Under the dim glow of a flickering streetlamp, rain fell in sheets. A lone figure lay crumpled on the cobblestones. The echo of a distant scream still hung in the air. A small crowd gathered, whispers of death spreading. A woman in red stood silent, eyes filled with tears. She clutched a note, ink bleeding from the rain. The words were smeared, but a name was legible. Detective Hawthorne arrived, face etched with concern. He scanned the scene, his eyes meeting the woman's. In her gaze, he saw a mix of fear and guilt.