to get my old hair back too." He ruffles his hair, in the old familiar gesture, and he's surprised when she smiles a little.

"You always do that, you always mess with your hair, especially when you don't know what to say. Or when you're nervous...." she muses.

"I don't think nervous is the right word...scared to death, maybe," he admits.

"Scared?" she asks, completely flummoxed.

"Of course, I'm scared that...I'm scared that he hurt you and...." He can't express it. "I was terrified the whole time," he admits. You don't know how terrified I was.

"You were scared?" she asks hesitantly. "You didn't act...terrified. You acted...like one of them." Her voice becomes completely inaudible by the last word.

"That's what scared me the most. Veronica, I almost had a nervous breakdown at one point; I almost beat the shit out of Carrie when she–" he stops short. She's not ready to talk about this. Stop...stop!!

"What did Carrie do?" she says curiously. "I mean, I know she's done plenty already."

"She just saw me...when I was upset about something," he finishes lamely.

"What?"

He knows he shouldn't say it, and he stays silent.

She repeats, "What were you upset about?"

He says it, almost against his will, "Do you think it was easy for me to hurt you? And then...." He can't say it.

She looks at him in shock. "What? Logan, what?"

"I was upset because I was acting like one of them, I was...Veronica, goddammit, I kept feeling like I was turning into my dad," he says, the words spilling out helplessly. Stop, you've got to stop, she's not ready to talk about this! "Veronica, please, let's not talk about this–"

"I just thought...I don't know...I thought you were mad at me, for making you be there, for not giving up this stupid operation, for everything I've ever done to you, all the things I ever accused you of, and really it's just that I'm a rotten person" she chokes back a sob, black hole black hole, "and I know you and Dad can't really love me because of the way I am. I thought...I thought you told them about all the horrible things I've done. I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she babbles.

"Veronica, please, you've got to calm down," he says anxiously. "Please, it's all right, it's going to be fine, dammit, please stop crying." It's a good thing Klein isn't here right now, because I would go to the electric chair to beat the crap out of him, if only he was here right this fucking minute.

"How can you even stand to be in the room with me? I'm just a disgusting piece of filth. There's nothing worth saving!" she cries hysterically. "I know that's why you didn't come when I called for help."

"Oh...fuck!!" She called for help, and we didn't hear it. What the fuck happened on Friday night...and what the fuck happened in that group therapy? He cautiously sits on the bed next to her. "Veronica, please, just let me hold you. I swear to you, I swear that I would have been there in one second if I had known you wanted help. You know I would have been there. Please."

He gently puts his arms around her, gingerly avoiding her right shoulder. She resists, pushing him away weakly, but he hangs on until she gives up and lets him hold her. She weeps as he tells her over and over again that he loves her. She cries, with great gasping hiccups and sobs, her words incoherent and jumbled and her face wet with tears. "Please don't...please...."

Logan says 'I love you, Veronica, you're safe now' so many times that it becomes a mantra with a rhythm all its own. He hopes that the words are penetrating her hysteria and panic.

At last, she seems to exhaust her supply of tears; with a few shuddering sighs, she gradually calms down, and he pulls back to look at her. She closes her eyes, still unable to look at him. He wants to kiss her, somehow make her forget everything; he wants it with every cell of his body, but he is afraid. He recognizes that same terror and confusion that had gripped him until he somehow managed to pull back and regain control. How do I help her? He feels inadequate and overwhelmingly guilty–for letting this happen, for somehow giving her the idea this was the way to help him. Veronica...please be okay. Please tell me how to help you.

