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Fic: What Goes Down #3: Looking For Clues (Veronica Mars, Lamb/Veronica)
Title: Looking For Clues
Fandom: Veronica Mars
Pairing(s): Lamb/Veronica
Word Count: 2660
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Veronica continues to look for answers at the Pi Sig house, with a little help from her friends.
Notes: Third in the What Goes Down series. AU from episode 3:2 - My Big Fat Greek Rush Week; general spoilers up to episode 3:9 - Spit & Eggs. Some dialogue from episode 3:9 - Spit & Eggs. Not so much Lamb/Veronica in this one, hopefully there'll be more in the next chapter.
Previously: Part 1, Part 2
"What the hell, Veronica?"
Veronica would have been lying if she said she didn't expect this. But she didn't think she'd expected it before she even got the chance to close the door.
"Logan, listen -"
"No, you listen, Veronica." Logan's voice was raised, his expression strained, and Veronica fell silent. She knew that it was never a good idea to push him when he was like this.
"I'm worried about you," Logan said. His face softened, but his voice didn't lose its hard edge. "You're putting yourself in danger, and you won't even let me help.
"I know," he continued over her, as Veronica opened her mouth to speak, "you never need help, right?" He laughed, but there was no joy in it. Veronica thought she heard his breath catch. "But I need to help you, Veronica. I need you to let me in."
Veronica opened her mouth again, but Logan was still looking at her with that expression, half accusing and half begging for absolution, and she paused.
"The thing with the Pi Sigs," she said finally. "It wasn't what it looked like."
"To hell with the Pi Sigs," Logan said, raising his voice again. "I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about us."
"I'm fine. We're fine," Veronica said, reaching out to hold Logan's hand. For a moment, he let her, but then he drew away.
"We're not fine, Veronica," he said, his voice much quieter now. "And if you can't see that ..."
Veronica wanted to say something; to say anything. She was good at talking, at saying the words and letting people hear what they wanted to hear. But she had never been good at this.
It could have been minutes that they stood there, or hours, or weeks. Logan was first to break the silence.
"I can't do this, Veronica," he said, his eyes not quite meeting hers. "We can't do this. I don't want to lose you. But we can do this now, or we can pretend everything's fine and deal with it later, and I vote for now."
"What are you ..." Veronica trailed off. She didn't need the answer to the question, but she needed to ask it.
Logan looked at her, then, and the tenderness she saw in his eyes was far worse than the anger and accusations they had held earlier.
"Goodbye, Veronica," he said, and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
It wasn't the first time she had left the Neptune Grand in tears.
-
"Veronica?"
Veronica barely heard Mac's voice as she stared down at her lunch. Slowly, she lifted her head.
"Yeah," she said. She took in the concerned looks on Mac and Wallace's faces. "I'm fine," she assured them.
"I know," Mac said. "We know. But it's okay if you're not."
"Nobody said you weren't," Wallace supplied. He looked at her. "You're Veronica Mars."
Veronica smiled wanly. It was nice having people around, she had to admit, even if she wasn't very good company. "I'm going to go find a seat," she told them, and they nodded. She could feel their eyes on her as she walked away.
As Veronica sat down at an empty table, she looked up to see Piz sliding into an empty chair opposite her. "Hey, Veronica," he said brightly, and she tried to smile.
"Hey, Piz," she said.
"So, what's up? I was thinking that maybe if you're not doing anything -"
"Hey, Piz," Wallace interrupted, as he and Mac sat down.
"Hi, Wallace," Piz said. "I was just saying to Veronica that maybe we - all of us - could, like, go out and do something this weekend. We could go bowling, or ..." he trailed off as Wallace and Mac just looked at him. "Or not," he finished.
"I don't think bowling's really my thing," Veronica said, trying to muster up an appetite for her lunch.
"We could do something else," Mac offered, her voice optimistic. Veronica stabbed listlessly at her plate.
"Yeah," Wallace chipped in. "I hear there's a pretty cool concert this weekend."
"Or we could sign up for the scavenger hunt," Mac continued, looking hopefully at Veronica.
"Didn't they just have one of those?" Piz asked, leaning forward.
