Chapter 4 – I love this chapter. The characters are loosely based on some of my friends and they found it hilarious when I showed it to them. Our friend 'Robbie' thought it was a pretty accurate description of him! Lol! Have fun drawing your own conclusions on the murderer!

HOTEL SERENE

Horatio and Calleigh were sitting uncomfortably backstage at Hotel Serene. They had broken the news to a distraught Jessica Nielsen, and she was sobbing uncontrollably.

"How could this have happened," she cried as Calleigh handed her a tissue "I mean, who would want to kill Christina?"

"That's where we're hoping you could help us out on." Calleigh said gently "You and Ms Claire were close, were you?"

"Best friends." Jessica said, sobbing.

"Do you know if she had any angry ex-boyfriends?" Horatio asked.

Jessica shook her head into her tissue. She suddenly stopped crying and looked up at the detectives.

"She did have some pretty freaky admirers. There was Robbie, the creepy maintenance guy and Franco-"

"Creepy," Calleigh interrupted, "in what way?"

"Oh he just used to stare at her a lot, send her flowers and stuff. Chrissy tried to tell him loads of times she wasn't interested, but he was so persistent. Josh – her boyfriend – had a word with him and he back down." She saw the detectives exchange glances. "He was harmless, though. It was Franco that was a bit crazy."

"Who's Franco?" Horatio queried.

"Franco Burns. He's a bartender at the lounge. Now he was disturbed. He used to send Chrissy letters and stuff. It was all right at first, compliments on her voice, but then they started to get disturbing. I think I have them here somewhere-" Jessica rummaged around in a small dressing table draw. "Here." She produced a stack of letters, most unopened. "We were trying to collect enough to get him fired."

Calleigh opened an evidence bag and Jessica dropped them in. Calleigh sealed the bag and put them in her kit.

"Thank-you for your time, Ms Nielsen. We know this must be a very tough time for you and we appreciate your assistance." Horatio said warmly, standing up "Before we go, would you mind if my colleague here collected your fingerprints?"

"Sure," Jessica said, nodding. After Calleigh and printed her, Horatio gave Jessica his card.

"If you can think of anything, please, do not hesitate to call us."

Horatio and Calleigh left the Hotel and stood at the car park entrance.

"She seemed a bit to upset to be lying, Horatio." Calleigh said, breaking the silence.

"Or maybe she's just a good actress," Horatio replied, pointing to a motorbike, with similar tread marks to that found at the scene.

Calleigh looked at the number plate. Never in her life had four figures stood out so clearly. J-E-S-S. Property of Jessica Nielsen.