The rain fell hard against the window while the body lay cold on the floor of the vast empty study. Inspector Vance looked down at the dead victim and wondered who could commit such a cruel and violent crime tonight. A sharp silver dagger protruded from her chest, reflecting the dim light of the flickering candle nearby her dead body. He saw no signs of a struggle, which suggested that she knew the killer who took her young life away. He bent down closely to inspect the handle and noticed a small engraving of a large black raven on it.