Chapter 10
Archer showed up at the bookstore just as she was closing up. She smiled as he walked in. “Just in time. And you look so handsome.”
“I had no idea what to wear. Why on earth would you do a memorial fundraiser?” He brushed off his cotton pants and adjusted the light blazer he wore over what Rarity knew was a short-sleeved button-down.
“Casual yet respectful. At least that’s what I went for.
I would have worn the Hawaiian shirt if it wasn’t Pike’s memorial too. ”
“You look great. Besides, we’re country townies and we’re not supposed to have any style.” Rarity slipped on the sweater she’d taken off during the day. She checked the locks then grabbed her purse. “I’m ready.”
“Did you do any sleuthing today? Or have you just been busy working?” Archer followed her out, waiting until she locked the door.
“Honestly, I’m not sure how to go about this.
Pike was almost invisible on social media.
The stuff that’s there feels like it’s through an assistant.
But I did poke around Talia’s social media presence.
She still has pictures of her and Pike together at some industry party.
She reposted one of them on his birthday a few months ago. They were at least friends.”
“Well, maybe we’ll hear something this evening about Pike that makes sense.
I talked to Drew last night and he’s frustrated with the whole group.
He said that the film guys are stonewalling him.
Everyone loved Mason Pike. He was close to being a saint.
A genius filmmaker who was ahead of his time. Blah, blah, blah.”
“I don’t think we’ll hear anything different tonight.” Rarity linked her arm with Archer’s. “It is a memorial.”
“Yeah, Drew thought the same thing. But he and Sam are meeting us there. Terrance is picking up Shirley. And the girls are walking in together. So we shouldn’t have to worry about Darby.”
“And yet…” Rarity smiled as she tucked her head on his shoulder as they waited for a light.
“You need to learn to contain this worrying. You’ll be a mess when we have kids.” Archer kissed the top of her head. “Let’s go find out what this new movie is about.”
At the theater, pictures of Mason Pike were all over the lobby area. An open bar was set up at the end of the room, and it looked like the Garnet was doing passed trays. Malia waved to them from a couch they’d taken over.
“I’ll go get us wine and you snag us a spot on those chairs.” Archer went to the left, leaving her to meet up with the crew. As soon as Rarity got close, Malia pulled her down on the couch.
“Talia’s over there with Bret Black. He’s the actor who starred in this film. And they’re looking pretty chummy.” Darby pointed out the couple. “Do you think Mason’s already been replaced?”
“Talia said they broke up a while ago. I don’t think seeing someone now is too soon.” Rarity took the wineglass from Archer as he walked up. “Although I haven’t seen a mention of Bret on her social media page lately. She went to the last one of these events solo according to the reporter.”
“So maybe it is new.” Darby was watching the couple.
“But I don’t think so, the way they are together.
His body language is very strong. He’s claimed her with his hand on the small of her back.
They’re standing too close to be just friends.
And he leans into her when she talks. He’s definitely into Talia. ”
“Maybe we should look at his social media. Maybe he’s the one who wants a relationship. And with Mason out of the picture, Talia has no reason to say no.” Holly looked thoughtful. “Darby? Can you get me a napkin from the bar?”
“Sure.” Darby stood and walked across the room. Right in front of Talia and Bret. As she did, Bret’s eyes widened, and he looked from Talia to Darby.
“There. That’s what I wondered. Bret didn’t know Talia had a look-alike. She must not have mentioned meeting Darby to him.” Holly leaned back in her seat. “I think we need to know more about Bret Black.”
“You think he’s Darby’s stalker? He thought he was following Talia?” Rarity studied the man who now was focused again on his date.
“It’s a question for Drew.” Holly smiled at the approaching couple. “And speak of the devil, hi guys.”
Drew shook hands with Archer as he pulled a chair over for Sam. “Uh-oh, what did I do now?”
“With you, who knows,” Jonathon said as he came up behind him. The lights flickered behind them. “Shirley and Terrance just came in the door after us. Time for us to find our seats, I guess.”
Rarity stood, putting her hand on Drew’s arm. “We’ll chat more later, but do you know the man with Talia Brooks?”
“Can’t say I do. Should I?” Drew turned back from studying Bret Black as he and Talia headed out of the lobby.
“Like I said, I’ll catch you up after this. Late dinner at the house?” Rarity asked Sam.
