Chapter 19
When Rarity got back to the bookstore, it was crowded.
Some of the kids were still hanging out, waiting to be picked up by their parents.
Katie was near the fireplace watching them.
In addition, a line of customers curled through the bookshelves to buy books.
Rarity hurried over and tucked her bag under the table.
Jonathon had dropped her off and gone to check in with Drew to do more work on the Talia and Mason connection.
“What’s going on?” Rarity asked Shirley as she bagged a book and handed it and the receipt to the customer.
“The film festival announced that they’re doing a raffle tonight and tickets are given to anyone who brings a new book for the schools affected by the wildfires in California this year,” Shirley said. “Did you know about this?”
“Not a clue,” Rarity said, bagging the next customer’s book.
“The announcement was in the paper this morning. If you win the grand prize, you get two thousand dollars, five nights in a hotel, and tickets to the movies for all five days. And a Hollywood tour of the town, the movie studios, and a day at Disneyland. My kids would kill to go to Disneyland. Each person gets a raffle ticket if they bring a new book. Two, if they bring five,” the next customer excitedly told them. “I’m surprised they didn’t warn you.”
“Wow.” Rarity looked at the line. Several of the people had five books in their hands. It was going to be a really good month, but she was going to have to do some serious restocking soon. “Hold on a second, I’ll bring out the second register.”
It took Rarity just a few minutes to get set up. “I can take credit cards.” She held up her hand, and several people jumped over to start a new line.
Over an hour later, they were down to just a few people in line. Shirley glanced at her watch. “I hate to ask, but it’s four.”
“Go, get out of here. Katie and I can finish this up. The kids are all gone, right?” Rarity rolled her shoulders and saw Katie’s nod. “Shirley, I’ll see you at the closing ceremony. Oh, I feel like a jerk because I haven’t thought about asking, but how’s George? Everything okay?”
“He’s doing fine. He’s back at the home, but Kathy is with him.
She’s hanging out for another week, at least. I saw him this morning.
He’s sleeping a lot.” Shirley closed her eyes.
“Nope, I’m not going to cry. I’ll go over tonight after the event and Kathy can head to my house to sleep. He’s going to need to try.”
“I’m sure he’s trying,” Rarity said. She wasn’t sure exactly what to say at this point.
Shirley patted her arm. “Let’s all think good thoughts.”
As they were closing up the store, a woman ran into the store. “I’m glad I caught you.”
“We’ll be closing soon,” Rarity lied since they already should have been closed, but she didn’t want to be rude. And they weren’t open tomorrow, so if the woman needed reading material for the weekend, it was her last shot. “Can I help you find something?”
“Oh, no. I’m Gretchen Wiler. I’m Sedona’s connection with the film festival.
I hear we threw you a curveball today. My assistant was supposed to contact you and tell you about the giveaway months ago when this was planned, but I guess she forgot.
Anyway, I apologize if the run on books was overwhelming. ”
“On one hand, I should be thanking you. I’m going to have a good month and I probably need some roof work done.
But yes, it was a little overwhelming. Nothing we couldn’t handle, but I was short staffed without notice.
” Rarity tried not to sound like she was complaining.
She knew she was going to be happy about the profit, but she also needed to do something nice for Katie and Shirley.
“Well, my sister-in-law called me after she’d left the bookstore and told me you were shocked about the giveaway and about the line.
I really apologize. I know you like giving excellent service, and…
” Gretchen paused as she noticed a flyer with the next book club date.
“And you also had one of your book clubs this Saturday. This is why I told Angie to get in touch with you. Anyway, I apologize again. Are you coming tonight? I’d love to buy you and any member of your staff a drink at the event. ”
“We are coming.” Rarity turned to Katie. “Are you staying at Darby’s?”
“We’re all coming together.” Katie grinned as her phone buzzed. “The pizza’s at the house if it’s okay for me to leave.”
“Go ahead. I’ll see you at the event,” Rarity said as she turned back to Gretchen. “We survived, so no worries. I’m sure the girls would love a free drink.”
“Just have them use my name at the bar. I’ll leave a tab open.
