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Rarity’s phone rang at six the next morning, and she sat up in bed to answer it. “Drew, please tell me we’re not going on a hike this morning.”

“No, why would I call…” Drew paused. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. Anyway, Shirley asked me to call you. She’s talking to her daughter, Kathy. She won’t be a t work today.”

“Please don’t tell me that George passed on.” Rarity was instantly more awake, and she threw off the covers and went to the kitchen t o make coffee.

“George is fine. William Jully was found dead in his office. It looks like an overdose, but George was seen leaving his office last night after we all left.”

“When we stopped by his room, George was insistent that William had killed a woman named Ruth Agee. And that the man was sneaking into residents’ rooms at night.” Rarity let Killer out in the backyard and stood by the open door, watching him. The sun hadn’t risen yet, so the world was still in that predawn glow that happened b efore sunrise.

Drew swore. “George t old you that?”

“Me, Archer, and Terrance. Terrance calmed George down.” Rarity could see the top of her neighbor’s deck as she waited for Killer. “Terrance was g ood with him.”

“And there’s another problem. The night nurse told me that Terrance and the victim came to blows Friday night after we all left. She’d called and asked Terrance to come in and see if he could calm George down after he argued with Jully. Then, after Terrance got George to sleep, Jully found him in the hallway and ordered him out.” Drew paused for a second. “It’s never simpl e here, is it?”

“Terrance wouldn’t hurt anyone,” Rarity said. “You can’t think he went back and killed him ove r a fistfight.”

“People he doesn’t like seem to have a habit of getting hurt,” Drew muttered.

“What are you talking about?” Rarity felt shocked at Dre w’s statement.

“Rarity, I shouldn’t be telling you this, but Terrance was in a bar fight when he was in the service. He was lucky that he had a solid alibi for later that night since the guy was sent to the hospital. He was questioned, though. Now we have a similar situation except he was standing up for George. Terrance is a white knight with questionable tactics.” Drew blew out a long breath. “Of course, I might have done t he same thing.”

“Terrance and George are friends. Well, as far as George can be friends with anyone. Terrance said he helped him with the security system wiring.” Rarity sighed as she continued. “Of course, he was hiding knowing him from Shirley.”

“Which explains the disappearing act when Shirley walked toward us. Does she know he’s hanging out ther e?” Drew asked.

Killer came inside, and Rarity closed the door. “She knows he’s working there and that he has a friendship with George. She’s not happy about either. So why is Shirley at the home? You can’t believe that George killed someone. He was such a nice man before this whole th ing happened.”

“She’s helping with George. He got upset during questioning. Besides, you know I can’t discuss an open investigation with you.” He paused. “I’ll send my dad down to help you today with the teenagers’ event. H e’ll love me.”

After the conversation with Drew, Rarity went to pour more coffee. There was no way she was wasting emotion on William Jully. She’d only met him once, and he’d been a jerk then. She was also not going to worry about George. Drew knew that he wasn’t in his right mind but also that he wouldn’ t kill anyone.

She didn’t have to open the store until nine, so she went to her bedroom and grabbed a suit. She was taking a swim befor e she went in.

When Katie arrived at the bookstore later that morning, Rarity pulled her aside and told her about the nursing home administrator’s death. Katie blinked and glanced around the still-empty bookstore. “For such a small town, you guys have a lot of unexplained deaths or murders. I’m beginning to be a lit tle concerned.”

“I promise we’re not Cabot Cove.” When Katie stared at her, Rarity added, “The town in Murder, She Wrote . The tel evision show?”

Katie still looked b lank. “Sorry.”

“You realize now I feel old.” The show had been a favorite of her grandmother’s. Rarity went back to tracking her book order for the festival. “Never mind. That’s not your problem. Let me know if you need anything for t he book club.”

“And count me in for help as well.” Jonathon walked in with three coffees and a bag of chocolate croissants. “I l ive to serve.”

“You’re not Shirley, but I guess you’ll do in a pinch,” Rarity teased as she took the coffee tray from him and set it on the counter. “You’re here almost as much as my part-t ime employee.”

“And he’s great at intimidating the kids when they go off to find a dark aisle where they can make out,” Katie added as she grabbed her coffee. “I’m going to go set up t he club area.”

“I’ll be right over,” Jonathon called after Katie and then turned to Rarity. “That girl has too much energy. Did you talk to Archer about the boo k last night?”

“Yeah. And it did belong to his grandmother. She told him about the inscription and that she thought it was lovely. So how did the book show up here?”

“Good question. It went missing from the house the night that Marilyn was killed. I checked yesterday before I came down to the pet thing. I had copied the file onto my personal computer before I left Sedona for my job in New York.” He held up his hands. “I know, not policy, but I wanted to make sure I hadn’t missed something. I knew the family and it bec ame personal.”

“Wait, so the book was stolen over twenty years ago and shows up in my bookstore now? Seems ultra-convenient.” Rarity bit into one of the chocolate croissants. “Thanks for stopping at Annie’s , by the way.”

“You keep me caffeinated. I’ll keep coming to the bookstore.” He nodded to the fireplace where Katie was setting up chairs. “I better go help before she finishes it all herself. She’s not afraid to call me an old man. Even though it hurts my ten der feelings.”