"Yeah." Mac shrugged. "I guess it's kind of a thing."
"Guys." Veronica looked up at them. "I'm fine. Really."
"Yeah, we know," Mac said. She looked at Wallace.
"It's just that, well, we wanted to go on the scavenger hunt," Wallace tried, keeping his voice light. "And we need an extra person."
Veronica stopped picking at her food.
"Come on," he said. "It's like looking for clues, finding stuff. Don't tell me you don't enjoy that." He smiled at her.
Veronica looked at the three of them, all looking at her as if she was going to break. She couldn't handle it.
"Fine," she said, forcing a smile. "Scavenger hunt. Sounds fun."
-
"So," Piz said, as they gathered in the quad. "How should we do this?"
They all looked down at the sheets of paper they had been handed.
"Maybe we should split up into teams?" Mac suggested. Piz brightened, but Wallace spoke before his roommate could.
"Yeah," he agreed. "Sounds good. Why don't Piz and I take the first half of the list, and Veronica, you and Mac can take the second half."
Veronica nodded. "Sure," she agreed. As Piz opened his mouth, Wallace shot him a warning look, and smiled at the girls as they turned to leave.
"So ... where should we start?" Mac asked Veronica. Veronica scanned the list quickly.
"Maybe start at the bottom?" she said. "Work our way up?"
Mac nodded in agreement. "So what's at the bottom?" she asked, and Veronica glanced quickly at the page. She smiled.
After stopping off at Veronica's car to pick up her camera, she and Mac knocked on the door to Hank Landry's office. Mac shot Veronica a nervous glance.
"It'll be fine," Veronica assured her.
She knew that Sundays weren't exactly during consultation hours, but she'd taken a shot that Landry might be in his office anyway. As he opened the door, she smiled.
"Veronica," he greeted her, opening the door to his office a little wider. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
Veronica lifted her camera. "We have a favour to ask you," she said.
One blushing Mac and a strategically placed profiling textbook later, Veronica crossed the last item off their list. Mac could hardly look at her.
"You realise you have to go to class with him on Monday?" she asked.
"Please," Veronica said. "I've seen the ugly sides of a lot of people and still been able to face them the next day. And that ... was not an ugly side." Almost despite herself, Veronica smiled, and Mac smiled with her.
"What now?" she asked.
Veronica scanned the list. "Do you know where the Mark Heinz Center is?" she asked.
Seventeen photographs, three phone numbers, a potato shaped like Abraham Lincoln's head, a gumball machine ring, and a silver bullet - which Mac wouldn't touch - later, Mac turned to Veronica.
"So how's the investigation going?" she asked, and Veronica looked at her.
"Wallace told me," Mac admitted.
Veronica rolled her eyes. "You college kids and your gossip," she said. "What else did Wallace tell you?"
The look on Mac's face told Veronica everything she needed to know.
"Wallace shared some of your muffins," Mac said. "They were really good."
Veronica smiled. "One day, I'm going to stop baking for that man, and he'll be sorry," she threatened idly. "Honestly, though," she continued, her tone more serious, "not great. Chip Diller might have forgiven me once, but I doubt even he'll be stupid enough to do it again. I just need to find a way to search that house. I know if I could go through it properly I'd find something on the Pi Sigs. They have to be behind this."
Suddenly, Veronica looked at Mac, and smiled. "You could help me," she said hopefully. "You and Wallace. Cover me while I look around."
Mac looked hesitant, and Veronica shook her head. "You're the one telling me I need to go have some fun," she said. "And what could be more fun than a frat party?"
"Um, anything?" Mac said, looking unconvinced. "Are the Pi Sigs even having a party next weekend?"
"Is it a day that ends in 'y?'" Veronica asked, and Mac looked resigned. The two girls stared at one another for a moment. Finally, Mac cracked.
"Okay, fine," she said, rolling her eyes. "I'll help you. But I am not drinking, not dancing, not flirting, and not mingling."
Veronica smiled.
"What's next on the list?" Mac asked, and they scanned the sheet of paper together. Mac drew away, disgust written plainly on her face.
