The old mansion stood silent against the dark stormy night. Detective Maria Chen arrived at the scene just past midnight. Yellow police tape fluttered wildly in the cold harsh wind. A body lay crumpled at the foot of the stairs. The victim wore an expensive suit stained deep with blood. His eyes stared blankly at the crystal chandelier hanging above. No one had heard the scream that ended his life. The butler claimed he was polishing silver in the kitchen. His hands trembled as he spoke to the young officer. Maria knelt beside the body and pulled on latex gloves. She noticed a strange marking carved into his left palm. The symbol looked ancient, like something from a forgotten language. Rain began to pound heavily against the tall arched windows. Every person in this house tonight was now a suspect. She stood slowly and surveyed the grand room with care. Someone here knew exactly what happened to this poor man. The grandfather clock in the hallway suddenly chimed one loudly. Maria turned to her partner and whispered something very quietly. This was going to be a very long and dark night. The truth was hiding somewhere inside these cold stone walls.