Chapter 4 #2
“If you want to, I’d love for you to handle the shop with Jonathon.
Then Darby can work with me at the booth.
And it will get her away from the whole Pike thing.
” Rarity took the glass of wine that Archer had poured for her and took a sip, setting it down while she used the towel she had wrapped around her to dry off some more.
She had the tea next to the wine glass. One of the two should work.
“The Pike thing? Oh, don’t tell me there was an issue.
I’ve heard rumors about him, but I was never able to verify anything.
I meant to handle him myself. No one would dare mess with me, and I had my lecture ready, but then I forgot when I rushed to the hospital.
Who did you have on him?” Shirley rolled her head back and forth to stretch her neck.
“I swear I’m going to start writing down everything so I don’t forget.
But then I’d forget to read my planner.”
Rarity met Archer’s eyes. Apparently Terrance and Shirley didn’t know about Pike’s unfortunate situation.
“Shirley, Pike died during the movie. Drew hasn’t told us what happened, but he was in the break room between his signing and the movie when I found him.
And yes, Darby had an issue with him being handsy too.
Darby told us later, but we had Jonathon handle him just before the signing.
I wish she’d told me earlier. I guess I need to do a talk on what boundaries we need to set for visiting authors. ”
Shirley finished her wine before speaking. “I can’t believe how much has happened here and I was only gone two days. I’m so sorry about Darby. Is she okay?”
“She says she’s fine. She just rolled it off, but now that Pike’s dead, I probably need to chat with her again.” Rarity yawned after she spoke. “I’m beat. Archer, can you continue to host?”
“No need, I was just about to drive Shirley home.” Terrance stood and held out his hand to Shirley.
Shirley looked over at Rarity. “Kathy has my car in Flagstaff, so Terrance came and got me from the hospital. I just couldn’t stay there, but I didn’t want Kathy to have to drive me home and go back.”
“How’s she doing with all this?” Rarity asked as Shirley stood to leave with Terrance.
Shirley shrugged before she spoke. “As good as expected. She knows she’s saying goodbye. Maybe not today, or next week, but soon. The doctor told me that much. He’ll be on hospice when he returns to the home.”
“That stage can last months,” Terrance said, obviously trying to reassure her.
Her eyes were sad as she met Rarity’s gaze. “That’s what I worry about. If he’s going, I don’t want him to be in pain.”
After Shirley and Terrance left, Rarity and Archer went inside. “I’ll go change and be right out.”
“Go to bed. You’re dead on your feet. I’ll clean up around here and then head home. Tomorrow’s going to be a busy day at the festival. My bookings are reaching capacity, so I need to see if I can carve out more time. You may not see me for a while.”
“This is the moneymaking season, right? Go make money.” She kissed him and headed to the bedroom. She didn’t even hear the front door close when he left.
Early the next morning, Rarity sat at her breakfast table, looking at her planner and drinking coffee.
Mason Pike’s signing and the movie had made the paper, but not his death.
She wondered if Drew was holding the news off until there was a cause of death.
Announcing that someone had died during a festival weekend was sad, but saying the death was a murder, well, that affected a lot more things.
Like tourists leaving or not feeling safe to wander through their town.
Rarity had only met the mayor once, at one of those commerce chapter meetings, but he was very concerned about Sedona’s image.
Including making sure stores, especially on Main Street, kept the front of their shops clean of trash and looking pristine.
Rarity had set up pots with fake flowers that she rinsed off once a week to keep the dust down.
And since they were near the door, they attracted tourists as they tried to see if the plants were real.
She pulled over her phone and texted Drew.
What happened to Mason Pike? Do you know yet?
The response came quickly.
You know it’s five in the morning, right? I’ll be attending the autopsy at ten. Do you want to come along?
Rarity blinked, took a sip of coffee, then read it again. Was Drew really inviting her to attend an autopsy? Could she deal with it? Or, more likely, he was joking with her.
Seriously?
This response took a little longer. Rarity was just about to ask again when Drew answered.
Not on your life. I’m messing with you. Were you really considering going? It’s not as discreet as the ones you see on television. Not sure you could handle the process.
His teasing should have made her feel better, but instead, she felt more on edge than before.
Not funny. Call me if you find out it’s anything but natural. I’ll need to tell my staff and prepare them for questions from the public and the media.
Then she put her phone away and went swimming. If she had to be up, she might as well get one thing off her list. Exercise.
Getting some solid dopamine hits would ease her into her morning, especially since she didn’t know how the day would unfold. She had to be prepared for anything. Especially if Mason Pike had been murdered.
Somehow, she knew the coroner would rule against natural causes.
It was just her luck.