"Okay, no," Veronica said. "We are definitely not doing that." She laughed, and kept reading. "Okay, how about 'a photograph of a team member wearing nothing but a Hearst sweatshirt?'"
-
Pushing aside his paperwork, Lamb gingerly fingered the bruise on his chin. He shouldn't touch it, he knew, but it was something between a badge of honour and a cautionary reminder, and he liked the pain.
"Did you get a medal for being injured in the course of duty?"
Lamb resisted the urge to remind Veronica that it hadn't been in the course of duty; for that, he would more likely have been fired than been handed a medal. He didn't like to think about it.
"What do you want?" he asked testily.
"Careful," Veronica said playfully, "or I might start to think that you don't like me." She strode into the room, and Lamb grimaced.
"I don't remember inviting you," he said.
"Your words say no," Veronica said, "but your open door and lax security say yes." Lamb had expected her to sit down in the chair opposite him, but instead, she approached him, leaning down until he could smell her. She touched his chin lightly, and he tried not to flinch. Or do something really stupid, like kiss her.
Instead, he swatted her hand away, and she backed off.
"What. Do. You. Want," he repeated, and she fixed him with a stare that betrayed none of the emotion Lamb could have imagined crossed her face a moment ago.
"Chip Diller?" she said. "Not a fan. Of either of us. I don't think it'd be the best idea for you to crash any more of their parties."
"Yeah," Lamb said, his hand unconsciously flying halfway up to his face before he brought it back down. "I got that."
"Do you still think they did it?" she asked.
"I think the Pi Sigs are the most likely suspects," he said, and Veronica nodded.
"Do you have any suggestions on how we can get closer?" he asked, and Veronica looked almost surprised.
"Don't worry," she said. "I have a plan."
Somehow, that didn't make Lamb feel better at all.
-
"Hey, Veronica," Mac said, as she opened the door. She smiled, and let Veronica into the room.
"Hey, Parker," Veronica said uncomfortably, and was relieved when Parker smiled slightly. Actually, she would have settled for not being chased out of the room, but smiling was even better.
"Hey, Veronica," Parker said, and then, "I want to help."
Mac flashed her an almost apologetic look.
"Help with what?" Veronica said.
"I want to help with this. With what you're doing," Parker said.
Veronica paused. "Are you sure?" she asked.
Parker didn't flinch as she answered. "Yes," she said. "I'm sure."
Veronica nodded. "Okay, then" she said. Parker looked relieved. "We're going to catch him," Veronica assured her.
Parker nodded. "I know," she said.
The three girls shared a silence that wasn't quite uncomfortable, and then there was another knock on the door. Veronica answered it.
"Your knights in shining armour," Piz said. Behind him, Wallace rolled his eyes.
"Oh, goodie," Veronica said. She looked back at Mac and Parker. "You guys ready?"
Parker squared her shoulders. "Yes," she said.
"As ready as we'll ever be," Mac agreed.
It didn't take long to reach the Pi Sig house, but by the time they got there, Veronica had given everyone their instructions.
"You guys are just running interference," she said to Piz and Parker, who nodded. "I'm going to try to check out the Pi Sig basement. Wallace and Mac will be checking upstairs.
"I've been through Chip Diller's room," Veronica told Wallace. "I didn't find anything, but I still don't trust him, so I want you to go through it again if you can. Check out as many of the Pi Sigs' rooms as you can get to, but don't risk getting caught."
Wallace nodded, and Mac tried her best to look confident.
"I don't need anything from you guys," Veronica told Piz and Parker. "Keep an eye on Chip and the other Pi Sigs, make sure Wallace, Mac, and I don't get caught. Keep an eye on each other if you need to split up." She was looking at Piz as she said this, and he nodded.
"Yeah," he said. "Of course."
"Okay," Veronica said, as they reached the house. "Ready?"
"Ready," they agreed.
They split up as they entered the Pi Sig house, and Veronica took her time, chatting to some of the other Theta Betas and keeping an eye out for Chip. As eager as she was, she knew she didn't need to rush into this; she couldn't risk getting caught.
"I'm so glad you came!" Hallie squealed suddenly, running up to hug Veronica. "Aren't Pi Sig parties just the best?"
