As the clock struck midnight, Detective James entered the dimly lit ballroom, his footsteps echoing ominously on the empty dance floor. James's gaze, sharp as ever, surveyed the lavish room, every detail holding a potential clue in his mind. Amidst the deserted tables, a solitary figure lay motionless, adorned in shimmering evening wear. With methodical precision, he approached, now aware of the faintest scent of gunpowder lingering in the air.