Lucy Heartfilia smiled at the woman as she handed her the signed book.

"Thank you so much!"

"You're welcome! Who's next?"

The next fan stepped up, the smile on her face unnaturally wide.

"Who should I make it out to?" Lucy asked, pen at the ready.

"Oh! Melanie."

"Alrighty. There you go, Melanie! Have a nice day!"

Melanie waved and giggled as she walk away, clutching her new favorite item to her chest.

"What's wrong, Lu?"

Lucy looked up at her manager in surprise. "Nothing is wrong, Levy."

Levy McGarden, who had been Lucy's best friend for nearly 10 years, raised an eyebrow. "Uh huh."

Lucy sighed in defeat. "It's nothing, really. I just wish something new would happen. I don't have any inspiration for my next book."

"Miss Heartfilia?"

Lucy looked up to see a handsome, pink haired man around her age, meaning 22, standing in front of her. Behind him were two men in police uniforms.

"Yes?"

"My name is Natsu Dragneel. I'm a detective with the Magnolia Police Department. I have a few questions for you regarding a homicide case I'm working."

Levy coughed and leaned over to whisper to Lucy. "That's new."

Lucy scowled at her and then turned to smile at the detective. "Of course. But can it wait until I'm done with the signing? It shouldn't take long."

Detective Dragneel nodded and stepped to the side, his officer friends doing the same.

Lucy finished the signing with excitement running through her veins. When the last fan had turned their back to her, she looked to the detective and motioned for him to sit in the seat beside her.

"Now, how can I help you gentlemen?"

"I need to know where you were between the hours of ten and midnight last night."

"You said this was about a murder, right?" Lucy questioned.

"That's correct." Detective Dragneel seemed a little annoyed that she had avoided the question.

"Sorry. I was at home all night, with my little sister Michelle. We watched a movie and played some games, then went to bed."

Dragneel was scribbling her alibi into his pocket notebook. When he was done he pulled a photo out of a file Lucy hadn't noticed he was carrying.

"Do you recognize this woman?"

He set the photo in front of her and she looked at it, only to immediately look away. The woman's body was covered in blood from what looked to be a series of gashes across her chest. Her eyes were open and staring into nothing, blank and lifeless.

"No. I don't know her." Lucy looked at the photo again, but this time something stood out to her.

"But you do recognize something in the photo, yes?" Dragneel prompted, noticing the change to her expression.

Lucy nodded. "This is what I wrote in my third book. This is the same style of...you know."

"Yes, indeed. Well, Miss Heartfilia, it would seem you have quite the admirer."

Levy took a step forward and placed a hand on Lucy's shoulder. "You don't think Lucy is in any trouble, do you?"

"I'm not sure why she would be, miss." Dragneel looked confused.

"Well, normally, people who have a fixation with someone else tend to...introduce themselves sooner or later. If this is from Lucy's third book, I assume there are similar appearances of her first and second. Meaning an incredible fixation, and a danger to Lucy."

Dragneel stared at Levy, then looked back at one of the officers and motioned him forward. "Droy, call the chief and tell him what this woman just told us. See what he wants to do."

Droy nodded and walked away, pulling out his phone.

Dragneel looked back at Levy. "And your name is?"

"I'm Levy McGarden. I'm Lucy's manager. And best friend."

Dragneel nodded, writing down the new information. "And where were you between the hours of ten and midnight last night?"

"I was at home with my step-sister, Juvia Lockser. She was ranting about some guy she met. I didn't really pay attention."

"Okay. I think that's everything. If you-"

The detective was interrupted when Droy came running back into the room.

"Sir, there's been another one. Chief said to bring her with us so she can identify the murder as one of her books."

Dragneel groaned. "He can't be serious."

"I'm more than happy to come, Detective. If you think it will help the investigation." Lucy stood up and grabbed her coat from the back of her chair.

"It will. I just don't like bringing civilians to an active crime scene. They normally mess things up."

"I'll do my best not to." Lucy said. "Levy, you head back home. I'll catch a cab."

"Alright Lucy. Call me."

Lucy waved as Levy walked away, then turned back to the detective standing in front of her.

"Ready?"