"The best," Veronica agreed, trying her best to sound enthusiastic.
"Do you have a drink?" Hallie asked her, and Veronica tried not to blanch.
"My friend's getting me one," she lied.
"Oh, okay," Hallie said, looking momentarily placated. "Oh, there's Shania," she said, looking over Veronica's shoulder. "I've got to go say hi. But come find us later, okay?"
"Okay," Veronica said, as Hallie ran off.
Pleasantries managed, and with Chip nowhere in sight, Veronica figured that this would be as good a time as any to check out the basement. As casually as possible, Veronica walked over to the door, and, checking to see that nobody was watching, tried the handle.
Locked. Damn. Maybe the Pi Sigs had learned something over the last semester.
Looking around, Veronica made her way over to the stairs. As she reached the landing, she nearly cursed as she ran into someone, then looked up to see Wallace smiling at her.
"Keys?" he asked, holding out a keyring.
Veronica grinned at him. Sometimes, she worried that Wallace could read her mind.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "The Pi Sigs locked the door."
Wallace nodded. "I figured," he said.
"Where's Mac?" Veronica asked.
"Right behind me," Wallace said. "Don't worry, I didn't leave her alone in some guy's room."
Veronica beamed at him. "Find anything?" she asked.
Wallace shook his head. "Porn, condoms ... porn," he said. "No clippers, no drugs."
Veronica frowned. Why couldn't anyone ever make it easy for her?
"We're going to check out some of the other rooms now," Wallace said. "Just thought you might want these."
"Thanks," Veronica said, taking the keys and making her way back downstairs.
Veronica spotted Piz and Parker just as she was about to try the basement door again, and gave them a tight smile. The basement key was the third one she tried, and shutting the door behind her, Veronica took a flashlight out of her bag.
The basement was almost completely empty. Not even the board that had hung on the wall the semester before remained, and Veronica swore under her breath. She searched through the few things she could find, but came up empty-handed.
Leaving the basement, Veronica looked around to try to find the others.
"Did you find anything?" she asked Wallace, as the five of them headed back to the dorms.
He shook his head. "Nothing," he said.
Next: Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18
Fandom: Veronica Mars
Pairing(s): Lamb/Veronica
Word Count: 2660
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Veronica continues to look for answers at the Pi Sig house, with a little help from her friends.
Notes: Third in the What Goes Down series. AU from episode 3:2 - My Big Fat Greek Rush Week; general spoilers up to episode 3:9 - Spit & Eggs. Some dialogue from episode 3:9 - Spit & Eggs. Not so much Lamb/Veronica in this one, hopefully there'll be more in the next chapter.
Previously: Part 1, Part 2
"What the hell, Veronica?"
Veronica would have been lying if she said she didn't expect this. But she didn't think she'd expected it before she even got the chance to close the door.
"Logan, listen -"
"No, you listen, Veronica." Logan's voice was raised, his expression strained, and Veronica fell silent. She knew that it was never a good idea to push him when he was like this.
"I'm worried about you," Logan said. His face softened, but his voice didn't lose its hard edge. "You're putting yourself in danger, and you won't even let me help.
"I know," he continued over her, as Veronica opened her mouth to speak, "you never need help, right?" He laughed, but there was no joy in it. Veronica thought she heard his breath catch. "But I need to help you, Veronica. I need you to let me in."
Veronica opened her mouth again, but Logan was still looking at her with that expression, half accusing and half begging for absolution, and she paused.
"The thing with the Pi Sigs," she said finally. "It wasn't what it looked like."
"To hell with the Pi Sigs," Logan said, raising his voice again. "I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about us."
"I'm fine. We're fine," Veronica said, reaching out to hold Logan's hand. For a moment, he let her, but then he drew away.
"We're not fine, Veronica," he said, his voice much quieter now. "And if you can't see that ..."
Veronica wanted to say something; to say anything. She was good at talking, at saying the words and letting people hear what they wanted to hear. But she had never been good at this.
It could have been minutes that they stood there, or hours, or weeks. Logan was first to break the silence.
