The click of heels echoed through the desolate hallway. The lights were still dimmed, as the rest of the building hadn't even been opened yet. The only people who could be found there this early in the morning was the curator of the museum or the few scientists that came in early to begin their research or who had a stayed a little too late trying to find some kind of breakthrough in their research. Lucy Heartfilia was one of those people.
They always said the early bird got the worm and Lucy wholeheartedly believe in this, which would explain her much more earlier clock in times than those of her colleagues. But she believed her job wasn't one that could be the regular nine to five job. She was a forensic anthropologist, while her normal day of work was more her looking at mummified and long dead humans, every once in a while they would get a dead body from the FBI to examine for them, but they haven't had the opportunity for a long time now. Lucy had decided to take the job offer in this section for that reason alone. While she did enjoy looking at centuries old bodies as most people in her profession do, she had always been drawn to the thrill of murder mysteries.
She had only been working in the field for two years, not enough to get her enough recognition to actually help in anything other than examining bodies for the museum and their exhibits. Not that she was unhappy with her job; it just lacked the thrill she had hoped for. But if she could get her name out enough she may be able to make herself a name in the field, and when that happened then all kinds of job opportunities would come in.
Sighing she took out her id card as she approached the doors to the museum's lab and swiped her card. She heard a small ding and the doors opened with a swish. Stepping through the doors she headed to her small locker among the many by the doors and took out her starch white lab coat. Sliding it on, she clipped her id to the pocket before turning around and stepping into the lab.
While it was still only six in the morning, the lab was bustling as per usual. She was a little overwhelmed but it was a feeling she had grown used to. Numerous odd experiments were going on around her, some with botany, some to do with global warming and a few odd ones that she never had any idea with what they had to do with.
"Good morning Lucy" came a cheerful voice from behind Lucy.
"Levy" Lucy said turning around to see her smaller and cheerful senior "Good morning."
"I hope you're ready for today" Levy said with a smile as she held up a file "We actually have some work from the police, their forensics haven't been able to crack the mystery of this body so they sent it to us since they can't just keeping looking over one body.
"Of course" Lucy said, an excited smile spreading across her face. This is exactly the kind of work she loved the most.
"Calm down there Lucy, I know you love looking at….more recent dead bodies, but even people like us might find that a little strange" Levy said with a small shake of her head as the two of them walked over to the section of the lab that was dedicated to anthropology and forensics.
"Oooo, the body's already here" Lucy said, doing her best not to act like she just like a five year old on Christmas.
"What did you think we'd have to bring the body here ourselves?" Levy asked, amusement in her voice. Pulling out the box of gloves, Levy held them out to Lucy before taking a pair out for herself. Lucy pulled on the gloves as the unusual smell of latex perpetrated its way into her nose; it was the smell she had learned to associate with her work.
"Okay so on the agenda for today" Levy said as she scanned over the papers in the file "We need to determine if this was an accident or a murder" she said as she gestured to the body laid out on the metal table.
"So, where should we start?" Lucy asked as the two looked down at the body. The front half of her body looked almost completely untouched except for the bruise on the victim's forehead.
"Well the police file said that they cause of death was a blunt force trauma on the right side of the back of the head" Levy said as she turned the victim's head to reveal a bloody section of hair and a shaved patch of hair that revealed a large indent in the back of the victim's head.
"They didn't strip the bones?" Lucy asked as she looked at the back of the victim's head, squinting to see if she could make anything out through the bruise that was still on the skin.
"Well the family asked them not to, they would prefer to have an open casket apparently" Levy said as she shook her head "But we can try and take an x-ray to see if we can find something on the bones."
"It would be better if we could hold the bones in our hands" Lucy muttered as she picked up the file to read over it herself.
"Well we don't know for sure if it was a murder, the family just wants to make sure since it's seem kind of fishy since she wasn't found by anything that could have caused the blow" Levy said as she went over to see if anyone was using the x-ray.
