IMPORTANT! (Ish) – Melanie no longer goes to Pace High School, she goes to Beacon. Pace is in the wrong area for the story and I hadn't realised when I started. Forgive me because I'm not from NY? I'm relying on Google maps for my geography and the education system is probably wrong because I'm Scottish and I don't understand the US system! (Hell, I don't understand the English system and that's the country next door!)
This chapter doesn't do much but it gives me some stuff to work with for Melanie in later chapters. It will make sense, I promise!
Disclaimer: Still not mine!
The Next Day...
"Yo, C.S.U. checked for prints on the desk and apart from the family nobody else came up. I ran down the financials and there seemed to be nothing unusual there. Ryan checked out any threats and nobody seems to have been bothering them." Esposito quickly ran off his notes before adding, "The three of them go to conferences together, there was one a few weeks back. Want me to see if anybody Nichols was working with knew anything?"
"Yes thanks." Beckett swivelled in her chair and stared at the M.E.s report. "Nothing unusual about the gunshot. A .45 calibre to the head, died instantly."
"We know so little about the family, perhaps we should talk to Melanie again. Maybe she saw somebody lurking around when she headed off for school?" Castle asked Beckett before standing up to head for the elevator. Beckett grabbed her keys and followed the writer.
"Hello again detectives, are you looking for Melanie Nichols again?" The red-haired receptionist at Beacon High school greeted the pair as they entered the school.
"Yes, do you know where we could find her?" Castle answered before glancing around the area.
"She's out at a cross country race just now but we are expecting the group back in about ten minutes if you would like to wait."
"We'll wait." Beckett said before sitting down in a small alcove used as a waiting area.
"Good job today guys! Some new personal bests there for a few of you." The running coach spoke to the group of five teenagers as they appeared in the foyer. "Have a good afternoon!"
"Melanie," The blonde spun round upon hearing her name. "Could we have a word?" Beckett asked before heading away from the group.
"Did you find the killer? Please tell me you did!" Melanie whispered hurriedly. Some of the cross country team watched the exchange but couldn't understand what was happening.
"No, we just need to ask you a few more questions about your parents. You went to a conference with them a few weeks back, what was it about?" Beckett started her probing gently; she didn't want to upset the girl too much. She had just lost her parents.
"Yeah em, there were some PhD talks but it was mainly a social. One of the companies Dad works – worked for has just opened a new lab. I usually just go for the gossip you know, I don't really understand all the talk about studies and chemicals and stuff."
"What sort of gossip?" Castle asked intrigued.
"Oh the usual: who's sleeping with whom and who's being threatened by animal rights people. I eavesdrop mainly; people don't pay much attention to me. I know so many secrets!" Melanie replied smirking slightly. She enjoyed hearing all the stories; it gave her something to chat to with her Mum who was more interested in the gossip than her Dad.
"Did you ever hear anything about your parents?" Beckett asked, this could be a line of enquiry. If somebody knew that the Nichols were being threatened they might know who by.
"No, Dad kept to himself a lot. Dad never talks about threats to anyone and his personal life is pretty dull." Melanie answered the questions solemnly. She hated the fact she couldn't help more.
"Well, again if you think of something do give me ring." Beckett grimaced. The fact that there were so few leads was not a good thing this early in the investigation.
It gets more exciting in the next chapter, so stay with me? And let me know what you think so far? Pretty please?
Hattie xx
