AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, someone is targeting you. First the plastic finger, now this. I’m not leaving you alone until Drew figures out who killed Janey. I have a feeling this is connected. Not sure how or why, but connected.” He glanced at the food menu that was on the bedside table. “This says you can get a sandwich or ice cream at any time. Are you hungry?”
“I’m starving.” Rarity yawned. “I’m also beat. Can you order me a turkey sandwich if they have one. Maybe we should find a movie to keep me awake for a bit untilit gets here.”
“Dinner and a movie. I say this counts as a date night,” Archer teased as he picked up the phone to call for her food.
“You take me to the nicest places.” She found the television remote and started scanning for movies. At least she wasn’t alone. The last time she’d been in the hospital, it had been just her. Kevin hadn’t even tried to visit. He didn’t like hospitals. And apparently, he hadn’t loved her enough to get past his own discomfort to ease hers. Here, the nurse had to kick people out of the room. It was weird, feeling at home in a hospital bed. But her friends, no, the family she’d built, had made it feel like home. She justmissed her dog.
* * * *
When Archer drove her back to Sedona the next day, she pointed toward the store. “I’m opening for a few hours.”
“You don’t want to head home and rest? Maybe shower?” He glanced over at her. “See Killer?”
“Killer’s going to be at the shop with the rest of the Tuesday night crowd. Shirley called me earlier when you were out of the room, and the sleuthing club asked if I wanted to meet them to go over what we’ve found out.” She leaned against the back of the seat. “I said yes, but I don’t think I can go for very long. I’m still feeling tired. I haven’t done anything for two days,and I’m tired.”
“One full day. And you’re healing. It takes a lot out of you.” He pressed his lips together but didn’t turn on her street when they passed it by. “If I think you need to go home, I’m taking you there.No arguments.”
“Yes, mother.” She smiled as she watched through the window. There were cones in front of the store, and as they pulled up, Malia ran out of the shop and moved them out of the way. “Apparently they set up front row parking for us.”
“It’s good to know someone in the police department.” Archer turned off the engine. “Remember our deal. If you feel like you’re getting tired, just give me the sign.”
“You mean like this?” She put her hand on her forehead, mimicking afainting woman.
“You’re such a drama queen.” He chuckled as he got out of the truck.
She took off her seat belt and took a breath. She’d overestimated her energy level for Archer, but she wasn’t going to let him see her wilt. She opened the door, and he was there, waiting for her. She slid out of the truck and onto the sidewalk, taking his arm for balance. “You’re a worrywart.”
He pulled her close into a gentle hug. “I care about you. So get over it.”
She smiled as she made her way into the store. There, she turned toward the fireplace and found a chair. Killer was at her feet, trying to get her attention, so as soon as she sat, he was on her lap, sniffing and licking and welcoming her home. “Sorry, buddy. I hope I didn’t scare you.”
He stared at her, then curled up in a ball on her lap. She was forgiven.
Shirley beamed at her and brought over a plate of cookies. “You probably need some nourishment. Coffee or lemonade or water?”
“Coffee please. I swear they were giving me decaf at the hospital.” Rarity put the cookie plate on a table next to her chair where Killer wouldn’t be tempted. Then she took one and ate it while she waited for her coffee. She noticed everyone was watching her. “Oh, did you want me to lead the meeting?”
“No, we’re all just glad you’re back home.” Jonathon stood. “So we think Rarity was hit by the killer, but because she was in the wrong place.”
“Great, so I was just target practice?” Rarity glared at him as Shirley gave her a cup. “That makes me feel so much better.”
“It’s not an insult, but we think the true target was Sam.” Jonathon pointed to the paper. “We think Sam was targeted because they wanted Marcus to be the scapegoat for the murder, and Sam was trying to debunk that story with Drew. With Sam out of the way, Marcus might be charged.”
“Marcus wouldn’t have Sam to stick up for him,” Holly added to the story. Then she looked at Rarity. “So that’s when you walked into Sam’s shop and ruined the killer’s frame of Marcus. And we know Marcus didn’t hit you since he was at the police station talking to Drew at the exact time youwere attacked.”
“So the killer just admitted that there had to be someone besides Marcus involved,” Shirley commented. “That was a mistake, at least on thekiller’s part.”
“Yeah, he thought Marcus would be home alone with no alibi when Sam was alone in the shop.”
“I still don’t get why he’d attack Sam. Either Marcus or someone who wanted it to look like Marcus. Sam was his main supporter. And his sister.” Rarity watched as Shirley picked up a second notebook and started writing in it. “Shirley, whatare you doing?”
“Updating your notebook as we talk. That way, next week, you’ll be all caught up.” She glanced at the list of assignments for last week. “Rarity, did you get overto the salon?”
Rarity took a sip of her coffee and set it down by the cookies. Then she proceeded to tell them all about her visit to the salon. “So Trish does have an alibi. She was gettingher hair done.”
“Darn. She was on the top of my suspects list. It would have been the husband, but Janey wasn’t married, and we’re trying not to focus on Marcus,” Malia mumbled, then looked up and noticed everyone was staring at her. “What? It’s true. These things are usually due to a relationship with the wrong person. If Marcus wasn’t related to Sam, we wouldn’t even think twice about having him as our primary suspect.”
Rarity was about to say something, but Sam spoke instead. “She’s right. And I know this is a leap of faith for all of you, but I know Marcus didn’t kill Janey. So I appreciate you helping me prove it.”
