The heavy rain fell steadily, blurring the outlines of the quaint village nestled within the dense, dark woods surrounding it. In the small cottage, a piercing scream echoed; the sound shattered the peaceful night and sent chills through the air. Detective Clara Hayes arrived first, her boots splashing through puddles as she approached the crime scene, wary and determined. Inside the dimly lit living room, a body lay crumpled on the floor, surrounded by shattered glass and ominous shadows. The victim, a local artist, was known for her vibrant paintings, but her last canvas remained unfinished, hauntingly blank in silence. Clara knelt beside the body, her heart racing as she inspected the scene, searching for clues hidden within chaos. A single red rose, perfectly intact, lay beside the victim, its petals contrasting sharply with the rainy darkness enveloping everything. Something about the rose felt deliberate, a silent message perhaps, and Clara's instincts urged her to uncover the truth.