” Gretchen glanced at her phone. “I work most of the festivals here, but I am really, really glad this one is over. The Hollywood people are just divas. Complaints about lodging, food, the closing times of the restaurants. You name it, they complain. Friday’s opening dinner was delayed for two hours.
The kitchen was livid. And poor Mason Pike.
That was horrible. His assistant, Jane? She’s so upset. ”
“It was a shock,” Rarity said in agreement. “So have you heard anything about his death? From the festival people?”
“Talia Brooks, have you met her? Anyway, she goes from grieving widow to hitting on anything male. I’ve had complaints from the theater staff that she was getting handsy.
” Gretchen rolled her eyes. “I swear, I’m about to quit this job.
Or at least tell the mayor I’ll do all the festivals except this one.
Let them bring in a professional wrangler. ”
“I’ve met Talia. She can be a handful.” Rarity tried to sound like she agreed with Gretchen. Maybe she’d tell her something she didn’t know that would help with the investigation.
Gretchen snorted. “That’s an understatement.
Jane corrals her for me now and then. Although I don’t know why.
Jane told me that she and Mason were dating and when Talia found out, she swooped back into Mason’s life.
That’s why you never date someone you work with.
Breakups are murder and if you have to see the guy every day at your job?
It’s worse. Anyway, that woman is an angel, cleaning up Talia’s messes.
Anyway, I need to get home to get ready. One more night, right?”
“Exactly. Tomorrow you’ll wake up and the festival will be all done.” Rarity was thinking about the connections between Talia and Jane.
“Unless we have a freak snowstorm that traps everyone in town tonight. I know, a bit theatrical, but with this group? Who knows. Oh, and we have a breakfast tomorrow. The festival that won’t die.
” Gretchen smiled as she turned to leave.
Then she turned back. “It was great to meet you. Maybe in a week or so we can do lunch to get to know each other better and I’ll have my brain back to normal. ”
“Sounds good. Just let me know.” Rarity followed her to the door, then locked it before going back to finish her closing tasks. No one else was going to come rushing in to buy a book now.
Archer was meeting her at the house. Now all she had to do was walk home, feed Killer, and get ready. Rarity thought she was as excited for the film festival to be over as Gretchen was, but for different reasons.
When she got home, Killer wouldn’t even look at her.
“Am I getting the silent treatment for leaving you home? Romeo stayed home today as well, so your friend wasn’t at the bookstore.
” Rarity went over and scooped him up, then sat on the couch.
She had a little bit of time before she needed to be ready.
And Gretchen’s appearance had given her more than just an apology for not warning her about the book drive. Talia had been a diva for her as well.
Was this entire thing about Talia? She wondered, who was Mason’s heir?
Had he changed the will to include his longtime live-in girlfriend?
And if so, had he changed it again when they broke up?
Was his death about money? He said that the spider movie had been a sleeper, but had continued to pay increasingly more in royalties as the years went by.
And as bad as it was, it had started his career as a director.
She reached over and grabbed her laptop from the coffee table where she’d left it last night. Hopefully, it was still charged. Killer was still curled near her on the couch and she didn’t want to disturb him.
It booted up and she typed in a question on how much Mason Pike was worth.
She was shocked by the balance. Of course, some of this was speculation and Rarity had already seen how people just said what they thought would make them look good, but whoever had written the piece had done some research into what Mason was paid for his movies, as well as the advance for his book.
And he’d been smart and put his extra money away, instead of buying a newer, bigger house.
He’d been in the same house he’d bought with the Attack of the Venus Spiders movie money.
He’d even addressed the issue in his book, and the author of the column had included this quote in the article:
Money comes and goes quickly, especially in this business. You might think the next paycheck is around the corner, but really, it’s two, three, maybe even five years out. You need to plan for the future as if this is the only money you’ll ever receive for your work.
At least if you want to eat tomorrow.
Rarity sat back. Apparently Mason was of the scarcity mindset.
She’d heard too many people talk about manifesting abundance, and Mason had mentioned it during his talk that Friday, but he’d protected his butt first. Then he trusted the universe.
And someone had killed him. Had it been about the money?
And a better question was, who got his estate now?