Wow! So many reviews! You guys are fantastic! A lot of people have many different opinions...Some think it was Hoge, while some believe it's someone else entirely. A lot of you are guessing theirs some kin of relationship between Kaelie and Sebastian, so a LOT of you suspect one of you two. It's interesting to see you guys guess.I wish i could respond to you guests, but all I can do is thank you!

Also...I'm very sorry that I reviewed my own story...it was actually my sister in the wrong account...so no I don't compliment myself...that'd be really weird.

-Lau

"This is ridiculous! What motive would I have to kill Clarissa?" Sebastian exclaimed once the initial shock was over. "We were perfectly happy. Our marriage was going to be next week, actually, you know." Sebastian informed Jace, desperately trying to claim his innocence.

"No…you didn't know." Hodge interrupted, stepping into the conversation. "Nor did I, or anyone else alive. Clarissa herself was going to leave for her mother's country house to think the whole thing over. Clear her head, so to speak. We have no idea whether or not Clarissa was actually going to marry you."

"You just want to think that." Sebastian snarled, before composing himself. "I'm sure you've heard losers whine before, Mr. Herondale, especially with your profession?"

Jace only nodded, watching the argument between the two with a covered interest. In Sebastian's words, Hodge was the loser, and he the winner, claiming the prize of Clarissa like she was an object. After countless hours studying and researching the young woman, Jace believed Clarissa had much more dignity to be treated like that. Perhaps she hadn't loved either of them while she still lived. This thought for some reason lifted a weight in his chest that made him feel lighter.

Jace shook his head. "I must leave now, gentlemen. I have other things I have planned for today." Kaelie got up from her spot on the couch and stood next to Sebastian to see him out.

"You should stay for lunch. Kaelie can order-"

"Always the perfect host." Hodge cut in, "Almost like he was in his own home."

"It's fine." Jace ignored Hodge's snide comment. "I do have other affairs more important than lunch."

"Oh." Sebastian said. "I just thought you might want to ask me a few more questions before you left."

Jace sighed and scratched the back of his neck. "Alright. You went to The Iron Sister symphony the night of Clarissa's murder, am I correct?" Sebastian nodded. "What two songs did they play?"

Sebastian's brow furrowed. "Um, Beethoven's Ninth and Brahms First, I believe."

"Uh-huh." Jace replied skeptically. "Tell me, did you have a key to her country house?"

"No…But I do think she had one in her room upstairs."

"Alright. Thank you Ms. Whitewillow for your hospitality."

"Wait!" called Sebastian.

Jace turned away from the door. "Yes?"

"Can I come and help you?"

Jace sighed again. "Why not?"

Jace nodded to Jonathan who was waiting outside the door to the room. Jonathan threw him the keys, passing him and telling him. "You're on guard duty till I get back."

"Alright." Jace half smiled. He figured he'd be there for a while, anyway.

Jace turned the key into the lock of the white door. Hodge and Sebastian seemed to hover around his shoulder. Jace opened the door, entering Clarissa's living place. It was spoke of rich and success, but what really was on his mind was the entry way. "The doorbell rang." he muttered, pointing.

"What?" Sebastian asked, dumfounded.

"And then she got up and answered it." Jace walked past the threshold slowly, trying to relive the scene. He closed his eyes, pretending to see Clarissa's elegant figure sashay to the door and open the door. Her large green eyes would widen impossibly at the sight of the gun, and then she'd make a small gasp in a voice that he could only make up. Before she could move, or run, the person fired. "The murderer shot her point blank and her body fell backwards right here."

Jace glanced around the living area "But the shot was heard immediately. The person had to know that Clarissa's servant, Dorothea, was just a room over next to hers. So they hid the shotgun somewhere in the hotel. The weapon is too large to carry around and try to hide from someone."

"I thought this was the first time you've been up here?" Hodge questioned, walking into the room.

"I saw the photos from the crime scene."

"Well I best find those keys." Sebastian offered, patting his coat pockets and left into a Clarissa's study.

"I don't know why you police men need to take pictures of ladies like that." Hodge grumbled.

"A doll doesn't care about what she looks like when she's dead." he replied sarcastically.

"Don't call her a 'doll!'" Hodge purpled. "Clarissa was much more than that."

"Mhmm." Jace hummed nonagreeably.

The older man sighed in exasperation and annoyance. "Look around you. Does this look like a place where a 'doll' would live?" Hodge scowled. "Look at her." he gazed with awe and admiration at a large painting of a beautiful woman over the fireplace.

Jace allowed himself a glance. She stared back him seductively, lips curved in a knowing smile, Clarissa's green eyes sparkling at him with humor like she knew something he didn't. She wore a tight fighting black dress in the portrait, the back dipping low and the front showing just a hint of breast that wasn't considered highly indecent, but definitely not innocent.

Jace cleared his throat quietly. He put on his cool, calm exterior again, replying, "Not bad."

Hodge made an annoyed sound in the back of his throat. "The painter was in love with her when did that…Mr. Herondale, if you had seen her when she was alive…" he sighed. "She was perhaps the most interesting person you'd ever meet."

