The heavy curtains blocked the morning light from entering the study room entirely. Detective Mills stood beside the victim’s desk, noting the bloodstained papers. A single silver dagger protruded from the man’s chest, its handle gleaming under the lamp. The victim’s face was frozen in a silent scream, eyes wide with shock. Mills carefully adjusted his gloves, knowing the killer had left behind vital clues. The air smelled of expensive perfume and something metallic, like fresh blood. A half-empty whiskey glass sat precariously close to the edge of the desk. Mills leaned in, examining the victim’s expensive suit for any other injuries. The room was meticulously organized, except for the scattered papers and broken vase. A faint whisper of a shadow moved past the doorway, disappearing into the hallway. Mills straightened up, realizing the murderer might still be lurking nearby. The grandfather clock in the corner ticked loudly, marking each passing second. He pulled out his notebook, ready to document every detail of the scene. The victim’s wedding ring glinted in the dim light, polished and seemingly untouched. Mills wondered if the spouse had any connection to this brutal crime. The silence was broken only by the ticking clock and his own breathing. He knew this case would test every skill he had ever learned. The first step was to find the motive behind this calculated murder. Mills took one last look before turning to leave the study room. The investigation had officially begun, and time was already running out.