The Mysterious Affair at Styles

Arthur struggles to process the clues as Poirot barrels ahead with his investigation. Arthur is convinced that the poison was delivered in Emily’s cocoa, but Poirot insists on examining the coffee cups and occupies himself with who does and does not take sugar with their coffee. All eyes are on Alfred Inglethorp, still generally considered the prime suspect by his adoptive family.

Alfred will be the subject of an inquest. The family learns that Alfred received an urgent but mysterious summons from Emily just before her death and that Emily annually rewrote her will. Her last will, giving her estate to John and her fortune to Lawrence, was made null and void by her marriage to Alfred.

Having seen a bit of turned earth near the fireplace in Emily’s room and the word “possessed” written in practice on a piece of scrap paper, Poirot has the ingenious idea to question the gardener. Indeed, the gardener confirms that he witnessed a new will written by Emily on the afternoon of Emily’s death—this presumably is the will that was burned in the fire soon after. Emily’s lawyer is astounded.

Evie Howard passionately expresses to anyone within earshot her belief that Alfred Inglethorp is guilty of the murder.