He moves to the chair beside the bed. "Try to sleep, Veronica. I'll be right here the whole time." Logan slips his hand, palm up, underneath hers, giving her the option of holding his hand. He waits, fiercely hoping she'll take his hand; he forces his muscles to stay completely immobile even though he wants nothing more than to squeeze her hand tightly, so that she knows, really knows, that he is there for her. But he waits: somehow he knows instinctively that she needs to feel even a little bit in control, and she must make the decision that she wants his support. Finally, tentatively, she gently curls her fingers around his and chooses to hold on, and he suppresses a sigh of relief.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
Defensive Maneuvers
Klein is questioned about Hannah; Mac
takes a chance; Veronica discloses.
Veronica: Kristen Bell. Logan: Jason Dohring.
Keith: Enrico Colantoni. Mac: Tina Majorino.
Klein: Clancy Brown. Attorney: Ray Wise.
US Attorney Ruggerio: Nathan Fillion. Lynley:
James Badge Dale. Dr. Arthurs: Glenne Headly.
Alan: Ned Vaughn. Brenda: Katherine Bailess.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN: "DEFENSIVE MANEUVERS"

Sun. 3/15/09 afternoon: Manchester Center Police Department, VT

Ruggerio sits back down at the table and regards Klein and his attorney. He aimlessly taps the folder in front of him with his pencil, as if deciding how to begin. From the viewing area, Keith watches, anticipating a battle of wits between the tough prosecuting attorney and the smooth con artist. Epstein and Lynley are observing as well.

Finally, Ruggerio says, "Do you remember a student from a few years ago named Hannah Griffith?"

Klein looks startled. "Of course I remember Hannah. I remember every student, but I consider her to be my worst failure."

"How so?"

Klein sighs. His attorney taps him on the arm and gives him a look, trying to advise caution. Klein says, "Hannah was only a student for a short time. She came under the influence of one of our employees, who did not approve of our treatment methods and took it upon herself to help Hannah run away from the school. Hannah was dangerously unstable, and I wasn't surprised to find out earlier this year that she turned to prostitution and drugs after leaving us and had been murdered by a serial killer in Los Angeles. I feel certain that if Hannah had stayed at the school and graduated, she might have avoided that fate. So I feel responsible for not realizing that my employee was short-sighted and foolish."

"Tell me about Hannah's instability. What was your treatment focusing on?" Ruggerio asks.

"Well, I'd have to see my notes, of course–"

Ruggerio pushes a folder across the table. Klein looks at the papers, which are copies of his notes. He takes a few minutes to review then begins. "Hannah's parents were concerned about her relationship with an older boy. The boy was on house arrest, awaiting trial for the murder of a gang member, and had a long history of drug and alcohol abuse and various misdemeanor convictions. Mr. Griffith noted that he had found a large quantity of cocaine hidden in his bathroom; his daughter claimed that it was evidence that Mr. Griffith himself was doing drugs, but Mr. Griffith suspected that it was planted by this boy named," Klein consults the file again, "Logan Echolls."

Klein pauses a moment before starting in again. "Hannah was caught by her father having sexual relations with Echolls after having been forbidden to associate with him. Combined with a precipitous drop in Hannah's grades and some evidence that she herself was using drugs, Mr. Griffith made the difficult decision to get some serious help for her problems." Klein looks at his notes and continues, "Mr. Griffith also explained that he and his wife had been going through a difficult divorce and custody mediation and they agreed that Hannah needed a break from the family drama."

Ruggerio asks, "What was your diagnosis of Hannah's condition, and what treatment did you prescribe?"

"Based on our evaluations, our psychologist diagnosed her with a sexual addiction secondary to a borderline personality disorder and drug addiction. It was clear based on her statements in group therapy that her father had sought help for her just in time. Hannah threatened to run away from the school and repeatedly swore that we couldn't keep her away from Logan. She repeated the claims that her father was involved with drugs, which were of course untrue. Her father is a respected plastic surgeon."

Klein sighs and continues. "None of these girls are easy to treat, but Hannah's denial of her problems was perhaps the most extreme I have ever seen. She claimed to be a virgin, yet her father caught her having sex with this character. She repeatedly claimed that her father was involved with criminals and was pursuing a vendetta against her boyfriend. We tried to convince her that her boyfriend was a user and a petty criminal by forcing her to read aloud the numerous newspaper stories that detailed his exploits. When she refused, we were forced to resort to Observation Placement numerous times. We find that that treatment encourages girls to examine the errors of their thinking."

Ruggerio takes the file back and looks for a particular paragraph. Pointing, he asks, "What's this about 'cutting'? And something about food punishment?"

