Jane and Richard have invited some of their closest friends to a dinner party at their estate house located on Beech drive. Of the guests invite was Mrs. Jarvis who arrived first. Mr. Tate arrived 15 minutes after Mrs. Jarvis. Stella Coleman and Edward Finnegan arrived together, third. Nicolette was the last to arrive, having come at 8pm on the dot. Each guest was greeted at the door by Victor, the butler, and escorted into the dinning room where they all sat at a large rectangular table. Their hosts were seated at each end of the table. The guests were seated in the order in which they came from the front of the table to the end.
Victor filled each glass with an expensive red wine before serving the meal. For dinner, the guests enjoyed a thick cut of steak, mashed potatoes, and asparagus. Nicollete was the only one who didn’t eat the steak because she is a vegetarian. Instead of steak, Nicolette opted for a garden salad with Ranch dressing. She offered her steak to Edward (whom she was sitting beside) but he declined.
During dinner, Stella accidentally knocked her glass of wine over, spilling it on the floor. Rather than have Victor get another, Edward offered his glass to her as he does not drink alcohol. Stella graciously accepted and took the wine. Edward drank the water that was placed beside each wine glass. When the meal was done, and the wine drank, the guests and their hosts retired to the sitting room. Mr. Tate excused himself for a short while to go out on the veranda and smoke a cigarette. Mrs. Jarvis asked to use the ladies room. Victor escorted her out of the room and down the hall.
Jane and Richard sat in two similar chairs on either side of a large fire place. A couch and two smaller chairs were located in the room, facing the hosts. Nicolette and Stella sat on the couch. Edward sat next to Stella. Nicolette glanced at Edward. Edward turned his gaze away and stared nervously at the fire place. Mrs. Jarvis returned and sat in the chair to the right of Jane. Mr. Tate returned and sat in the chair next to Richard. Stella placed her hand on Edwards hand and smiled at him. Edward smiled back, nervously. Nicolette watched the two carefully but not speak. Victor asked if there was anything anyone needed before he left to clear the dishes. When no one said they needed anything, he bowed and left the room.
Jane and Richard suggested that they all play a game of cards. Everyone agree and stood up to walk into the game room when Stella suddenly feeling dizzy, grabbed Edwards arm and fell into him. He laid her gently on the couch and where she began to go into convulsions. An ambulance was called and Stella was pronounced dead at 9pm. The police were then called to investigate. Each of the guests were questioned. Jane and Richard were both questioned as well as the staff.
During questioning, Victor began to feel ill and suddenly passed out. Minutes later he went into convulsions and soon after, he too was dead. The police investigator inspected the kitchen, the seating arrangements, the food that was prepared, and the drinks that were served.
He asked the staff what Victor had been doing right before becoming ill and they all stated that he had just cleared away the last dinner plate. The police investigator asked to see the plate, which was Nicolettes, and all that was left was a bone from her steak.
The police investigator announced that the two deceased people had been murdered and he was ready to make an arrest.
Who is the killer? How did they kill Stella and Victor, and why?
