The rain lashed against the windows of the study as Detective Reeves entered the dimly lit room. He surveyed the scene before him, taking in every detail with his keen eyes. In the center of the room, sprawled across the Persian rug, lay the body of the deceased. Reeves crouched down and examined the wound - a single gunshot to the chest. He glanced around at the assembled guests, noting their shocked expressions and trembling hands. Each had been present at the time of the murder, yet claimed to have heard nothing. Reeves narrowed his eyes as he pondered the possibilities. The butler stepped forward and cleared his throat. "Shall I ring for the police, sir?" Reeves waved him away impatiently. This was no ordinary case, he could already sense it. The victim was none other than Lord Ashcroft, a powerful nobleman with many enemies. As Reeves delved deeper, a new suspect emerged - Lord Ashcroft's estranged brother. The two had been embroiled in a bitter feud over the family inheritance for years. Could jealousy and greed be motive enough for murder? Reeves interviewed each guest in turn, probing for inconsistencies in their stories. A few details stood out - the housekeeper's nervous demeanor, the gardener's odd insistence on tending to the rose bushes despite the heavy rain, and the secretary's shaky hands as she handed over the lord's diary. As the pieces began to fall into place, Reeves realized he may have underestimated the true nature of this murder. It went beyond mere greed or rivalry - dark secrets from the past were finally catching up to Lord Ashcroft, with devastating consequences. The hunt for the killer would take Reeves on a perilous journey through the tangled web of the aristocracy's dirty laundry. He steeled himself for the challenge ahead, determined to unravel the mystery no matter the cost. Reeves glanced out the window, the rain still pounding against the glass panes. The clock struck midnight and he knew he had precious little time. Soon the police would arrive and take charge of the crime scene. But Reeves intended to get a head start on the investigation while the guests remained in the house. He approached the butler, a stern-looking older man who stood rigidly at attention. "I need you to keep everyone here," Reeves commanded. "No one leaves until I say so." The butler nodded curtly and moved to station himself by the