The rain fell hard against the old Victorian mansion windows. Detective Mara Stone stepped carefully over the threshold, observing everything. Blood stained the Persian carpet in a bright crimson pool. Lord Pemberton lay sprawled near the cold fireplace, eyes open. A crystal vase lay shattered beside his pale outstretched hand. The butler trembled in the corner, clutching his silver tray. "Nobody entered or left through the heavy main oak doors." Mara knelt, examining the fatal wound with clinical detachment now. Three guests waited upstairs, each with their carefully prepared alibis. Thunder crashed outside as she spotted the bloody missing knife.