"Oh, it was completely tragic. Hannah used silverware to cut herself, thinking that a doctor would believe her crazy stories about her father and arrange for her release. Of course, our doctor is experienced with the kind of stories these girls will make up for attention, and he reported them to us immediately. The incident was further proof that Hannah desperately needed residential placement. After she was treated, we had to take away the privilege of eating utensils until she demonstrated that she could be trusted again."

"You mean, she had to eat with her hands?"

"She was placed on a bread and water regimen for forty-eight hours to think about what she had done to herself, and then, yes, she had her normal diet restored and ate with her hands."

Keith is so repulsed by Klein's self-serving description of his treatments that he almost misses Ruggerio's next question.

Pointedly, Ruggerio asks, "Were her parents notified about this cutting incident?"

"Of course. We report any incident that involves violence."

"And were they allowed to speak with Hannah at that time?"

Klein replies, slightly sarcastically, "We don't allow students who act in this way to talk to their parents. Family contact is a privilege that is earned."

"I see, like silverware."

"Just because you are ignorant about tough-love programs doesn't mean that they are ineffective."

Klein's attorney breaks in. "You do know that past students and the parents of successful graduates have been contacting me all morning offering to testify on Mr. Klein's behalf."

"Yes, I am aware," Ruggerio comments. "So Hannah was now on food restrictions and had been sentenced to Observation Placement several times. Were you seeing any progress in her 'borderline personality disorder'? Did you consider any kind of psychotropic medication since you claimed that her denial was among the worst you'd ever encountered?"

"Replacing illicit drugs with legal drugs is not the answer. If we truly encounter a situation that requires medication, we ask the parents to find an alternate placement for their daughter."

"And how many times has that happened?" Ruggerio asks.

Klein looks at him then whispers in his attorney's ear.

Ruggerio says, "Well? How many times have you suggested alternate placement?"

The attorney nods, and Klein admits, "We have never needed to make that suggestion. We have always been able to provide appropriate treatment without medication here at the school. Our philosophy is–"

"What if you had a student with schizophrenia?" Ruggerio interrupts.

"That's never happened," Klein swears.

"That's funny that you say that. This student, Ms. Robin Finney, was diagnosed with schizophrenia after her parents took her out of your school. And she was supposedly 'seen' by your psychologist. It looks like your treatment plan for her was attack therapy and stress positions, even though she was clearly hallucinating." Ruggerio places another piece of paper in front of Klein. Keith knows this is one of Epstein's clients, the originator of their lawsuit.

"This is a witch hunt," Klein protests. "Our psychologist was certain that her condition was exaggerated."

"And he made this diagnosis in person? Or was it second-hand, based on the reports of your employees? Your employees who have no medical training?"

The attorney waves his hand, indicating that Klein should not respond, and Klein remains silent.

"Okay, let's get back to Hannah," Ruggerio says, swiftly changing the topic. "Did you have any contact with her after she ran away from the school? Any contact at all: over the phone, by a letter or email, or in person."

Klein, puzzled, shakes his head 'no'.

"I need a verbal response, please," Ruggerio says.

"No, I was never contacted by Hannah Griffith after she left the school."

"Was Hannah Griffith present when you were treating Maria Frazzino in group therapy?" Ruggerio asks.

"Yes. All the girls who were at the school participated in Maria's therapy."

Ruggerio leans in and says, "So Hannah heard the details of Ms. Frazzino's stories about her father's abuse?"

"If you mean the wild tales that Maria concocted during her early days at school, yes, Hannah heard those stories."

Ruggerio again shuffles through paperwork and finds a medical report. "Well, our doctor examined Ms. Frazzino. In addition to several cigarette burn scars and other marks believed to have been made by a belt, x-rays revealed that she's had quite a few fractures, including one that's almost exclusively seen in child abuse cases. Did your staff ever notice these scars and make a report of suspected child abuse?"

"Maria herself recanted her stories and explained that she had burned herself to get back at her father."

"Why would she do that?" Ruggerio asks, unable to hide his disbelief.

