Chapter 13 #2
“Sometimes I feel like you’re listing off what’s in your planner when I ask what’s going on in your world.
” Sam laughed when Rarity jerked her head up right as the waitress dropped off their meals.
“Don’t worry, I don’t mind it. It’s just your way of processing the world.
You were like this in college too and when you worked for that corporation.
You got especially focused when you went through cancer treatments.
You always have to know what’s five steps ahead of you at all times. ”
“It’s who I am. I don’t even question it anymore. This is me. I’m surprised it doesn’t drive Archer crazy or out the door.” Rarity drizzled some of the salad dressing on her Cobb salad. “Tell me about what’s going on in your life. I feel like we haven’t hung out together in ages.”
When she got home, she cuddled with Killer and read her notes in her murder book.
They were pretty sparse. Mason didn’t seem to have many people in his life.
He had his ex-girlfriend and an assistant.
He and his ex-wife didn’t seem to talk. What about relatives?
He was older, so maybe not parents, but siblings? Hadn’t Jonathon mentioned a brother?
She grabbed her laptop and went looking for an obituary. There was a short one, but it didn’t list anyone in his life.
Maybe she should find Jane or Talia. One of them should know something about friends and relatives. It was a long shot, but right now, Mason looked like he was a loner. He’d been inappropriate with Darby, so maybe people stayed clear of him now.
Sometimes people in films took their power a little too freely. Maybe he had been targeted by someone he’d pushed into doing something she didn’t want to do.
Maybe, sometimes, occasionally. All crutch words that told Rarity that she had no clue what was going on. All she could hope for was that the others in the sleuthing club had better luck with their assignment. Maybe they’d spark something when they all talked on Tuesday.
And there was the maybe and something again.
She was done with sleuthing for the day. She closed her laptop and curled up with Killer. This she could do without using the word maybe.
* * *
Monday morning, Archer was in the kitchen when Rarity came in from her swim. She kissed him and excused herself to get changed. When she returned, breakfast was on the table.
“Here you go, just like the doctor ordered.” He handed her a cup of coffee. “How were the movies?”
“Okay, I guess. Darby and Marc were there. He was trying to impress her. He’d gotten box seats for them.” She set down her coffee and settled into a chair. “How was hiking with Tyra McAdams?”
“Interesting. I called Drew last night and told him what she’d told me.
Your stopping by asking about her ex-husband had her riled up.
The marriage wasn’t as calm as she told you.
Yes, I was listening to the two of you talk before I came outside.
He cheated. She caught him. He didn’t want to lose her and tried to patch things up.
But the damage had been done. She’s still in love with the guy, but she can’t forgive him. ”
“So he’s starting over?” Rarity cut into her waffle. “I guess if Darby knows the whole story, then it’s up to her if she decides to trust him. I don’t see him as the stalker. Although someone else could have been upset about her dating him. Like Tyra.”
“You think Tyra is stalking Darby, trying to get her to dump Marc?” He took a bite of his waffle and chewed thoughtfully. “The brother, Rufus, seems to be a little too involved in the relationship. Maybe it’s him.”
“Okay, now it just sounds dumb when you say it. All I know is the sleuthing club is going to take away my junior inspector decoder ring if I don’t come up with something before the next meeting.” Rarity poured more syrup on her waffle.
“Sometimes the things you know that aren’t true are the stepping stones to the ones that are true.” Archer waved a piece of bacon at her before taking a bite.
“Thank you, Mr. Buddha.”
“I prefer Dr. Buddha, if you please.” He leaned back, finishing off the bacon. “Do you want to go check out a new hike with me this morning? It’s not too far away and we should be back before it gets too hot. I’d leave the squirt behind.”
“See that, Killer?” Rarity made eye contact with the little dog, currently sitting between them as if wondering which one would be more likely to feed him something off the table. “He called you names. I think you should bite him. Especially since he said to leave you home.”
“It’s a pretty gnarly hike. I’d hate for him to get tired and fall off the edge or something. I don’t know what you’d do without the little guy.”
“I’d replace him within a day, then feel guilty about replacing him. I’m not sure I can live alone again. I need someone to talk to when no humans are around.” She blinked and said, “Huh.”
Archer watched as Rarity pulled out her phone and sent a text message. “Want to explain?”
“Just a hunch. I’m wondering if anyone was watching over Mason’s pets while he was here. And if so, do they know Mason is dead now?”
“The guy might not have had any.” Archer rinsed his plate. “So, the hike?”
“I’m going to say yes. I need to get out and move. Thanks for asking.” She stood and gave him her plate as well. “I’ll clean up the kitchen when we get back.”
“I dirtied it, I’ll get the dishwasher started.” he kissed her on the cheek. “Go get ready and set up Killer for the day. We might stop for a late lunch on our way back.” He winked at her. “If you’re good.”
“I’m always good,” Rarity called back as she made her way to the bedroom to change. She was probably just overthinking this whole investigation. If she got out of her head, maybe she’d have some productive thoughts about the murder. Like who killed the guy, for one.
She didn’t think Marc Billings was much of a suspect.
He also was a little bit more of a sleaze, if his ex-wife’s stories were true.
Sometimes, people viewed their relationships in filters.
Like who cheated first. Or misunderstanding an outside relationship.
It wasn’t her business who Darby dated, but since she didn’t have relatives, Rarity felt an obligation to at least ask if Marc had told her about what happened with Tyra.
They were on third-date territory. The subject of their exes had to have come up in some format. She’d see how honest the guy really was when she talked to Darby.
It wasn’t really butting in if there were good reasons, right?