“According to Talia, that was all Jane. She hated that Mason was interested in a relationship with someone who looked like Talia.” Rarity shrugged as she watched Darby turn red. “She had found the keys to the truck and took advantage of the kid’s stupidity.”
“Drew matched both women’s fingerprints on the syringe, so we have actual physical evidence. And Jane’s fingerprints were in the truck. Jax and Todd have confirmed that Talia was with Mason when he bought his supply for the visit. And Jax, after promising to shut down his side business, has been rehired at the store. He was staying at his mom’s.”
“Jane must have come in the front door when we were all in the back. I bet Mason was expecting her, that’s why the door was unlocked,” Rarity said, looking at Jonathon for confirmation. “He must have asked her to come and bring his supply. After he found Darby. The man was a letch.”
“I hear the police confiscated all of Jax’s venom supply and had his spiders put down,” Malia said. “Isn’t that just stepping on them?”
“I wouldn’t want to put one of those spiders down on the floor. What if you missed?” Holly shivered. “Rarity? Is your garage clear?”
“Yes. And that fun gift wasn’t from Jax, it was Talia who did it, trying to keep me and the club from investigating Mason’s death.” Rarity turned to Jonathon, who had more of the story.
“Drew found a receipt for the fake spiders from the craft shop, and she had an assistant buy the snakes. When the assistant found out about her arrest, he came in and gave Drew the receipt. She’d told him that they were needed for a promotional event around the movie. The studio is rereleasing it to honor Mason.” Jonathon shook his head. “Remind me not to visit Sedona during the film festival next year.”
“What doesn’t kill us gives Jonathon something to write about,” Darby teased. “Besides, you were having fun trying to solve the mystery. And thank goodness Jane hadn’t come to get the movie sooner. Rarity wouldn’t have been in the right place at the wrong time.”
“We see through a glass, darkly,” Shirley added, then looked around the confused faces. “What? It just means we don’t know why things happen until the end.”
At the end of the night, Rarity stopped Jonathon from leaving. “I guess you’re heading back to Tucson? Edith has some books on order. Do you want them tonight? Or will you stop by tomorrow before you leave?”
“No, remember Edith’s coming up with Joanna, Manuel, and Savannah, of course, for the weekend. Drew’s having his party on Saturday. I can take them tonight, so she doesn’t forget to stop by.” Jonathon reached for the books.
As everyone headed out, she heard the door open again. Archer was there to walk her home. And he’d brought Killer with him. “Dinner’s ready at home. Are you ready to leave?”
Rarity nodded. “Let me check the back door and turn on the security system. Then I’ll be ready.”
She went through the back room, turning off lights and checking the back door lock as she looked out the window. It was a full moon,and she could see a large plastic spider had been set on the top of the retaining wall behind her store. Was it a thank-you from Mason? Or just a leftover from their book signing and outdoor movie night?
Either way, she wasn’t going out to gather the spider. She’d do it tomorrow. If it was still there.
“Rarity?” Archer called out.
She stepped away from the back door and headed to the security closet. “I’ll be right out.” Silently, she added,Everything’s fine. It’s back to normal here. But she wasn’t sure her new bookstore had ever been normal. But that was okay, because it held family. And friends. And community. And what else could she want?
Maybe justice. And today, that had been achieved.
It had to be enough.
Chapter 24
Drew’s backyard sparkled with lights all over the yard and fairy lights in the trees. The food station was set up on one side of the deck. Shirley had brought three or four different desserts that had been added to the food table. Two large galvanized tubs had been filled with ice along with soft and alcoholic drinks. Yacht rock was playing from a stand where a DJ sat, near a dance floor that Drew had rented. Chairs and tables were scattered all over the yard for seating.
He’d done a great job.
Rarity wondered if it was Jonathon and Edith’s anniversary. Savannah was toddling around the yard, one hand on Romeo’s back and the other waving as she chattered in her own language. She’d been dressed in a pink tutu dress and looked like the resident house fairy for the evening.
Archer brought her a beer, and they sat down at the table watching the gathering. She moved her chair closer and rubbed his arm. “Drew did good. Is this an anniversary party? Maybe for Joanna and Manuel?”
“No, they were married in October. And before you ask, Edith and Jonathon were married in June. And that’s all I’m going to say. I’ve been sworn to secrecy.”
She sat up and stared at him. “Okay, now I really want to know. What is stronger? An oath to a friend, or honesty to a girlfriend?”
“A best friend since we were kids. Blood brothers. We even pricked our fingers.” He held up a finger then took her hand again. “Anyway, it looks like you’re going to find out now. Drew’s making an announcement.”
She turned and watched as Drew walked to the DJ stand, swooping Savannah up in his arms. After planting a kiss on her head, he gave herback to his sister. He took the microphone from the DJ, who kept a soft song running in the back. Ed Sheeran, if Rarity remembered correctly.
“Friends, family, thank you for joining me tonight. And don’t worry, this isn’t the start of karaoke. I needed a minute with someone special. Sam? Would you come up here?”
“I don’t know. Do I need a beer first?” Sam called out as she made her way up to where Drew stood.
