* * * *
Saturday came early, and Caleb and Janey were there as soon as Rarity arrived. Caleb had stopped for donuts and coffee at Annie’s. “Breakfast of the gods. At least the college gods, especially after a Friday night frat party. Sorry I missed your friend’s going-away party. I know some kids who went that said it was epic.”
Rarity laughed as she opened the door and let Killer inside as well as her new employees. “I think we left before it turned epic. Old people need their dinner and their sleep.”
“You’re not old, and neither are any of your friends.” Janey headed to the back to drop off her jacket and tote. “Thanks for the introduction, by the way. Marcus is interesting.”
“You two seemed to be hitting it off. Are you going to go out?” Rarity followed her into the back room and filled Killer’s water dish.
“We went to dinner last night, and he’s coming to get me tonight after work. Then tomorrow, we’re going to hike into this amazing quarry lake.” Janey was rattling off the details so fast, she didn’t see Caleb’s eyes flash.
Rarity did. I thought there was something there. At least one-sided. Rarity decided changing the subject would be a good thing. She didn’t want Caleb to be hurt any more than he already seemed to be. “Let’s jump into designing the book clubs. I’d like to do this as a group exercise, so if one of us is gone, someone else could fill in that day. That’s why I had you attend Tuesday night’s club.”
“Those women are amazing.” Caleb had turned off whatever sadness he’d been feeling over Janey’s new dating plans. Maybe it was for the best. “I’ll run that group anytime you need me to.”
“Unless she asks me first.” Janey grinned. “I’m here. I’m not invisible, no matter what some professors seem to think.”
“I had professors and work peers that did the same thing.” Rarity shrugged. “I guess it’s a male thing.”
Caleb held up his hand. “Just because some guys go all alpha and forget to look around to see who’s actually in the room is no reason to paint us all with the same stick. I’m sensitive. Just ask my mother.”
Rarity laughed and nodded. “Okay, no male-bashing permitted. And if we do talk about incidents, we’ll talk about that specific person who made us feel less because of our sex.”
“Now, was that so hard?” Caleb set up the flip chart on the stand. “I’ll take notes. Let’s start with the elementary club and build up? Will that work?”
They worked all morning, with Rarity taking breaks to help customers, but by the end of the day, they had an excellent plan.
“Okay, so next week, Janey, you’re scheduled on Wednesday and Caleb Thursday. Then you’re both here Friday and Saturday. If you can’t be here at opening, just call and let me know when you’ll be here. I’m really excited about our new clubs.”
They said their goodbyes, and Rarity closed up the store.
Archer was outside waiting to walk her home as she locked the front door. He took her bag and Killer’s leash, then put his arm around her. “Good day?”
“Great day,” she agreed, and they talked about food and the future while they were walking.
* * * *
Early Sunday afternoon, her phone rang. “Hey, Drew. What’s going on? Are you and Sam coming over for a game night?”
“No, Rarity, this is a business call.”
She took in a breath. “Not the bookstore.”
“No, not the bookstore.” He paused for a moment. “Maybe I should just come over.”
“It’s not Sam, is it?” Now fear had started to set into her head. Drew was being too cryptic. Something horrible was wrong. “Just tell me.”
Drew sighed, then said, “Rarity, it’s Janey. A hiker found her out at the quarry. She’s dead.”
Chapter 4
Sam and Archer arrived at Rarity’s house right after Drew’s call. She let them inside, and they all sat around her dining room table drinking coffee.
Rarity felt numb. “I just saw her on Saturday. She was so happy. She and Marcus were going on a date, then going hiking at that quarry the next day.”
Realization hit her as her eyes widened, and she looked at Sam. “Tell me Marcus is alive. They weren’t both killed in some freak accident, were they?”
Sam glanced at Archer. “No, Marcus is at the hotel. Drew’s over there talking to him now. He’s supposed to call me as soon as I can go over.”
Killer stretched his front paws onto her leg, and she reached down to put him on her lap. Rarity stroked his warm fur and felt her heart rate drop just a little. “So do we know what happened? I can’t believe Janey’s dead. She was so alive. So happy.”
“Drew’s being very closemouthed about this.” Archer stood and refilled Rarity’s coffee mug. “I was at Annie’s when I got the call to go get Sam and bring her here. I think Drew wants the two of you out of public. Just in case.”
Sam wiped tears off her cheeks.
Rarity still didn’t get it. She looked from Sam to Archer. “Seriously, what does Janey’s death have to do with us?”
Archer looked over at Sam, then took Rarity’s hand. “They’re questioning Marcus about the murder. He was the last one to be seen with her.”
Sam let out a little moan, and Rarity stood and wrapped her arms around her friend. “I’m so sorry, Sam. I’m sure he didn’t do it. Or if he did, it was an accident. Drew just needs to rule him out.”
“Drew hates Marcus. Why would he rule him out? This is the perfect way to get him out of my life,” Sam muttered as she pushed up off the chair and out of Rarity’s hug. She started pacing the room.
Killer, who’d been returned to the floor, followed her, keeping away from her feet. He sat by the French doors to the patio and whined as she continued pacing.
Finally, Sam took a deep breath. Then she sat back down. “Look, I know in my head that Drew’s not going to frame my brother for this. But there’s something in Marcus’s past that might just look bad now.”
Rarity was about to ask what, but a knock on the door stopped her. She hurried over to the door to let Holly and Malia inside. “What are you two doing here?”
Holly reached down and picked up Killer as they moved into the kitchen to join the others. “You’re kidding, right? One of our own has a problem. We’re here to help. We heard about Janey’s death on the news, so we came to see what the SBC group is planning.”