Page 19 of Dying to Read

“Anyway, what else can we discuss? This is an unreliable narrator. What can we believe from what she thinks or says?” Rarity continuedthe questions.

Kathy added to the discussion. “I liked how the old case kept coming up and coloring her notions of what was happening now. It didn’t have much to do with the current murder, but both the old and new were focused on the realestate angle.”

When the group finally took a break, the nonsleuths, Deb and Ginny, bought the next book and told the group good night and good hunting. Kathy walked over to her mom. “Are weleaving now?”

“If you don’t mind, I need to attend this group. They’re my people and they understand me and George. If you don’t want to stay, you’re welcome to take the car. I’ll get a ride home.” Shirley smiled at her daughter. “Don’t forget to take the books we bought. There are cookies in the kitchen. I’ll be home aroundnine thirty.”

“If you’re staying, I’m staying.” Kathy put two cookies on a napkin and returned to her seat.

Rarity had overheard the conversation and went over to talk to Kathy. “I want you to know, we’re going to talk about George and Terrance. They’re both good men and neither one of them could kill anyone. Even someone like William Jully.”

Kathy searched her face, then nodded. “Terrance must have told you about our conversation. I was upset. I’m sorry about overreacting. He seems like a nice guy.”

“Your mother cares about him and he cares about her.” Rarity saw Kathy squirm in her chair. “It’s not a physical thing. I mean, they haven’t gone there. She loves your father. He doesn’t remember who she is.She’s lonely.”

Kathy looked down at her cookies. “I’d rather not discuss their relationship with you right now. Maybe ever. But I hear your warning, I won’t say things that are hurtful or untrue.”

“Thanks.” Rarity hoped Kathy meant her pledge; all she could do was watch and step in if she went off. No one should be attacked in these meetings. Evenby a relative.

Jonathon met her as she walked over to the flip chart holder. He held the marker. “Do you mind if I lead tonight’s discussion? It wasmy cold case.”

“Which discussion are we talking about, both of them?” When Jonathon nodded, Rarity sat down. “You can have the floor. We need to talk about the current murder as well as the older one.”

“I hear you.” He glanced at his watch. “Okay, let’s get back together. We’ve got a few things to talk about.”

“Welcome back to Sedona, Jonathon,” Holly called out. “Did Edith stay in Tucson? Is there something you need to tell us?”

“If you’re asking about our relationship, it’s fine. Edith’s volunteering with the spring orchestra season. She loves working with them.” He wrote Marilyn Ender’s name on the board. “For those of you who don’t know, this is Archer’s grandmother. She was murdered in her home on a spring evening here in Sedona twenty years ago and her killer has never been caught. It was one of the cold cases on my watch that has always haunted me. Mostly because our families were close. Archer and Drew were thick as thieves even back then. Our daughters were in Girl Scouts together. I didn’t think we’d ever get closure. Last week, Rarity found a book in the restroom of this bookstore that belonged to Marilyn. We think someone who knew the family and participated in the murder and robberyleft it here.”

“A book led you there?” Malia asked.

“A rare and valuable book that Archer has already verified as belonging to his grandmother. We’ve taken the book over to the station, so the bookstore should be safe, but I wanted to get the hive mind working on this new evidence. I know we’re more focused on clearing our friends George and Terrance, but I’d like you to think on this and let me know if something looks off.” He handed out folders to all the members. “You all have good instincts and a strong knowledge of Sedona. If there’s anything, let me know. Now, are there any questions?”

“I have a few.” Holly held up her hand. “Can you tell us about finding the book? And did you check the security cameras to see who came inon that day?”

Rarity answered. “Jonathon and I are doing that after our meeting ends. Katie said it was busier than normal on Monday. She didn’t have time to clean the restrooms. So last Tuesday morning, I cleaned them as soon as I got here and found the book. When I realized how valuable the book was, Jonathon convinced me to call Drew. He thought it would be better to hold it at the station. I also showed the book to Archer and he remembered his grandmother telling him about theinscription.”

Holly made a few notes, then nodded. Holly Harper worked in the town’s IT department. Mostly she worked nights, updating servers and replacing computers in the various city departments. She also had a very analytical mind. Where Rarity told herself stories to remember things, Holly had a to-do list with bullet points in her head.

Her detail-focused mind was her superpower. Especially with this group.

When there weren’t any more questions, Jonathon started with the death of William Jully. He looked at Shirley. “Was he the one who kept bringing you in this last week? He wanted George sent away fromthe facility.”

“That was him. Thank goodness Sally, the administrator, didn’t agree with his diagnosis.” Shirley was knitting now. If Rarity had to guess, the blanket was probably for one of the moms at her church or in the Mommyand Me class.

“If you had moved him, then Dad wouldn’t be being investigated for killing the guy,” Kathy pointed out.

“Shirley, if you want to go on?” Rarity prodded, shaking her head slightly at Kathy. She might not get the message, but she wasn’t going to attack her mom. Not here. Kathy sighed and leaned back in her chair.

“Jully was very insistent that George needed to be transferred to Flagstaff. Of course, that would make it harder for me to see him daily. Besides, George isn’t in a condition to be moved. His heart, well, they’re watching it and hopefully, he’ll be fine.” Shirley was always looking at thepositive side.

Finding out her dad had more health issues shut Kathy up. Rarity watched as she wrote something down in her folder. Rarity would bet that Kathy was going to be checking George’s medical record with thenursing staff.

Jonathon wrote the question down on the whiteboard as he spoke it aloud. “Why was Jully insistent that George be moved?”

“According to what George told me, he thought Jully was stealing from residents. And sneaking into their rooms.” Rarity looked at Shirley, who nodded for her to go on. “He was concerned about Jully’s attention toward Lizzy Hamilton. George thought she wasbeing abused.”

“Okay, yuck. Seriously, I have to deal with handsy customers all day. Now you’re telling me it doesn’t stop. Ever?” Malia asked.

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