First, thank you for taking your time to read this, even if you decide to not continue reading later on. It's still nice of you to take a peek.

Second, I'd like to clarify that this book has got NOTHING to do with the Hercule Poirot series, nor does it feature any of its characters. I just had to put this in something and I thought the Hercule Poirot series was the best it could do. Though the story is inspired of the Hercule Poirot series.

Reviews are appreciated (a lot), and Chapter 2 will be published immediately!

Happy reading!

"Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you, Richard

Happy birthday to you"

"Blow out the candles, my big boy!" exclaimed Madeline Arquios.

Richard Arquios did as he was told.

It was his 30th birthday and he was celebrating it with his sister Lily, his mother Madeline, his father Jeff, his older brother Alexander, his younger brother Thomas and his best friend Conor Tryair.

"Let's dance!" Conor Tryair shouted, and it wasn't long before everyone was dancing along to "Relax" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood and "The Power" by Snap!.

"A new book! Thank you so much, dad!"

"I knew you would like it. It's by your favorite author, Roald Dahl." Jeff Arquios said modestly.

"Here's my present, Richard, I hope you'll like it." said Thomas Arquios as he handed his gift to his brother.

"Now That's What I Call Music! 70! Thanks, little brother!"

"You can say Now 70, you know."

"Please, who cares what he calls it, Thomas!" Madeline Arquios scolded him. "Oh, and here's my present, Richard!"

"An encyclopedia! Thanks, mum!"

"You're very welcome."

"Here's my gift, brother" said Lily Arquios. "A £50 gift certificate!"

"That's not enough money, Lily!"

"What do you mean, it's not enough money? Don't get greedy, Richard!"

"I'm joking, Lily!"

"My present to you, Richard, and also to us!" said Alexander Arquios.

"Seven plane tickets to the USA! Brillant! Thank you so much, Alexander!"

"You're welcome. Besides, it's a present for all of us!"

"Even me?" asked Conor Tryair.

"Yes, even you, Conor." replied Alexander. "Now, where's your present?"

"Here it is. Happy birthday, Richard!"

"A dirt bike!"

S"Yes, but I have to put this somewhere else, don't I?"

"Of course!"

"Anyway, we're going on the 2nd of October 2008, two weeks from now."

"Okay!"

"Do you have to go now?" asked Richard to his friend.

"Yes, Richard, I have to go now. It was a great party! I'll see you tomorrow!"

"See you later!"

"Come on, Richard, I think we're all tired after our big day. Let's go to bed." said Madeline Arquios.

And so they did. And Richard Arquios fell fast asleep pretty quickly.

It was the middle of the night when Richard suddenly needed to go the toilet urgently, which was at the third floor. He couldn't see very clearly (in fact, he couldn't see at all in the darkness) but he could feel his way around very, very well. He climbed the stairs and opened the door. It was cold! He couldn't wait to get back to bed. But at that very second, he took a step forward and fell down.

He managed to grab the railing and suddenly realised that he was hanging on to dear life above the street. He saw someone (who he couldn't recognize) coming and thought he was going to be saved. But the stranger obviously had other intentions: he simply put a piece of paper in his hair and slowly made him lose his grip, letting Richard Arquios fall to his untimely death.

Dun, dun, dun!

So, Mr. Richard Arquios has been murdered, but who has done the dirty deed? Guess you'll have to wait and find out, won't you!

Also, at the end of each chapter, I'll give a fic suggestion and a song suggestion.

Now, turn the page!