As the gentle morning fog lifted, a lone figure emerged by the riverbank, shrouded in mystery. Detective Clarkson stumbled upon a grim scene: a body lay motionless, silence echoing. With the rising sun, the city awakened, unaware of the sinister secret beneath its skyline. In the background, the iconic clock tower struck eight, marking the start of this macabre tale. Clarkson's sharp eyes scanned the area, observing every detail, from the broken branch to the glistening dew.