Run: 2026-02-17-01KHNEX5YCBGT9PMJE4FNM9X51

Detective Aris Thorne steppedthrough the heavy oak door, the sudden silence of the study jarring after the bustling hallway. The victim lay sprawled on the rich Persian rug, a stark contrast to the opulent surroundings. A single, perfect bullet hole marred the left temple, the exit wound a dark, wet stain on the mahogany floor. Thorne knelt beside the body, his gloved fingers tracing the cold, still cheek. The victim wore a tailored suit, expensive but slightly rumpled, suggesting a struggle. A small, ornate revolver lay discarded near the outstretched hand, its barrel pointing towards the ceiling. The room was impeccably clean, no obvious signs of forced entry or struggle. A single, unlit candle flickered on the mantelpiece, casting long, dancing shadows across the walls. Thorne noted the locked door, the only exit, and the high, barred window. A faint, metallic scent hung in the air, mingling with the smell of old wood and dust. He straightened, his gaze sweeping the room, searching for any overlooked detail. The victim's expression was serene, almost peaceful, despite the violent end. A small, leather-bound notebook lay open on the desk, its pages filled with frantic, illegible scribbles. Thorne picked it up, his brow furrowing at the chaotic handwriting. The victim's name, scrawled at the top, was Jonathan Vance. A photograph beside the notebook showed a younger man, smiling confidently. Thorne pocketed the notebook, his mind racing with questions. Who would kill Jonathan Vance? Why here, in his own study? The mystery deepened with every passing second.