One

"Good work Ruby," DI Mooney said as the Saint Marie Police team entered the office. He handed JP the Ziplock bag of evidence. "Get that in the safe ready for the trial," he added. "Ruby if you want to start writing up the report that would be great." She nodded and headed to her desk to begin the report. Florence and Jack stood by the board and began to rub out their notes, clearing it ready for the next job.

There were heavy footsteps on the veranda outside the office and the Commissioner entered. Ruby scrambled to her feet and JP jolted up from where he was crouched down by the safe. "Commissioner," he muttered. Jack and Florence turned around.

"Ah Commissioner. Excellent. I was just congratulating Officer Patterson on an excellent effort on a case. She provided a lot of the hard evidence we needed," DI Mooney explained. The Commissioner glanced at his niece and nodded appreciatory.

"That is good to hear but that's not why I'm here. I would like you and Officer Hooper to head down to the University of Saint Marie. There are two final year students I would like you to talk to," he handed a piece of paper to the inspector with the names written on them. He paused. "I think you will understand why when you get there," he added. He nodded once and headed out the door. "Oh, and if you go now you'll be able to catch them at the end of the exam they have."

"Of course, Commissioner," Jack responded as he left. He shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Right JP get the bike ready and let's go."

JP headed out the door and down the steps to the bike. "Florence, any major problems call us," he said. She nodded, and he followed JP down the steps.

The University was only a ten-minute drive from the station. JP parked up the bike as his mobile went. "It's Florence," he said darting to the side to take the phone call. Jack nodded and headed into the main reception. He walked up to the desk.

"Hello. DI Mooney," he said. "I'm here to talk to some of your students," he told the receptionist.

She looked very taken aback. "That was quick," she said.

"What do you mean?" Jack asked.

"Well I've only just got off the phone to the police," she explained quickly. Jack frowned. "You don't know do you?" she asked. Jack looked blank as JP walked in holding his phone up.

"There's been a death Boss," he said. Jack looked from the receptionist to JP.

"Let me guess," he said quickly putting the pieces together. "Here?" he asked. JP nodded. He turned back to the receptionist. "I suppose my initial reason for my visit can wait. Can you show us the way?" he asked. She nodded and stepped out from behind her desk. She led the way down to the science laboratory. She pointed at a door at the end of the corridor.

"It's in there," she said. She smiled and JP thanked her. She hurried back to reception while JP pushed open the science lab door. Inside were four anxious student and their lecturer. There was also the victim.

"JP do what you can to preserve the scene until Florence and Ruby get here with the equipment," Jack said. He nodded.

"We can probably help you with anything you need," a girl's voice piped up. Jack turned his attention to the only girl in the room. She stood out not just for being the only girl but also from her colourful hair. Threaded through her red hair was some rainbow string. She was sat atop one of the work benches.

Jack frowned. "Sorry. I don't understand," he asked her.

She smiled. "This lab is the Universities forensic labs. We are all studying forensics. If you need any equipment, we can probably find it in one of our cupboards," she explained carefully.

Jack nodded. "Alright then. Thank you… urm…"

One of the boys elbowed her and chuckled. "It's spelt like Kayla but pronounced Kyla," she said rolling her eyes and gently kicking the boy in the side.

"Well thank you Kyla," he said. "But for now, if you could wait outside while we sort out in here, then we can ask you a few questions." Kayla slid off the workbench and started walking out, followed by her lecturer and most of her classmates.

"Wait, what about our assessment? Are we going to be able to finish it?" the boy asked.

"Shut up Dan! Charlotte's dead. Right now, that is more important than our assessment," a different boy responded angrily.

Dan scowled but reluctantly followed the others out. Jack sighed and turned back to JP. "What have we got then?" he asked.

JP looked up. "Urm…," he grabbed the nearby coursework. "Charlotte Endler, she's urm… 20 years of age. There are signs that someone tried to give CPR, but there is also a blue tinge to the skin which suggests poisoning."

The door reopened and Florence and Ruby walked in, Ruby with the forensic kit. "Right. Well, collect what you can including her assignment kit. We don't know what killed her, but she seems too young for it to be some sort of heart condition. Florence, let's go interview the rest of the students."

Florence nodded and led the way out whilst JP and Ruby bagged the evidence.