The house loomed in darkness. Blood stained the wooden floor. Detective Parker observed the scene. Silence filled the cold room. Rain pattered against the windows. The body lay quite still. A knife rested close by. No fingerprints marked the weapon. Photos captured the gruesome tableau. Someone watched from the shadows. A clock ticked time away. Parker sensed they weren't alone. Floorboards creaked without clear cause. The victim's eyes remained open. A note clutched in hand. The handwriting seemed oddly familiar. Wind howled through broken glass. This murder was most personal.