"I can't do this, Veronica," he said, his eyes not quite meeting hers. "We can't do this. I don't want to lose you. But we can do this now, or we can pretend everything's fine and deal with it later, and I vote for now."
"What are you ..." Veronica trailed off. She didn't need the answer to the question, but she needed to ask it.
Logan looked at her, then, and the tenderness she saw in his eyes was far worse than the anger and accusations they had held earlier.
"Goodbye, Veronica," he said, and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
It wasn't the first time she had left the Neptune Grand in tears.
-
"Veronica?"
Veronica barely heard Mac's voice as she stared down at her lunch. Slowly, she lifted her head.
"Yeah," she said. She took in the concerned looks on Mac and Wallace's faces. "I'm fine," she assured them.
"I know," Mac said. "We know. But it's okay if you're not."
"Nobody said you weren't," Wallace supplied. He looked at her. "You're Veronica Mars."
Veronica smiled wanly. It was nice having people around, she had to admit, even if she wasn't very good company. "I'm going to go find a seat," she told them, and they nodded. She could feel their eyes on her as she walked away.
As Veronica sat down at an empty table, she looked up to see Piz sliding into an empty chair opposite her. "Hey, Veronica," he said brightly, and she tried to smile.
"Hey, Piz," she said.
"So, what's up? I was thinking that maybe if you're not doing anything -"
"Hey, Piz," Wallace interrupted, as he and Mac sat down.
"Hi, Wallace," Piz said. "I was just saying to Veronica that maybe we - all of us - could, like, go out and do something this weekend. We could go bowling, or ..." he trailed off as Wallace and Mac just looked at him. "Or not," he finished.
"I don't think bowling's really my thing," Veronica said, trying to muster up an appetite for her lunch.
"We could do something else," Mac offered, her voice optimistic. Veronica stabbed listlessly at her plate.
"Yeah," Wallace chipped in. "I hear there's a pretty cool concert this weekend."
"Or we could sign up for the scavenger hunt," Mac continued, looking hopefully at Veronica.
"Didn't they just have one of those?" Piz asked, leaning forward.
"Yeah." Mac shrugged. "I guess it's kind of a thing."
"Guys." Veronica looked up at them. "I'm fine. Really."
"Yeah, we know," Mac said. She looked at Wallace.
"It's just that, well, we wanted to go on the scavenger hunt," Wallace tried, keeping his voice light. "And we need an extra person."
Veronica stopped picking at her food.
"Come on," he said. "It's like looking for clues, finding stuff. Don't tell me you don't enjoy that." He smiled at her.
Veronica looked at the three of them, all looking at her as if she was going to break. She couldn't handle it.
"Fine," she said, forcing a smile. "Scavenger hunt. Sounds fun."
-
"So," Piz said, as they gathered in the quad. "How should we do this?"
They all looked down at the sheets of paper they had been handed.
"Maybe we should split up into teams?" Mac suggested. Piz brightened, but Wallace spoke before his roommate could.
"Yeah," he agreed. "Sounds good. Why don't Piz and I take the first half of the list, and Veronica, you and Mac can take the second half."
Veronica nodded. "Sure," she agreed. As Piz opened his mouth, Wallace shot him a warning look, and smiled at the girls as they turned to leave.
"So ... where should we start?" Mac asked Veronica. Veronica scanned the list quickly.
"Maybe start at the bottom?" she said. "Work our way up?"
Mac nodded in agreement. "So what's at the bottom?" she asked, and Veronica glanced quickly at the page. She smiled.
After stopping off at Veronica's car to pick up her camera, she and Mac knocked on the door to Hank Landry's office. Mac shot Veronica a nervous glance.
"It'll be fine," Veronica assured her.
She knew that Sundays weren't exactly during consultation hours, but she'd taken a shot that Landry might be in his office anyway. As he opened the door, she smiled.
"Veronica," he greeted her, opening the door to his office a little wider. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
Veronica lifted her camera. "We have a favour to ask you," she said.
One blushing Mac and a strategically placed profiling textbook later, Veronica crossed the last item off their list. Mac could hardly look at her.
"You realise you have to go to class with him on Monday?" she asked.
