The cops known as me to advise on a case in a McMansion on the nook of Kirk Street and Spock Avenue. Normally I do not work with the 5-0 (or the Colombo, for that matter) however they have been insistent and my funds have been low after I misplaced a bit on the gachas.

I entered the mansion and was greeted by the officer on responsibility. He took me over to a pair of individuals speaking to different uniforms–one was a person so spindly Sleeping Beauty coulda pricked her finger on her, and a younger lady who was mousier than Stuart Little.

My escort bought everybody’s consideration. “This is Alex Playne, P.I.,” stated the cop to the bizarre suspects, “We known as him in as a result of his…experience within the obscure fandom group.”

“What I did with Lost Kingdoms in 2003 is between me and Kami,” I barked, “What’s the state of affairs.”

“The homicide sufferer,” stated the officer, “is Kiki Blorbo, award-winning fanfiction writer, in the event you can consider that.”

The spindly man spoke up. “Actually, she’s greatest recognized for her trilogy of slowburn Teen Wolf romantic tales. Works of genius, all.”

“I’m extra keen on her fix-it Bones works…” breathed the lady.

The officer rolled his eyes. “These are Burt Comfort and Mary Sue. Comfort was downstairs for a go to when the physique was found. Sue did not know the sufferer personally, however was seen skulking round the home over the past week.”

“I used to be simply looking for out about her subsequent work!” Sue blurted.

“Blorbo was going to make an announcement tomorrow about her subsequent fan-novel,” stated the officer.

“I assume that she known as me to inform me about it,” interrupted Comfort.

“You know,” I stated, staring on the two suspects, “I believe I do know you two. I’ve learn you two. Comfort, you’ve got accomplished a few of the greatest Battleborn work on the market, and Sue, your tales are slightly bland, however I inexplicably such as you.”

I paused for impact. “Of course neither of you might be very in style, are you? If you had Bouba’s subsequent story…even simply her notes…you might get recognition, acclaim…past your wildest desires. Sounds adequate of a motive to me.”

Sue turned vivid crimson and tried to cover behind her fingers. Comfort grew to become incensed, “That’s probably the most insulting factor anybody has ever stated to me!” he yelled. So I instructed him that his prose was pretentious, too.

-/-

A half an hour later I got here down from Blorbo’s writing room, the scene of the crime. Blorbo had been killed by blunt drive, from a “Best Smutfic 2020” trophy on the scene. The place had been ransacked.

“There was lots of outdated works, outlines, all that stuff,” I stated to the cops, Comfort and Sue close by, “But nothing from her subsequent work besides a torn-apart pocket book with the header ‘Derek Stiles fanfiction.'”

Comfort scoffed. “Trauma Center fanfic within the yr of our lord 2022? I knew Kiki was shedding her contact.”

“But…” gasped Sue, “She wasn’t going to proceed her Dead by Daylight fic? I’ve to know if Evan and Kenneth find yourself collectively!!”

I turned to the cop who, like a foul author, I had by no means bothered to study the title of. “Get {the handcuffs} ready–I do know who did it.”

Who killed Kiki Blorbo?