The rain hammered against the stained-glass window, casting grotesque shadows across the opulent study. A single flickering candle illuminated a mahogany desk, littered with scattered papers and an overturned inkwell. Lord Ashworth lay sprawled on the Persian rug, his lifeless eyes staring vacantly at the ornate ceiling. A crimson stain blossomed on his starched white shirt, a stark contrast to the somber hues of the room. A glint of silver caught Detective Inspector Mallory's eye, a gleaming letter opener protruding from the victim's chest. The air hung heavy with the scent of old books, pipe tobacco, and the metallic tang of blood.