Chapter 8
Several people at the film screenings greeted her and Archer.
The community was out in force, except she didn’t see Drew and Sam.
Jonathon was missing from the event as well.
She hoped Shirley hadn’t bought too many tickets for the Wednesday event.
She rolled her shoulders. It was a business expense and the proceeds went to charity, so why was she worrying?
As they settled into their seats, Archer took Rarity’s hand. “You okay?”
“Just thinking. Pike’s death and Darby’s stalker have me a little rattled. I’ve been able to not think about either much since this weekend was so crazy busy. But now we’ve slowed down, and…”
“You’re letting the implications in. Look, Pike wasn’t a nice guy.
His one interaction with your staff taught us that.
And, it tells us something about the guy.
He was a taker. And if that’s true, there’s probably a line of suspects for Drew to look at.
None of them are your staff members. As far as Darby is concerned, the girl’s smart.
She’s dealt with this before. She’s not going to put herself in harm’s way. ”
“Why is it happening again? She deals with this jerk in Scotland and now she has to deal with one here? What is it about our Darby that she collects these types?”
“She’s kind and doesn’t like to hurt other people’s feelings. She also sees the good in everyone, even though some people don’t deserve that kind of allowance.” Archer kissed her on the cheek. “I could go on, but the movie’s starting.”
Archer was right, of course. It felt like the people who were kind and considerate and didn’t deserve to be treated badly tended to get the bad end of the stick.
Darby was one other thing. She was resourceful.
She’d be fine. And the sleuthing club would find out who was messing with her along with who killed Mason.
They were just that skilled in investigations, even though it wasn’t their job.
Well, except for Jonathon. And it wasn’t his job anymore.
The club was insightful and curious, which made them perfect for finding out why some things happened.
She settled into her seat and started watching the movie. This one looked like it might be really good.
* * *
Monday flew by with a long list of errands and chores. She stopped by the bookstore to see if Shirley was okay and was surprised to find Kathy there with her. As Rarity left, Kathy pulled her aside.
“I just wanted you to know that they’ve put my dad on hospice.
I’m going home to get some things in order, and then I’ll be back for the duration.
Mom, well, she’s dealing with it like she deals with any problem.
She works. And bakes. And ignores it. But there’s going to be a time when she falls apart.
If I’m not here when it happens, will you look after her and call me?
” Kathy pressed a business card into Rarity’s hand.
“I’ve asked her to think about selling the house and moving closer to me, but I doubt that’s going to happen.
She has a life here. A life that you’re a big part of, so I just wanted you to have my number. Just in case.”
“I’m so sorry about this. Shirley mentioned it to me this weekend.
” Rarity was surprised when tears started falling and Kathy hugged her.
When Kathy pulled herself together, Rarity dug into her purse and took out a small package of tissues and her own business card.
“This one has the shop’s number and my personal number.
Call if you need something or you think someone should check on Shirley.
She has a lot of friends here. Not just me. ”
“Thanks.” Kathy took the card. “I thought people who complained about being sandwiched between their folks and the kids were just whining. Now I know their pain. Mom’s going to hate having me here, but I’m going to try to stay out of her way and ignore Terrance as much as possible.”
“He’s a good man.” Rarity squeezed Kathy’s arm. “And they’re just friends.”
Kathy snorted. “Believe me, I’ve seen the way he looks at her like a lost puppy.
They are not just friends. He’s in love with her.
I’ve made my peace with that. Dad doesn’t even know me or Mom.
He thinks I’m some nice volunteer. Or he did before this week.
Now, he’s pretty much out of it. I can just sit with my dad, and I’ll do the work of remembering what a great father he was and how lucky I was to have an amazing family.
My brother, on the other hand, is ignoring the whole thing. ”
Rarity didn’t know what to say. This was the most Kathy had ever talked to her. Especially about her family.
“Sorry to dump on you.” Kathy tucked Rarity’s card into her pocket. “I just wanted you to know everything, just in case Mom needs you. Thanks for being her friend.”
