Page 39 of Dying to Read

“That’s just it, I want to be here, not there. I can’t leave Dana alone with him. He’s been combative and hard to deal with. The nurse says it’s normal for his stage, but it means Dana can’t be there alone for long. He was sleeping when I left. I told her to text if she needed me.” He started eating. Then he set down his fork. “Rarity, I’m worried that Dad’s condition might be hereditary. What if I bring bad genesto our kids?”

“One, we don’t have kids, and two, remember, I already have cancer in my health history. I think you should be more worried about my genes passing down to our imaginary rug rats. Is this why you were hesitant about moving in with me?” Now the last few weeks were beginningto make sense.

“Partially. I didn’t want to spring this whole thing with Dad on you. Dana and I are struggling enough. You shouldn’t have to deal with it too.” He took a biteof his omelet.

“I cook at the house for Dad and Dana. It calms me.”

“You’re a good man, Archer Ender. I’m here no matter what’s going on. Just tell me what you need.” When Archer didn’t reply, she squeezed his hand and changed the subject. Standing, she went to the kitchen and retrieved the coffeepot to refill their cups. “So how many books were stolen from your grandmother’s house?Just the two?”

“Four rare and valuable books were taken that night. Two of them have shown up at your bookstore in the last two weeks. All that’s missing is a first-edition copy ofThe Fellowship of the Ringby Tolkien and an early Nancy Drew. Not sure which one, but my Dad had the list on his crazy board. Now it’s in a box on the floor. I could go through the madness and text you.” He leaned back in his chair.“Why now? Why are the books showing up now? Is it because of my dad’s condition? And if so, why didn’t whoever took them just give them back years ago?”

“Since your grandmother was killed during the robbery, maybe they couldn’t risk exposing themselves.” Rarity thought about the copy ofThe Hobbitshe’d bought at the bookstore. “Hey, I’m heading into the Lost Manuscript in Flagstaff later today. I was planning on talking to the owner about collecting additional rare books and what I should be looking for. Maybe you should come along? Or meet me there.”

“I’d love to, but Dana’s got an appointment later today and I’ve got to go back to Dad’s. Jack’s handling the store. No hikes are scheduled until this weekend. It’s a juggling act.” He stood and kissed her. “Let me know if any more random books show upat your shop.”

Rarity walked him to the door and watched as he drove his Jeep away. She felt bad that Archer was going through this. It was hard to lose a parent, especially when the kids were in charge of everything. Life didn’t prepare you to deal with a dying loved one. There wasn’t a class at school or required reading on how to deal with your emotions or on what to do for your parent when they need help. Rarity wondered if Archer had any aunts or uncles that he could contact. Sometimes having someone there who knew thefamily helped.

Or not. Rarity sent a blessing up in the air to his family and then pulled her to-do list closer. She wanted to relax since this was the only day she had off this week, but she had things on her mind. Including William Jully’s death. She’d told Jonathon that she would read the file they’d found last night, but instead, she’d watched reruns ofProject Runway. She loved competition shows where everyone had a dream. She’d found strength in the shows when she was uprooting her life a few years ago. She’d found her dream. She hoped others could do the same.

This morning, instead of turning on the television, Rarity sat at the table and opened the file. She had her murder notebook open as well and started making notes. Drew would probably be over soon to pick up the file since she was certain that Jonathon had mentioned it to him.

She wroteRuth Ageewith a question mark, then made notes on her age and other identifying information. The woman was Hispanicwith curly hair and was eighty-two. She had dementia, but other than that, she was healthy. She went to physical therapy three times a week and had been settled enough to take walks in the park most days. The file also had a personal trust accounting, but even though it had a few hundred in the account, the spending didn’t seem off.

Rarity frowned. If Ruth was this healthy, why had she died? And why did George think that William Jully was involved in her passing?

She went through all the pages, but nothing jumped out. Even her blood tests were good. A note from a doctor during an annual visit mentioned that the patient was expected to live several more years and needed a social evaluation regarding the current placement and funding available for care.

As Rarity went through the pages, there was no report from the social worker, but there was a note from the business office manager, McKenzie Jones, that the patient’s financial status would cover several more years of care at her current rate of spending.

“Too bad you didn’t live to spend all your money.” Rarity closed the file. Nothing jumped out that screamed,This is why I was killed. No conspiracy theory issues. No lack of funds. Sedona Memory Care would have been better off if she had lived longer. “So why did you die? Was it your time?Heart attack?”

She called Shirley. “Hey, quick question. If someone was transferred to the hospital, would it show in their fileat the home?”

“Definitely. I used to check George’s file for any updates. Once, I was out of town and they took him in for a test at the hospital. The time he left and the time he came back was noted, and on his bill that month, they listed a transfer.” Shirley paused. “Is this about the file you found?”

“Yeah, there’s nothing about how she died or when. The notes stop October fifth.” She wrote the date on her notepad. “I guess I need to find out when and how Ruth Agee died.”

“Well, I’m at the bookstore now; if you need anything, let me know. I’ve got several friends from my church here. Kathy’s talking about going home later this week. I have to say, I’ll be glad to be back to a normal schedule. She keeps asking if I’m okay or if I need something. She’s making me feel old. She rearranged all my plasticware yesterday.” Shirley paused and said something to someone at the otherend. “Sorry, I need to go. And don’t worry about the leftover books from the festival. I’ve already got them reshelved.”

As soon as she hung up, Killer ran to the door, barking. Rarity went and opened the door to a surprised Drew, who looked like he was about to knock. “You’re herefor the file?”

She opened the door wider, and Killer ran out to greet his friend. Drew swept him up in his arms and stepped inside. “So are you psychic now? You open the door before I knock and knowwhy I’m here?”

“I pay attention. Killer outed you on the porch. He must have heard your steps or maybe when you parked your truck in the driveway.” She walked into the kitchen. “Coffee?”

“I have time for a cup.” He followed her and sat at the table. “So what did you think of the file? Any clues?”

“It might be Ruth Agee’s, I’m not sure. The name of the patient has been blacked out. Do we know when she died?” She handed him a cup. “She had funds to pay for the nursing home for several more years. I doubt they wanted her gone.”

He pulled out his notes. “Since George was ranting about Ruth Agee, I asked Marsha Graves, the social worker, to look her up. Ruth was losing cognitive abilities, but she was healthy. Marsha said she enjoyed painting in her craft room at the facility. They had an aide who worked with her and took her for walks outside the facility. She was shocked to come in to work on a Monday and find that she’d passed on during the night.”

“Did she say who inherited her money?” Rarity realized she hadn’t thought of that question, so she wrote it down inher notebook.

“I didn’t ask.” Drew tapped the file. “Why would you?”

“Sally Ball went to great lengths to destroy this file. If it’s Ruth’s, why would she do that unless it linked the care center with a crime?” Rarity sipped her coffee. “What have you found out about William Jully?”

“You mean his death?” Drew was still petting Killer, but Rarity felt his eyes watchingher reactions.

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