"Who was the painter?" Jace asked offhandedly, not wanting to hear about Clarissa from him, or really anyone. Anyone else's input on how she was threw off the image he'd created for her, much like he did for other murder cases.

"Simon Lewis." Hodge answered. "He could never capture her warmth...or her kindness, though." Hodge glanced over at Jace, who had returned to searching for the key.

Hodge stayed just behind Jace the rest of the time, trying the threatening method Hodge thought worked. Jace tried not to be annoyed with the older man and chose to ignore Hodge's attempts of getting his attention. He switched on the nearest lamp and rifled the through the desk drawers, all filled with papers covered in drawings. He glanced through them, smiling at a few. They must've been brainstorm ideas for ads in the newspaper and stores, because while they promoted a product, most of the words she scribbled down next to it bagged on it, some drawings completely scribbled over and crossed out.

Hodge turned red, angered for an unknown reason to Jace. "I this really helping us find the key?" he growled impatiently.

"Maybe." Jace grinned easily. "At least it's keeping me entertained."

"Well, it's not in the study." Sebastian walked in then, hands shoved in his trousers.

"Where else might it be?" Jace asked, ambling to the record player, placing the needle on the track. It began to play a sweet melody, but mysterious and darker with the harmony.

"Turn that off." Hodge snapped.

"It was Clarissa's favorite." Sebastian explained. "Not very popular or classical, but it suited her best, don't you think?"

"You know a lot about music?" Jace asked, moving into her bedroom.

"I know a little about a lot of things." Sebastian grinned charmingly.

"Then you'd at least notice that the band didn't play Beethoven or Brahm, but Mozart the whole night due to a last minute switch."

"Oh…" Sebastian pulled his hands out of his pockets and rubbed the back of his neck. "You see, about that...I actually fell asleep the moment the first note played. You see, Clarissa and I had been working late into the night before with a campaign ad, so I slept the whole time, sir. I know it sounds suspicious, but I can only tell you the truth."

"It's understandable." Jace waved it away. "I've fallen asleep in many concerts before as well. I can't altogether blame you." Jace chuckled.

"Oh, you can't really believe him, do you?" Hodge retorted, glaring accusingly at Sebastian.

"That's my decision on whether or not to trust any of you." Jace said. He pulled out his book from his pocket, picking up from where he last left off, sitting down on her bed. Only he realized this was her bed. She had slept on it every night, probably curling up with a sketchpad and pencil…And then he couldn't read.

"It might be in here somewhere." Sebastian said to no one, going immediately to the bed side table and going through the three drawers. In the third one, he held a small key up triumphantly. "Here it is!" he cried.

"You know…" Jace drawled slowly, placing his book on his lap. It wasn't like he was actually reading it. He was much too focused on another thing… "The police are very thorough in their inventory and reports…that key wasn't there last night, was it?"

Sebastian gulped, wringing his hands together. He didn't say anything, so Jace continued. "Did you put it there?" he asked calmly.

"Yes." Sebastian replied immediately. "Yes, I did put it there."

"Then why didn't you tell me?"

"I had no intention of giving it to you while Mr. Starkweather was here." Sebastian spat Hodge's name. "I have private reasons."

"Oh?" Jace said. "Why?"

"I have my reasons." Sebastian restated, his face hardening and tossed the key to Jace, staring defiantly at Hodge. "What is Clarissa's isn't any of his business." he snarled.

"I have every right to know about any information on Clarissa!" Hodge's neck reddened as he took a threatening step forward. "And it's becoming very obvious to me on who killed her!'

"Hodge…I'm warning you…Stop implying I had anything to do with Clarissa's death." Sebastian commanded quietly and dangerously.

"Fine then." the older man folded his arms across his chest. "I'll make a direct statement."

Sebastian smiled and shook his head, taking a threatening step towards Hodge, who flinched. "You really shouldn't have said that, old man-"

Jace sprung up from where he was sitting and stood between the two men. "I wouldn't." Jace warned lowly. Sebastian relaxed and tugged on the collar of his long trench coat, taking a step back.

Jace opened up his book, reading the next few lines. "Would you stop reading that stupid book?" snapped an enraged Hodge. "It's getting on my nerves how randomly you read that thing."

"I know." Jace smirked and put the book in his coat pocket. "But it keeps me calm…Alright, let's go. Jonathan should be back now."

I don't like the spot I left it at, but I'm just glad I got it done today! So didn't anyone's suspicions change? Any new guesses on what really happened to Clarissa? Some weird-Clace-dead-girl-feelings came up, which only increase as chapters go on. And then we'll actually and finally have them talk face to face! UGHH I CAN'T WAIT TO WRITE THAT! Anyone have any ideas on what Sebastian meant by "private reasons?"

I'm not sure when I'll update again, but I think by the end of the week is the earliest I'll post.

Also...I'm thinking of starting a new story again! I'm not sure when, but I want you guys' opinion on my new idea and whether or not you'd read it...okay, imagine this...A superhero/vigilante hero guy as Jace (kind of like Batman and Spiderman thing going on) He gets injected with a thing that I won't reveal yet in a way I won't reveal yet either, and it enhances all his abilities...he's faster, stronger, and smarter...and he's fighting crime in a city...and of course there's more to it but I don't want to give anything else away!

-Lau