The inspector drew his lips together and shook his head. “No, and I don’t think it ever will. I’ll probably always carry a dull ache around with me. I know she was my mother and not my wife, but we lived together for so long. She was my soulmate. And that’s why I feel a piece of me is missing.”
Keya glanced at the names on the board and wondered which of them felt they’d lost part of their soul when Daisy died.
Keya realised again that even simple tasks were going to be challenging with only one arm working correctly. But finally she worked out a system whereby she used her right arm to place her left hand on an envelope, which provided enough pressure to allow her to slit the envelope open.
The first card she slipped out of its envelope had a giant colourful cake on the front and inside Happy Birthday had been crossed out and her employees at the cafe had each written encouraging notes. She even recognised the names of several regular customers who’d added their get well wishes.
The Wimsey family, Dotty, and Aunt Beanie, with Norman and Uncle Cliff’s names inside, had also sent her upbeat cards with encouraging messages. She arranged them on her desk.
The rest of the team ate sandwiches for lunch while Keya and Inspector Sue shared a portion of asparagus and pea risotto served with a side salad.
“That do you?” asked Inspector Evans as Keya pierced the last pea in her brown cardboard takeaway container.
“Yes, sir. Delicious, and a welcome alternative to hospital food. But now I guess I’d better earn it.”
“Solve this case and I’ll buy everyone afternoon tea at your cafe.”
Ryan and Warren looked delighted by the prospect, but Sujin warned, “But don’t feel under pressure, Keya. You can’t force the truth, and none of us wants you to have a relapse.”
“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.