“I’m not sure anyone but Edith can hurt your feelings.” Rarity refocused on her laptop.

“Not completely true. Sam’s been doing a good job this trip,” Jonathon said as he walked away to help Katie.

After the book club was over, Rarity went over to sit with Jonathon for a few minutes. He’d been writing in between patrolling the store every few minutes for wandering teenagers with raging hormones. “Any way you’re in town and available for teen book club every month? You’re so good at keeping the kids in line.”

“They sense my ex-cop personality.” He closed his laptop. “But no. I’m not making myself available for this job every month. I don’t mind if I’m here, but to be honest, I don’t enjoy the time. The elementary kids are better behaved tha n these guys.”

“They are learning their limits and what matters to them.” Rarity watched Katie chat with the few stragglers who were buying more books before they left. “Besides, I’d rather have them here, reading, than out behind the store in the alley smoking or something.”

“I think they’re talented enough to do both.” Jonathon held up his hands. “You’re right, of course. Your store is becoming a vital part of the community. Especially for the full-time residents. That must ma ke you happy.”

“I am feeling more connected to Sedona lately.” Rarity sipped her water. “Anyway, I’ve been thinking. What am I supposed to do with the book? I can’t give it back to the person who left it since they might have stolen it from Mrs. Ender in the first place.”

“I’ve been thinking about that too. I think whoever left it knew about your connection to Archer and thought leaving the book here would be the easiest way to get it back to him. Without admitting anything or talking about how they got it.” He dropped his volume as he glanced over toward the register. “You need to tell Drew a bout the book.”

“You haven’t told him?” Rarity was surprised.

Jonathon shook his head. “I don’t tell my son everything. Especially when it’s not my business. I did ask him if there had been any developments in Marilyn’s case, but he told me it was still cold. He asked if I wanted to take a look at the case file on Monday and see if I had any suggestions.”

“But you have your own copy?” Rarity a sked, confused.

“Another thing I haven’t told my son. And I’d appreciate you not saying anything about that as well. I would hate to break his faith in upholding my duties and oaths.” He leaned forward. “Please tell Drew about the book. Have him come by and pick up the book. Then on Monday, I can look into it. That way I don’t have to worry about you being a target since you have a very expensive book here in t he bookstore.”

Rarity shivered. “I hadn’t thought about that. I know he’s busy with the mu rder, though.”

“Call him. He’ll make time for you. I promise. Or he’ll ask me to bring it over to the station.” Jonathon’s gaze dropped to his laptop.

Rarity knew Jonathon wanted to get back to writing, so she pulled out her phone. “No time like the present. Besides, now I’m a little freaked out at having t he book here.”

When Drew answered, Rarity explained what she’d found. She told him that Jonathon had suggested that it might be Mrs. Ender’s book and Archer had verified it. As she talked, she checked the back door lock. It had been unlocked. Again. She needed to keep the kids out of the back room during book clubs better. Maybe she’d put an alarm on the door to the back room. “Anyway, now that I know it’s worth a few bucks as well as connected to a murder, I don’t feel safe having it in my store.”

“Then I’m glad you called. Can you let me ta lk to my dad?”

“Sure.” She walked into the front of the store. “How’re Shirle y and George?”

“Hanging on. They put George in some sort of locked area. Terrance is here and trying to calm him down. George keeps saying that Lizzy is in danger. Shirley’s a wreck. I sent her home as soon as Kathy got here.” He paused. “I don’t think she’ll be at work anytime soon.”

“Great. At least Mommy and Me doesn’t meet next week. Those kids bite hard. Here’s your dad.” Rarity handed Jonathon the phone, and he laughed as he listened to Drew. Then he finished the call and handed her b ack the phone.

“Drew says you have to explain the biting comment as soon as he slows down at work. He’ll even buy the wine.” Jonathon glanced at his watch. “Is Katie stayin g until five?”

“Yes.” Rarity glanced at Katie, who was finishing with a customer. “I take it yo u’re leaving?”

“I’m supposed to deliver your package to the station where Drew can protect it.” He stood and walked over with her to the register. “I’ll see you on T uesday night.”

“You’re staying in town?” Rarity had thought that once he’d had a chance to talk to Sam, he’d go home.

“The Tuesday Night Sleuthing Club has a case to solve. Two, actually. We both know George didn’t kill this man. Now we need to find out who did and why.” Jonathon nodded to the safe. “I’ll take the book of f your hands.”

“Maybe I should get a receipt,” Rarity teased as she retrieved the book. “I’ve never handed over something th is expensive.”

“I promise I won’t take off for Mexico. I don’t speak Spanish, and Canada’s too cold for my old bones. Besides, Edith would never leave the grandbaby and I’m not good alone.” Jonathon took the plastic bag and put it, his laptop, and notebook into his tote bag. “Is Archer walk ing you home?”

“Of course,” Rarity lied. She wasn’t sure why she didn’t want their rocky relationship status to be common knowledge, but she couldn’t tell Jonathon the truth. He’d come back to walk her home. She was an adult, and she knew wh ere she lived.