"We've seen this kind of compulsive lying many times over the years. It comes from a lack of structure and guidance in the home; sometimes children receive attention for an accident and get the impression that this is the way to behave."

"If she had burned herself, don't you believe that this is a symptom of a serious psychiatric disorder?"

"Yes, and we provided treatment that worked. Maria is now quite well-adjusted and participates extensively in assisting with treating the newer students," Klein says proudly.

Keith is sickened by Klein's statements; in his opinion, Maria's actions resembled those of a sociopath, and Klein's pride in her behavior is offensive in the extreme.

Ruggerio continues, "So you don't believe that Ms. Frazzino was ever a victim of child abuse?"

"Of course not. We would have reported it to the state immediately if we felt that she was being truthful."

Ruggerio stares at Klein. "So if Hannah Griffith found out at some point that Maria was a victim of child abuse and contacted you to see what you thought about that...." he says leadingly.

"What? What are you accusing me of?" Klein answers, outraged.

His attorney puts a hand on Klein's arm and says, "The interview's over. I'm advising my client not to answer any more questions. We've tried to cooperate, but this investigation is completely ridiculous. If you are foolish enough to pursue these charges, my client will be vindicated in court."

Keith is uncertain what to think. Klein is certainly rattled by this line of questioning. Is it because he truly is surprised to be accused of being involved in Hannah's murder...or is he scared that we are getting close to the truth? He watches as a corrections officer places handcuffs on Klein and escorts him out of the room.

Ruggerio comes out to the viewing area. "What did you think?"

Keith says, "I don't know. He certainly was upset at your implication that he had some involvement in Hannah's death. You know, it doesn't have to be Klein that Hannah tried to blackmail. She might have been too afraid. Maybe she contacted Frazzino and blackmailed him. I'm certain a state assemblyman would have contacts in the FBI."

Ruggerio asks, "What about your other theory, that Hannah witnessed a payoff?"

Keith rubs his forehead. "The more I think about it, the more I believe that the girls are too supervised to accidentally see something like that." He carefully refrains from saying that it was Michelle Weisz, the guardian angel, who convinced him of this. 'If you're not successful, I want to be able to keep doing what I'm doing.' "We watched my daughter at the school for a week; her every move was controlled and monitored. I'll admit, I'd love to have rock-solid evidence that Klein was responsible for Hannah's murder, but I'm not seeing it here."

Lynley interrupts, "Do you think I'll be able talk to Veronica this afternoon? We need to find out if any physical abuse occurred during the time her bug was nonfunctional. I don't want to leave a possible assault charge out of the indictment. Something happened while we weren't able to listen, and I'm betting it was serious, given her condition the next morning. I don't want to let them get away with anything, Keith," he says strongly.

"We can try. But I don't want you upsetting her. I know she would want to give a statement, but she's been through a lot the last few days, and she needs to have rest and calm more than anything," Keith answers.

"Of course," Lynley replies. "I'll let you be the judge. If the questions are upsetting her, I'll stop immediately."

~ • ~

Sun. 3/15/09 afternoon: San Diego RCFL, San Diego, CA

Mac watches as Brenda, the agent charged with impersonating her, walks back and forth. Brenda converses with Alan as 'Mac', and Mac watches her smile shyly and toss her head in a completely plausible imitation of Mac. At first, Mac denied that the mannerisms that Brenda was employing were even close to her true behavior. But at one point, Brenda, her blonde hair now dyed brunette with blue streaks just like Mac's and wearing silicone cheek inserts that made her face round, not pointed, turned her head and spoke, and it actually gave Mac the chills.

"You missed your calling. Hollywood needs you," Mac comments.

"It's the makeup and the hair," Brenda says modestly.

"Nope, you've really impressed me, and that's not easy to do," Mac replies. "It's a lot of work for one performance."

Brenda smiles. "Well, hopefully we'll only need the one performance."

"Let's take a little break," Mac's handler Alan says.

Mac wanders over to a computer. "Okay if I check the news?" she asks.

Alan says warily, "No email, right?"

"I know. Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything to put my family in danger."

