XIII
City News Channel, Morning Edition, November 1st.
The camera pans to a smiling anchorwoman against the backdrop of a sunny city adorned with the remnants of holiday decorations.
"...and although Kurbisnacht has officially ended, the pleasant autumnal atmosphere will linger in our city for a long time to come. We now turn the floor over to our on-site reporter, Anna Schmitt. Anna, I heard there was an unusual incident at the castle?"
The screen switches to a young woman in a business suit standing at the castle entrance. Police cars flash by behind her.
"Yes, Helen, good morning. Here, in one of the closed galleries of the Old Castle, a disturbing discovery was made this morning. A castle worker, making a routine inspection, discovered the body of an unknown elderly man. What makes this discovery especially mysterious is that the man was in a complex wheelchair."
The camera shows a close-up of the cordoned-off service entrance, where police officers carry in a body wrapped in a black bag.
"The identity of the deceased has not yet been established. According to preliminary information, no signs of foul play were found. Castle and law enforcement officials are refraining from comment, and the investigation is ongoing. As you can imagine, such incidents do not add to the tranquility of our idyllic atmosphere. Anna Schmitt, Channel 5 News, at the Old Castle."
The camera lingers briefly on the pale face of the young caretaker giving his statement to a police officer, and before the image shifts back to the smiling host in the studio, a small, tarnished medallion can be seen fingering in his hands.
"Thank you, Anna. We remind you that the castle will be closed to the public today due to an investigation..."
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