WhenRexFortescuedieswhilesittingathisdeskintheCity,it'sdeterminedthathewasinfactpoisoned.Hewasmarriedtoamuchyoungerwife,whonowstandstoinherit.HissonPercival,apartnerinthefamilyfirm,wasadisappointmenttohimandadaughter,Elaine,hasn'tamountedtomuch.Anotherson,Lance,hadafallingoutwithhisfathermanyyearsbeforeandrelocatedtoEastAfrica.Hesuddenlyappearssoonafterhisfather'sdeathclaimingthattheyhadreconciledandbeeninvitedbyhimtoreturntoEnglandwithanoffertorejointhefirm.MissMarpletakesaparticularinterestinthecasewhenherformermaidGladys,nowworkingintheFortescuehousehold,isalsomurdered.ShesoonlearnsthattheelderFortescuehadreceivedveiledthreatsforsometimeandthattheymighthavesomethingtodowithalongagobusinessdealthatmadehisinitialfortunebbb