"Please," Veronica said. "I've seen the ugly sides of a lot of people and still been able to face them the next day. And that ... was not an ugly side." Almost despite herself, Veronica smiled, and Mac smiled with her.
"What now?" she asked.
Veronica scanned the list. "Do you know where the Mark Heinz Center is?" she asked.
Seventeen photographs, three phone numbers, a potato shaped like Abraham Lincoln's head, a gumball machine ring, and a silver bullet - which Mac wouldn't touch - later, Mac turned to Veronica.
"So how's the investigation going?" she asked, and Veronica looked at her.
"Wallace told me," Mac admitted.
Veronica rolled her eyes. "You college kids and your gossip," she said. "What else did Wallace tell you?"
The look on Mac's face told Veronica everything she needed to know.
"Wallace shared some of your muffins," Mac said. "They were really good."
Veronica smiled. "One day, I'm going to stop baking for that man, and he'll be sorry," she threatened idly. "Honestly, though," she continued, her tone more serious, "not great. Chip Diller might have forgiven me once, but I doubt even he'll be stupid enough to do it again. I just need to find a way to search that house. I know if I could go through it properly I'd find something on the Pi Sigs. They have to be behind this."
Suddenly, Veronica looked at Mac, and smiled. "You could help me," she said hopefully. "You and Wallace. Cover me while I look around."
Mac looked hesitant, and Veronica shook her head. "You're the one telling me I need to go have some fun," she said. "And what could be more fun than a frat party?"
"Um, anything?" Mac said, looking unconvinced. "Are the Pi Sigs even having a party next weekend?"
"Is it a day that ends in 'y?'" Veronica asked, and Mac looked resigned. The two girls stared at one another for a moment. Finally, Mac cracked.
"Okay, fine," she said, rolling her eyes. "I'll help you. But I am not drinking, not dancing, not flirting, and not mingling."
Veronica smiled.
"What's next on the list?" Mac asked, and they scanned the sheet of paper together. Mac drew away, disgust written plainly on her face.
"Okay, no," Veronica said. "We are definitely not doing that." She laughed, and kept reading. "Okay, how about 'a photograph of a team member wearing nothing but a Hearst sweatshirt?'"
-
Pushing aside his paperwork, Lamb gingerly fingered the bruise on his chin. He shouldn't touch it, he knew, but it was something between a badge of honour and a cautionary reminder, and he liked the pain.
"Did you get a medal for being injured in the course of duty?"
Lamb resisted the urge to remind Veronica that it hadn't been in the course of duty; for that, he would more likely have been fired than been handed a medal. He didn't like to think about it.
"What do you want?" he asked testily.
"Careful," Veronica said playfully, "or I might start to think that you don't like me." She strode into the room, and Lamb grimaced.
"I don't remember inviting you," he said.
"Your words say no," Veronica said, "but your open door and lax security say yes." Lamb had expected her to sit down in the chair opposite him, but instead, she approached him, leaning down until he could smell her. She touched his chin lightly, and he tried not to flinch. Or do something really stupid, like kiss her.
Instead, he swatted her hand away, and she backed off.
"What. Do. You. Want," he repeated, and she fixed him with a stare that betrayed none of the emotion Lamb could have imagined crossed her face a moment ago.
"Chip Diller?" she said. "Not a fan. Of either of us. I don't think it'd be the best idea for you to crash any more of their parties."
"Yeah," Lamb said, his hand unconsciously flying halfway up to his face before he brought it back down. "I got that."
"Do you still think they did it?" she asked.
"I think the Pi Sigs are the most likely suspects," he said, and Veronica nodded.
"Do you have any suggestions on how we can get closer?" he asked, and Veronica looked almost surprised.
"Don't worry," she said. "I have a plan."
Somehow, that didn't make Lamb feel better at all.
-
"Hey, Veronica," Mac said, as she opened the door. She smiled, and let Veronica into the room.
"Hey, Parker," Veronica said uncomfortably, and was relieved when Parker smiled slightly. Actually, she would have settled for not being chased out of the room, but smiling was even better.
"Hey, Veronica," Parker said, and then, "I want to help."
Mac flashed her an almost apologetic look.
"Help with what?" Veronica said.
