This is my first attempt at a casefile. And even though I've plotted it out to a tee in preparation, I'm a bit uneasy. I usually write thoughts, not action, so this is a bit out of the way for me. So feedback is appreciated. And, hint pay attention to the people introduced. They do matter eventually.

Disclaimer: I would never insult cold case by trying to pass this off as theirs. lol.

October 12th, 2003

They've been planning this party for Renee for weeks—it's her sweet sixteen, and her friends could think of no better place to spend it than the coffee shop that has quickly become Renee's favorite place.

Renee is one of the youngest students in her Junior class of 2005 at the high school for creative and Performing arts. She's on the "creative" end of that, a writing major who is making a name for herself among the others in her department. As a Sophomore, she delivered several knock out pieces to the schools literary magazine, and, as a junior, her promise is unlimited. She's also known for her looks; half Italian and half black, but so exotic looking that no one can place her. More than anything, she's well liked. Jayla's been her best friend since grade six, and this year, Jayla decided that it was time to do something to show Renee how much she appreciated her, because she rarely said it.

Renee is blindfolded at the top of the stairs, and led slowly down toward the basement, a well stocked room with eclectic furniture, that is currently decorated with streamers that Jayla has laboriously begged the manager to allow. As Renee is inched closer, the distant sound of "Harder to breathe" a new Maroon 5 song, grows louder. And louder. When Jayla reaches the bottom of the stairs, the music is turned off, and Renee's blindfold is yanked off.

Around her, suddenly, there is a load roar, and a cloud of her friends running at her.

"I can't believe you!" Renee screams, faking anger through a huge smile. "You assholes have been plotting right under my nose!"

Across the room, Jayla isn't fooled at all. "You're damn right we have. Now shut up if you want your cake."

"You've got cake? Then all is forgiven."

Renee looks to the left suddenly, feeling eyes on her. She sees a young Last Drop employee staring at her, "James" by his nametag. Renee smiles, nods, and looks at the ground, uncomfortable.

A pair of arms suddenly appear around her waist, and, turning, she shyly kisses Ryan on the cheek. His lips appear next to her ear as he whispers huskily, "Happy sixteenth, girl."

Color rises in Renee's cheeks as she untangles herself from the embrace. He gives her a questioning look. "What? I don't even get a hug on your birthday?"

She laughs and quips, "You just got a kiss. Now I'm gonna have to go to the doctors and make sure I don't have SARS."

"I'm gonna get you later, girl…"

"I look forward to it."

She travels to the other side of the room swaying her hips side to side and looking back at him—he licks his lips, and laughs as she embarrassedly looks away.

Jayla materializes next to her, and drapes an arm over her shoulder. "Ryan, huh? Have you seen how pissed Eli is? Look at him. Dude's on a war path."

"Don't. Me and Ryan aren't anything, and me and Eli? Even less than anything. Ancient history, my friend."

"So nothings going on with hot senior boy with the 'hypnotic voice'?"

Renee blushes and turns away, and Jayla laughs. "That's right. I knew who that blog was about. Who didn't? So there's really nothing?"

"Let me say this the only way I know how. The only thing I'm commited to right now is being single."

Jayla raises her bottle of coke to tap against Renee's mug of coffee. "To playing the field."

Renee laughs, "And to the best sweet sixteen a friend could cook up with no parental help, less than ten dollars, and a lopsided cake."

"Touche."

November 1st, 2003

Renee is lying dead on the bottom of a cliff in a park. A folder is placed in a large box, labeled Hutchinson, R.