The rain pounded against the windows as Detective Reeves stared at the crime scene photos spread across his desk. Another body had been found, the third in as many months. The victims all shared the same grisly wounds - throats slashed ear to ear, barely clinging to life. Reeves rubbed his tired eyes and glanced at the clock. Nearly midnight, but he couldn't leave until he made a breakthrough in the case. The city was gripped with fear, and the pressure was mounting from his superiors. He reached for his mug of now cold coffee just as a sharp rap sounded at his door. Before he could call out, it swung open and a haggard face peered in. "Detective Reeves? The chief wants you in his office immediately." The aide's voice shook slightly. Reeves sighed heavily and stood. Whatever this was, it couldn't be good news at this late hour. He followed the aide in silence, a sinking feeling in his gut as they wound through the empty halls. Outside the chief's office, the aide paused and looked back nervously. "He's not alone in there. And the person with him... well, I've never seen him look so angry before." With that ominous pronouncement, the aide scurried off, leaving Reeves to knock tentatively on the chief's door. The deep bark from within froze his blood. "Get in here NOW, Reeves!" Reeves swallowed hard and turned the knob, bracing himself for the worst as he stepped across the threshold and into the lion's den...<|end_of_text|>