"All right," he agrees.

Mac clicks on the internet browser. She sneaks a surreptitious glance at Alan; he's not paying much attention and is discussing the details of Brenda's upcoming performance at the funeral for Mac's 'family'. Mac is certain that Mike Fields would have delivered her list of the FBI agents who had access to the Slasher case files to Veronica by now. But she hasn't heard back from Mike, although, since the bombing, her days have been filled with WitSec meetings and preparation for the fake funeral. Mac wonders if Mike has been trying unsuccessfully to get in touch with her. She types 'Hannah Griffith' into Google to see if there have been any new news stories on the case; she is surprised when a story on 'Briar Hill Academy' is the first result.

Mac reads the story and realizes this is the school where Hannah was sent. The story is vague, but mentions that several undercover operatives were instrumental in gathering evidence which led to the arrest of the school's headmaster, Peter Klein, and the closing of the school for alleged abuses against the students.

Mac smiles. Sounds like Veronica to me. She continues to read. The article mentions that the Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Education, Carl Behr, was under investigation for a possible payoff scheme. A sidebar mentions the girl who was murdered a year ago by two of the students and speculates on a culture of evil at the school.

She returns to the search results. The second article is entitled, 'California Assemblyman Implicated in East Coast School Scandal'. She clicks on it and is shocked to find that the byline reads 'By Carrie Murray'. She reads quickly; to Mac's relief, there is no mention of Logan or Veronica, but the article is certainly written in Carrie's typically scurrilous style and hints at incest, child abuse, and financial coverups.

Alan calls, "Let's get back to work, Mac!"

Mac memorizes the three names, Peter Klein, Carl Behr, and Vincenzo Frazzino, and determines to try to find a way to use the FBI databases to investigate a link between them and the agents who had access to the Slasher files before she is banished to her new identity in Whereverville, USA. It's not going to be easy with Alan hovering over me. Now that I've tracked down that Russian server, they usually won't even let me get on the computer...all 'to protect me'. Taking the internet away after tempting me with FBI databases is cruel and unusual punishment. She quickly erases her browser history and quits the program, thinking all the while how she can possibly get access to the FBI files.

She walks back over to the other agents. Mac notices Alan has removed his conservative suit jacket, and it is hanging over the back of a chair. He is leaning against a table with his shirt sleeves rolled up watching Brenda work. Way to be wild, Alan baby, she thinks. Then she reconsiders. Alan usually keeps his Blackberry in his jacket pocket.

Mac slows her pace. She waits until all eyes are on Brenda, then Mac trips and falls to the floor near the chair where Alan's jacket is hanging.

"Hey, are you all right?" Brenda asks.

"Yeah, I just wounded my pride," she replies. As she stands up, she keeps her back to the others and casually grabs the Blackberry from Alan's jacket. She hides it in her jeans pocket, pretending to brush herself off as she smiles ruefully at her clumsiness. "Wow, I really am a dork," she says wryly.

~ • ~

Sun. 3/15/09 afternoon: Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, VT

Veronica opens her eyes. I was sleeping again. I feel like I'm never going to get enough sleep, she thinks. Veronica looks over at him; Logan is reading a magazine. She watches; he's not turning the pages but rather staring at the same page thinking. He feels her eyes on him, and he looks up.

"Hey, sleepyhead," he says quietly.

"What time is it?" she asks.

Logan checks his watch. "About five o'clock."

"Where's Dad?"

"He should be back soon." Logan pauses, considering what details to tell her. "Something with the case," he adds vaguely. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired...like I'm never going to get enough sleep."

"You haven't really slept since you left California," he reminds her.

"I...I should have asked you before, are you okay? I remember...there was a fight. You were yelling and...."

He flexes his fingers slightly. "My hand's a little sore. But I think Klein's face hurts worse," he can't help adding.

"Everything's so confused," she admits. "What Klein was saying–"

"You can't pay any attention to what he said, Veronica!" he replies quickly.

