"How did you know Suzie Chang?"
A frown formed on Amelia's face as she considered the question thrown at her as Detective Rizzoli cleared the lab with her determined stare. It didn't take long for Amelia to realise that she was potentially in a lot of trouble, and it was only her 3rd day working in the MEs Office.
"I don't know - I'm not aware that I did know her?" she replied, uncertainty in her voice.
"You do know her - you're friends on Facebook, and you both gave the same tutor at BCU as your reference when applying for the same job at the same place. I don't believe in coincidences." Rizzoli finished, the fire in her voice. Jane wasn't going to leave the lab without answers.
"You mean she knew Professor Rayer? I went to University in England - I can only think we were on the same postgraduate course in 'Applications of Forensic Science' but I don't remember her being on the course in the same year as me - I certainly didn't know her. Facebook ain't exactly reliable..." Amelia added.
"Are you sure?" Jane said, determined to press for answers. "Think, Raine, when and why did you add her? You must have known her at some point. Sit, think, and get back to me when you remember how you met our victim." She finished, turning on her heels, and walking back through the corridor, leaving Amelia bewildered and quite unsure how she became a suspect in murder inquiry 3 days into her new job.
***Back in the squad room***
"She killed her for her job?" Jane said, disdain evident in her voice.
"People have killed for less..." Korsak noted, shrugging at Jane.
"Oh yeah, I'm sure that's what happened. Lets consider the facts here. Senior Criminalist Raine graduated top of her class," Jane said, trying to hold her frustration back.
"-so did Suzie Chang." Korsak added.
"And they both knew each other at some point in time, probably on the same postgrad course, but Amelia doesn't remember when that was..." Jane continued.
"Amelia? First name terms already?" Korsak teased slightly.
"Enough old man - she's nice, I like her and everything, and I'm not convinced she has anything to do with this..." Jane trailed off.
"Oh, well, whatever you say, just don't let your emotions cloud your judgement." Korsak warned.
Jane rolled her eyes. "But seriously - it isn't exactly the sort of thing you'd kill someone over. She got the job before Suzie was murdered - why would you then kill them? Surely it'd cause more problems than it solves?"
"To make absolutely certain?" Korsak interjected, unable to quite let the theory be dismissed.
Just then, a figure burst through the doors of the squad room.
"I know why I have her on Facebook!" Amelia almost exclaimed.
"Go on?" Jane said, her voice neutral.
"Suzie Chang wasn't in my class at BCU - she was in the year above. The first and second years had to team up in pairs to conduct a research project, and Suzie was my partner: "Use of mass spectrometry in clothes fibres" was the title. It took 9 days, and we scored highly on it. I've got a copy for you."
"Thanks - thrilling reading this'll make. What was it I was saying about AP Chemistry and the MEs Office?" Jane said dryly, making Amelia giggle.
"I'll let you get on then." Amelia finished as she walked, slower this time, back to the elevator.
Korsak turned around, to see Jane studying the paper. "I'm sure someone will translate that for you!" Korsak joked, as Jane stared at a particular point.
"Marked by - surprise, surprise - Professor John Rayer. Y'anno, his name just keeps on cropping up - I think we ought to pay him a visit." Jane finished as she grabbed her jacket and keys, heading with Korsak for the exit. The more they dug into this investigation, the more embroiled their new Senior Criminalist became in the murder of her predecessor.
A/N: Well, this one was slightly quicker! Thanks for the nice comments/reviews - it means a lot, and I try to respond to them all. Any queries or suggestions etc, please don't hesitate to message me :D