Chapter 2
After picking up Darby at her house and checking in with the officer in charge, Drew drove them back to Rarity’s. He pulled the truck into the driveway and climbed out.
Rarity looked over at him. “Are you hanging out for a while?”
“The guys have the investigation in hand. Mike hates it when I hang around, looking over his shoulder while he works. Ever since he got his last promotion, he’s been trying to show off his leadership skills.
” He grabbed Darby’s bag from the bed of the truck.
“You okay, squirt? Not much of a welcome home for someone to break in like that.”
“I’ve been gone for over a year but as soon as I come home, people are all trying to mess with my stuff. What kind of police department are you guys running here?” She reached for the bag, but Drew held it over her head. “Okay, sorry for the jab. Can I have my bag?”
“Once we’re in the house, yes. My mama raised a gentleman.” Drew nodded toward the house, and the three headed to the front door.
Archer must have been watching because he held the door open. “Everything okay?”
“Nothing missing. I’m not sure what the guy was looking for,” Drew said as he handed Darby her bag.
Rarity pointed out the guest room. After Darby left the living room, he dropped his voice.
“Unless they were after her. Has she said anything about having trouble with someone? An old boyfriend or anything?”
Rarity shook her head. “She hasn’t mentioned anything to me, but I’ll ask Katie and Shirley. She might have told them.”
“Well, let me know if she does.” Drew looked around the room. “Is Sam outside?”
Archer nodded. “Shirley and Terrance came in right after you left and put everything away from dinner. Then everyone went back out to the pool. I heard you drive up.”
“Go join them,” Rarity said. “I’ll check on Darby and see if she wants to come out for a while.”
She walked over to the guest room, Killer at her heels. She heard the door open to the patio and then shut. She knocked on the open door. “There’s an attached bathroom, and the dresser has two empty drawers. The bottom drawer has an extra blanket and pillow if I keep it too cool in here.”
Darby sat on the bed, her bag next to her. She had been looking at her phone. “I’m not staying forever, Rarity. Just a night until the cops are out of my house.”
“You can stay longer, if you want.” Rarity leaned against the doorframe. “I want you to feel safe.”
“I just invited Malia and Holly over for a weeklong sleepover. Of course, they’re going to say yes. I’ve been meaning to have them to the house, and this incident just makes it more convenient. You can come too, and bring Killer, if you want.” She leaned down to rub his head.
“Okay, then the guest room is yours for the night.” Rarity laughed as Darby had Killer doing sit-ups and circles. “He listens to you.”
“Because usually, I have a treat in my hand. Anyway, thanks for tonight. I’ll sleep better.” Darby’s phone buzzed with a text. “And that’s my girlies telling me yes.”
Darby held up the phone, showing Rarity the message from Malia. Then she tossed the phone on the bed and grabbed a pile of envelopes. “Now I need to go through the mail. I swear, most of this is junk mail. Like this flyer.”
Rarity watched as she opened the folded page. “That doesn’t look like it came from the post office.”
“No, I don’t think it did. Rarity, look at this.” Darby held out the page as Rarity watched the color drain from her houseguest’s face.
In black block letters, someone had written, Missed you tonight. The next time, you won’t be so lucky.
“We need to show this to Drew.” Rarity urged Darby on her feet, but the girl paused before taking a step.
“I don’t want to be a bother. You have company.”
Rarity took in a breath. “You’re not a bother, but stay here if you want.
I’m going to get Drew. And before you say anything else, it’s his job.
” She hurried to the back and waved Drew inside.
Once he was in, she closed the door after him, but not before she saw Archer’s questioning look.
Ignoring it, she took Drew’s arm and hurried him to the guest room.
“Darby got a threatening message. Can you look at it?”
“Maybe,” he said as he beat her to the guest room and swiped the paper from Darby’s hands. “Where did you get this?”
“It was mixed in with my mail.” She pointed to the pile of envelopes sitting by her.
“Anything else like this in that pile?” When she shook her head, he nodded. “Okay, I’ll take this with me and have the guys look at it. Have you received any notes like this before?”
Darby didn’t answer immediately, but the look on her face told the story.
“You have? Oh, Darby. What’s going on?” Rarity stood in the doorway, listening.
