“Yes, it’s much easier going back down to the village.”

“OK. After you’ve provided your contact details, and as long as you do so quietly.” She emphasised the last word. “I don’t want everyone rushing off before we’ve spoken to them.”

But glancing around the stones, Keya thought those who’d wanted to leave already had, and everyone else looked settled and seemed to be savouring the scene playing out before them.

Keya and Ryan made their way slowly around the ring of stones, speaking to the people sitting quietly inside them. Keya discovered they’d come from all over the country. A lady called Deb, and her friend Liz, had travelled down from Durham. They told her they used to visit Stonehenge, but it was too busy now and they preferred the more relaxed atmosphere at the Rollright Standing Stones.

A woman called Bethany, who was accompanied by her sister, had even brought her seven-month-old baby boy with her. Keya marvelled as he slept peacefully in the fabric carrier strapped to his mother’s front.

At the far end of the stone circle, by the largest misshaped stone, was Aunt Beanie. Gilly and Doreen were sitting on a blue and green checked picnic blanket and a young man with dark-blonde hair was slumped in a green camping chair.

Aunt Beanie approached Keya and said, “I don’t think you should speak to Theo near Doreen. She was very upset when she saw him, and I think she blames him for her daughter’s death.”

Keya glanced over at the small party beside the large stone.

“Can I come back to you? I want to make sure we speak to everyone who was here overnight, not that they have much to say. Nobody witnessed Daisy arguing with anyone, nor did she seem upset, worried, or angry. Everyone says she joined in the merriment until, feeling tired, she retired to sit down by the stone.”

“And once it was dark, we only saw shadows and inconspicuous movements. Nobody appeared concerned about Daisy, and it was only after sunrise and when the celebrations had started that anyone realised Theo was panicking because he couldn’t wake Daisy.”

Aunt Beanie glanced across at the slumped man and added, “That’s when I went over to try to help. But as soon as I touched Daisy, I knew she was dead.”

There was muttering in the crowd, and Keya and Aunt Beanie watched as the brown- suited figure of Inspector Evans pushed his way through. His rugby player build came in handy on these occasions. He was followed by three uniformed police officers who Keya recognised but didn’t know personally.

Inspector Evans spoke to the officers, who approached members of the crowd, notepads and pens at the ready.

“I better brief the inspector,” Keya said. She strode across the centre of the stone circle, skirting the glowing embers of the fire, and stepped out to meet her boss. Once again, she felt an almost palpable relief at being outside the ring of stone.

“Having yourselves quite a party?” Inspector Evans commented. “But at least you erected a cordon.”

“Actually, that was Dr Reid, chairman of the heritage committee, and Dora, the committee’s secretary. But a lot of people have trampled around the crime scene, and some left before I got here,” Keya replied.

“Is it a crime?” asked the inspector.

“We’re not sure. Sujin is examining the body in situ.” And then Keya went on to explain who the victim was, and what she’d found out since she’d arrived. “And Constable Ryan is still taking statements.”

Keya watched Ryan as he spoke to a woman whose burgundy-coloured hair matched her coat.

“I’ll speak to Sujin first,” said the inspector, and he entered the stone circle. Reluctantly, Keya followed him.

Sujin had tipped the body forward and was examining Daisy’s back.

Keya and Inspector Evans waited.

After Sujin respectfully settled the body against the rough rock, he looked up and said, “I can’t tell you much, sir. And I haven’t been able to discover if she was deliberately killed, if this was an accident, or if she died from natural causes. We’ll have to wait for the results of the post-mortem.”

They heard a female voice call, “Coming through,” and two sage-green clad figures wheeled a stretcher towards Keya and the inspector.

“They’re here to take the body away,” Sujin said. He rocked back on his heels and added, “The evidence around the body is what you’d expect from an event like this. An empty crisp packet, an empty can of cider, and the end of a roll-up cigarette. I’ll examine them, and whatever else I find, back at the station. But now I need to help move the body.” Sujin stood up and raised his hand, which the lead ambulance worker acknowledged with a nod of her head.

Inspector Evans stepped away, towards the dying fire, and Keya followed him. Lowering his voice, the inspector asked, “Next of kin?”

“A mother. I don’t think she was here overnight, but when she saw the body, she became rather distressed. Gilly Wimsey is trying to comfort her. And the man in the chair near Aunt Beanie is the dead woman’s boyfriend. He was with her last night. They share a house in the village, and he runs the local mill.”

“Sir Anthony’s nephew?” enquired the inspector.

“I believe so,” Keya replied, wondering how the inspector knew the mill owner.

“And is there a father?”

“I don’t know, sir. Let me try to find out.”

“And while you do, I’ll speak to Constable Ryan.”

Keya and the inspector separated and Keya rejoined Aunt Beanie. “The inspector wonders if there is anyone else we need to inform about Daisy’s death?”

Aunt Beanie replied, “I heard Theo mutter about a father and a sister who I think live in the village. Do you know how much longer we’ll be?”

“I’m not sure.”

Keya returned to Ryan and Inspector Evans and said, “We think there’s a father and a sister living in the village. Would you like me to speak to them?”

“Yes, although they’ll probably already know about the death. Village gossip is more effective than any social media channel. But see how they are and what they know. If they’re too upset, contact Inspector Sue and see if she can act as our family liaison officer. In fact, I’ll call her myself and ask her to come over. We might need her help with the mother.”

“And Theo, the boyfriend?” Keya asked.

“Constable Jenkins can escort him back to the station, and can you ask Bernadette,” -which was Aunt Beanie’s formal name - “and Gilly Wimsey to join us there?”

“Can they go home to shower and change first?”

“Yes. Ask them to come to the station at two o’clock. That should give us enough time to speak to everyone we need to here, and in Lower Rollright.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Inspector Evans changed his mind and tasked another officer to accompany Theo to Cirencester Police Station. He sent Ryan with Keya, in her little blue Polo, to find Daisy’s father and sister.

Ryan pushed the passenger seat as far back as it would go and folded himself into it.

Dr Reid, who’d attached himself to Inspector Evans once he’d realised he was the lead officer, had told Keya that Daisy’s father and teenage sister lived on Barley Row, and to find it she should take the first turning on the left, up the hill, after the pub.

“Surely they’ll already know about the death,” Ryan said as Keya drove into Lower Rollright.

“I expect so, but some people actively avoid listening to or reading the news. And I can’t say I blame them. It’s usually depressing,” Keya replied.

Number 3 Barley Row was one of a line of five small, stone, terraced cottages. Unlike the others, there were no containers of flowers or hanging baskets outside. Just a worn and ripped mat that had probably once had ‘Welcome’ printed on it.

Keya used a metal door knocker to announce their presence.