The moon hung low, casting eerie shadows across the manicured lawn. Detective Miles Sullivan arrived, flashlight in hand, duty bound. A palatial mansion loomed ahead, silent, its occupants unaware of the night's grim toll. The front door ajar, a chill wind whistled through the grand entrance hall. Sullivan stepped inside, senses alert, heart pounding in rhythmic dread. A crystal chandelier sparkled dimly, reflecting a scene of opulence tinged with horror. There, in the center of the marble floor, lay the body. The victim's eyes, wide with fear, stared unseeing at the ornate ceiling. Blood pooled around the lifeless form, a stark contrast to the pristine white tiles. Sullivan circled the scene, noting every detail, a practiced observer of death's tableau. The room's extravagance mocked the stillness of its newest addition. A broken heirloom watch lay nearby, hands frozen at midnight. Questions flooded Sullivan's mind, the first puzzle piece in an intricate mystery.