A police constable rushed out of the police Mini and knocked twice on the door of 554C, Birch Street. Finding the door open, he entered and climbed up the stairs to find the famous duo awaiting his arrival. "Sir, Sergeant Marshall has asked for you. The Duke of Windsor has been murdered."He declared with a tensed expression. The police had more often than not seeked help from the detective and his companion. As cases got more typical and police was rendered helpless, they sought for the detective's expertise and were still learning to accept the dame's help.

"Finally, there it is!" Marren exclaimed rather overjoyed at finally having a mystery to dissect after a week of peace in London.Though, the case, a week of peace had bought him, made him a little forgiving of it. The dame had a stoic expression on her face, quite in contrast to Marren's inappropriately placed euphoria. His overjoyed expression made the constable rather uncomfortable and a little suspicious of him.It was typical of the constable to do so because as always, Marren's expertise was always needed at the station, but his presence wasn't really enjoyed.

"We will be there. I would suggest you to wait in the car." The woman stated in a cockney British accent. The constable knew better than to question and left the room, busying him with solving the mystery of 'The Detective and The Dame'.

"Well, that's always interesting!"Marren commented.

"He wouldn't mind a little less happy or even slightly sad."

"But, I will mind missing him defend my innocence and character to his juniors", Marren stated as the duo left the room.

Marren and the dame arrived at the scene of murder along with the police constable. It was the duke's residence, St. James Palace, his own bloody house where he met his end. The crime scene was a little different from the ones they had seen earlier.While, the familiar scent of chemical in the air, the gossiping servants and their whispering was all the same.There was a significant rise in the number of police constables and sergeants involved.The kin of the dead hadn't been wailing and weeping like they usually did. In fact, the composure with which the Dutchess stood in her black attire would make one mistake her for the murderer.

Of course, there was a rush surrounding the place as a member of the royal family were to visit the dutchess to pay his respects.But, amidst the hushed whispers and the hurried movements, one could clearly notice the fear buried in the heart of everyone.

"The man was murdered in his own bed, and at that, quite brutally. His body wasn't found till the next morning, he lied in the pool of his own blood the whole night. At the least, the event is very tragic.A brave man slaughtered like this, it is a shame to see that even though the war is ending, the slaughter doesn't end."Sergeant explained to Marren as they climbed up the stairs to reach the duke's bedroom. Marshall was a man in his late thirties. He was devoted to his duties and prided himself in being part of the police force. While, Marshall explained the details to Marren, the dame followed behind them.

The Duke's chamber was situated on the third floor of the palace. It was a dull grey room with high ceilings. It had a single window, that was bolted tightly and a ceiling fan with four blades which was still moving slowly. The bed was placed along one wall, which now had blood splattered over it, and opposite to it was the dressing table.

On reaching the bedroom, Marren quickly rushed towards the body to analyse its position while the dame turned to the sergeant for more details about the murder and the man who lay dead.

"How many people were present in the palace at the time of the murder?"The dame questioned the sergeant, still in her Cockney English accent and started scanning through the place.

"Oh! Hello, Ms.?" the sergeant paused and looked at the dame feigning an attempt at recollection.

"Ms. Wood." The dame replied with a look of acknowledgement. This wasn't the first time the sergeant had feigned forgetting the dame's surname.

"Now, how many people?" she said raising her head and moved towards the dressing table.