The officer’s face softened with understanding, but his eyes held an unyielding seriousness. “Sir, we need to discuss this downstairs. There are questions that need answers, and you might be in danger.”

“Danger?” The word felt foreign on my tongue. “I don’t understand. What’s happening?”

“Please, sir,” he insisted, gesturing for me to follow him. “Let’s go downstairs. It’s not safe here.”

Numbly, I followed him out of the room, casting one last look at the mannequin. Questions buzzed in my head like angry bees. Who would do such a thing? And why? The officer led me to the living room, away from that eerie, silent figure.