"No, I...." She lapses into silence, and Logan wishes desperately that Keith or Dr. Arthurs or even his own Dr. Friedman would come and tell him what to say to her. Veronica stares out the window at a mountain range in the distance. "It's actually beautiful here," she says wistfully. She turns to him again and asks, "What happened to the other girls at the school?"

"I'm not sure. There was an emergency hearing yesterday with the Department of Family and Child Services. I think the state wanted to put them in temporary foster care while they investigated the school."

"Good," she comments as she returns to staring back out the window.

Dr. Arthurs and Keith come into the room. The doctor notes, "Ms. Mars, you're looking a little better."

Keith adds, "Hi, honey. Did you get some more rest?"

She nods in response.

Logan pushes his chair out of the way and watches as the doctor checks Veronica's vital signs. He exchanges a glance with Keith.

Dr. Arthurs says, "Your dad brought somebody with him who wants to talk to you. Do you think you're up to talking with someone from the FBI? If you're not, it's okay. You've been through a lot, and I'll take the heat if you want to wait. I'm not afraid of the FBI." She makes a fist and demonstrates her bicep, and Veronica smiles wanly at this show of prowess.

"I guess it's okay," she mumbles.

The doctor nods and goes to check on other patients. She warns Veronica as she leaves, "Don't get too excited, okay? I'll be back to check on you again, Ms. Mars." She gives Keith a warning look, and Keith nods that he understands.

"Do you want me to stay?" Logan asks uncertainly.

Veronica hesitates, then nods her agreement.

Keith beckons, and Agent Lynley comes into the room. "Hi, Veronica. I feel like I know you. I've been watching you on the video for the last four days. My name's Thomas Lynley."

"Mike's friend," she notes.

"Yes, Mike told me all about you. He said you had incredible investigative skills, but I think he underestimated you," Lynley adds.

Careful, Logan thinks. This is a bad idea.

Lynley continues, "You know that your bug went out late Friday night, after you met with Alyssa. Can you tell us what happened after that?"

"Is this really necessary?" Logan interrupts.

"Well, yes it is, actually. We're in the process of determining the criminal complaint against Peter Klein and the other employees," Lynley says, puzzled by Logan's attitude.

"No, I can do it," Veronica interrupts. She closes her eyes and sighs before she begins. "It wasn't anything that intense. They just...they woke me up and made me do two hundred jumping jacks."

Of everything Logan has imagined that they could have done to her, this is not remotely like any of his scenarios.

"Jumping jacks?" Lynley asks incredulously.

"I know, it sounds...." her voice trails off as she flushes in humiliation. "My shoulder was very painful, and I...I couldn't do it. I fell on the floor at one point, and I said the code words. I said, 'I really wish I was in California.'" She looks at Lynley's surprised face. "I thought...I thought the guard was going to hit me, and he threatened to make me do push-ups instead, and...." She realizes she's babbling again.

"But he didn't actually hit you?"

"He was going to grab me by the arm and drag me up off the floor, and I knew, my shoulder was hurting so much, I couldn't let him do that...."

Logan realizes with a shock that what's killing her is the innocent nature of what exactly broke her down–that no one will understand why she gave in then. There's nothing illegal about assigning jumping jacks as a punishment, he thinks, and he knows that she too is aware of the problem. She believes that no one will comprehend the brutality of her experience, but of course he discerns exactly how sinister it was. He can see her berating herself for crumbling over a 'little' pain when she had been able to withstand so much abuse and degradation from them. With perfect clarity, he sees that she is completely disheartened by the realization that she is not anywhere near as strong as she thought she was.

Lynley asks, "What happened when no one came to stop the operation?"

"I didn't know what was happening. I was certain I had said the code words, but no one was coming. I didn't know what was happening." Logan is certain that her voice is trembling, although she is taking great pains to hide it.

Logan interrupts again. "Let's not do this right now." He glances at Keith, but before Keith can add his protests, Veronica begins speaking again. Keith also is trying to comprehend what she's describing; he too had been picturing intense psychological abuse or actual physical blows, and he is struck dumb by her tale.

