The old mansion loomed dark against the moonless October sky. Detective Sarah Reyes stepped carefully onto the creaking wooden porch. Autumn leaves skittered across weathered floorboards like nervous, whispering ghosts. She examined the brass doorknob, noticing a faint smudge nearby. The front door opened with an ominous, slow, protesting groan. Inside, shadows pooled like ink in forgotten corners of rooms. A single lamp cast uneven light across the marble entryway. Something was terribly wrong, she could feel it in her. Blood spattered the pristine white wall with violent crimson intensity. A body lay crumpled beneath an elaborate crystal chandelier's glare.