It was a damp, cold day in late June. Hastings sat on the grey sofa in Poirot's study. No one had spoken for a long time, as if choosing the right words.

" So, the English criminals are having the little day off uh?" Poirot snapped at last, knocking down the house of cards he had been building. Hastings was just about to reply but Poirot spoke again " I am sure even the Chief Inspected Japp has more cases than Hercule Poirot!"

" I say." Hastings gasped, who was now standing by the window.

" mon ami, what could you possibly be interested in when Poirot is..."

" What a car... I wander who's it is."

" And this is your English weather at its best?" Poirot smiled, looking down and the people in the street with their umbrellas and thick raincoats.

" A miss Swate to see you." Miss Lemon announced suddenly.

" Ah, show her in miss Lemon." He replied. " Perhaps you are right and the car is of interest."

" Your saying its hers?"

" ce sa."

From the hallway you could hear miss lemon telling the visiter to " step this way. He is in his office." Standing in the doorway stood an elegant young lady, in her twentys, blonde hair streamed down her back, the black dress suited her completion. " I say..." Hastings said, suddenly feeling a little dazed. Poirot gave him a sharp look. " sorry," He blushed.

" you must be mr Poirot? An your Captain Hastings." Hastings was surprised that someone knew he was

"Yes, i am." He spluttered.

" mademoiselle, what has brought to Hecule Poirot?" He said smiling.

" well, I was just scared, terribly scared! What should I do when my oldest friend has been murdered?"

" murdered? Oh, mademoiselle, that is most terrible, please to sit."

Miss Swate sat down and started to cry. " why would anyone want to kill her, I don't understand!?"

" Do the police know of this?"

" well yes, but they think it was Suicide! I just don't understand anymore."

" with what was she killed, I assume it was a woman?" " yes, Grace. Killed with a bullet in the head, found on the garden path this morning. You can find me at my house Rose Gardens, Doormont house,"

" merci, this is a thing most terrible and I will do anything that I can solve it."

" thank you, I must go."

" Good Lord, what a stunner!" Captain Hastings gaped.

" I see you still have the hankering for the glamorous young ladies!" Poirot sniffed and smiled. Hastings smiled back. Poirot looked himself up and down, " is it straight?" He asked himself, as he looked at his moustache. " we are making the short journey" with that he collected his hat and stick and with one hand behind him he walked out of the flat and approached the lift. Hastings soon joined him.

" you never seem to tell me where we are going. I have no idea, most if the time."

" my dear Hastings, be patient mon ami." Poirot called for a taxi and told the driver where to go.

" Ah, we are going to see the young lady, we don't want to get you too excited no?"

END OF CHAPTER 1 to be continued...