“I wanted to give you another book to add to your collection. I’m adding it to my list of suggestions, so hopefully it will get you some more sales.” He handed her a sheet of paper. As she keyed in the information, he looked around the store. “I’m sure business will pick up soon.”

  She nodded. “Between your hikers and Shirley’s husband’s love of World War II, I’ve been doing okay with sales.”

  “Shirley?” He looked at her, frowning.

  “One of my book club members. She’s a hoot.” She nodded as the computer displayed the information about the book. “We’re in luck. It’s still in print, so I’ll have some in stock next week. I’ve also reordered all the ones you gave me the last time we talked, so I have to say, I appreciate the help.”

  “No problem.” He tapped his fingers on the counter, then started to say something.

  Rarity watched as he shook his head. Apparently, he’d changed his mind.

  “Anyway, I’ll give you a call when I have another hike scheduled. Maybe next week?”

  She nodded, thinking that wasn’t what he had been going to say, but she left it alone. “Maybe next week.”

  She watched him walk out the door and pause at the sidewalk. Something was bothering Archer. Maybe he’d tell her the next time they talked, or maybe she’d just missed the chance.

  Chapter 19

  Sam showed up with coffee on Friday morning when Rarity arrived at the bookstore. She set the coffee and a bag on the counter. “Good morning.”

  Rarity looked inside the bag. “There’s only one donut.”

  “I thought you’d be in earlier, and I was hungry. I bought four. I’m stuffed.” She pulled a stool around the counter and sat. “Anyway, I have an outing for us. Edith called last night and asked if we were coming, so technically we’ve been invited.”

  “Invited to what?” She took the donut out and took a bite. Pure sugar heaven.

  “Martha’s funeral. They’re having it today at three at the church. I think we should close the stores and head down there. The other book club members agree, and they’re going to meet us there.” She downed what was left of her coffee. She held up the cup. “Did you make any yet?”

  “You followed me in. I haven’t even turned on all the lights yet.” She used her thumb to point toward the break room. “You know where everything is. Let me get set up, and we can talk about this idea of yours.”

  “This great idea of mine,” Sam restated. She moved around the counter and disappeared into the back.

  Killer was standing by the fireplace watching. He whined quietly.

  “I know. Your godmother is a little heavily caffeinated. Or it might be the sugar. If I were you, I’d pretend I was asleep on my bed until she leaves.” Rarity smiled as Killer followed her instructions and ran to the bed near the fireplace.

  “I heard that,” Sam called from the back.

  Chuckling, Rarity went through her opening checklist. When she’d first bought the store, she’d just wandered through the day. Then she read a book about efficiency that had introduced her to opening and closing rituals and checklists. It had made all the difference—especially on the last working day of the week and the first one.

  By the time she’d finished, Sam was back with a glass of orange juice and the last of the cookies from Tuesday’s book club. “So, anyway, I was talking to Edith, and she thought we should come to the funeral. Especially since you took on Killer. Maybe we’ll learn something about Martha that we didn’t know. Or see someone looking suspicious.”

  “Maybe they’ll wear a sign that says, I killed Martha. That way we’ll know who to talk to.” Rarity sipped her coffee.

  “Don’t be silly. Like I said, I talked to everyone in the club but Kim. She’s never home when I call her. Don’t get me wrong, she always calls back, but I can never get her to answer on first contact.” Sam pursed her lips as she thought about a reason someone wouldn’t want to attend a funeral. “And Drew can’t complain, since it was his mom who invited us.”

  “Oh, I think he’ll still complain. It’s just he’ll get the backlash from his mom when he does.” Rarity thought about the advantages for going to the funeral. “I guess we could finally meet the mystery man Martha was dating. I’d like to think I’m a good judge of character, but frankly, his misdeeds while they were dating makes me not like him now.”

  “Great, I’ll see you at two, then. We’ll need to run home and change into something black. Then I’ll meet you outside the church. Don’t go in without me. I’ll tell the rest of the group to meet us outside, that way we can show a united front. She was part of our book club.” Forgetting about the coffee she’d made, Sam hurried to the doorway.

  “She was only at one meeting,” Rarity reminded her.

  “She was still a book club member. And we want to be seen as caring people.” Sam hurried out of the shop as some real shoppers came inside.

  “Good morning,” Rarity called out to the newcomers, hoping they hadn’t heard Sam’s last words, but they probably had. Especially from the shocked look on the woman’s face. “Anything I can help you with?”

  “Archer sent us over to check out the hiking trail books?” The man hurried toward the counter, ignoring his wife’s hesitancy.

