CHAPTER ONE

 

THE HIDDEN GAME—CHAPTER-ONE

Detective Jemma burst into the attic door, her flashlight slicing though the darkness. 

The sight that greeted her was a nightmare-a lifeless body sprawled on the floor, blood pooling around it. The metallic scent of blood mixed with the musty air making it hard to breathe.

Jemma’s heart pounded as she scanned the room, her mind racing to piece together the events that led to this gruesome scene.

As the rain continued to poor outside Jemma knew this case was far from over. This was no ordinary murder-this was a tale of hatred and betrayal that had been hidden  between the walls of this dilapidated mansion. 

As she moved through the dimly lit corridors, she stumbled upon an old, dusty journal hidden behind a loose brick in the fireplace. The journal belonged to the mansion's previous owner, a reclusive artist named Victor. His entries revealed a tumultuous relationship with his brother, Marcus, filled with jealousy and resentment.

Jemma's heart pounded as she read about a heated argument that had taken place in the very room she stood in. Victor had accused Marcus of stealing his life's work, and in a fit of rage, Marcus had lashed out, leading to a tragic accident that had been covered up for years

Determined to bring the truth to light, Jemma knew she had to find Marcus. She followed the clues in the journal, which led her to a hidden passageway behind a bookshelf. As she descended into the darkness, she could hear the faint sound of footsteps echoing through the mansion.

With each step, the tension grew. Jemma's flashlight flickered, casting fleeting glimpses of the cobweb-covered walls. She finally reached a locked door at the end of the passage. Using a key she had found in Victor's journal, she unlocked the door and stepped inside.