"I want to help with this. With what you're doing," Parker said.
Veronica paused. "Are you sure?" she asked.
Parker didn't flinch as she answered. "Yes," she said. "I'm sure."
Veronica nodded. "Okay, then" she said. Parker looked relieved. "We're going to catch him," Veronica assured her.
Parker nodded. "I know," she said.
The three girls shared a silence that wasn't quite uncomfortable, and then there was another knock on the door. Veronica answered it.
"Your knights in shining armour," Piz said. Behind him, Wallace rolled his eyes.
"Oh, goodie," Veronica said. She looked back at Mac and Parker. "You guys ready?"
Parker squared her shoulders. "Yes," she said.
"As ready as we'll ever be," Mac agreed.
It didn't take long to reach the Pi Sig house, but by the time they got there, Veronica had given everyone their instructions.
"You guys are just running interference," she said to Piz and Parker, who nodded. "I'm going to try to check out the Pi Sig basement. Wallace and Mac will be checking upstairs.
"I've been through Chip Diller's room," Veronica told Wallace. "I didn't find anything, but I still don't trust him, so I want you to go through it again if you can. Check out as many of the Pi Sigs' rooms as you can get to, but don't risk getting caught."
Wallace nodded, and Mac tried her best to look confident.
"I don't need anything from you guys," Veronica told Piz and Parker. "Keep an eye on Chip and the other Pi Sigs, make sure Wallace, Mac, and I don't get caught. Keep an eye on each other if you need to split up." She was looking at Piz as she said this, and he nodded.
"Yeah," he said. "Of course."
"Okay," Veronica said, as they reached the house. "Ready?"
"Ready," they agreed.
They split up as they entered the Pi Sig house, and Veronica took her time, chatting to some of the other Theta Betas and keeping an eye out for Chip. As eager as she was, she knew she didn't need to rush into this; she couldn't risk getting caught.
"I'm so glad you came!" Hallie squealed suddenly, running up to hug Veronica. "Aren't Pi Sig parties just the best?"
"The best," Veronica agreed, trying her best to sound enthusiastic.
"Do you have a drink?" Hallie asked her, and Veronica tried not to blanch.
"My friend's getting me one," she lied.
"Oh, okay," Hallie said, looking momentarily placated. "Oh, there's Shania," she said, looking over Veronica's shoulder. "I've got to go say hi. But come find us later, okay?"
"Okay," Veronica said, as Hallie ran off.
Pleasantries managed, and with Chip nowhere in sight, Veronica figured that this would be as good a time as any to check out the basement. As casually as possible, Veronica walked over to the door, and, checking to see that nobody was watching, tried the handle.
Locked. Damn. Maybe the Pi Sigs had learned something over the last semester.
Looking around, Veronica made her way over to the stairs. As she reached the landing, she nearly cursed as she ran into someone, then looked up to see Wallace smiling at her.
"Keys?" he asked, holding out a keyring.
Veronica grinned at him. Sometimes, she worried that Wallace could read her mind.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "The Pi Sigs locked the door."
Wallace nodded. "I figured," he said.
"Where's Mac?" Veronica asked.
"Right behind me," Wallace said. "Don't worry, I didn't leave her alone in some guy's room."
Veronica beamed at him. "Find anything?" she asked.
Wallace shook his head. "Porn, condoms ... porn," he said. "No clippers, no drugs."
Veronica frowned. Why couldn't anyone ever make it easy for her?
"We're going to check out some of the other rooms now," Wallace said. "Just thought you might want these."
"Thanks," Veronica said, taking the keys and making her way back downstairs.
Veronica spotted Piz and Parker just as she was about to try the basement door again, and gave them a tight smile. The basement key was the third one she tried, and shutting the door behind her, Veronica took a flashlight out of her bag.
The basement was almost completely empty. Not even the board that had hung on the wall the semester before remained, and Veronica swore under her breath. She searched through the few things she could find, but came up empty-handed.
Leaving the basement, Veronica looked around to try to find the others.
"Did you find anything?" she asked Wallace, as the five of them headed back to the dorms.
He shook his head. "Nothing," he said.
Next: Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18