The rain hammered against the mansion's windows all night long. Inside the library, Lord Blackwood lay dead on the carpet. Blood pooled beneath his head like dark red spilled wine. Detective Miller examined the scene with his careful, practiced eyes. A broken vase lay shattered near the heavy oak door. Someone had fought here, or tried hard to escape quickly. The butler stood trembling in the doorway, his face pale. "I found him just before the midnight clock had chimed." Miller noted the silver candlestick missing from the stone mantle. Outside, thunder crashed while another guest screamed from upstairs suddenly.