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“I’m worried about you.” Rarity got up and found a tissue box. She handed it to Sam.
Jonathon leaned forward. “You know Edith and I think the world of you, Sam. If there’s anything you need.”
“I need Drew to find out who killed Janey and stop harassing my brother about it.” Sam glared at Jonathon, her eyes bright with tears and anger. “Just because Connie was found the same way doesn’t mean Marcus killed either one of them. He’sbeing set up.”
“No, Sam.” Marcus stood in the hallway, watching them. “I’m not being set up. I’m just having to deal with my history. Your boyfriend didn’t kill Connie or tell me to go down to the quarry with her. We were doing drugs. She overdosed. It was that simple. I could have said no. I should have, but I knew she’d just find another ride. I thought Janey was my new start. She was so full of life. And now she’s dead because I let her talk me into leaving the quarry without her. I didn’t kill either one of those women, but I didn’t save them either. Maybe I should go to jail.”
Jonathon stood. “I was a police officer all of my working life. I’ve seen people racked with guilt for things they didn’t do. It does no one a favor to have a killer run free because someone felt like they should be punished for a crime they didn’t commit. Now, I think you need to get an attorney and fight for your life. Because if you’re being honest, that’s what Janey would want you to do. And we need to find out who killed that girl so they can go to jail where they belong.”
Marcus walked over and sat on a chair. Then he started crying too. Sam handed him the tissue box. Finally, he looked up at Jonathon. “Thank you. I don’t care if you believed me or not, but you gave me hope. Hope that this isn’t going toruin my life.”
“Son, you are the only one who can make sure that doesn’t happen.” Jonathon glancedover at Rarity.
“We probably should be going. Archer will be at the house soon.” Rarity hugged Sam. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the shop? And hopefullyTuesday night?”
Sam nodded, her eyes bright. “I’m not hiding anymore. I’ll be there. And thanks for dinner.”
“Thank the club on Tuesday.” Rarity stood and snapped her fingers for Killer. “Ready to gohome, big guy?”
Killer barked and jumped off Sam’s lap. His tail wagged the rest of his body.
Marcus chuckled. “He has a lot of swagger for sucha little guy.”
“He knows who he is and who he can trust. It gives him confidence.” Rarity met Marcus’s gaze, and he nodded. He’d gotten the message.
They walked to the door andwaved goodbye.
The conversation on the walk home was as nonexistent as on the way over, until Rarity looked up at Jonathon. “Do you think he killed either girl? Did his story ring true?”
Jonathon didn’t answer at first. “It’s hard to say. I’ve had people lie to my face, and I never suspected. But my gut says he’s being honest. And he’s tired of hurting his sister. So I think he would have told us if he’d killed Janey. Unless...”
Rarity looked up at Jonathon. “Unless?”
“Unless he’s a sociopath and enjoys the game. Then he’d be getting off on convincing us that he was the victim in both cases. But something about his words rang true. I’ll ask Drew if I can look at the case file on what happened with this girl. Maybe they closed the case. Giving Marcus that comfort at least, would help.” Jonathon pointed to Archer’s truck in the driveway. “I bet your boyfriend’s wonderingwhere we are.”
“More likely, he’s catching up on paperwork while he waits. He’s a one-man shop now that Calliope left.” Rarity saw that Killer had noticed the truck as well and was pulling on the leash, trying to get home faster.
“Her leaving was probably for the best. The girl was in love with Archer,”Jonathon said.
Rarity met his gaze. “I thought I was justseeing things.”
“No, I saw it too. He didn’t. He thought they were friends. She wanted more. It’s the oldest story in the book. And I’d lay money on the fact that it was why Cain killed Abel in the Bible. Over a woman.” Jonathon nodded to the house. “Let’s go hand you off. I’ll pick you up at eight tomorrow? Is thatearly enough?”
“Should be. I looked up the salon, and it opens at nine. Hopefully it’s not the hairdresser’s day off. Although we might just be able to get answers from whoever does the scheduling.”
“I’m looking forward to being your Watson tomorrow, then.” Jonathon handed over Killer’s leash to Archer when he opened the front door. He must have been watching for them. “She’s back in your care. I’vedone my shift.”
“And you are relieved.” Archer took Killer’s leash and held the door open for Rarity. “Thanks. I’ll be leaving tomorrow at eight. Will that work?”
“Perfectly. We’ve already discussed my arrival time.” Jonathon shook Archer’s hand. “See you both in the morning.”
As Rarity walked into the living room and shut the door, she gave Archer a kiss. “Thanks for caring, but why do I feel like I’m a piece of china being passed from one guard to another.”
“I don’t know. Jonathon’s a great guy. Not sure why you’re feeling that way. Maybe you need to talk to a counselor?”
“Funny.” She went to the living room and sank into the couch, pulling off her shoes. “There’s foodin the fridge.”
“I saw that. I’m warming up some chili. Do you want anything?” He took Killer off the leash and put it down on the tablenear the door.
