WOW! The response I got from last chapter was fantastic! Such long and wonderful reviews! Everyone had really good theories, and sadly, I can't say much about it. I'm such a sucker for you guys though, I think I may slip one day and tell someone.

Thanks to everyone who followed and reviewed! I've hit a milestone in this: After 10 chapters, I've had over 10,000 views of the story, over 120 follows and reviews, and over 50 favorites! This is fantastic guys! Keep it up!

-Lau

Jace sat back in his swively chair. The story from Hodge had given him a tremendous headache from thinking over and over. Sebastian was a complete scumbag: he'd been able to conclude to that easily. But Hodge…maybe he'd tried to paint Sebastian as an awful person more than he already was to keep Jace's suspicion's away from himself.

Hodge was very intelligent-and Jace could acclaim to it-devious. Hodge could easily have all fingers pointed at Sebastian and get off the hook from the murder. But the only problem was: Hodge and Sebastian had the worst motives to kill Clarissa.

What could Hodge possibly gain from killing Clarissa? Other than a lifetime of loneliness and suffering? Maybe Clarissa's business earnings if it was in her will. But why would he want that? Hodge was doing just fine with his writings in the newspaper, and very well off. At least if Clarissa were to marry Sebastian, she still would've been able to talk and dine with Hodge all the time. At least that was better than memories that would soon escape his memory as he grew older.

And Sebastian…Jace knew that he came from a wealthy family who'd cut him off a few years back after gambling away half of his fortune. And, griping for money, strayed from Kaelie to the young, rich, and successful Clarissa Fairchild. He'd been able to charm her easily, convince Clarissa that they really were in love…

But why kill her? To be with Kaelie? Wouldn't running away be much easier and cleaner than killing someone? After all, Sebastian had already run from someone once before; he should be experienced.

And that left Kaelie…Jace chewed on his pencil, fingering her profile. After holding the file so much, the edges were wrinkled from water stains. How had she let herself love Sebastian again? Closure was needed after what he'd done to her, so Jace understood them meeting at least once during the engagement. But to kill her own best friend over it?

After being friends for years after school, one would think that nothing, especially a man, would ever break them apart. Love can always tear people apart, but to the point of murder?

Jace sighed, kneading his forehead. Out of all the suspects, Kaelie had the best motive.

But if she had been at it with Sebastian, couldn't she just seduce him into leaving Clarissa? Kaelie was beautiful; it couldn't have been that hard to resist her.

Picking up his telephone, Jace rung up a number he'd memorized from the file. Perhaps it was time to broaden the field.

XXX.

Jace pounded once on the door. It had taken him half an hour to leave the city and reach the suburbs. The lawn in front of the small house was well trimmed, a few flowers along the flowerbed. The door was a pristine white, a blue trim around it, matching the rest of the house. Jace narrowed his eyes; was that glitter on the placemat?

The door opened to a young man, scrutinizingly studying him for a few seconds. "Can I help you?"

"Yes, actually you can." Jace lifted his badge, "Does Magnus Bane live here?"

"Uh…yes." his blue eyes widened at him, "Mind if I ask what Magnus has done for the attention of the police?"

"I just have some questions on a client he worked with a few months ago."

"Well, come in. I'll get him."

The man left then, leaving Jace to study their living area. It was bright and airy with great big windows taking up most of the back wall. A Persian rug covered most of the perimeter of the room, a few paintings hanging around. The largest one in the room was a self portrait, an Asian man saucily winking at him.

Frowning, Jace sat down on one of the chairs right as the dark haired man came in with another in tow. "Magnus Bane." he stood up from where he sat, holding out his hand. Magnus shook it warmly, beaming at him before taking a seat with the man across from Jace.

Jace sat on the edge of the cushion, resuming his normal procedure by pulling out his notepad and pen. "I'm sure you've heard of the recent murder in the city?"

Magnus shook his head. "I've lost count after all these years. Who was the unfortunate person?"

"Clarissa Fairchild."

Magnus frowned, biting his lip as he tried to remember her. "Nope, I never knew her. Clarissa sounds a bit familiar, though."

Jace nodded. "She ran in the same social circles as you. She was a freelancing advertiser." Jace looked down at his notes again, even though he didn't need to. "She was actually working with an old client of yours for your modeling business before she died."

The other man's brows furrowed. "Who was it?"

"Aline Penhallow."

Both stoic expressions changed then, one of understanding, and another of disgust. Magnus nodded several times, while the other wrinkled his nose in a grimace. "You remember her?"

Magnus laughed. "Oh, we know her. I don't think anyone can forget a woman like Aline."

"What is she like?"

The two glanced at each other, both trying to hold back smiles. "Overbearing."

"Demanding."

"Impatient."

"Selfish."

Jace's eyebrows rose when Magnus said, "Whore."

"And she was very beautiful…She had at least that going for her."

"Is she a suspect?"

Jace shook his head. "Not sure yet. I have about three other suspects currently."

"Who are they?" Magnus asked, his eyes bright.

Jace chewed on the inside of his lip; he wasn't supposed to be giving out knowledge about the case, but they probably didn't even know who they were, anyways. What was the harm? "Kaelie Whitewillow, Sebastian Verlac, and Hodge Starkweather."

Magnus gasped then. "I know him!"

"Hodge?"

"Yes! Yes!" He exclaimed, smiling. "This is so exciting! It's like a murder mystery book! Hodge always seemed like a serial killer. I mean, no one with those eyes-"

"Magnus!" the other man hissed. "Shut up. You're being disrespectful."

"To who? The dead girl?" that comment received a slap on the side of the head.

"Sorry, Detective. Is there anything else we can help you with?" the blue eyed man smiled again, a little beside himself.

Jace shook his head. "No, thank you. I should be getting back to the city soon."

The three men stood up, Jace shaking hands with both of them. "Thank you for your help…"

"Alec." the man responded quickly. "Glad to help."

"And…" Magnus drawled, taking a step closer and handed him a card. "If you're ever interested, you could come by a take a few shoots. You have an incredible face…and body." Magnus winked saucily, just like the portrait. Alec shrugged helplessly and mouthed a "Sorry" over his partner's shoulder.

Jace wasn't sure if another man had made him blush before, but Magnus had succeeded. "Uh…maybe. Thanks." he stumbled, walking quickly out the door.

Once safely back on his motorcycle, Jace zoomed off back to the city, sighing in exhaustion. It had been a long day behind the desk. Jace hadn't done anything social the whole week, the investigation taking up more than half of his life.

And the minute Jace would return to his ruddy apartment, collapsing onto his bed was the first thing on his to-do list.

Hiya guys, how did you like it? I have a must see on my profile about my situation on the computer. It really sucks, but I'm still trying to work as hard as I can on here with the given time. So, if you want to check out that, then I'm sure you'll understand more on why updates will be later and later.

Anyways, your thoughts? I got to add Magnus and Alec, which is not what I was planning, but it helps keep the flow better than I thought it would. It's a good setup for next chapter. :D

-Lau