The Shadows of Tragedy

Chapter 18

As more and more people were killed the police became more and more suspicious about them. Yet despite their best investigation they just couldn't find any suspects to connect to the murders. Some of them suspected vigilantism due to the fact that the murderer went after criminals, abusers, and other people who were basically no good. Others suspected someone who was obsessed with pyrotechnics due to the fact that the murderer burned the bodies of their victims. But nothing added up. Then one day while looking into another murder they found something very interesting at the crime scene.

Unlike the others the body and the decapitated head had not been burned. Normally the murderer burned both the body and the head but this time he or she forgot which might have given them a lead. Both the head and the body were examined thoroughly and they discovered that the victim had not died from decapitation but instead of extreme blood loss. They also found unusual bite marks on the neck and that both the head and the body had no blood in it's system. It had all been completely drained. Still even with this newfound evidence the police couldn't make a connection. Well...One officer who was very superstitious suspected something supernatural was at work so he made an anonymous call to Professor Jellal Fernandes.

A man who specialized in matters concerning the occult and had knowledge pertaining to ghosts, exorcism, séances and of course vampires. After hearing the details regarding the body and the head he suspected vampirism was at work so he decided to pay Magnolia a visit. Cana had previously been a colleague of his and he figured that her knowledge on hematology would prove useful in his investigation. 

Knock-knock!

"Coming."

 The door was answered by Natsu. Standing at the door way was a very intelligent looking yet rather dashing young man with distinguished features. 

"Can I help you?" Natsu asked.

"Sorry if I'm intruding but I'm looking for Dr. Alberona, I was told she lived here."

"She does."

"Is she here at the moment?"

"No. Right now she's at the tavern. What do you want her for?"

"My name is Professor Jellal Fernandes, I'm an old colleague of hers and I need her help with something. When she returns would you mind informing her that I'm here and that I'd like to speak with her?"

"She'll be back any minute. You can wait here if Miss Scarlet says it's alright."

"Is she the lady of the house?"

"Yes. I'll tell her you're here."

He went upstairs to tell Erza that they had a guest wanting to see Cana. She told Natsu to let him in and later she came downstairs to greet the guest. 

"Professor Fernandes it's a pleasure to meet you." She said approaching him.

"Well...Hello." He said not expecting the matriarch of the house hold to be so lovely. "I apologize for arriving without calling first but I...I...I...I-"

"Are you alright?"

"Yes! Sorry I'm a little jet lagged from the trip. Again I apologize but it's very urgent that I speak with Dr. Alberona as soon as possible."

"Natsu has just left to bring her back here. He's pretty much her sober driver when she goes out for a drink."

"So she's still a booze hound? Some things never change." He chuckled.

While Natsu had gone out to retrieve Cana, Erza invited Jellal into the living room where they talked for awhile. 

"Can I get you anything while you wait? Coffee? Tea?"