The old mansion loomed ominously against the stormy sky, its windows dark and uninviting on this gloomy autumn evening. Detective Sarah Mills stepped out of her car, her trench coat billowing in the wind as she approached the door. She'd been called to investigate a suspicious death, but something about this case already felt different, more sinister than usual. The door creaked open before she could knock, revealing a pale-faced butler who ushered her inside with trembling hands. "The body is in the study, ma'am," he whispered, his voice barely audible above the howling wind outside. Sarah nodded grimly, following the butler down a long hallway lined with eerie portraits of long-dead family members. The study door stood ajar, a sliver of lamplight spilling out into the otherwise dark and silent corridor. Taking a deep breath, Sarah pushed the door open, her trained eyes immediately drawn to the motionless figure. Sprawled across an antique desk lay the victim, a crystal tumbler shattered on the floor beside his limp hand. As Sarah approached, she noticed something clutched in the dead man's other hand: a crumpled piece of paper.