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Drew and Archer exchanged looks, and Rarity almost laughed. They’d been expecting more of an argument from her. Drew nodded and headed to the door. “Okay, then. I’ll talk to you as soon as we know something about this box or who mighthave sent it.”
“Sounds great. Thanks for coming over, Drew.” She waited for him to leave and then shut the door and locked it. She turned to Archer. “Good thing you brought over an extra set of clothes last month.”
“I really wasn’t counting on using the clothes due to homicidal maniac alerts.” He put his arms around her. “Are you sure you’re okay? That had to bequite a shock.”
“Just a little odd. Someone knows the area enough to know that the book club is looking into Janey’s death but doesn’t know what house I live in?” She rinsed some dishes that Archer had used to make the chili and put them intothe dishwasher.
“I can clean up after myself.” Archer took a spoon out and tasted the chili. “I think it’s cool enough to put away. Do you have a large plastic container?”
They dug through her leftover containers and found one big enough. Then she looked at Archer. “I’mgoing to bed.”
“My morning starts a little later tomorrow, so I’m staying up and watching the rest of a game. Mind if I sleepon the couch?”
“You know where the linens are.” She gave him a hug and leaned into him a little longer, trying to calm her racing heart. “I don’t care what his motivations are, thisis just mean.”
“He’s trying to scare you.” Archer rubbed her back.
She didn’t lift her head off his chest when she answered, “He’s doing a good job.”
* * * *
The next morning, she woke to the smell of bacon. She hurried and got dressed and went out to the kitchen, where Archer was making omelets.
He poured a cup of coffee and set it on the island for her. “We’re going to have to go to the store. You don’t have any cookies or other necessities.”
“Sorry, I didn’t realize I was having a houseguest until last night. Do you want to run to Flagstaff tonight? After your hike and my club?”
“Sure. I’ll pack a bag at the apartment, too, so I’m ready for a few days.” He smiled at her. “It’s going to be okay. Drew’s going tofind the guy.”
“So you don’t think it’s Marcus?”
He frowned as he turned back to check on the eggs. “What do you mean?”
“You said ‘find the guy.’ He knows who and where Marcus is, so you think someone else killed Janey?” She sipped her coffee. “Why? What do you know?”
“The hiker who found the body. I talked to him last week at the shop. He said he ran into Marcus on the way out. Marcus told him that his girlfriend was at the quarry and asked if he would look out for her.” Archer shrugged. “I know it doesn’t mean he didn’t kill Janey, but if he had, why would he send someone directly to the quarry tolook for her?”
“Yeah, that’s not logical.” She pointed to the stove. “Anything I can do to help?”
“I’ve got this. You get ready for your group. I take it they’re showing up aroundtwelve thirty?”
“Yeah, Shirley wanted to go to service, so we just set it later. I can hang out here by myself if you have to leave before Jonathon arrives.”
“Not going to happen. Besides, he called a few minutes ago. He’ll be here by seven thirty so I can meet my group at eight.” He slid the finished omelet onto a plate. “Here you go. Eat it while it’s hot.”
“You know, I might just keep you after this is all over. I like being served breakfast at home.” She smiled as she took theplate from him.
“It’s Sunday. Monday mornings are much more hectic.” He poured more eggs into the pan and got the other ingredients ready. “By the way, Killer went out with me about thirty minutes ago. And I put the bedding away in the linen closet, so there won’t be questions from your group about mestaying over.”
“Protecting my honor?” She took a biteof the omelet.
He laughed and shook his head. “Protecting me from all the ‘when are you going to marry the girl’ questions.”
“Self-preservation. I likethat in a man.”
He turned back to the stove. “Whatever. Just get busy eating. I don’t want you sitting here eating when yourgroup arrives.”
The phone rang, and she picked it up. “Hey, Drew, how are things?”
