Page 40 of Dying to Read

“Actually no, about his life. Who was he? Why did he leave the other nursing homes? I found he worked in two. One in Tucsonand one in Flagstaff.” She met Drew’s gaze. “And yes, why would someone kill him?”

He sipped his coffee. “You’re looking for someone besides George in afit of rage.”

“Can’t be a fit of rage since it was an overdose. That’s methodical and planned. Rage is immediate, reactive.” Rarity ran her finger over the top of her cup. “But as for George, yes—I’m looking for someone else. Especially since Lizzy Hamilton is talking about being released from the care center and how her fiancé is going to marry her. Is there any chance she knew William before he came to SedonaMemory Care?”

Drew kissed Killer on the head before setting him down on the floor. He stood, grabbing the file. “Usually, you have a stronger theory than all these questions.”

“What can I say, I’m off my game.” She smiled at him. “It’s probably Archer’s family issues that are cloudingmy instinct.”

“Or having GeorgeandTerrance looking like they’re on the hook for Jully’s murder.” He paused for a minute. “How’s Shirley doing with all this?”

“She’s working. If she keeps busy, she doesn’t have to think.” Rarity stood and followed him to the door. “Is there any way that George didn’t do it? The floor nurse doesn’t think he could have figured out the right meds or dosage tokill someone.”

“I’m waiting for a report from a doctor I asked to examine George. I hope to have him out of solitary before the end of the week. I agree. I can’t see the guy actually planning and pulling this together. But then, Terrance was seen both arguing with Jully and in the administration wing the night of his death. I’m sure you didn’t want to hear that either.” He opened the door. “Neither option is a good one. Oh, and one more thing, my mom didn’t recognize anyone new on your security video. She said to tell you she was sorry.”

“It was a long shot, anyway. I think we’re looking too narrowly. I’m sure the answer is in Jully’s history. Maybe the sleuthing gang can find some other suspects for you.” She grinned at him.

“If I didn’t know Dad was part of your group, I’d shut you down for interfering with an investigation. I hope having my fatherthere keeps you guys from doing something stupid.” He stepped outon the porch.

“Hold on, buddy. We’ve given you valuable information before. Don’t forget that.” After he’d acknowledged her comment, he hurried to his truck. Rarity leaned on the doorframe and watched him leave. Killer sat on the porch, watching him as well. She knew that Drew worried about the group and one of them getting put in a compromised position. But everyone was being careful. She hoped.

When she went back inside, she spent a few minutes writing out the questions she’d asked Drew. Maybe Jonathon could answer some of them or follow up with his son. She felt like she had at least something to add to tomorrow’s meeting.

Then she smiled at Killer. “Do you want to go with meto Flagstaff?”

Killer went to stand by the back door. His signal to her that he needed outside. Rarity thought he might not know they were taking a road trip, but he’d be good company for her as she drove. And maybe she’d find out more about Marilyn Ender’s missing books. At least she’d be doing something, even if it wasn’t looking into Jully’s background.

When she got to the small strip mall, she took Killer over to a grassy area in case and as she waited, Gretchen came out of the small pet store that was next to the bookstore. Rarity waved and called her name.

Gretchen smiled and walked over, but Rarity could tell she hadn’t recognized her from their pet care night at the nursing home. “Hi, I bet you don’t remember me,” Rarity started as she stepped toward her. “I’m Rarity Cole. I was at Sedona—”

“Memory Care night.” Gretchen smiled back as she made the connection. “Sorry, when I see people out of context, it takes a while. What are you doing in Flagstaff? You own the Sedona bookstore, right?”

“I do, and I wanted to talk to you about doing an adoption Saturday event at the store. I sent an email, but you’ve probably been busy. I’ve got two teenagers attached to the bookstore who are going to grow up to be future community activists. They love planning events, but I wanted to make sure it was something you did before I floated theidea to them.”

“Are you kidding? I’d love to do an adoption event. If anything, it raises awareness of spaying and neutering. And sometimes, we get some forever homes for our charges.” Gretchen reached into her purse and handed Rarity a card. “I’m so excited about more events in Sedona. I was afraid that William Jully would have talked Sally into canceling next month’s event at the facility. He had me kicked out of the Flagstaff Extended Care facility last year because of one accident. He thinks the dogs are dirty.”

“You knew Jully when he worked at Flagstaff Extended Care?” Rarity didn’t bring up the fact that Jully wouldn’t be canceling any eventsanytime soon.

“Yeah, he was the night manager there too. I heard he left under questionable circumstances, but I never found out the details. I was shocked to see him in Sedona. Of course, he was his normal snarky self.” She leaned down and rubbed Killer’s head. “Aren’t you adorable? Anyway, I’ve got to get home. My dog was out of wet food this morning, so she’s probably eating the curtains right now. A cobbler’s kids, am I right?”

Rarity watched as Gretchen hurried over to a small SUV and climbed inside. She was parked next to an older red Corvette. Gretchen waved as she backed out of the parking spot. Killer sniffed Rarity’s leg. She picked him up and put him in the puppy purse, tucking his leash inside the tote with him. “Well, wasn’t thatinteresting?”

Killer leaned his head on the furry edge of the tote and closed his eyes. Apparently, he didn’t agree with Rarity’s assessment of their accidental meeting with the shelter administrator. But Rarity was feeling hopeful that maybe with one more stop, she might find out more about why Jully had left the Flagstaff facility.

She went inside the store, and an older woman sat reading at the cash register. She looked up at Rarity and smiled. “Welcome to the Lost Manuscript bookstore. And who’s the cutie in your purse?”

Chapter 16

Having a cute dog was the best way to start conversations with strangers. It worked for singles looking for a date. It worked for people new to town and wanting to expand their contacts. And it worked for people like Rarity, who was looking for information to solve a cold case. Rarity stepped closer to the older woman. She looked familiar. Maybe she’d been in the store. “I’m Rarity Cole from Sedona, and this is Killer. I’m sorry, have we met before?”

The woman dropped her eyes and rubbed Killer’s head before retreating behind the counter. “I don’t think so.”

Rarity noticed she didn’t introduce herself. Weird. Especially since she’d been so open and friendly at the beginning. She took another look and realized that she’d been part of the pets on parade group that visited the extended care facility with Gretchen’s group. “I believe I have seen you before. I don’t think we met, but we both volunteered at the Sedona Memory Carewith the dogs.”

The woman lifted her gaze from the computer screen. “That’s right. I did see you there when I was leaving. Sorry, I don’t get out much. My dad owns the bookstore but he’s not doing well, so I work here, a lot. So unless you’re a customer here, I probably don’t know you.”

“Oh, I think I met your dad the last time I was here. Arthur, right? He showed me a copy ofThe Hobbitand talked me into buying it.” Rarity continued chatting, hoping she’d find a way to casually weave in a question or two about the missing books from Marilyn Ender. “I’ve never bought a rare book before. I’m going to put it up on a shelf in my bookstore. I own the Next Chapter in Sedona. Have you been there?”

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