The Last Message

Detective Alice Ramirez and partner, Dr. Sydney Barlow, respond to a call about a dead body found on the set of a TV show called The Daily Dragon. The victim is 13-year-old Rosemary Stewart, a local actress who was known for her role in a popular children's TV show. As they approach the scene, they're met with an eerie feeling of desolation and neglect. The body is lying in a pool of blood, with 23 stab wounds covering her body.

The investigation reveals that Rosemary was struggling with addiction and personal demons, and newly found secret camera footage shows her arguing with someone just hours before her death. The detective's gut tells her that this was no random attack, and she's convinced that the killer left a trail of clues to uncover their identity.

As they process the crime scene, Detective Jameson can't shake off the feeling that Rosemary was trying to send a message - but what was she trying to say? And who would want her dead?

This chapter sets the tone for the investigation to come, introducing the reader to the dark and gritty world of small-town crime and the complex web of secrets and lies that lie beneath the surface.