The moon hung heavy, a silver pendulum in the velvet night sky, as Detective Lorne arrived at the sprawling estate, a mansion of old secrets. At precisely 11:37 PM, the clock tower chimed, its echo a somber herald to the scene of an unthinkable act. The front door ajar, a cold draft whispered through the grand foyer, carrying with it a hint of something sinister. Inside, the body lay still, an extinguished candle amidst the opulence of a once vibrant parlor room. A priceless vase, now shattered, petals strewn, its crimson blooms a stark contrast to the pale, lifeless hand. The air, thick with the scent of lilies and something metallic, told tales of a struggle, silent screams in the stillness. Footsteps in the carpet's deep pile led to a shadowy hallway, a path to the unknown assailant's escape. Lorne's partner, Officer Jade, her face a mask of stoic concentration, documented every detail, a trail of evidence not to be tampered. The murder weapon, a letter opener, lay discarded, its ornate handle glinting ominously under the harsh glare of investigative lights. A silent piano, its keys untouched, seemed to mourn the loss of its last melody, a haunting backdrop to the unfolding tragedy. The guests, a tapestry of the city's elite, murmured among themselves, their whispers a symphony of fear and suspicion. The detective, a seasoned veteran of the force, knew that behind each polished smile lay a potential suspect, a wolf in evening wear. As the night deepened, the investigation began in earnest, each clue a piece of a macabre puzzle waiting to be solved.