Dotty continued, “I hope it won’t be too technical, but we have been learning a lot of legal stuff.”

“Rather you than me,” said Gilly, pulling out the fourth chair and sitting down.

Millie arrived carrying a tray, and she placed cups and a teapot on the table. “Shall I get you two extra cups?”

Keya looked at her empty teacup before replying, “Yes, please.”

“So,” Gilly began. “The outdoor cinema evening. We’ve agreed on showing The Greatest Showman with sing-along subtitles.”

Aunt Beanie clapped her hands together and exclaimed, “Oh, what fun!”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Keya was the first member of her team to arrive at Cirencester Police Station on Friday morning.

She sat down at her desk and checked her messages. No more crop circles. That was a relief.

The following week she was handing out prizes at Shipton-under-Wychwood primary school’s sports day, and she had a meeting on Thursday morning to advise on security and policing arrangements for ‘The Big Feastival’, a local music and food festival.

It had grown into the largest of several music festivals, gaining popularity in the Cotswolds during the summer months, and was held annually on a farm near Kingham, in the north of the area. But more visitors meant more issues, from sunstroke, to drug and alcohol abuse, and violent disputes, particularly amongst the people who camped at the venue.

Next, she checked Daisy’s electronic case files and reread all her interview notes to see if there was anything she’d missed, or any points which felt out of place or didn’t ring true. There was nothing she could put her finger on.

She could speak to Daisy’s father, Dennis, again, as his interview had been extremely short, but what else could she learn from him? She needed to know how Daisy died before she could ask further questions.

She checked the post-mortem file. There was no update, and no blood test results.

Next, she checked Sujin’s forensic folder. She was starting to read about the results of the contents of the hand-rolled herbal cigarette when Sujin walked into the office.

“We’re playing at your cafe in a couple of weeks for your friend Gilly Wimsey’s birthday party. But why didn’t you ask me about the band performing?”

Keya looked up and said, “I was going to ask you why you hadn’t told me your band will be performing, so I suppose we’ve both been kept out of the loop. And I think the party’s a surprise, so don’t mention anything if Gilly is around.”

Keya sat back and looked at Sujin. She said, “I was railroaded into the event last night by Aunt Beanie, but now I’ve thought it over, it should be fun. The cafe is a great venue for a party and if this is a success, perhaps we can do more music evenings.”

“It would be fantastic to have another regular venue,” Sujin enthused. “We have a few monthly commitments and they’re gaining a real following.”

“We’re also holding a Greatest Showman sing-along open-air cinema event at the beginning of July if you’re interested?”

“Are you inviting me?” There was a twinkle in Sujin’s eyes.

“Yes, but not on a date or anything.”

Sujin’s face fell.

“What I mean is that I’ll be working, and so will Millie, but it doesn’t mean we can’t spend some time with you and Ryan.” Realising that sounded like a double date, she quickly added, “And with Dotty.”

Sujin inclined his head to one side and said slowly, “OK. Let me know the date and I’ll check if the band has any commitments.”

Keya wasn’t sure why, but her stomach clenched, and she felt as if she’d missed something. Why was she shying away from spending more time with Sujin? Especially after the lovely evening they’d spent together.

Quickly moving on, she said, “I was checking your notes on that cigarette you tested yesterday. I take it you found Daisy’s DNA on it?”

“Yes, hers and several others. Now its contents are interesting and that’s what I wanted to discuss with you.”

Sujin approached Keya’s desk, and she felt more comfortable now they were discussing work again.

“Two components of the herbal mixture are ginseng and aconite,” Sujin began.

“Which means what?”

“Ginseng is a common herbal remedy and has many positive effects including being an antioxidant and improving mental and physical activity for people who feel tired. But some people do suffer from negative effects from taking it, including headaches, insomnia, blood pressure fluctuations and rapid heartbeat,” Sujin explained.

“Do you think it could have killed Daisy?”

“Not from the little she consumed, but it could be a contributing factor. And then there’s aconite.”

“Isn’t that a poison?”

“It is.”

Ryan entered the room and slid quietly behind his desk as Sujin continued, “But some people take it to combat asthma, inflammation, or high blood pressure. Its side effects are severe and include nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulties, heart problems, and ultimately death.”

Keya considered what Sujin had told her. Nobody had mentioned Daisy vomiting, but she had felt the need to sit down. Had she suffered any more side effects? And had others smoked similar cigarettes? There hadn’t been reports of anyone else being seriously ill.

“But why Daisy? Not anyone else?” she asked out loud.

“Her cigarette could have contained more aconite than the ones other people smoked. Or she could have smoked others. One of my jobs today is to examine all the cigarette butts Warren separated from the main rubbish.” Sujin sounded dissatisfied.

“But you’re not certain this is the cause of death, are you?” Keya asked.

“I’m not saying it isn’t, and I’ve asked the lab to test specifically for aconite in her blood, but it just doesn’t sit well with me. I know that’s not very scientific,” he apologised.

“We’re strong on gut feeling in this team,” Keya encouraged him. “So if not the cigarette, what else?”

“That’s it. I’m fresh out of ideas. It’s so frustrating.” Sujin pushed his black-framed glasses up his nose.

“It’s not your fault,” Keya commiserated. “You can’t manufacture a reason. Just as I can’t make people tell me if they killed her. I’ve been through all the witness statements, and I’ve drawn a blank. I can’t find a single person who wanted Daisy dead.”

Silence filled the room and Sujin shuffled from one foot to another.

Ryan smiled and asked, “Do you want to know how the Volunteer Police Cadets went last night?”

“Yes,” Keya and Sujin chorused. Laughing, they looked at each other and Keya suddenly felt the world right itself.

“The inspector was surprisingly good,” Ryan started enthusiastically.