Spinelli becomes friends with Georgie Jones, unaware she has a crush on him. The night he realizes her feelings, he discovers she was killed by the Text Message Killer. Spinelli is distraught and determined to find the killer. Meanwhile, Georgie's sister Maxie Jones enlists his help to prove Cooper Barrett's innocence. The unlikely duo work together, initially arguing, but eventually developing a friendship that turns into a crush for Spinelli. He has Sam Spade-like fantasies, picturing himself as the detective, and Maxie as the femme fatale blonde. They track down the killer, Diego Alcazar, who accidentally hangs himself during the confrontation. Afterwards, they remain close. Spinelli pushes Maxie out of the way of an oncoming car and is hit instead. Soon after, Maxie is humiliated at Johnny Zacchara's trial when she is forced to admit she threatened Logan Hayes to have sex with her. Spinelli tries to comfort her, and they sleep together. Maxie regrets this, feeling she has used him. After she is attacked by the Russian mob, Spinelli carries her to General Hospital, and confesses his love for her. Mac Scorpio forbids Maxie from seeing Spinelli, but Maxie defys her stepfather and moves into an apartment with Lulu.