The cold rain lashed against the tall windows of the mansion as Detective Chen stepped through the heavy front doors. She wiped boots on the worn mat and noticed strange smell of lavender mixed with something metallic and undeniably sharp. The butler stood motionless in the shadows, his face pale as moonlight and his hands trembling slightly at his sides. "She is upstairs," he whispered, pointing toward the grand staircase where a single red rose lay crushed upon the step. Detective Chen nodded slowly and began her ascent, each creaking step echoing like gunshots in the silent, oppressive dark hallway.