According to the file the victim was named Julie Meir, age 23 who lived with her parents in a two story house. They were various notes beside this with some thinking perhaps she had fallen down the stairs. But when she read farther down she found that she had been found in the living room with a pool of blood under her head and no blood anywhere else. She was found nowhere near the stairs and no objects were found by her and nothing seemed precariously balanced around her. Her parents had been at work during the time of the murder.
Her parents claimed she worked at a nearby theatre and didn't have anyone in her life romantically. They said she didn't have many friends but those she did have were close with her and said she didn't have mean bone in her body. So it doesn't seem that she had been murdered but it doesn't seem that it could have been accident. Lucy could see why this was stumping the police.
"The x-ray machine is free right now" Levy said as Lucy was placing the file back down.
"Okay then, how do we move this then?" Lucy said as she gestured to the examining table.
"There's a reason wheels were put on it" Levy said with a small chuckle before pointing down to the bottom of the table.
"Ah" Lucy said as Levy grabbed on end of it.
"Come on you get the other end, we'll wheel it there ourselves" Levy said before throwing the file off the exam table and onto the one next to it.
"Time to roll out" Lucy said with a laugh as the two rolled the exam table through the lab. They probably looked absolute ridiculous rolling a dead body down a hallway while laughing the entire way. That might be one of the reasons the other scientists and researchers were a little scared of them. Rolling into the room with all of the x-ray equipment in it, the two situate the table close enough to the x-ray before Levy moves it so it's overtop the head of the victim.
"Turn the head to the side with the blow" Levy said as she moves it around so it's perfectly positioned over top the head. Lucy turns the head to reveal the injury and the two go and stand behind the 'protection glass' as they had nicknamed to before pressing the button to take the x-ray. The hum of the machine filled the room as Levy took a few x-rays before giving Lucy a thumbs up to signal they were done.
Lucy walked over and moved the x-ray machine back to its original place as Levy went over to get the x-rays. The room was too dark for Lucy to try to get another look at the injury while she was waiting for Levy to bring over the x-rays but that didn't mean she couldn't try. But just like the first time she saw it she didn't find anything new or out of the ordinary.
"I got the x-rays" Levy said as she waved them in front of Lucy's face "So stop staring a hole into the victims head and look at the x-rays for a second. Lucy looked over at the x-rays and was disappointed to see that it looked they weren't going to be too much of a help. But Levy had already pulled the brakes on stripping the bones so they were in a bit of a tight spot at the moment.
"It looks like it was made by something with an edge" Lucy said as she picked the x-ray from off the top and placed it in front of the light for a better look.
"Yeah, your right" Levy said as she squinted her eyes at it to get a better look "Probably not too sharp of an edge though, something that was a bit more of a rounded edge."
"So what could that cover?" Lucy asked as she wracked her brain for ideas.
"A book, but unless it was a heavy one it wouldn't kill you, maybe some kind of decorative item, like a wooden box or a tray of some sort or maybe-" Levy said prattling off a list of things it might be before Lucy interrupted her.
"Or stairs?" Lucy asked, glancing away from the x-ray and over to Levy to see her reaction.
"That would definitely be a possibility" Levy said hesitantly "But still all evidence points to her being nowhere near the stairs."
"Well maybe we have someone who is determined for this death to be written off as an accident" Lucy said as she picked up another x-ray and put it in the light.
"I don't, I mean would someone really go through all of the trouble to push her down the stair. Pick her up and not just drag her body to the living room to make sure no blood trail was made and then to clean up any blood that would have been on the area where she originally landed? I don't know Lucy, it's kind of a longshot" Levy said as she turned to the other x-ray.
"They would have only needed to make sure that her head wasn't dragged so the killer would have only needed to drag her by her upper body, and she was killed while her family was at work so the killer would have had the time to clean up the other blood before fleeing the scene" Lucy said as numerous different scenarios zoomed through her head "It makes a lot more sense than it being an accident."
"I suppose" Levy said "But there wasn't enough evidence on her body to suggest her being pushed down the stairs."
Glancing back over at the body Lucy said "Let's look over the body for ourselves."
