The Cockermouth Murders

Chapter 1: A Cryptic Message

A/N:
This is my first murder mystery fic so I apologise if this isn't very good.
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Stephanie Connell had always been drawn to the intricate mysteries that are hidden and found within antiques as well as fascinated about the past behind them. However, it was her penchant for puzzle solving that change her life.

On a cold Halloween evening, Stephanie stood reorganising the trinkets on the shelves in her shop, "The stories you all hold," she whispers, "The stories you could tell."

After Stephanie had reorganised her shelf, she found herself polishing an exquisite-looking Art Deco cards table and just like that, the bell rings and the door creaks open. Stephanie looks up from her polishing and spots a man in a tattered trench coat and his eyes darting before quickly locking onto Stephanie's eyes.

"Miss Connell, I presume?" The man asks. His Cumbrian accent seemed a lot harsher than Stephanie's. He was panting a lot and his hands trembled.
"That's me, how can I help?" She answers. The man hesitantly steps towards her pulling out a scrunched up piece of paper, "P-please... I-I really need your help." He stammered as he spoke, Stephanie could tell he was afraid.

Stephanie unfolds the piece of paper and smooths it out on her skirt and finds her glasses so she can read it. It was a cryptic message hinting to whatever was going on. Stephanie reads the message:

In the heart of opulence, where masked faces hide dark secrets, a chandelier's tear will illuminate the path to the truth. Seek the shattered reflection, for within its fractured beauty lies the answer to the silenced whispers.

Stephanie raised an eyebrow as she tries to solve the message, "Murder..." She whispers aloud, "Half of it isn't here!" She brings up. Stephanie folds the paper as she puts it into her blazer pocket. Stephanie puts her glasses on her head, "You have my full attention," She tells the man, "Continue."
The man continues to tremble as he speaks, "Whoever did this is after something valuable as well as dangerous," He begins to explain, "You have to help us and stop this nightmare."

Stephanie knew that this was a new beginning which collides two completely different worlds together. Time is of the essence, she realises that. With determination within her eyes, Stephanie looks up to the man as she stands up, with her curiosity piqued, "Lead the way. There's no time to lose."