Page 56 of Death in the Romance Aisle

Holly glanced at the to-do list. “Okay, that has one of the tasks marked off. What about finding out where Trish went that Saturday? I’m sure she’s not going to be truthful if we come out and ask her. What about cabs or drivers? Does she even drive?”

“We need to talk to someone close to her. What charity was she working with most recently?” Rarity grabbed her phone and scrolled through the pictures online that came up when she typed in Trish’s name. “Here’s one. It’s an animal shelter. I’ll call and see what I can find out. If we can find someone who knew Trish and her schedule, then we can glean what we need from there.”

“If there’s more than one charity, let me know. I have connections in the community service arena here in the area. Someone I know should also know Trish.” Shirley wrote Rarity’s and her name by the “find out where Trish was” item.

Holly pointed to the first one. “I’ll take looking at the trail. I’ll get up early tomorrow and go around those trails near the quarry. Maybe one of the regular hikers heard a shot fired during their walk. I need to get some exercise in anyway.”

Malia grabbed another cookie. “I’ll go with you if I can. I’ve been eating too many of Shirley’s sweets.”

“Haven’t we all.” Jonathon chuckled.

And with that, the tension that had been starting to build with the club dissolved. Rarity thought Jonathon’s message to the group, having a positive attitude, also meant believing the best of everyone. Even those who act on their baser instincts like Caleb.

Jonathon was quiet as they got ready to close the store and walk to Rarity’s. She locked the door, and they crossed the courtyard to the sidewalk. Sam’s shop was closed already, but that didn’t surprise Rarity. She often closedbefore Rarity.

“Are you okay? Malia was a little tough on you today.” Rarity asked as they started walking back to her house.

“I think I was the one who was tough on her. As a police officer, I knew every day I could be involved in something that could end my life. I can get defensive when people make overgeneralizations. We’re not all bad cops out there.” He pulled hisjacket closer.

“I think your bringing it from ‘they’ to a specific person was brilliant. We can blame ‘they’ all we want. But when we start blaming people we know specifically, then you have to decide what you believe more. ‘Did your friend act this way?’ versus ‘Did the general city management act this way?’ We’re all just people. Some of us are better people than others.” Rarity bumped his shoulder with her own.

“I’m glad I’m hanging out with good people now. The book club is trying to help Drew out, whether he wants it or not.” He waved at Terrance on his porch. “We all have to do our part to keep Sedona safe.”

Rarity stopped in her driveway. “We didn’t assign anyone to look into the lawyer, Allen Holbart. If he’d have an affair with a young woman he was supposed to be watching over, he might just kill if he thought the money should be under his control.”

“Or if he used the trust money like it was his own. I’ll do an internet search on him and see if he’s done something like this before.” Jonathon brightened. “It will give me something to work on when the muse is being stubborn andI can’t write.”

She opened the door. Killer came running to her. “Hey, I’m home,” she called out to Archer. She turned back to Jonathon. “Do you want to come in?”

He shook his head. “I’m fine. I’m going to wander on home. Maybe Terrance needs to do a walkabout and I can get some company forthe walk home.”

“That’s a great idea. I’m sure he’s ready to stretch his legs.” Rarity said goodbye to Jonathon and told him she’d see him in the morning. The house smelled like homemade chicken noodle soup. At least that was what she hoped it was. She called out to Archer, “Something smells amazing.”

“I should hope so. I slaved all day over this hot stove.” Archer came over and gave her a kiss. “Howwas your club?”

“Tense. I think everyone just wants this investigation to be over. They’re seeing shadows in people we should be trusting.” Rarity fell on the couch and brought Killer over to herlap to cuddle.

“I know the cure for that. Let’s all go to the Lava River Cave on Sunday.” Archer went to the kitchen and poured Rarity aglass of wine.

“Lava what?” She took her wine and scooted over on the couch to make room.

“It’s a cave that was made from a lava river. It’s really cool, but everyone needs to wear solid shoes and warm clothes. And it’s completely dark, so we’ll need several flashlights, just in case.” He sipped his wine and nodded. “I go there when I need to think. It changes your perceptions on things. I always come out more focused and, if I had a problem, with a solution by thetime I leave.”

“Sounds interesting. I’ve never seen a cave like that.” Rarity ran her fingers through Killer’s fur. “Did you miss me, bubba?”

“We had too much fun without you. We went outside and barked at Terrance across the fence, then we wandered through the yard, checking the fence. And that was all after he helped me make dinner. He makes sure nothing stays on the floor if I drop it.” He pulled out his planner. “I’m blocking off Sunday, and we’re going. I’ll call the members of your group and see if they want to go. The hike’s not horrible, so Shirley and Jonathon shouldn’t have any issues.”

“How far is this cave?” Rarity liked having some decompressiontime on Sunday.

“Just over an hour, maybe an hour and a half. If we get there before the snow closes the road, we can take the shortcut.” He was scribbling in his planner. “I’ll make the calls tomorrow and see who wecan get to go.”

She watched him block off the time. “You love this, don’t you?”

He grinned and shut the planner. “It’s a good thing that planning and giving hiking tours is my job. We’ll take the bus. That way you can all talk while I drive. Let’s get dinner going. I’ve got a game I’dlike to watch.”

“Sounds great. I’ve got a book I need to read.” Rarity had brought home the elementary school book club selection for next week. She was looking forward to this club, way more than she did the teenagers last week. But she was definitely participating as part of Sedona now. She’d met so many new people in the last month, just through the book clubs. And Sunday, she’d go to another tourist spot she could talk about withher customers.

Life was good. Or it would be if one of her employees hadn’t been murdered just a few weeks ago. And her killer was still on the loose.

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