There was a muttering in the crowd and disgruntled voices as people parted to allow Gilly Wimsey through. As she ducked under the newly assembled police tape cordon, Dr Reid said authoritatively, “Stay back, this is a crime scene.”
“I know,” Gilly retorted, red-faced. “I’m the one who called the police.”
When Gilly reached Keya, she exclaimed, “I had to keep moving the sign. There are more cars coming rather than less, and watch out, one of those outdoor broadcasting lorries has turned up.”
Oh no, Keya thought. She’d soon have the press to deal with on top of everything else.
“Gilly, this is Mrs Skinner, Daisy, our dead girl’s mother. She’s understandably upset, but I need to …”
“Come with me, Mrs Skinner. I think we have some tea left in one of our flasks.”
“Please, call me Doreen.”
Doreen glanced back at Daisy before allowing Gilly to lead her away.
“Excuse me. Police. Please let us through,” Ryan nearly shouted, his frustration audible.
Keya watched his black police hat bob up and down and then he emerged from the crowd, carrying a black bag, and making room for the smaller figure of Sujin, who was wearing a protective white forensic suit. He was carrying another bag and pulling a black canvas case.
Reaching Keya, Ryan told her, “I’ve called the inspector and requested backup to deal with the crowd. And with the reporters. Someone poked a microphone in my face as I was helping Sujin get his stuff through the entrance gate.”
Ryan stopped for breath and looked at Keya. “Sorry. But it’s rather a circus out there.” He looked round the standing stones and breathed in. “But at least you have everything under control here.”
“That’s the locals, not me.” She glanced across at Dora and Dr Reid, who were securing the end of the police tape to an intact section of wooden fencing around the small wood at the side of the field.
“I can see it’s too late to ask you to put on a protective suit, Keya, but can you and Ryan at least cover your shoes?” Sujin held up some blue plastic shoe covers.
As Keya pulled them on, she watched Sujin open his canvas case. He removed a thin cylindrical object and then approached Daisy’s body. It was a torch, and he shone a beam of light into each eye before taking hold of her right wrist.
Returning to his canvas case, he said, “In the absence of a medical doctor, I can confirm our victim is deceased.”
“But not how?” asked Keya.
“No. The coroner’s office is on their way to collect her body, but perhaps you and Ryan can give me some space so I can try to find out.”
Keya was impressed. Despite having no sleep, or very little, Sujin was professional and business-like.
She nodded and said, “And we should start taking witness statements.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
As soon as Keya and Ryan moved away from the standing stone against which Daisy’s body was slumped, they were accosted by Aurora.
“Can we go now?” Aurora pleaded. She and her skinny black-haired friend, who hovered by her side, were both wearing blue tops with large yellow sunflowers printed on them. They had tasselled shawls round their shoulders and were both carrying wilted sunflowers. A rainbow-coloured bag was hanging from Aurora’s arm.
“We have to open the shop. And after this,” she swept her hand dramatically in front of her, “we’re going to be busy.” She didn’t quite manage to hide the note of excitement in her voice.
“We need to speak to everyone,” Keya replied, “but do you both live in the village?”
The two women nodded their heads.
“Then give your contact details to my colleague, Constable Ryan, and I’ll interview you both later.”
“So we can go?” Aurora asked hopefully.
Keya pulled at her chin. “Are you walking?”
“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.”