"Fine, let's roll her back to the lab" Levy said as she shook her head slightly, Lucy was a dear friend but she seemed to want to do more police work then forensics.
"No let's just look at her back, we can do that right here" Lucy said as she pulled the sheet back before turning the victim over to reveal her back slightly.
"Lucy I know you like to make everything we get from the police a murder mystery but-"Levy began before Lucy quickly cut her off.
"I don't remember this being recorded in the file, do you Levy?" Lucy asked as she pointed to large line shaped bruises on the victims back.
"Oh my gosh" Levy mumbled "No I don't remember that being recorded" Levy said, her voice a little louder than normal.
"I don't know how they could have missed it" Lucy said as she looked over the bruises "Do you think they might have been caused by falling or being pushed down stairs?"
"Yes" Levy said "Is suppose if she slid down the stairs on her back."
"Well I think we have some reasonable doubt now that this might not have been an accident" Lucy said as she turned her back onto her back.
"I'll go tell Porlyusica and then I'll call the person who did the first autopsy" Levy said as she turned and ran out of the room.
Lucy turned back to look at the x-rays but could barely keep her focus. Her heart was pounding loud in her head and adrenaline of being on an actual murder case got her blood pumping. She felt like her body was tingling, this might help get her name out there as one of the forensic scientist that helped solve a local murder case when everyone thought it was just an accident. This could be her big break if it ended just right.
"Hello Dr. Heartfilia" came a voice from behind her. Turning her head around she saw it was her boss Porlyusica.
"Hello Dr. Porlyusica" Lucy said with a small wave "How are you doing? Did Levy tell you what we found?"
"Yes she did" Porlyusica said with a small nod as the air around her stayed stiff "She also told me that you where the one to determine this possibility."
"She did?" Lucy asked; her voice a little bit too hopeful which caused Porlyusica's mouth to move into a small frown.
"Yes, why wouldn't she? Don't underestimate your abilities, which is exactly why we're having this little chat today" she said as she walked over closer to Lucy.
"Oh really?" Lucy asked as she began to fret over what she might have done wrong in the past few months but came up with nothing.
"Yes, it's about a learning opportunity" Porlyusica said.
"A learning opportunity?" Lucy squeaked, becoming more nervous by the second.
"Yes, just this morning a close friend of mine in the FBI asked me for a favor. He wanted me to offer one of his officers the use of one of my forensic scientist on a case that will be beginning today" Porlyusica explained "And I picked you."
"Oh well thank you but-"Lucy said beginning to feel flattered, working with the FBI would obviously be a big deal and a major job opportunity but she couldn't just leave Levy alone on this case.
"Come, let's finish this talk in my office" Porlyusica said, waving at Lucy to follow her. Lucy followed behind her hesitantly but it's not like she couldn't turn down the offer after she heard it. But maybe it'll end up being some big case that has stumped the FBI and it's up to her to help them find clues by looking at the bodies of the victims.
They reached the door to Porlyusica's office which one of the few offices that went along with the labs, being the head in the forensics' unit had some perks apparently. Lucy followed her inside the office and then stood stiffly by the doorframe as Porlyusica sat down in her desk chair. Raising her brow at Lucy once again she waved her hand at the chair that sat in front of her desk.
"Oh um yes" Lucy said jumbling her words together as she quickly sat down in the chair as she scanned around the office taking everything in, the last time she had been in her bosses office was when she had gotten a little bit too enthusiastic about a new body and had caused some...problems. But this time she didn't have to worry about a possible pink slip.
"Now then Heartfilia" Porlyusica said, crossing her legs as she watched Lucy's eyes dart around like a frightened rabbit "Let's continue our conversation."
Lucy stopped looking around the room and focused her eyes on Porlyusica "Um yeah, I'm interested to hear what it is about."
"Im sure you are" Porlyusica said with a curt nod before picking up a manila folder that was sitting on her desk "This is the folder my friend gave me, it doesn't contain much at the moment since they haven't gone out to receive the body yet since they only got the call an half an hour ago. So after I finish quickly telling you what's going on were going to meet you partner for the case, and before you ask no I don't know who they are."
