Page 47 of Dying to Read

“What if the person who sent this also sent theother books?”

Jonathon shook his head. “It’s not the book that was stolen.”

“You know that, but what if they don’t? They just know it wasan old copy?”

“So they assumed, when they found the book, it was the stolen one.” Jonathon nodded. “It’s a theory. A good one. Call Drew and have him meet us here before you close. I’ll still walk you home, especially after that arriving today.”

When Drew came into the bookstore, Rarity had the book and the envelope sitting on the counter. There was no postage on the envelope. She had called Shirley, who’d said she hadn’t noticed it until the mail arrived. She thought the mailman had brought it.

Rarity relayed all that information as Drew looked at the book.

“You’re sure the missing book was a first edition?” He looked at his dad.

“I’ll have to review a copy of the file, but I’m sure that’s what the insurance claim said.” Jonathon tapped a pen on his notebook. “Unless they were wrong.”

“Archer told me his grandmother had several first editions. She explained to him what that meant and showed him the copyright page. It was his first lesson that books are different and some are valuable.” Rarity shook her head. “The family shouldn’t have made a mistake on that.”

“I wish I could chat with Archer’s dad.” Drew ran his hand through his hair. Frustration oozed out of him. “Maybe I couldcall his mom.”

“He’s bad?” Rarity assumed things weren’t going well since Archer had to takeoff last night.

Drew nodded. “Archer called me late to talk. I’m not sure his dad would even wake up or understand if I went over to ask him questions. Anyway, can I take the book? Let’s make sure it’s the book from the Ender robbery.”

“Of course.” Rarity tucked the book back into the envelope along with the packing material, and Drew put it in a plastic evidence bag. “Not to change the subject, but what’s going onwith George?”

“He’s off the suspect list, if that’s what you’re asking. And no, Terrance isn’t cleared yet.” Drew wrote on the outside of the evidence bag the time and date and the Next Chapter’s address. “It’s horrible when my job is all about looking for evidence that would convict my friends. Or friends of friends. You all seem to think I take pleasure in raking people over the coals.”

“I don’t think that at all.” Rarity assumed he was referring to his issues with Sam and her brother. “I just know Terrance couldn’t have killed anyone. He doesn’t have a mean bonein his body.”

“But he does have a need to protect others.” Drew held up a hand as Rarity started to object. “I’m not debating this with you. Besides, my dad said you found out some things about Jully that might open up some other suspectsin his death.”

“I think so.” Rarity told Drew what she and Shirley had heard at the nursing home. “If he was killing off wealthy women, maybe someone got wise to his game andstopped him.”

“Possible. And with the file that Sally threw away, I have at least circumstantial evidence that the administrator knew more than what she’s telling me. I’ve got an interview with her tomorrow before the funeral. Are you or any of your sleuths attending? I’d love a snapshot of the guest book if they have one and maybe a list of who you see atthe funeral.”

“You laugh at our investigative techniques then you use us for the grunt stuff,” Rarity responded, shaking her head.

Drew shrugged. “If you want to play detective, why not keep you guys out of harm’s way by giving you safe things that need to be done anyway? I’d rather have you doing this than interviewing people about Jully’s past. That could have been dangerous.”

Rarity thought about his statement. “We had a cover story; since Sedona Memory Care was threatening to kick out George, Shirley had a reason to be there. But when Marsha started talking, it seemed like she wanted to tell us everything. And we had the patient, Elizabeth, who supported the story. William Jully was a bad egg. He deserved to be stopped.”

“And that’s why Terrance isn’t off the suspect list. He saw the same things.” Drew glanced at his watch. “Dad, we have dinner reservations at the Garnet tonight at six. I need to shower and change. Sam’s joining us.”

“I told Rarity I’d walk her home, so I’ll meet you there.” Jonathon turned toward Rarity. “Of course, you’re more than welcome to join us.”

“I think I’ll pass.” Sam needed some time with Drew and his dad to clear the air and make their relationship a little more normal. Besides, Rarity had an itch to cook tonight. She always thought better when she was doing something. “I’ve got an urge to make pasta.”

“Sounds yummy,” Jonathon said as he packed up his laptop. “I see why you all walk everywhere. You eatamazing food.”

Drew left and Rarity closed up the shop. She and Jonathon made small talk as they walked through the subdivision to her house. As she dug out her keys, Jonathon waited by the driveway. She turned to him after unlocking the door. “Am I seeingyou tomorrow?”

“I’m here for the duration. Unless this goes past Easter, then I’ll let you know. You should come down to Tucson with Sam for Easter dinner.” He reached down and pulled a weed out from the front flower bed that she’d filled with mulch.

“That’s nice of you, but Easter’s for family,” Rarity protested.

“Dear, if you haven’t noticed by now, you and Archer are part of our family.” Jonathon handed her Killer’s leash. “And this rug rat, of course. I might even have a playmate forhim by then.”

Rarity went into her kitchen to make sure she had what she needed for dinner; then after pulling everything out, she decided to take a quick swim first. It would give her chicken breast sometime to thaw.

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