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Having a cute dog was the best way to start conversations with strangers. It worked for singles looking for a date. It worked for people new to town and wanting to expand their contacts. And it worked for people like Rarity, who was looking for information to solve a cold case. Rarity stepped closer to the older woman. She looked familiar. Maybe she’d been in the store. “I’m Rarity Cole from Sedona, and this is Killer. I’m sorry, have w e met before?”

The woman dropped her eyes and rubbed Killer’s head before retreating behind the counter. “I do n’t think so.”

Rarity noticed she didn’t introduce herself. Weird. Especially since she’d been so open and friendly at the beginning. She took another look and realized that she’d been part of the pets on parade group that visited the extended care facility with Gretchen’s group. “I believe I have seen you before. I don’t think we met, but we both volunteered at the Sedona Memory Care with the dogs.”

The woman lifted her gaze from the computer screen. “That’s right. I did see you there when I was leaving. Sorry, I don’t get out much. My dad owns the bookstore but he’s not doing well, so I work here, a lot. So unless you’re a customer here, I probably do n’t know you.”

“Oh, I think I met your dad the last time I was here. Arthur, right? He showed me a copy of The Hobbit and talked me into buying it.” Rarity continued chatting, hoping she’d find a way to casually weave in a question or two about the missing books from Marilyn Ender. “I’ve never bought a rare book before. I’m going to put it up on a shelf in my bookstore. I own the Next Chapter in Sedona. Have yo u been there?”

“A couple of times when I was in town.” The woman busied herself scanning through the inventory on her computer. “I didn’t realize that book had been sold. Dad’s good still at developing new bibliophiles. We should make up stickers or T-shirts to give out to those like you who are new to the hobby of collecting books. Are you looking to get the rest of the series? We don’t have anything now, but we always have new sto ck coming in.”

“Yes. I was hoping to find the next book. The Fellowship of the Ring . I loved those books growing up.” Rarity pulled out a card and pushed it toward her on the desk. “If you have a recommendation, I would like to buy something for the shop. Maybe a few books. Like a mystery or a fantasy. That way, I can use them to decorate the area where the current books in that genre would be located. Oh, I know, an old Nancy Drew woul d be perfect.”

This time, the woman coughed.

Rarity looked up from checking on Killer, who seemed to be sleeping, ignoring the humans talking around him. “I’m sorry, are you okay?”

“It’s been a stressful time here with Dad and all,” she said. She sipped her coffee. “Sorry, I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Daisy. I’ll keep an eye out for something special for the bookstore. Do you have a price range?”

“Nothing over a grand. I’m not doing that well.” Rarity smiled as she glanced at her watch. “Anyway, I need to finish my errands in town. I rarely get into Flagstaff, so they all stack up. It was nice to meet you, Daisy. I mean, again. Will you be at the next pet night at the nursing home?”

“I’m not sure yet. D ad, you know…”

Rarity nodded. “My boyfriend’s going through the same thing with his dad. He’s younger than Arthur, but I’m afraid it’s not looking good.”

The woman blanched even whiter. Who was Daisy? And why did everything Rarity said seem to ca use her stress?

When Killer and Rarity were back in her Mini Cooper, she paused a minute, thinking about what had happened. Daisy had recognized her, or at least her bookstore, so why pretend she didn’t? Or was there another reason Daisy hadn’t wanted to make a connection with Rarity? Everything Rarity did added more questions to her long and getti ng longer list.

She texted Archer and asked if he’d known Daisy. As Rarity sat in the car, staring at the bookstore entrance, she got a text from Shirley. Hey, you have a package here. It’s m arked personal.

Rarity glanced at the clock. She could make it back to Sedona before Shirley closed up shop if she put the nursing home visit off unti l another day.

Curiosity got the better of her, and she texted Shirley that she was on her way but coming from Flagstaff. What was the saying, a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush. And she had a feeling that maybe the package was another one of Archer’s books. What else would she be getting m arked personal?

She turned on the engine, turned up the tunes, and headed out of town. The first item on her list, before she got too far from civilization, was stopping and getting lunch. And a large soda. And a bottle of water for Killer. Rarity carried a collapsible bowl in the car for him. She would eat in the park down the street from the drive-in, and then take Killer for a short walk before heading home. Maybe she needed some walking time to put what she’d learned today into perspective. Or at least clear her thoughts.

When she got back to Sedona and the bookstore, Shirley was alone in the shop. She visibly relaxed as Rarity stepped in the doorway. “Oh, good, you’re here. Kathy’s coming to get me. We’ve got a meeting with the nursing home administrator and social worker. I hope they aren’t going to tell me they’re kicking George out. The nearest one to Sedona is Flagstaff. I don’t want to be on that road all the time.”

Rarity wondered if Drew was going to be at the meeting as well. Maybe he had cleared George of the killing. Rarity didn’t want to think about who was next on Drew’s list. And she didn’t want to bring it up to Shirley.

She was saved from both by the bell over the front door ringing and Kathy walking into the shop. “Oh, hi Kathy. Here to claim your mother?”

