## **Secrets of the Shadow**

 

### Chapter 1: Night Trail

Rain drummed on the cobblestone streets of the old town, reflecting in the puddles like shards of glass. In this darkness, only the light of street lamps pierced the thick fog, creating ominous streaks on the ancient walls. Commissioner **Jakub Nowak** walked slowly, his faithful companion—the German Shepherd **Argo**—at his side.

Argo was no ordinary dog. His nose picked up scents that seemed fleeting to humans, and his instincts could pinpoint danger before it even appeared. The commissioner knew his value in criminal work and treated him like a partner, not just a pet.

"Argo, let's see what we have here," Nowak murmured, leaning over the body lying in the alley by the old warehouse.

The dog stopped, sniffed, and with a low growl, approached. His ears pricked, and his eyes focused on one spot—a trail leading into the darkness.

The victim was a young woman, her clothes soaked in rain, and her face contorted in terror. The commissioner noticed a small detail: a red pendant around her neck, shimmering in the streetlight.

"Someone wanted it to look like an accident," Nowak said to himself. "But Argo says otherwise."

The dog sniffed toward a dark alley, signaling that the trail continued. The commissioner followed him, step by step, through a maze of narrow streets until they reached an old, abandoned tenement house. The air smelled of damp and something else—the metallic scent of blood.

"Is this here, Argo?" he asked, cautiously stepping inside.

Argo barked, pointing to one of the rooms upstairs. The door was slightly ajar. Inside, they found another victim, and on her a note with a strange symbol. The commissioner sensed that this was only the beginning of something bigger—a series of murders that would shake the entire city.

"It seems we have an enemy who knows our methods," Nowak said, looking at Argo. "But we have our tricks too."

The dog raised its head and barked as if in agreement. Together, they formed a duo that didn't back down from danger. Every lead, every clue, every bark from Argo could hold the key to solving this dark puzzle.

And the night was just beginning.

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