Page 41 of Secrets in the Stacks

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Rarity and Archer were just sitting on the couch to watch a movie after returning from dinner when his phone rang. He glanced at the display. “Am I going to regret telling Darby to call me?”

Rarity laughed and paused the movie. “Pick it up. If you don’t, she’ll call me.”

“Hey, Darby, what’s going on?” He listened for a second, then said, “Hang on, I’m putting you on speaker so Rarity can hear this. Say that last part again?”

“The front door to the house is open. Holly’s here with me, but Malia left from the restaurant to go home. Should we go in? Did I just forget to lock it?”

Rarity sat up and spoke into the phone. “Don’t go in the house. You’ve already had one break-in that we know of. Hang up and call 9-1-1. We’re on our way.”

“Okay. Thanks, Rarity. And I’m sorry I interrupted your night.”

The phone went dead. Archer stood and grabbed his jacket. “Put on some sneakers. You don’t need to be going in heels. Who knows how long we’ll be there.”

“Good idea.” She ran to her room to grab her sneakers, socks, and a light jacket. She didn’t want to take the time to change, but if they were outside for long, the air was going to cool fast, and she’d need something more than the sundress. Killer followed her into the bedroom. “Sorry, boy, we’ve got to run out again. I’ll be home soon.”

He ran to his bed and curled up with his back to her. Apparently, he’d understood the words. At least the part that said she was leaving him, again.

Archer was standing at the door, talking on the phone. When he saw her, he ended the call with a quick, “We’ll be there soon.”

She followed him out of the house, making sure to lock her door as she left. She dropped the keys into her tote and sprinted to the Jeep.

As Archer started the engine and pulled out of the driveway, he took her hand in his. “She’s going to be okay. She probably just thought she’d locked the door and the wind opened it.”

“It’s not windy tonight,” Rarity pointed out.

He nodded. “Okay, maybe a stray cat pushed it open or a latecomer to the wake knocked on the door and didn’t realize it was open.”

“Or maybe someone waited for her to leave, then broke in, and he’s still there.”

“Maybe,” Archer admitted as he increased his speed a little. “If he’s still there, the police will find him.”

When they arrived, there were several cop cars there with lights flashing. Archer parked across the street, and they got out of the Jeep and ran to Holly’s car. A cop stopped them at the sidewalk.

“Sorry, official police business. Please walk away.” The cop blocked their way to the car.

Drew came up to the cop and tapped him on his shoulder. When he turned, Drew nodded to Archer and Rarity. “They’re with me. Let them in.”

“But, sir,” the cop started to protest.

Drew took Rarity’s arm. “You heard me. These two are allowed in the scene. Just keep the rest of the lookie-loos out.”

The guy’s face burned bright red, but he stepped back to let Archer and Rarity pass.

Drew shook his head, and when they were almost at Holly’s car, he spoke. “Sorry about that. He’s a rookie. To him, the rules are absolute. Anyway, I just got here. No one’s in the house, and there’s no sign of a break-in.”

“What are you saying?” Rarity met Drew’s gaze.

He shrugged. “Just that. If the door wasn’t forced open, it was either left unlocked or the guy was in the house when she left. Most of Sedona was inside the house today, so that’s the avenue I’m taking. And it was smart. There are too many fingerprints all over the house to even dust. I’m just hoping Darby can spot what was taken.”

Chapter 17

Friday morning, Rarity and Killer were at the shop trying to catch up on book shelving and other typical Thursday chores she’d put off to go to the funeral. Customer traffic had been slow that morning, which was a blessing, especially since Darby wasn’t expected back until Monday.

When the bell rang over the door, Rarity tried not to groan as she saved the work she’d been doing on the newsletter. She called out in what she hoped was a friendly voice, “Look around and let me know if you need any help.”

The system didn’t want to save her work, and she cursed under her breath.

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