The body lay motionless on the study floor, surrounded by scattered papers and overturned furniture. Detective Reeves crouched beside the corpse, studying the single gunshot wound to the chest with a furrowed brow. "Dr. Evelyn Thorne, age 53," the officer said, glancing up at her partner. "Well-respected surgeon and medical researcher here in the city. What do you make of it, Reeves?" Reeves stood slowly, rubbing the back of his neck as he surveyed the chaotic scene before him. His eyes fell upon an ornate mahogany desk across the room, upon which sat an antique silver-framed photo. The detective approached and lifted the frame gingerly with his fingertips, angling it toward the light. It depicted a smiling family - Evelyn and a man who was likely her husband, with two teenage children flanking them. Reeves noticed the way the man's arm encircled Evelyn's waist possessively. "Looks like we need to track down the husband and kids," he said grimly. "I have a feeling they'll have some pertinent information for us. But first..." Reeves turned to his partner, handing over the photo. "Let's see what the forensics team can tell us about the crime scene itself. I'm betting there are clues here we haven't uncovered yet." As his partner departed to consult with the technical experts, Reeves allowed his gaze to roam the room once more, committing every detail to memory. The air felt heavy with secrets and the unmistakable tang of gunpowder still hung in the air. "I'm going to find out who did this to you, Doctor," he muttered under his breath, eyes still fixed on Evelyn Thorne's body. "And I'll make damn sure they pay for it." With that vow, the grizzled detective squared his shoulders and strode purposefully toward the door, his mind already churning through possibilities as he set out to unravel the tangled web of murder and mystery that now confronted him. |>