“Well said, Sujin,” agreed the inspector, “but …”

“Dai,” Inspector Sue warned, using Inspector Evans’ Christian name. She gave him a look which clearly meant ‘drop it’.

The whole team drove to Lower Rollright.

Sujin took Ryan and Keya, and although Ryan had offered Keya the front seat in Sujin’s Skoda Yeti, she declined and climbed into the back. She squeezed in next to Sujin’s bags of crime scene investigation kit, regarding the large fishing net and hockey stick lying on the floor.

“What’s that metal rod?” asked Keya, as she carefully rested her feet on it, and noticed the metal cup on the other end.

“It’s for retrieving golf balls or, in my case, hard to reach pieces of evidence.”

They followed Inspector Evans, who had Inspector Sue sitting in the front seat of his car.

“Poor Warren. He looked petrified climbing into the back of the car with the two inspectors,” commented Ryan.

“At least he’s able to come. Poor Stan looked so disappointed at having to stay behind,” Keya replied. “Although I’m not confident this will resolve the case.”

As they drove past a pretty thatched cottage with a row of colourful flowers growing in front of a neatly trimmed hedge, Sujin said, “The final throw of the dice.”

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Dr Reid was waiting for them outside Lower Rollrights’s church hall. The hall and the church were located at the end of the lane which was also home to the Malt Shovel pub, Aurora’s shop and Daisy’s bakery.

“I’ve done as you requested. Dora’s inside setting up and Theo should be arriving soon with Doreen and Ashley. I also thought I should inform Sir Anthony, although I doubt he’ll come, and Dennis and Zoe, as they are Daisy’s family.”

Inspector Evans flattened his lips together in irritation.

“Cooee,” came a voice from behind them, and Keya turned to see Aurora advancing up the lane, followed by black-haired Viv. As Aurora reached them, she panted, “I saw the police cars. Is this about Daisy?”

“It is Mrs …”

“Call me Aurora, and this is Viv. I’m dying to know what happened,” and before anyone could stop them, the two women entered the single-storey stone church hall.

“My wife sends her apologies,” said Dr Reid, “but someone has to manage the shop.”

Dr Reid led the two inspectors inside the church hall and Keya was about to follow when she saw a cream van approaching. It parked beside the curb and Ashley Ricketts climbed out of the driver’s side, and Doreen out of the passenger side.

As Ashley approached Keya, she asked, “Is Theo not with you?”

“He’ll be here in a few minutes,” Ashley replied.

“He wanted to walk and clear his head,” Doreen added.

They all entered the hall, which had a raised stage at the far end. A circle of black metal chairs had been arranged on the varnished wooden floor.

Keya had the fleeting thought that they were all attending a seance, and that Daisy would speak to them through one of the attendees and identify her killer.

“Hi, Keya. How are you feeling?” Theo asked as he entered the hall and walked towards her. Although his face was flushed from his walk, he wasn’t sweating or out of breath.

“Better than Friday,” Keya admitted. “But I’ve only been allowed out of the hospital for the day. They say they want to keep an eye on me and make sure there are no complications.”

“So you’re better. No lingering side effects,” Theo said, sounding relieved.

“I wouldn’t say no side effects, but nothing permanent. I hope.”

Inspector Evans cleared his throat. “Can everyone sit down, please?” Taking the lead, he sat on a chair with his back to the stage, facing the door, with Inspector Sue seated next to him. He’d instructed Ryan to sit near the entrance door and Warren to remain beside the door which led through to the kitchen and the hall’s side door.

Keya and Sujin sat together, part way round the circle. Dr Reid, with Dora beside him, sat next to Inspector Evans, and Doreen placed herself next to Inspector Sue.

“Can we sit here?” Aurora asked, eyeing the empty seat beside Keya.

“Of course.” Keya smiled back at her.

Ashley sat on his own, opposite the Inspector, and Keya understood why the inspector had wanted the two constables guarding the doors. Ashley looked ready to spring up and make his escape.

Theo sat on his own, opposite Keya and Sujin.

“I think that’s everyone. Thank you for coming. I’m Inspector Evans from Cirencester Police Station. Most of you have met my colleague, Inspector Sue.”

“Hello,” Inspector Sue said.

“And Sergeant Varma, who you may not realise, is also a victim of this crime.”

Keya smiled ruefully and felt her cheeks burn.

“What happened to you?” Aurora whispered.

“I’m sure the inspector will elaborate soon,” replied Keya in a low voice.

The entrance door opened, and an unshaven Dennis Bentham entered, followed by Zoe, who was hiding behind him.

“Zoe, come and sit with us,” Aurora invited. She whispered something to Viv, who shuffled across to sit beside Ashley, leaving a free seat which Zoe hurriedly took.

Dennis slumped in a chair on the other side of Ashley, stretched out his legs, and folded his arms.

“As I was saying, thank you for coming,” repeated Inspector Evans. “We believe we now know how Daisy died.”

“I didn’t mean to kill her!” Doreen cried in a shrill voice.

The inhabitants of Lower Rollright all stared at her.

Inspector Sue whispered something in the inspector’s ear.

“Mrs Skinner, if you’ll just be patient, we’ll find out exactly what happened to Daisy. Let me introduce the other member of our team, Sujin Kerr, who is our crime scene and forensic expert.”

Sujin raised his hand in acknowledgement.