Chapter 1: The Unraveling Mystery

The tragic discovery of two friends, Lucien Perot and Olivier Boudin, unfolded on August 3, 2017, when their lifeless bodies were found at the dinner table. The 69-year-old Lucien and his 38-year-old companion appeared to have been enjoying a meal together when they abruptly lost their lives.

Authorities initially suspected food poisoning, yet investigations revealed no evidence to support this theory. As the police delved deeper, they sought out any possible enemies or individuals who might have wished harm upon the pair, but turned up empty-handed.

As rumors spread through the quaint French village of Authon-du-Perche, many speculated about the circumstances of their deaths. Questions arose: Was it a murder? Did one friend kill the other before taking his own life? Or could the food itself have been tainted?

The community was captivated by the mysterious nature of the incident. Residents began to wonder if someone had poisoned the meal. To address these concerns, the meal was sent to the Pasteur Institute in Paris for analysis, but the results were disappointing—no toxic substances were detected.

Olivier was found lying face up on the ground, while Lucien remained slumped in his chair, their plates barely touched. There were no visible injuries, nor did the scene suggest any struggle had taken place.

Their relationship was akin to that of a father and son, marked by a deep bond that often flourished over shared dinners. The crime scene held a haunting stillness, leaving investigators perplexed as to what could have simultaneously claimed the lives of both men. They began to consider a murder-suicide scenario.

As the investigation progressed, a neighbor reported having seen the men in their unusual positions earlier that day. She had initially assumed they were simply intoxicated. It wasn't until later in the afternoon that she sensed something was amiss and alerted the authorities.

“At first, I thought they must have been really drunk to still be sleeping. Then, when I saw Lucien still seated at the table a bi