Fourth Floor Common Room, Wednesday Night, With Extra Grey Cells

[onapalebicycle]

Today, the fourth floor common room was not, in fact, the fourth floor common room. It was, rather, the scene of a murder.

The deceased -- a rather unfortunate looking stuffed animal -- lay just there, behind the sofa.

The police were stumped. The police, they saw and they observed, but they did not use the little grey cells, mon amiThe police

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[willbethenight]

Bruce didn't often go to the fourth floor common room, but his shirt was missing a button and it wasn't anywhere on the fifth floor. The last time he wore this one, he had been on this floor, so it was time to look for it.

He hadn't expected to walk into a crime scene. "Is something going on here?"

[onapalebicycle]

"But of course," Hercule Poirot said, regarding the newcomer with a professional eye. "The police, they have made no progress in their investigations. Hercule Poirot, he lends his services. Come in, Monsieur. There are questions that Poirot must ask."

[willbethenight]

"... What kind of questions?" Bruce asked, stepping into the room.

[onapalebicycle]

"Alors," Poirot said. "Come. Sit down, my young friend. You will unburden yourself, and permit Papa Poirot to assist you, non?"

Poirot's eyes were kindly, as though he knew that Bruce was concealing something -- not murder! Merely something unfortunate. Confession was good for the soul.

[willbethenight]

"That might happen," Bruce said, taking a seat. "You did say 'Papa', right?"

[onapalebicycle]

"Mais oui," Poirot said. "I am not one of your clergymen, no, but Papa Poirot has heard a great many confessions. His supplicants find they rest easier once they have, as you say, bared their chests."

Poirot's English was spotty, now and again, but the message was clear nonetheless.

[willbethenight]

"So you don't realize that you're actually a girl," Bruce said, cutting to the chase. "I've been through something similar. I promise not to take any pictures."

"... And I'm not baring my chest. I haven't done it for no good reason at a welcome picnic and I'm not doing it for you."

[onapalebicycle]

It was thankful that Poirot did not know of what his young friend spoke, with chest-baring of the quite literal nature. He and Hastings did not have that kind of relationship, merci.

"Tell me," Poirot said, taking a seat and hoping to seem the nonthreatening, silly little man that too many mistook him for being. "The police, they say you have no alibi for the murder. They say you were alone all evening, though your maid does not recall you being at home. Is this still the story you wish to keep?"

[willbethenight]

"I keep to myself," Bruce said. "And the maid isn't trustworthy. I caught her stealing two months ago. She has it in for me."

[onapalebicycle]

"Indeed," Poirot said. "I did sense that this maid, she does not like you overly well. Do you believe she is attempting to, as they say, frame you? Or does she simply enjoy the uncomfortable position you now find yourself to be in?"

[willbethenight]

"I think she mistakes what I find uncomfortable," Bruce said. "I appreciate a good interview every now and then."

[onapalebicycle]

"Ah, bon," Poirot said. "The innocent man has nothing to fear from the police, n'est-ce pas? But it is not only the guilty who fear interrogation, my young friend. Some hide secrets far more innocent than murder, but cling just as tightly."

[willbethenight]

"Everyone around here has a few secrets to hide. I'm not so special there," Bruce said.

[onapalebicycle]

"Mais oui," Poirot said. "Now. The deceased. You were shown his picture, were you not? And you informed the police that you had never seen him before."

[willbethenight]

Bruce looked at the stuffed animal. "Completely unfamiliar with him. Was he a student here?"

[onapalebicycle]

"No," said Poirot, oblivious to the fact that he was inside of a school. He happened to think this was a lovely beach. Perhaps that was an expression with which he was unfamiliar? "No, we have not determined why he was in this room, at the time of his death. The police believe he was engaged in criminal activity. Possibly drugs."

Poirot watched the young man's face carefully, to see if his face would betray any emotions.