Run: 2026-02-17-01KHMPBNRWPWJXJRB0S2WCJV8V

Detective Harlow Quinn descended onto the dimly lit platform, her military precision guiding each step down the creaky stairs. The air clung to her like a damp shroud, heavy with the scent of mold and decay. This wasn't your average crime scene – an abandoned Tube station beneath Camden, repurposed as the Veil Market, a black market for the supernatural. Harlow's eyes adjusted to the faint glow of lanterns, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Before her, a sea of stalls stood silent, their usually vibrant colors muted by the police tape and the somber atmosphere. Uniformed officers milled about, collecting evidence and securing the perimeter. Harlow's gaze homed in on the focal point: a stall in disarray, its wares scattered across the grimy floor. A small, brass compass with a patina of verdigris lay near the edge, partially hidden by a torn piece of velvet. The Veil Compass, an tool attuned to supernatural energy, a prized item in these circles. Her colleague, Detective Inspector Ryder, approached, his voice a deep rumble. "Harlow, glad you're here. We've got a peculiar one." He gestured towards the disheveled stall. "Owner's gone missing, and the goods... well, you'll see." As Harlow examined the scene, her sharp jaw clenched. Something didn't add up. "Walk me through it," she said, not tearing her gaze from the scattered items. Ryder nodded. "No signs of forced entry or exit. The only anomaly is this." He indicated a small, ornate box, its lid open, revealing a vacant interior. "Seems our missing vendor was in possession of a bone token, entry requirement for this market. No token, no body, just... this mess." Harlow crouched beside the stall, her worn leather watch peeking from under her sleeve cuff. "Our victim – or perhaps, our perpetrator? – was into some heavy dealings. Enchanted goods, banned substances... Who reported the incident?" "A researcher from the British Museum, Eva Kowalski," Ryder replied, consulting his notes. "She was here to purchase some rare texts. Found the stall like this around midnight, after the market's scheduled move." Harlow's eyes narrowed. The Veil Market moved locations every full moon, a fact that suggested meticulous planning. "I'd like to speak with Ms. Kowalski. Where is she now?" "Waiting in the interview room, upstairs," Ryder said, nodding towards the stairs. As Harlow rose, her gaze swept the area once more, lingering on the Veil Compass. Its presence here, near the disturbed stall, struck her as more than coincidental. She tucked the observation away, her mind already racing with connections. Upstairs, in the makeshift interview room, Eva Kowalski sat with her back straight, her curly red hair a vibrant splash against the drab surroundings. Round glasses perched on the end of her nose, and a worn leather satchel overflowed with books beside her chair. As Harlow entered, Eva's green eyes met hers, a fleeting nervousness betrayed by the habitual tuck of her hair behind her left ear. "Ms. Kowalski, thank you for waiting," Harlow began, her tone measured. "Can you describe what you saw when you discovered the stall?" Eva's account mirrored Ryder's, with one addition: "I saw a figure, in the corner of my eye, near the lanterns. Tall, wearing a long coat. I didn't think much of it at the time, assuming it was just another customer. But now, I wonder..." Harlow's interest piqued. "Did you notice which direction this figure went?" Eva hesitated, her freckled complexion deepening in concentration. "Towards the old ticket counters, I think. But, Detective, I must emphasize, this market... it's not what it seems. There are forces at play here, beyond our understanding." Harlow's grip on her pen tightened. The supernatural undertones of this case were beginning to surface, echoing the unexplained circumstances of her partner's death three years ago. A shiver coursed down her spine, but her expression remained set, her voice unruffled. "I appreciate your candor, Ms. Kowalski. Your insight may prove invaluable." As the interview drew to a close, Harlow requested Eva's contact information, intending to keep the researcher close, should further questions arise. With each step back down to the crime scene, Harlow's thoughts coalesced. The Veil Compass, the missing bone token, and now, a potential witness to a fleeing figure – all hinted at a more intricate plot. Upon re-examining the stall, Harlow's sharp eyes caught what others might have missed: a minuscule, almost imperceptible scratch on the floor's edge, near the Compass. It aligned with the lanterns where Eva spotted the mysterious figure. A trail, albeit faint, had emerged. "Ryder, I need this area re-examined, focusing on potential exit routes towards the ticket counters," Harlow instructed, her voice carrying across the market. "And get forensics to enhance the light in this footage." She handed him a small notebook page with a quick sketch of the scratch and its orientation. "This might be our first tangible lead." As the team sprang into action, Harlow stood back, her gaze sweeping the Veil Market once more. In the shadows, secrets lurked, waiting to be unearthed. She was ready to dig, to follow the needle of the Veil Compass, pointing her towards the nearest supernatural rift – or, in this case, the truth.