“I got back from the nursing home and talked with the business manager. That woman is sloppy for a bookkeeper. Dad’s account is all over the place.” Kathy shook her head and looked around the bookstore for Shirley. She didn’t seem happy. “Anyway, that’s not your concern. As far as my mother, if I’d had my way, she would stay home for a few weeks at least. You know this has to be hard on her. Having Dad accus ed of murder.”

“And you know I’m standing right here. Able to think and make my own decisions for my life.” Shirley rolled her eyes as she came out of the back room, holding her oversized bag. She turned toward Rarity. “I’ll see you tomorrow at six for the meeting. This one is heading to the airport tomo rrow morning.”

“Leaving so soon?” Rarity asked and got a glare from Shirley. Kathy pretended not to notice her m om’s reaction.

“I’ve got to get back home. The laundry or dishes probably haven’t been done since I left the house. My husband gets overwhelmed with the kids.” She picked up a book on the royal family. “I’ve been meaning to read this. Can you ring it up fast for me? I don’t want to be the reason we walk in late.”

Rarity rang up the book and gave Kathy her mom’s employee discount. When she told Kathy the total, she frowned. “Was that on sale?”

“I gave you your mother’s discount. No worries.” Rarity smiled as she took the credit card and completed th e transaction.

“The package is in the break room on the table. I’m sorry to leave before finishing the closing tasks, but I’ll come in early tomorrow if there’s something that needs to be done.” Shirley ran a finger down the closing list. “Although I’ve already completed several of these within the last hour.”

“Come on, Mom, I’m parked out front.” Now Kathy waite d at the door.

Shirley sighed and nodded to Rarity. “See you tomorrow. Call me if you don’t find something or need a better explanation. I’ll be home tonight.”

When the door closed, Rarity let out a long sigh of relief. “Those two are filled with familiar angst. Everyone’s having family problems. Archer and Dana. Shirley and Kathy. And Arthur and his daughter. Good thing it’s the two of us, r ight, Killer?”

But the little dog didn’t answer. He was already asleep in his bed by the fireplace. Taking a road trip with Rarity had been too much for the Yorkie. Rarity went into the back room and grabbed the envelope.

The contents and weight felt like a book. Rarity felt a bit of excitement. She carefully opened the packet, and an ornate journal fell out of the padded envelope. She opened the pages carefully. The pages were blank. It was just a nice journal.

She glanced into the envelope again, and a sheet of paper fell out. She picked it up off the counter. Be sure to write down all your new adventures. K.

Rarity examined the return address. Nothing she recognized. It had been sent from Denver. Who did she know in Denver with a first initial of K who would se nd her a gift?

She sank on the stool she kept behind the counter and stared at the journal. The answer to her question was nobody. She didn’t know anyone who lived in Denver. And she wasn’t expecting any gifts fro m anyone else.

The bell over the door rang and two women walked in, chatting. Rarity tucked the journal and note back into the envelope and put it under the counter. She wasn’t about to take on any more mysteries. Not until she found the answers to the two, or more, mysteries already front and cente r in her life.

No, today she was a bookseller. She’d put on her sleuthing hat tomorrow night during the book club meeting. She focused on the two women and their banter. “So how can I help you find your perfect read?”

* * *

Rarity kept her bookseller focus on right up until the Tuesday Night Sleuthing Club opened the next evening with a pan of Shirley’s brownies on the table. The smell of deep, dark chocolate filled the room. One of these with black coffee could keep you up for days, but the insomnia was worth the price of the treat. Rarity watched as her friends chattered while everyone got settled. There’d been no book discussion scheduled this week. Their nonsleuthing members had called off after the last meeting. As one would expect in a small town when a murder investigation was going on and the club was involved, everyone knew what they were doing. Add in Jonathon’s attendance, and the chance of the group only talking about a book was slim to none.

Everyone had their notebooks out and a pen in hand. It was time to evaluate the clues. Rarity turned the discussion to Shirley first. “What happened in the meeting at Sedona Memory Care yesterday? Can y ou update us?”

Shirley had taken the last bite of her brownie. She held up one finger as she washed the treat down with coffee. “Sorry, you took me by surprise. The meeting was civil. They aren’t kicking George out. The doctor and the charge nurse both believe that there is no indication that George is violent now or since he’s been in the facility. Poor Kathy broke down in tears. She’d been more worried than I’d realized about what might happ en to her dad.”

“Drew got the report from the nursing home this morning,” Jonathon confirmed. “He’s not as convinced as George’s medical providers, but he’s willing to be open minded.”

“Well, George didn’t kill that awful man, and Drew might need to work harder to find out who did.” Shirley stared at Jonathon then continued. “Sally wants us to know that William Jully’s memorial is being held at the Christian church in Flagstaff on Thursday at ten. If anyone wants to come. She’s having a hard time finding friends and fami ly to invite.”

No one said anything.