“As long as I don’t have to cook, I’ll be there.” Sam nodded as they all made their way to their seats.
* * *
Later that night, out on the deck, Rarity filled Drew in on what happened just before they arrived.
“His jaw about hit the floor,” Holly added as she stood at the griddle, sautéing veggies and shrimp for tacos. Archer had taken on chopping toppings in the kitchen, and Rarity had been banned from both tasks.
“It doesn’t mean anything, but if he didn’t know that Talia had a younger double in town, maybe someone else didn’t either. Or he could be the freak following me,” Darby added from the pool.
“There are still a lot of maybes in that theory, but I’ll check out Bret. I know that Talia came into town on Thursday. She said she wanted to spend some time relaxing before any events and she’d planned on going to Mason’s signing as support. Did anyone see her there?”
Rarity shook her head from the table where she had a second glass of wine in front of her. “No, and I would have noticed a second Darby.”
“See, that’s the thing. I think we all would have. So why did she lie about being at the signing and the movie?” Drew asked, looking around.
Archer came out with a tray. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’m starving, so let’s eat. Shrimp fajitas and there’s Spanish rice in one slow cooker and black beans in the other.”
Rarity waited as her guests filled their plates. But now, she had one more question to write down in her notebook. Where had Talia been on Friday night? And why didn’t she want Drew to know about it?
The one thing she did know how to do was make a timeline.
And after everyone left that night, she pulled out a pad of sketch paper and started a timeline.
Two timelines, actually. One for Darby’s stalker and one for Mason’s death.
They’d had different start times, but she’d kept the real time the same on both lines, so she could see any similarities.
Then she ran out of points to add. Frustrated, she decided to bring the timeline to the next sleuthers’ meeting and see if anyone else could add points. This investigation was stalled, and Mason had already died. Hopefully, Darby wouldn’t be the next one just because they couldn’t see a pattern.
She headed to bed and hoped she’d be in a better mood tomorrow. Because today had sucked.
Thursday morning, Rarity headed into the store early. She didn’t have much to do, but staying home seemed like she was giving up. As she arrived on the street, she saw Madame Zelda on her porch. “Good morning, you’re here early.”
“The spirits are hindering my sleep these days, so I gave in and came into the shop.” She waved her up. “You’re early too, so come up and have a cup of coffee with me. And bring that little mutt with you.”
Rarity smiled and headed left to the next storefront. She had to pull on Killer’s leash to get him to understand they weren’t going into the shop. She sat on a chair, and Killer went to drink out of the water bowl Madame Zelda kept on the porch for the dogs of sightseeing tourists.
“How is everything going? Did you have a lot of business last weekend?” Rarity took the cup of coffee her neighbor had poured from her carafe. “Thanks.”
“No problem. I felt like I was going to have a visitor this morning, so I set up the coffee service for two. And filled up that water dish. I’m glad you were able to stop and chat.
” Madame Zelda leaned back in her chair.
“Last weekend was busy. Lots of visitors, but I kept seeing the same man. Dark hair, tanned, and I think his eyes were blue. Drew Anderson took his description, but I think he’s forgotten about him.
I feel like this guy might solve at least one of your questions. ”
“My questions?” Rarity wondered if she’d seen Bret Black. Or maybe the guy from the tent late Friday afternoon. He met that description.
Madame Zelda started shuffling her tarot cards.
Back and forth. She smiled as Rarity watched her.
“Sorry, it’s habit. It calms me and helps me think.
I know he was watching your store, but I’m not sure why.
But this was before that poor man was killed, so what could he have been watching for?
Can I offer you a reading? At no cost, of course. ”
The change of subject threw Rarity a bit, but she nodded. “That would be nice.”
The fortune-teller held out the cards she’d been shuffling. “Maybe this will calm us both down. Cut the deck, please.”
Rarity did as she was told, then Madame Zelda mixed the cards a few more times. She pulled her first card.
“The Fool. Start of a new journey. This is in the past position, so it might relate to your life reinvention when you moved here a few years ago. You started over, changing your career, your home, and your family. I’m so glad you chose Sedona, as are the spirits.”
Rarity nodded. “I am too. I did start completely over and it has paid off. I didn’t know anything about running a bookstore. I’ve got a cute house with a pool and room for my new dog. And a bunch of friends who feel like family. The cards are one hundred percent right, so far.”