Page 55 of Dying to Read

Rarity didn’t worry that she didn’t hear back quickly. Holly worked nights, so she had her phone on Do Not Disturb during the first of the day. She’d discover themessage soon.

She finished her shopping list and decided it was cool enough that Killer could come to Flagstaff with her. She had to stop at the pet store and there he could go inside with her. The shopping list wasn’t long. If she thought it was too warm, there was a doggy daycare in the same strip mall as the grocery store. She wanted to talk to Daisy Wellings again about rare books.

Rarity had a feeling that there was more Daisy could tell her. Maybe she knew the mysterious benefactor returning the books to theEnder family.

As she got ready, she realized she’d left her wallet at the store on Saturday. She’d been planning on going back, so she’d tucked a credit card and her driver’s license in her jeans pocket when she’d left for the quilt show. Then Archer had called and she’d totally forgotten about it.

“Okay, let’s go and stop at the shop first, then go to your favorite pet store, then to the bookstore, and finally to grab groceries.” Rarity looked down at Killer, who’d only paid attention to the part about going. He was wiggling in delight. At least that was how Rarity wasseeing it. Having a dog kept her from talking to herself. Especially lately. Rarity liked talking out a complicated list of chores or stops beforeshe left home.

When they arrived at the shop, a red Corvette was pulling out of the parking spot in front of the store. She’d seen a lot of Corvettes lately.

Madame Zelda’s shop was open and she must have had an early morning true believer stop and get their first-of-the-week reading. Looking at the car, the woman driving must have been getting great financial advice.

Rarity turned to Killer. “Want to comeout with me?”

A dance on the seat told her that maybe the dog had realized he needed to relieve himself before the trip. Rarity clicked a leash on his harness and locked the car as they stepped onto the sidewalk. It would have been fine unlocked, but Rarity still had the safety mentality from living in St. Louis for so long. You always lockedyour car there.

Walking up to the shop, she wondered if the postman had come early. A package was propped against the door. She tucked it under her arm then unlocked the door, turning off the security system as she juggled the package, her keys, and Killer’s leash since he had decided to stop and water the fake grass she’d put by the door for his use.

When he was done, she shut and relocked the door, then went to the counter. Her wallet was right where she left it, and she set the package on the counter as she retrieved it and returned her cards to their regular slots. She’d learned during cancer treatments to always put things back when she used them. It kept her life and her mind settled, because at first, she’d been so scattered with everything, she’d started misplacing insurance and debit cards. She usually found them at the bottom of her tote. Or in a jacket. Or worse, in jeans she was getting ready to wash. Being organized kept her from stressing out later. Except she’d let this wallet thing slip by. Maybe she was starting to relax and not be sohypervigilant.

She closed the wallet and glanced at the package. She’d assumed it was from a publisher with an advance reader copy of an upcoming book, but there was no address on the front. Rarity turned it over, her stomach tightening.

Nothing on that side either. The postman hadn’t delivered this package. She opened it carefully. If it was the last book, it was rareand expensive. She unwrapped the book and took a breath. It was a Nancy Drew novel. She assumed it must be the final book that had been stolen from Marilyn Ender’s house the night she’d been killed.

Rarity rewrapped it into the bubble wrap and set the envelope on the counter. Then she went to her security feed. She watched as the woman in the red Corvette pulled up, got out of the car, and walked, head down, to the door. The envelope was clearly in her hands. But that was the only clear thing from the video. Rarity could see her long, dark hair coming out from the dark gray hoodie she wore over her jeans. But she had her hoodie down over her face and kept her face away from the camera. She must have knownit was there.

She dialed Drew.

“Why are you calling so early? Do you have some ability to know when I’m in the shower? Or worse, a camera in my bathroom?” He sounded grumpy.

“No to both of those things. Instead, I have another book delivery. I’m at the shop and I saw the woman leave it. Well, I wasn’t here when she dropped it off, but the camera caught her. She left in a red Corvette as I was parking.” Rarity glanced at her watch. “Come by and get it at noon when Katie opens and then you can watch the security tape.”

“I have a meeting with the DA on Jully’s murder at nine. I can be there at noon.” He paused, then asked, “Where are you going?”

“I’m heading to Flagstaff for some errands. I’m taking Killer with me.” Rarity tucked the package under the counter. “Tell Katie it’s under the counter. I’ll text her beforeI leave town.”

“Well, at least you have someone with you,” he teased. “Lock up the shop. I’d hate to have the book disappear again. Although I still think it’s weird the books are showing up now. Someone must be having a case of remorse.”

“That’s my take as well.” Rarity turned off the lights and picked up her wallet and keys. “I’ll make sure the shop is locked. I can put it in the safeif you want.”

“I’m sure it will be fine. There are only three of us who know it’s there. Maybe just text Katie that I’m picking up something, but not what it is.” He paused. “I’ve got to get ready. Make sure to lock up.”

“I heard you the first time.” Rarity smiled as she said it. It was nice to have people worry about her. “Hey, is Jonathon coming over to write?”

“I think it’s a good idea. I’ll make sure he’s aware of the situation. That way, if I’m late, Katie will have a backup.”

“It’s good to have friends in law enforcement.” Rarity laughed. “Go finish your shower. You don’t want to offend the DA or have them thinkwe’re hicks.”

“He already thinks that. Drive safeand lock up.”

She was about to respond when she realized he’d hung up. She looked down at Killer, who looked unsure why he still was on his leash inthe bookstore.

“Your uncle Drew thinksI’m an idiot.”

The only response she got was a bark. She was going to interpret that ashe’s crazyrather than knowing her dog agreed with Drew.

She used the hands-free function in her car to text Katie about Drew and to expect Jonathon. She got a quick acknowledgment, so she turned up the radio and headed to Flagstaff. First stop, pet store.

---