"No...no, I want to tell it," Veronica objects. "You don't understand; I'd been having nightmares that I said the code word, and no one came. In my dream, sometimes my dad had abandoned me, or Klein found out about the operation and killed him, or...I don't know. It was...." She sees the pity and shock on her dad's face and, even worse, an expression of disbelief on Lynley's face. Embarrassed, she rushes in to explain. "I managed to get up off the floor, and I finished the jumping jacks. Then they took me back to bed. And a little while later, they woke me up again, and Alyssa made me...she made me...." she blushes furiously. "It was stupid; she pulled all the books in the library off the shelves and made me refile them. It just seemed so insane; just completely purposeless and inexplicable. And when you didn't come to stop the operation, I thought...I thought I was going crazy."

"Alyssa was trying to keep you off balance," Logan rushes in to reassure her. "She was showing you how deranged everything was and how much power they had over you, and she was making sure you didn't get any sleep so that Klein could work his sick therapy on you the next day. I saw her that night, and I knew something was up."

Lynley frowns at Logan for interrupting again. Logan glares back and moves to the bed, taking her hand and squeezing it gently. Logan continues, "Veronica's not ready to talk about this. You have enough for your criminal complaint. And, Lynley, I'll never forgive you for not investigating when I told you something was going on that night."

"You told them...?" Veronica asks in surprise.

"I called Lynley and told him something was up, something was really wrong. I had a feeling, and they wouldn't listen to me," Logan says angrily.

Keith recovers his voice. "Logan's right. Veronica's not ready to talk about this yet. Lynley, you've got plenty for the arraignment tomorrow. I'd like you to leave now." He escorts Lynley to the hallway; the two men converse in low tones, occasionally glancing at Veronica.

Turning to Logan, Veronica repeats, "You told them something was going on?"

He nods. "I didn't know what it was. But after the surprise hike...and then I saw Alyssa wandering around the campus in the middle of the night...." He shrugs.

She stares at him. "But you were so...you were so furious with me because I told them about Lilly. I'm sorry about that, they just...they kept after me, I couldn't seem to say anything that they believed. But when I," she swallows. "When I told them about Lilly, that I had tattled on you, that I saw you cheating on her, somehow they knew...they knew it was the truth." She stops talking, completely deflated, her courage leaving her.

"It's okay," he says. "I'm not mad about anything you said, I was just surprised. I'm sorry I made you think I was upset."

"No, it's not okay...I never should have told them that," she chokes back a sob.

"Veronica...if it made them ease up on you a little, I'm glad you told them about Lilly," he tries to reassure her.

Keith comes back in the room, and Veronica says, "Dad, I'm so sorry, I don't know why I quit when I did, I ruined it–" She begins to cry. "I know I let you down."

Keith looks stricken. "Veronica, you got so much more evidence than we even needed. How can you say...honey, you did an incredible job."

"No, I messed up," she says tearfully. "I couldn't do it."

"Veronica, you are not allowed to feel that way! Don't you know–" Keith yells before thinking. He tries to calm himself and continues, "Honey, I'm sorry. Peter Klein is an evil man. What he did to you–goddammit, what I let him do to you...please, Veronica. You can't think that way." He turns to Logan. "I need to talk to her alone for a minute."

Logan nods and leaves the room. He decides to find Dr. Arthurs and ask her to check on Veronica again.

Keith sits down on the bed next to Veronica. He fusses with the pillow and smoothes the sheets around her, stalling for a just another minute before he starts. "Veronica, honey. I want you to know that you can tell me anything. I...I know why you wouldn't want to tell your dad what happened at the party. You have to know that I wish I could erase it all for you."

She stops breathing. Oh god. Not a nightmare, not a hallucination...it was real. Klein did find out about my rape. Dad knows. Oh god, Dad knows. Oh Daddy.

His voice cracks a little, breaking her heart. "I knew something was wrong, and I thought it was because of your mother. I wasn't a very good dad for you; I threw myself into the Lilly Kane case and pursued Jake Kane instead of taking care of you. I don't want you to ever think that I'm ashamed of you. I'm so proud of you; you've been so brave, Veronica. I'm the one who should be ashamed. I let you down by letting you get involved in this case, and now I've found out that I let you down five years ago too."

