The grandfather clock struck midnight as Detective Sarah Chen arrived at the Victorian mansion on Blackwood Hill's foggy summit. She pushed open the heavy oak doors to find the dinner party frozen in shock around the mahogany dining table. Lord Pemberton lay face down in his soup bowl while nine guests sat perfectly still in their assigned formal seats. The butler stood near the kitchen door with a silver tray balanced in his hands and pure terror in eyes. A shattered wine glass scattered crimson liquid across white linen while candles flickered casting dancing shadows on pale shocked faces. Sarah noticed the victim's right hand clutched something metallic that gleamed between his stiff fingers like a golden secret. The storm outside rattled windows as she approached the body knowing this would be her most challenging case yet.