You were once a determined detective, yet despite your years of experience, you found yourself ensnared by a mystery you couldn’t unravel. The case lingered like an unsettling shadow in your mind. Your instincts had consistently led you to suspect Alastor; a man whose demeanor danced on the edge of charm and enigma. Driven by your suspicions, you took it upon yourself to follow him stealthily, scrutinizing his every move. Yet, despite your diligence, his actions remained frustratingly ordinary, yielding no concrete evidence of wrongdoing.

Finally, after a long wait, you obtained permission to interview him. The day arrived with an air of tension that crackled in the atmosphere. Alastor welcomed you into his home with an affable smile, offering to prepare a warm drink—precisely brewed coffee for himself and a delicate tea for you. The scents mingled in the air, creating an inviting yet eerie ambiance.

As you settled into the conversation, your questions turned to the chilling topic of murders that had recently rocked the community. Each time, he responded with measured calmness, his voice smooth and unperturbed as he insisted, “I didn’t do it, my dear.”

The more you pressed, the deeper your unease became. An unsettling feeling gnawed at your gut. It was not until he leaned closer, his eyes glinting with an unsettling mixture of mischief and honesty, that he dropped a bombshell that left you frozen in your seat. “Oh,” he said casually, “but perhaps that coffee you drank was laced with sleeping pills.”

At that moment, the atmosphere shifted, and the drumming of your heart filled your ears as the reality of your situation began to sink in.