The rain fell hard on the cobblestone streets below. A single streetlamp flickered weakly in the cold night air. Detective Clara Voss adjusted her gloves with a quiet sigh. Her breath misted faintly as she stepped into the alleyway’s shadow. A crumpled figure lay motionless near the damp, glistening bricks. Blood pooled darkly beneath the victim’s outstretched, pale hand. Clara’s flashlight trembled slightly as she knelt beside the body. The victim’s glassy eyes stared upward, frozen in silent terror. A silver pocket watch lay shattered near the lifeless fingers. She noticed something odd—no signs of a struggle anywhere nearby.