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He sniffed it, and Rarity laughed. “Is that an official investigation technique?”
“I just don’t want it to be rotting on your kitchen table while we wait for Terrance to retrieve it.” He held it with one hand. “It’s not real heavy. Maybe it’s a hator something.”
“I bet you knew exactly what you were getting for Christmas.” Rarity opened the door and walked into her house. “Set it on the table there so I don’t forget to hand it over when he gets back from his cruise.”
He followed her direction and shut the door. “Mind if I make some coffee?”
“Not at all. I take it you’re on the evening shift tonight.” Rarity unclipped Killer, and he ran to his water bowl for a drink. “I’m going to change out of my work clothes, if you don’t mind.”
“I’ll be here playing with my favorite dog.” He moved to the kitchen, and Killer followed him.
Rarity thought Drew really needed his own dog, but she understood. He was gone a lot for work, so the dog would be stuck at home alone. If Sam moved in, at least the dog could go with her to work. Although Rarity could see Drew’s objection there too. If the dog spent the majority of his or her time with Sam, it might like Sam better. She quickly changed into sweats and a loose T-shirt and headed back out to the kitchen, where the boys were talking about the best kind of treats, at least in Drew’s mind. Killer sat on the floor, focusing his complete attention on Drew. The dog loved Drew, Archer, Sam, Shirley, Darby, and most of the Tuesday night club members. He was a people dog. Maybe spending his first few years with only Martha made him appreciate having more people around now that he lived with Rarity.
She poured a cup of coffee, adding whipped cream and some salted caramel flavoring. When Drew raised his eyebrows in question, she shrugged. “When I have coffee at night, it’s a treat, so I want it creamy and sweet. Don’t be so judgy. Are you done asking me questions about Janey?”
“I think so. I was hoping there would be some guy who didn’t get the job that threw bricks through your window saying they were going to kill everyone you hired since you didn’t choose him. But no, you disappointed me.” He got up and added some of the salted caramel flavoring to his own cup and warmed it up. He took a taste. “It’s good.”
“I know. That’s why I do it. Anyway, since I didn’t solve your case for you, I’ve got some questions from the Tuesday group. We know it wasn’t suicide, so are you saying she was drowned?”
He took another sip of his coffee. “What if I don’t answer you, but if you’re close, I don’t say anything. If you’re wrong, or I’m confused, I’ll ask aquestion back.”
“Does that go against your police training?”
“Most definitely.” Drew laughed and picked Killer upfrom the floor.
Rarity made a note in her notebook saying Janey drowned. Then she looked up at Drew. “Wait, was that a question, which means no, she didn’t drown, or just a setting of the ground rules?I’m confused.”
“It was a setting of the ground rules. And one more rule. No one in your group will go looking for this murderer. If you have someone in mind, you’ll come to me with your reasoning, and I’ll go talk to that person. You aren’t getting killed just because I let you play detective.” He leaned forward. “Do I haveyour promise?”
“Yes. None of us want to be out confronting a killer. Well, maybe Malia. She’s pretty focused when she gets her mind set, but I think Holly can keep her from going off and doing her own thing.” Rarity looked at the paper. “We know a hiker found the body. Any chance it’s him?”
“Not unless he did the deed while his wife waited a few miles away getting coffee. And he’d have to have been speeding there and back, because he went to the restroom for maybe three minutes, five at most. The waitress who gave me this information was bored that day so she was watching pretty closely. And he’s kind of cute, her words, not mine. Besides, he’s married.” Drew held up his hand. “I swear all of that is almost word for word what I got from her andtotally true.”
“People are weird.” Rarity put a check and crossed off “hiker who found Janey” from the list of possible suspects. “She had some issues with her sister according to Cara, her roommate. Have you ruled her sister out?”
Drew’s eyes narrowed. “Her sister? You talked to her roommate? When?”
“Okay, I see we hit an area where either you know more, or you haven’t talked to Cara yet. I was wondering if you’d met Whiskey.” Rarity circled Trish Ford’s name. “Are you going to the funeral on Friday?”
He shook his head. “Apparently, I’ve been talking to the wrong people. What’s her sister’s name? Who is Whiskey? And do you have this Cara’s phone number? I left a card on the door at Janey’s door, but no one’s called me back. Someone from Flagstaff’s department was supposed to go over today and talk tothe landlord.”
“I called Janey’s emergency contact from her job application.” Rarity handed him the paper and pointed to the bottom of the form.
“This is her sister’s number?” Hetook the form.
Rarity sipped her coffee. “No, that’s Cara’s number. She’s her roommate and a friend. I told you she wasn’t on good terms with her sister.”
He took out his phone and took a picture of the job application. “Thanks for the coffee.I need to go.”
“I have a few more questions.” She stood and followed him to the door.
“Sorry. I need to drive to Flagstaff. Apparently, if you want something done right, you should hire a bookseller.” He waved and then tookout his phone.
Rarity smiled and watched him hurry off, his phone to his ear. Whoever had dropped the ball on calling Cara was probably getting an earful right now. Killer stood by her side, watching him leave, a small whine coming from him. She scooped him up before he decided to take off after Drew and gave him a kiss on the head. “Your buddy is busy finding the bad guy right now. He’ll come back and play later.”
From the look he gave her, she wasn’t sure he believed her. She locked the door, then went to the bedroom to change into her swimsuit. Now, she had more to think about with Janey’s death. Maybe this sister would be a good lead, and she’d have a reason to kill Janey. Or have her killed. Sometimes people didn’t like others to be happy. And Janey was really happy on Saturday when Rarity last saw her.
* * * *
