The rain would fall soon. The clouds were fat with the weight of it, the darkness only interrupted by the occasional flash of light from above. It was helpful. Most passerby would be hurrying inside, more concerned with staying dry than looking too closely at anyone who was lingering around the gates of forsaken property. Killing the lights of her car, Dawn took a moment to assess the mansion. It sat amongst its grounds like some shadowy behemoth, windows cracked and yawning in invitation. There was no visible light from within, but that didn’t mark the place as wholly abandoned. Anyone was capable of hiding themselves- criminals were simply better at it than most respectable folk.

Dawn’s hand slipped into her purse, brushed against the cool steel concealed within, then opened the car door. Stepping into the quiet of the evening, she quickly locked her vehicle before striding towards the gate, coat fluttering lightly behind her. A cursory inspection told her that the lock had almost been entirely sealed shut by the rust that coated it. It would be easy enough to break, most likely, but Dawn found herself turning away, instead focusing her attention on the crumbled wall merely a few feet away.

“Leave no trace”. That was the golden rule. 

She hiked her skirt up- just enough to free her ankles- and clambered over the wall, landing in the overgrown garden with a soft “thud”. Nodding to herself, Dawn adjusted her hat, then paused. 

Something was wrong.

The detective glanced about, wary, idly feeling for her gun before pushing onwards towards the front entrance. 

The car would be fine. Nothing inside aside from a few napkins in the glovebox, anyway.