"Wait, but what if I turn down this offer?" Lucy asked "We just got in a body from the police and I should be helping Levy on it-"
"Heartfilia someone else can help McGarden on that, this is a one in a life time opportunity for you. You're only a what? A two year forensic scientist? You might not get this opportunity again anytime soon so I suggest you take the chance now to get you name out there since I now you would much prefer working with murders and such, correct?" Porlyusica said, taking a break from her small lecture to wait for Lucy's response to this question.
Lucy nodded her head sharply as she said "Yes I would prefer to work in that aspect rather than centuries old bodies."
"Well then I don't see why your whining over this" Porlyusica said with a huff "You should at least feel happy that I thought of you for this opportunity rather than one of your many seniors. There's no point in looking a gift horse in the mouth."
"Of course Dr. Porlyusica" Lucy said quickly realizing that even if she hadn't wanted to be a part of the investigation there would have been no way out of it anyway.
"Great, I'm glad you understand" Porlyusica said as she stood back up "Now it's time for you to meet you partner and go to the scene of the crime I believe."
"Why would I be going to the scene of the crime? Haven't they collected the body and have sent it back to the lab by now?" Lucy asked as she followed Porlyusica.
"Well they've been having some problems retrieving the body" Porlyusica said.
"What do you mean having some problems retrieving the body?" Lucy asked.
"Read what's in the folder on the ride girl" Porlyusica said "It will explain the basics of what they know so far."
Lucy did look over the contents of the folder as they drove to the FBI agency, but there was hardly anything except for the conversation between the person who had called and the 911 dispatcher. To sum up that one piece of paper there was a body floating in the river. But Lucy didn't exactly understand why she was being called in for such a thing, it could have just been a druggie or a drunk that fell into the river and drowned. But Lucy did hope it was more than that.
When they arrived at the FBI building Lucy was nervous to say the least, who was she going to be paired with? Would it be a guy or a girl? Old or young? Grouchy or nice? Friendly or stiff? Lucy hoped they'd at least be a little bit friendly or else this might turn into a very chilly case. She was shifting her weight from foot to foot on their ride up in the elevator and could feel her heart speed up a bit when they stood in front of the doors to the office of Porlyusica's friend. On the door was a shiny plaque that read "Chief Makarov Dreyar".
Porlyusica opened the door without a single knock and barged right in.
"Why hello Porlyusica" said an old man sitting behind a desk "I see you forget that knocking is the more polite thing to do." Next to him stood a man that Lucy assumed was the FBI agent that she was being partnered with. Lucy scanned him over he was built rather well from what she could tell, but who knew what he looked like under the suit. His chin was sharp and defined. His green eyes seemed to be almost smiling even when his face remained emotionless. She stopped for a few seconds when she noticed his hair though she didn't know how she could have missed it when she had first walked into the room. It was pink, a vibrant pink that stuck out in all directions almost as if he had forgotten to brush his hair that morning. But other than that little surprise he was rather handsome.
"It's not like you ever knock either Makarov and it's not like you don't give me a heads up before calling me to ask for a forensic scientist on a case that you wanted to begin almost an hour ago" Porlyusica said as she rolled her eyes before pointing a finger at Lucy. "This is Lucy Heartfilia, she's a forensic scientist at the lab I work for and I believe she is skilled enough to help you out."
"Hello" Lucy said with a small wave. Makarov nodded his head at her and the man stepped forward and offered out his hand.
"This is one of my more…driven agents, Natsu Dragneel. He'll be the main agent on this case" Makarov said as he gestured at Natsu.
"Hello" he said before sticking his hand out more at her.
"Oh um" Lucy said before taking his hand "Hello, I'm looking forward to working with you" she knew the smile on her face was fake and was more for polite reasons than anything but he didn't need to know.
"I'm looking forward to working with you as well" Natsu said as a bright smile lighted up his face. Lucy could feel a blush rising to her cheeks before she chastised herself, no, no getting a crush on an FBI agent with pink hair especially one that you were being partnered with.