Shadows of the Past

Backstory

The city of Veriside was famous for its narrow streets, ancient buildings, and the secrets hidden within the walls of every home. At the heart of the city stood the mansion of the Dalcross family — a wealthy and influential dynasty whose legacy was shrouded in rumors. The mansion was built in the late 19th century by Harold Dalcross, an ambitious entrepreneur whose fortune grew rapidly thanks to mysterious deals. It was said he made a pact with an enigmatic partner, but no one ever saw this person.

Fifty years ago, on a foggy autumn evening, Harold vanished without a trace. His wife, Margaret, claimed she saw him enter the library, but by morning, he was nowhere to be found. The only things left behind were his cane and a broken locket lying on the floor. Since then, every decade, a member of the family has died under mysterious circumstances. These deaths were always accompanied by strange coincidences: missing documents, shadowy figures in photographs, and whispers in empty rooms.

The latest victim was Eliza Dalcross, a young and promising writer whose body was found in the mansion’s library. She was known for her research into the family’s history and was preparing to publish a book she claimed would "reveal the truth about the Dalcrosses." The police ruled it a suicide, but local detective Arthur Grave had his doubts. He knew that in this house, the truth was always hidden beneath layers of lies.

Main Characters

1. Arthur Grave — A detective with a troubled past. His father died under unresolved circumstances, which led Arthur to choose this profession. He has a sharp mind but harbors guilt over past mistakes.
2. Mary Winters — Eliza’s childhood friend and a journalist. Her career is built on investigating mysterious events, and she is convinced that Eliza’s death was no accident.
3. Richard Dalcross — The head of the family, a stern and secretive man. He seems to know more than he’s letting on.
4. Clara Dalcross — Eliza’s younger sister, who suffers from recurring nightmares and insists she saw something the night of the murder.
5. Oliver Stanton — The family’s lawyer, whose actions raise suspicions. He often appears at inconvenient times and tries to control the investigation.
6. Anna Loftus — The housekeeper who has worked in the mansion for 30 years. Her silence and strange glances at the family portraits make one question her role in the events.

Clues

1. A book with a torn page — Found near Eliza’s body. The cover features the Dalcross family crest.
2. A key — An antique key with the initials "H.D." Found in Clara’s room.
3. A letter — Addressed to Eliza, written in an unusual script. The text hints at a family secret.
4. A broken locket — Belonged to Harold Dalcross, discovered in a hidden compartment behind the fireplace.
5. Clara’s testimony — She claims to have heard footsteps outside the library door on the night of the murder.

The Investigation

Arthur and Mary decide to join forces. They discover that Harold Dalcross owned a diary 50 years ago, which was rumored to reveal the true source of the family’s wealth. The clues point to someone in the house desperately trying to conceal the truth.

Events take an unexpected turn when Clara recalls seeing a silhouette near the library window on the night of the murder. Meanwhile, Anna Loftus grows increasingly suspicious as she is spotted with a book resembling the one found near Eliza’s body.

Arthur uncovers an old map of the house that points to a secret passage leading to the basement. There, he finds a room filled with Harold’s old papers and letters. Among them are documents proving that the Dalcross family was involved in illegal dealings, and Harold had tried to put an end to them.