Hercule Poirot - Murder in the Spotlight

Chapter Four - The Theories

Friday morning came.

Poirot woke, and made his way to the smoking room where the inspector was going over his notes.

'Morning Poirot.' he looked tired and Poirot wondered if he'd had any sleep.

'I've asked all the residents where they were at 7:30 to 8:30, that's when she must have been killed according to the doctor.'

He handed Poirot a list:

Adeline Macklin – In her room knitting, then ordered coco, verified by Emmeline and waiter.

Emmeline Macklin – In room with her Mother, verified by A.M and waiter.

Gerald Kerslake – In front lounge reading until 7:50, verified by Doctor from 7:40, had a stroll, seen by maid through window.

Doctor Baudwin – With us until 7:40, then in front lounge, verified by G.K until 7:50.

Hugo Constantine – In room smoking and playing cards

'We are excluding you and your friend, unless you feel he should be questioned.'

'No, I do not think that necessary. He caught a train to Cheswick this morning, to see some family.'

'So what are your views on the case my friend?'

Poirot, who had been as closed as an oyster so far in sharing his views on the case, put the list down and turned to the inspector.

'You wish me to summarize my little ideas? Very well. Christine Redlaw was poisoned. I was sitting near her and yet I was completely oblivious due to the beautiful sound of Mademoiselle Tipton. She was murdered during the show with twenty people also present! Now that mon amie is, alone, quite extraordinary. Therefore, the murder must have taken the form of some unsuspicious act, or it was done in such a way that twelve observant Policemen did not notice anything. We have taken it for granted that this maid, this Ellis, carried a mug of coffee containing cyanide to the lady. This ties in with her death. Possibly the murderer told her it was... let's say some medicine of a kind, and the maid was killed to prevent her speaking. But there is another possibility. There may have been something else in the drink, or more seriously, perhaps there was not.'

'Poirot!'

'You are surprised, my friend? And yet it has always struck me that the coffee was a most unlikely source for the cyanide. How could the murderer be sure she would order it? But I may be wrong.'

'Oh and I forgot to tell you Poirot,' the inspector said, suddenly remembering, 'we looked into all the occupants of the Hotel and none seem to be in any way connected to Albert Martin.'

'Now that's very interesting.'

'So Poirot, are we going to finish the interviews we began yesterday, we still haven't seen the young gentleman or the doctor.'

'Yes, yes, we must.'

The doctor was packing his bags when the attendant went and called him.

'Leaving Doctor?' the inspector asked.

'Yes, I feel most uncomfortable here now, with two murders and all.'

'Well doctor, it's not for me to advise you, but if I were you I wouldn't run off just yet, seems a bit suspicious don't you think? Tongues will wag doctor.'

'Why would anyone ever dream of accusing me inspector?'

'Doctor, you are not a cleared suspect.'