Damian's eyes moved methodically across the scene, his strong willpower forcing him to catalogue details even as emotion threatened to overwhelm rational thought.
Then he saw it.
A black envelope resting on the small table near the entrance, positioned deliberately where it would be found immediately.
He stepped past Brian's kneeling form, his movements careful to avoid disturbing the blood pooling on the floor.
Picked up the envelope with steady hands.
And opened it.
Inside was a single piece of paper. The message written in blood-red letters that might have actually been blood given the context.
"We heard Officer Brian Oleaf was looking everywhere for us. So we thought to pay you a visit. Shadow Council sends their regards."
A cold look flashed across Damian's crimson eyes, his expression going completely empty.
'Shadow Council. It's them again! The group that's been escalating operations across the Northern Region for months.'