“I’m the lucky one,” Rarity said, but then Kathy ducked into the bookstore. Rarity headed back to her car. She needed to get home and put away the groceries. But as she did, she thought about Shirley.
Tuesday morning, Rarity was at the store by nine.
She’d swum, ate breakfast, and packed a bag for Killer to come to work with her.
She didn’t like leaving him alone for so many hours.
And even though she’d given away to employees the running of the other book clubs, this one was special.
She’d probably always be part of the club.
She was deep into making sure the new book order was started since they’d almost cleaned themselves out of kids’ books at the festival when the door opened and Katie and Darby came in together. Darby was on the schedule, but Katie wasn’t. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to drop off my charge.” Katie lifted Darby’s hand and dropped it onto Rarity’s arm.
“Mission completed. Now, I’m heading back to school.
I won’t be at the Tuesday night book club this week.
I will see you on Wednesday for the memorial, but I’m not on the schedule until Saturday.
It’s Middle Grade Book Club weekend. So I’m making up some sort of chemistry experiment to go with the discussion.
Don’t worry, we won’t blow the shop up.”
“I told her to do a lava volcano. Those are cool.” Darby removed her hand from Rarity’s arm. “When do you think Drew will let me off house arrest? I’m getting a little tired of being treated like a football, passed from one friend to another.”
Katie paused on her way out the door. “Not before next weekend. You said I could stay with you and use that pool from Friday to Tuesday morning when I have to go back to my studio apartment in town.”
“I don’t have to be in danger for you to stay with me,” Darby groused. “You can stay any weekend.”
“Yeah, but this way, I don’t feel guilty.” Katie waved as she left.
“Where do you want me? And I was serious about the Drew question. Any clue?” Darby came out of the back room with a cup filled with coffee.
“Maybe having a cruiser by your house for the last few days has scared him off? No random flower deliveries or break-ins?” Rarity looked up from the computer and focused on the young woman in front of her.
Darby stared back, defiantly. She was the first one to blink and held up her left hand.
“Okay, fine, I guess you don’t know either.
As far as the house is concerned, I swear, it’s been quiet.
Well, besides having people all over the house.
Who knew that three women could make such a ruckus.
And we’ve got a solid plan for the bed-and-breakfast.”
Darby told her about the plans as she restocked the bookstore from books in the back. She finished the last box as the door opened and Jonathon came inside, with a dog on a leash. “Hey, we have another shop dog.”
Killer barked once to greet the newcomer, did three circles on his bed, then crashed again.
“See that, Romeo, that’s what you’re supposed to do. At least recognize that there’s a new person in the room.” Jonathon dropped his laptop case on the table, then tied Romeo’s leash to a chair. “Tell me you have coffee.”
“Of course, what are we, pagans?” Rarity waited for him to come back and then asked, “So what’s going on with you?”
“Nothing. Edith called late last night to talk about Savannah. I guess she’s keeping her mom up at nights because she’s teething.
Edith’s staying over there for a few days to help out.
Another reason I’m glad I’m here. I love that little squirt, but her howl can break eardrums.” He sipped his coffee.
“Then I have Drew up and pacing all night. Doesn’t anyone sleep a full night anymore? ”
“What’s got Drew pacing?” Rarity asked. Darby was over on the other side of the bookstore, so maybe she wouldn’t overhear.
“He’s worried about that one.” Jonathon nodded toward where Darby was working. “As well as trying to figure out if Mason dying here was just an easy place to kill him. He’s been going over camera film from your neighbors to see who might have turned off your system. But it’s a lot.”
“Maybe the group will come up with some ideas tonight.” Rarity glanced at her watch. “You’re just in time for lunch. You and Darby figure out what you want and I’ll go get it. Now that there’s someone here to be with her.”
“You seriously don’t think I can’t be alone for the time it would take you to walk to the Garnet?” Darby asked from behind Rarity.
“You weren’t supposed to hear that,” Rarity admitted. “Besides, if Jonathon hadn’t come, I would have just had lunch delivered.”
Shirley showed up at five with a casserole and brownies for the club meeting later. “I figured you all might be hungry before we started the meeting. You can’t live on restaurant food forever.”