"Dad, no...you were right to go after Jake Kane–"

"No, Veronica. You are my priority, and I'll always regret that I lost sight of that."

"Dad, I wanted to tell you, but...." she tries. She thinks, what good will it do to tell him, and then she says it anyway, the long-withheld words spilling out heedlessly. "I told Lamb. I reported the rape to him. He didn't believe me. I couldn't...with everything everyone was saying about you and the case, I wasn't brave enough to tell anyone else."

"You told that bastard? And he didn't believe you?" Keith says, completely enraged and sickened by the revelation. "Oh, Veronica...." How could I have not seen what she was going through?

"Daddy...I want to go home," she whispers. "When can we go home?"

"As soon as possible," he promises. "As soon as the doctor says it okay for you to travel. They don't want to operate on your shoulder until your infection has completely cleared. There's no reason why we can't do the surgery in Neptune."

She closes her eyes gratefully, then remembers something she wanted to ask. "Dad? Did Logan really try to get you to stop the operation?"

Keith scoffs. "Are you kidding? He tried to get us to stop the very first day. But that last night, when your bug went out, he knew. Logan knew something was wrong. He called and told Lynley that something was going on, but..." he sighs, "Your bug wasn't working, and he thought you were just asleep. Then Dr. Kinny realized that we weren't getting any audio when we should have been hearing you at breakfast. He convinced Lynley that something was wrong with your bug."

"Weren't you listening?" she asks in a small voice.

"Oh honey, Epstein and I were interviewing the woman who helped Hannah to escape. We tracked her down, and she wasn't far from here. She gave us a good lead to where Hannah was living after she ran away from the school. We never would have found her if you and Logan hadn't been undercover," he explains, hoping she will find it a small consolation. "We thought...we thought you would be all right. Kavner was on his shift, and Lynley and Dr. Kinny were monitoring the bugs. But I should have been there. It doesn't matter how big a lead it was. I'm sorry, it was my fault it went on so long. It's all my fault."

"You didn't hear the group therapy?" she whispers.

"Some of it, while we were rushing back." And the rest of it, I watched on video this morning. He conceals his rage from her and concentrates on reassuring her. "Honey, you were right to want Logan on this. He did a great job. I wish we had listened to him more than we did."

"I always used to think he worried too much," Veronica replies.

"This was very hard on him. He was very concerned about you, and it brought up a lot of bad memories about his father when he had to act like the other employees. He was very stressed, and Kinny wanted to pull him out. But Logan insisted that he wouldn't quit as long as you were still there."

"He was so scary...I couldn't understand the way he was acting."

"The other guards were giving him grief that he was being too easy on you. He was worried they would fire him, and he wouldn't be there to protect you when you needed him. So he had to try to appear to be rough with you, and I think it almost killed him."

Is that why he was so angry and upset with me? Suddenly, her head begins to hurt, and she wonders if it's the stress of trying to understand what was happening at the school. Veronica says, "I think I need to lie down for a little bit. But Daddy, I really want to go home as soon as possible."

Keith kisses her on her forehead and helps her to adjust the bed so that she's lying down again. Logan has found Dr. Arthurs, and she comes in and takes Veronica's vitals again. In the hallway, she explains to them that she has ordered more sedatives and anti-anxiety medication for the evening, and she will assess Veronica again in the morning. Keith relates Veronica's desire to go home, and the doctor agrees that familiar surroundings would be helpful. She looks at Keith and Logan and notes their fatigue. "You're not doing her any good by not eating or sleeping. I want you two to get a hotel room, have a good dinner and maybe a long shower."

Logan protests, "I don't want her to be alone overnight. You don't understand, she was all alone while they were hurting her...we let her down. I don't want her to be alone now."

Dr. Arthurs says she will arrange for a cot to be placed in Veronica's room if they will agree to take turns sleeping at a hotel and staying with Veronica. "She needs you two to be healthy for her. I don't want to scare you, but I'm concerned about her mental status. It may be a while before she's out of the woods."

Chapter Eighty-Eight