The frosted glass in the office door glowed with a soft yellow light. John stopped cold. “I always kill the lightshe muttered.

Madeline made eye contact but didn’t respond. Her hand dipped into her purse, wrapping around her little pistol.

Something wasn’t right.

* The door creaks open *

Inside, the air was dense. Smoke, sweat and something metallic filled the air. A man was slumped over John’s desk, knife in his back, blood soaking through paper lit by the desk lamp.

Madeline’s heels clicked once. “He didn’t have an appointmentshe said.

John stepped closer, scanning. “Smokes my cigars, bleeds on my desk, and dies in my chair?
“Maybe he came here for helpMadeline offered. “Knew he was done for. Wanted to leave something behind.
John looked down at the note “this better explain a whole lot.
Madeline stood beside him, close enough to whisper “that's my hero.
For such a grim moment, a smile was exchanged.. that is before the knock at the door.

NOTES:
Ahh, just having fun I guess. Writing is rough but the challenge of daily things failing on the house, car, etc... those get old.

Bloodless version here so it doesn't get yanked by the Daz Gallery folks. I have seen many renders with swords in people's bodies so if this gets yanked... I could just punch a wall.

Edits completed in Google Snapseed and Affinity Photo 1.0

Daz3D Gallery Link:
https://www.daz3d.com/gallery#image=1369353

NO AI used