He’d find out sooner than later, especially since he was hanging around. But not today. She needed the weekend to figure out what she was going to say to her friends. And it gave Archer two days to realize what a mistake he was making.

At least she hoped he felt that way.

* * *

Instead of Archer, Terrance showed up at the bookstore as she was closing at five. He looked like he’d been through the wringer. “Can I w alk you home?”

“Of course. You didn’t have to come and get me.” Rarity hurried to finish her closing chores and then went in and double-checked the back door lock. It was still locked. She was obsessing about the door, but it was better than worrying until Monday when Katie was back working at the shop. She’d volunteered for the shift as soon as she’d heard about Shir ley and George.

“It’s really not a problem,” Terrance said as he picked up a book and read the back of it. “I was coming back from the memory care home. George finally went to sleep after a few doses of his meds. He w as worked up.”

“I heard you were there helping. He likes you.” Rarity saw the same flinch on Terrance’s face that she’d seen last night. She clicked the leash on Killer’s collar. “I’m not saying that in a bad way.”

Terrance reached for the leash, and they went to the front door where Rarity turned off the rest of the lights and then set the security system and locked the door. “I know. I feel like the bad guy because of my feelings for Shirley. I don’t wish George any bad luck, but I can’t understand how God would let him forget someone as wonderfu l as Shirley.”

“I understand.” Rarity knew that Terrance didn’t have bad intentions. His wanting to help had gotten him in over his head with everything that was going on now. “Please tell me that Drew has ano ther suspect.”

“He declined to share that information with me.” Terrance smiled as they walked. “I even brought up my position as head of the neighborhood watch. Drew wasn ’t impressed.”

“He’s territorial like that.” Rarity laughed, sharing the joke. “I feel so bad for Shirley. I hear her daughter ca me into town.”

“Yes, Kat hy was there.”

The shortness of the answer made her glance over at her friend and neighbor. “What do es that mean?”

“As I was leaving the nursing home, Kathy cornered me in the parking lot and read me the riot act. She told me to stay away from her mother and her father. She said that I was being cruel to do that to Shirley.” He paused at the walkway to his house. “I would have argued with her, but I realized I didn’t have a leg to stand on.”

“I didn’t know Shirley had told Kathy about you.” Rarity had known that Shirley had taken a trip to see her daughter, to c lear her head.

“My name came up when Shirley made the decision that she couldn’t see me anymore. She’d told Kathy and asked her what she thought. I guess the girl went crazy on her mother. Telling her she was all but cheating on George. Shirley was crushed that Kathy didn’t support her, but then she agreed that she couldn’t see me again. I’d understand, except Shirley has no life with George. It’s too bad she can’t have a life with me.” He dropped his head and headed to his house.

Later, Rarity stood in the kitchen, staring into the refrigerator and wondering what she was going to have for dinner, when she realized that she didn’t know how Terrance had known that Archer wasn’t walking her home. Rarity glanced out the window at his dark house. He was hurting enough that she decided not to ask him abo ut it tonight.

Instead, she found a quart of frozen soup and some bake-and-serve rolls and started dinner. While the food warmed up, she changed and went out to swim. When she finished, dinner would be ready. Life seemed quiet and routine without Archer. In that way, Terrance and she had a lot in common.

As Rarity ate in front of the television with Killer by her side, she wondered if this was her lot in life. Quiet Saturday nights with her dog. It could be worse, she thought as she found a movie she wanted to watch. She could be sitting here without her dog. Now that wo uld be lonely.

Rarity dealt with making a list of chores for tomorrow. She texted Shirley a small note letting her know she was thinking about her and not to worry about the bookstore. Now that Archer wasn’t here, Rarity had plenty of time to cover Shirley’s shifts as well as her own. Thinking about the bookstore, she pulled up the staff shift calendar and made notes in her planner on where Shirley had been scheduled. Mostly, Shirley’s absence wouldn’t affect the bookstore until the next week. Then Rarity would need to work Monday, and Wednesday she’d have another Mommy and Me class to deal with. She wrote down the book they were reading and made a note on Tuesday to plan some sort of activity for the mommy group. Mostly, she thought they liked to get tog ether to talk.

Rarity didn’t know anything about kids, but she did know books. Maybe she’d have them talk about building their child’s library. She liked the idea and wrote that on Tuesday’s list as well.

She checked her phone. No messages. Not from Shirley. And not from Archer. What was keeping him from moving in? What problem was he wrestling with? She knew it wasn’t another woman. They’d had that issue before when Calliope had tried to break them up. Archer had been clear that he loved Rarity.

So what had changed between that discu ssion and now?

Maybe she’d never know. Besides, Jonathon was right. They had two other mysteries to focus on. Who had killed the angry William Jully, and who had left Archer’s grandmother’s book at the bookstore.

Rarity remembered the shop had a security camera at the door. Maybe she could go through Monday’s digital file and see if she recognized anyone. Or maybe she’d have Jonathon look at the videos as well. If there was someone who had been involved in the investigation of Marilyn Ender’s death, he’d know. He had been the primary investigato r in the case.