Darby shrugged. “Not exactly like this, but I had a situation when I was in Scotland. I went out with a guy a few times, but then he was getting a little clingy, so I told him I wasn’t looking for a boyfriend.
After that, I never dated anyone more than twice and I was clear about boundaries.
But after I broke it off, I started being followed.
Or it felt that way. I talked to a detective, and he said there wasn’t anything they could do. ”
“When did the messages start?” Drew asked, in police detective mode. He had already made several notes in his little book. “And what was this guy’s name and what town did you report him in?”
Darby went through the timeline, then blew out a sigh. “Look, I’m beat. Can I just go to sleep?”
“Of course.” Rarity looked at Drew, who appeared to have more questions, and shook her head at him. “Drew can chat with you tomorrow at the store.”
Rarity grabbed Drew’s arm and aimed him out of the guest room.
“If you need anything, check my bathroom or just ask. We’ll be out on the deck for a while. I’ll check on you when I come in, but if you need me, just come on out.” Rarity called out to Killer, but he’d made his way onto the bed and was curled on Darby’s lap. “Just kick him out if he bothers you.”
Darby kissed the Yorkie on the top of his head. “How in the world would this guy bother anyone?”
“Oh, let me count the ways.” Rarity laughed as she shut the door and followed Drew to the kitchen. “Do you think it was the guy from Scotland?”
“Maybe. I need to see what the police report said. But it’s a good guess.” Drew pulled open a drawer. “I’m stealing a baggie. I just texted April at the station. She’s coming over to get this and get it to our guys. I don’t want to just ignore this.”
“You’re the best. Do you want a beer while you wait? I can get one and bring it out.”
He paused in the middle of the open doorway. “Just let Sam know I’ll be right back out. And let’s keep this between the three of us, okay?”
“Four—no—five, if you count April and the stalker,” Rarity pointed out.
“Funny girl,” Drew said as he closed the door.
Rarity paused a moment before she went back to the party. She saw Archer waiting for her. “I was just being accurate,” she mumbled to no one as she opened the door to go outside.
* * *
The next morning, Darby went with her and Killer to the shop.
She didn’t talk much as they walked. Darby had been asleep when Rarity came inside after the crew left, but Darby looked better this morning.
A little sleepy eyed, but she claimed she’d slept through the night.
Killer had joined Rarity about one after sneaking out of Darby’s room.
“I just hope this goes away soon. It’s one reason I didn’t want to tell Drew. He can overreact at times.”
“He’s worried about you. We’re all worried. I just got you back at the shop. I don’t want you to not be available for your shifts. Especially since Shirley’s talking about going on a cruise with Terrance.”
The distraction worked. Darby’s eyes lit up as she talked. “Seriously? Those two would be so good together. I know, Shirley’s husband was a good man, but she’s been alone for so long and Terrance is just so alpha. He’s going to totally take care of her.”
“I’m not saying they’re a couple; it’s complicated, but I’d love to see her do more things now.
She’s been tied to just visiting the nursing home for so long.
” If Rarity was confused on the subject, Shirley’s thoughts and emotions on the subject must be making her dizzy.
“Anyway, don’t bring it up, unless she says something first. She might have changed her mind last night about going. ”
They were almost at the store when Rarity’s phone buzzed. “Speak of the devil. Hi Shirley. What’s going on?”
“I can’t come in today. George has been rushed to the hospital. They won’t tell me what’s going on, just that I need to be there. I’m heading to Flagstaff now.” Shirley talked fast.
“Do you need someone to drive you? I can go back and get the car. Or just head over to your house and we can take yours.”
“I’m already on the road. I was driving to work when the nursing home called. Just keep George in your thoughts. I’ve got to go, Kathy’s calling me back.”
And then Rarity heard the click of the call disconnecting.
She put her phone away and took out her keys.
They’d arrived at the shop. “So, Shirley’s not working today.
It’s just you and me. And we have to get ready for tomorrow’s book signing and screening.
The dumpster has been moved down the block, and I’ve already talked to the other shops so we can set up the chairs and podium first thing tomorrow in the alley behind the store.
We have permission to block the alley today so we can spray it down.
Can you do that while I handle the store? ”
“What’s happening with Shirley? Is it George?” Darby asked as Rarity tucked her purse under the tote and let Killer off his leash. “You didn’t tell me.”