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“Yep. But let me tell Roger you’re here so he can get ready.” She reached out and touched Rarity’s hair. “You really need a cut to get rid of those split ends.”
Rarity thought about just taking off as Salena went to the back to get Roger, but maybe he had more to say about Trish. And as she pulled her curls toward her, maybe she did need some self-care time. She turned to look out the window and saw Jonathon watching her. She gave him a thumbs-up gesture,and he nodded.
“He’s coming out. Please take this chair.” Salena stood at a chairnear the front.
Rarity headed to where Salena stood and, as she sat down, glanced over at Jonathon. He repeated her thumbs-up gesture, so he must have been able to see her clearly.
Salena put a cape over her and asked, “Do you want some cucumber water?”
“No, I’m good.” Rarity leaned back andtried to relax.
“Probably for the best, I haven’t made any fresh today. I can get you some coffee if you want,” Salena whispered quietly. There was only one other customer in the shop, and they were sitting in the waiting room with a glass of waterin their hand.
“No thanks. I’m doing breakfast after this, and I had two cups at home. I’ll be shaking from thecaffeine soon.”
“Good morning. I’m glad you decided to come and not waste Roger’s time,” a male voice said, and Rarity met his gaze in the mirror. Roger was talking about himself in the third person. Interesting.
“I’m glad you could fit me in. My life is crazy, so doing this early really helps.” Rarity smiled at him. “I run a bookstore in Sedona.”
“Books are fabulous. I’m thinking of writing a book about my life. Of course, I’ll have to change all the names, but you’d be surprised at what people will tell me.” He ran his fingers through Rarity’s hair. “You still want this in layers? I think it would frame your face better if we shortened it a bit.”
“I’ll leave it in your hands.” She hoped she wasn’t making a huge mistake. “I just don’t want something too short or too labor intensive.”
“I will make you look beautiful even if you just got out of bed.” He winked at her and sprayed water on her hair. “So a bookstore, huh? One of my clients just found out her sister worked at a bookstore before she died. Trish was very upset that her sister had chosen retail work.”
“That was Janey. She worked for me. She was so sweet and smart. I’m going to miss her.”
“Well, she wasn’t like her sister, then. Sweet and smart are not words I’d use to describe Trish. Demanding, pushy, mean. Those words are more accurate. Funny how twins can be so different.” He picked up scissors and started cuttingRarity’s hair.
She sent up a prayer that it would look okay and swallowed. “I didn’t know they were twins.”
“Yes. I knew their mother before she passed. The girls had both just started college. Trish went back east for school, but Janey, she stayed nearby. Mrs. Ford was very ill by that time, but she still came in weekly for a style. Janey would bring her to her appointment, but she didn’t get her hair done. She didn’t need to. She was beautiful. But I could have done more.” He chatted about the family and their lives, at least before Mrs. Ford had died. “When Trish moved back after college, she started coming to me as well. She didn’t like to talk about her family much, though. For her, it was all about the charity events.”
Rarity listened as he went on and on about the different events she’d attended, and he’d done her hair to match her designer gowns. Finally, he turned her to the mirror. “So whatdo you think?”
Rarity reached up to touch her hair. It looked curly, healthy, and bouncy. She loved it. “It’s great.”
“Well, don’t forget to schedule your next appointment. If you let it grow out, it won’t stay that way. Beauty takes maintenance.” He took her cape off. “Pay Salena and make your next appointment with her. I’m heading to the back totake a breath.”
When Rarity got back into the car, Jonathon nodded his approval. “Youlook amazing.”
“Thanks, but I have something better. Trish didn’t keep her hair appointment on the Saturday that Janey died. And she wasn’t happy with Jayne working for me in retail.” She started the car. “We still have time for breakfast. Are you hungry?”
“Starving.” He held up his notebook. “And I got the next chapter plotted out, so when we hit the bookstore, I cankeep writing.”
* * * *
By the time they got back to Sedona, Jonathon had already texted Drew with the information about Trish’s missed appointment. So much for having an alibi. Rarity was sure the Tuesday Night group would have a lot to say about this new information, but she wondered if Drew wouldn’t find the killer before the sleuthers’ club even had time to theorize. Trish was her main suspect. The evidence didn’t totally support her decision, but the motive fit. And now she could havedone the deed.
She opened the bookstore, and Jonathon made his way to his table to set up his mobile office. Rarity walked through the building, checked the locks on the back door, and then reviewed Caleb’s plan for the upcoming book club. By the time Shirley arrived at nine, she’d gone through most of the checklist. She handed Shirley the clipboard and a pen. “Here you go. I’ve checked off everything I’vealready done.”
“Why is Jonathon here?” Shirley nodded toward hiswriting table.
“He’s my bodyguard. Well, until you get here. Then you are.” Rarity laughed at Shirley’s face. “I’m joking. Drew just doesn’t want me alone atthe bookstore.”
“That makes sense. Well, Jonathon, before you leave, please go out to my SUV and get the treats. There are two trays and a box filled with sodas. I grabbed a bag of ice as well and a tub to put all the drinks in.” Shirley pulled out a book-themed table covering. “Rarity, you can help me with this while Jonathon brings in the food.”
“I live to serve.” Jonathon threw the two womena hand salute.