“The social worker told her that she was working that day and would be unable to attend. Right there, during the meeting. I guess she works part-time at the Flagstaff facility.” Shirley brushed off her hands and grabbed the afghan she w as working on.

“Jully worked at the Flagstaff home before coming to Sedona,” Rarity added. “Gretchen from the animal shelter knew him from there. She said he was horrible there like he was in Sedona. I wonder if the social worker knew hi m from there?”

Shirley shrugged. “I would assume so. Members of the admin team seem to work together. At least they do at the Sedona home. Do you want to take a ride tomorrow and see if there is anyone besides the social worker there willing to chat for a minute about the guy? I need to visit anyway in case I need to move George in the future if any other e pisodes occur.”

“After Mommy and Me, that would be great. Katie can hold down the fort while we’re gone.” Rarity paused before turning to the whiteboard. “Moving George is your cover story, right?”

Shirley smiled and nodded. “I know what to say without jeopardi zing the case.”

Jonathon held up his hand. “I’ll write here tomorrow. I haven’t been hanging out mu ch this trip.”

Rarity wrote on the whiteboard, Find out more about William Jully when he worked at Flagstaff Extended Care. “Anyone else have any reports or inform ation to give?”

Holly raised her hand. “I found the final probate report on Ruth Agee. Once probate is completed, the court documents are public record. She died on November third and her estate was distributed last month. She didn’t have relatives, but there were some charity bequests and a late-in-the-game change. She left a good amount of her estate to William Jully. The new will was signed by Ruth in October and notarized by the business office manager at Sedona Memory Care, McKenzie Jones. I wonder if she knew her boss was coming into a windfall. Or if she only notarized th e signatures.”

The group looked at each other. Finally, Malia stood to get another brownie. “We’re saying someone who was charged with caring for the elderly instead befriended them, then got them to change their will so they could gain financially when someone passed on? Or worse, when Jully pushed them into their next reality? He was a Dr. Death. Right he re in Sedona.”

“Potentially a Dr. Death,” Jonathon pointed out. “I don’t think anyone’s upset enough about his death to try to protect his legacy. But there coul d be someone.”

“Like Lizzy Hamilton. I’m not sure she’s put together enough to pull off a lawsuit.” Rarity nodded at Holly. “Anything else ab out the will?”

“Something weird, not about a will. It was about Lizzy Hamilton. Her sister filed for conservatorship, saying that Lizzy isn’t fit to handle her own affairs.” She looked around the group. “The judge asked to talk to Lizzy directly and the interview is going to happen this Friday.”

“Wait, Lizzy thinks she’s getting sprung from the facility, but really, this sister is clamping down tighter on her ability to get out.” Rarity shook her head. “I’ve talked to Lizzy. I’m not sure she could survive in the real world. She’d fall for the first scammer who told her that he loved her.”

“Maybe she did?” Jonathon was writing in his notebook.

Rarity set the marker down. “Jonathon, do you want to share with the rest of the class?”

He shook his head. “Not yet. But I’m beginning to think that Lizzy’s the clue here. Or the tip of the iceberg. Who’s going to the funeral with me on Thursday?”

Holly shook her head. “I’m working nights. I’l l be crashed.”

“Funerals freak me out.” Malia crossed her arms in front of her. “Not I, said the red fox.”

Rarity saw the answer on Shirley’s face. She didn’t want to go. Jonathon nodded when Rarity met his gaze and she wrote their names on the board.

She glanced around the room. “Anything else we should be looking into?”

“I’m going to go talk to Terrance and find out why Drew thinks he’s a good suspect. I know he didn’t like Jully because of the way he treated the residents. But maybe there’s something more. Something more direct.” Shirley didn’t look up from the crocheting project in her lap. “I couldn’t go when Kathy was here, but I can go now. I trust Terrance and I don’t think he killed anyone.”

“Now we have to prove that and find out who did kill Jully. I think the suspect pool is opening up a little. Drew needs to do a deeper dive into Jully and his history.” Rarity glanced at Jonathon. She didn’t want to be the one to tell Drew that he was looking at the wrong suspects. But it wasn’t fair for Jonathon to have to be the Drew whi sperer either.

The smile on his face proved to Rarity that even though Jonathon didn’t read minds, he did have a little insight into people. And he’d understood her look. Jonathon’s insight was a lot like the amazing Kresto, who performed at kids’ birthday parties all over Sedona. The magician even had a little bunny that lived inside his black top hat. At least it did dur ing the party.

If only solving a murder was as easy as a magic trick. And killers were simple to pull out of a hat, like Kresto’s bunny.

Rarity looked at her meager list on the whiteboard. There was one more thing. Something she’d heard at the festival. “We need to talk to Sally and try to find out what she thought she was hiding when she threw away that file a nd from whom.”

If the woman would even consider telling her the truth. From what Rarity could see, Sally was all about herself and her job. If she thought the secret would destroy her memory care center, she would hold it forever. Or at least until someone with authority asked. Authority was the one thing Rarity didn’t have. And something that Sally would never give up. Even during a casual conversation with someone consi dered a friend.