Rain pattered softly against windows. Detective Lowe stepped into dim hallway. Blood streaked across ivory wallpaper here. Footsteps creaked above quiet ceiling. She drew breath, then climbed stairs. Knife gleamed near corpse’s pale hand. Victim wore wedding ring, nothing else. Clock stopped at three seventeen exactly. Note rested inside silver cigarette case. "Find her before I bleed further," it said. Wind howled like suffering animal nearby. Portrait eyes followed her every movement. Basement door stood slightly ajar now. Something scraped beneath cold concrete floor. Her flashlight flickered, then revealed foot.