  “Oh yes, I just restocked that entire section. Everyone wants to be as knowledgeable about the area as Archer.”

  The woman relaxed and followed after her husband.

  The rest of the day was busy, but not too busy for Rarity to think closing early was a bad idea. She had several people who were looking for books to get them through their week in Sedona. Some were spouses who didn’t love the hiking, but who put up a good show for the good of their marriage. They bought self-help books, cookbooks, romances, and women’s fiction.

  When two o’clock came around, she’d been alone in the store for over thirty minutes. She put up the sign she’d made saying she’d reopen in the morning. She got Killer and his stuff and her own treasures ready and locked up the store. She headed home to drop off Killer and change her clothes.

  Arriving at the church, sans Killer in tow, she found Shirley first. The older woman threw her arms around Rarity and gave her a quick hug. “I’m so glad you came. I wondered after Sam was so insistent on this outing. I’m not entirely convinced we’ll be welcome, but you never know if you don’t try.”

  The crowd seemed welcoming if a bit sparce. Rarity watched people walk inside the church. “The woman lived here all her life, and no one can be bothered with coming to her funeral?”

  “For Sedona, this is a good turnout. It’s too hot at three to do graveside services, so it will all be held here at the church. Speaking of the heat, we might want to wait inside for the others.” Shirley fanned herself with a program she’d already gotten from inside the church lobby.

  Rarity realized Shirley must have been waiting inside and just came out to see if anyone was here. “Sorry, I didn’t think about the heat. I’ve got my phone on, so when the others get here, I’ll round them up.”

  “Sounds perfect.” Shirley moved toward the doorway, and Rarity followed her.

  “I’m surprised your husband didn’t come as well. I’d love to meet him.” Rarity had reached over to open the door so she saw Shirley’s lips tighten. Uh-oh, she thought. They must have gotten into a squabble about attending.

  “He’s busy with one of his models. I guess it’s giving him problems.” Shirley stepped into the foyer. “Besides, he hates things like this. I swear, he won’t even come to his own funeral unless we lock him into the casket.”

  Rarity chuckled and was going to ask another question when she saw Holly, Malia, and Sam standing near the watercooler. “There’s the gang. I guess they all had the same idea.”

  They moved through the few people still in the foyer and met up with the rest of the club members. Sam pulled a piece of white string off Rarity’s black suit. “Sorry, it was just too hot to wait outside, especially dressed in black. I swear, they should have made the rule that you had to wear white to funerals. Less people would get sick from heatstroke.”

  Malia giggled. “Technically, you don’t have to wear black, just something respectful. I have this black-patterned dress that I keep for any funerals I have to attend. Which, thankfully, isn’t many. It makes my skin crawl a little being at one, especially after the cancer scare.”

  “I feel the same way. I just keep thinking, What if?” Holly shook the idea off like it was water on a duck’s back. “Anyway, we’re here for Martha, not us.”

  “Did you just see Kim walk into the chapel?” Shirley tapped Rarity’s arm. “I called and left her a message but didn’t hear back. Maybe she thinks we’re inside?”

  “Well, we’d better get inside if we don’t want to be late.” Sam glanced at her watch. “Hopefully there are still five chairs for us.”

  “Pews. And yes, with this crowd, I think we’ll be fine.” Shirley adjusted her suit and moved toward the door.

  When they got inside, they saw Pastor Evans and the choir entering the sanctuary. Apparently, they were just in time. They slipped into a pew about halfway back that had enough room for all of them.

  Rarity scanned the other pews. She didn’t see Kim at all. She leaned toward Shirley. “What was Kim wearing?”

  “A black dress,” Shirley whispered back.

  Great. That really narrowed the crowd. She sat and went through all the pews on her side without finding the missing club member.

  And before she could check out the other side, Pastor Evans started talking. She leaned back and paid attention, a skill her grandmother had tried to teach her every Sunday from as far back as she could remember. Her parents hadn’t attended church, but Grandma Hettie hadn’t missed a Sunday. At least not before she’d been admitted to a local long-term care facility. She hadn’t lived long after that, and this funeral reminded Rarity of her grandmother’s service.

  When they’d finished, they moved into the great room for punch, coffee, and cookies. A mini wake for Martha. The book club gathered together as Rarity held a Styrofoam cup in one hand and a napkin with a few cookies in her other hand.

  “Well, wasn’t that lovely?” Chloe Evans asked as she came by and greeted the women.

  Rarity nodded. “It was just the right bit of humor mixed with sadness. I’m glad your husband brought up Killer.”

  “Believe me, he was going to call out for someone to take the dog home with them if he hadn’t found out that you’d already stepped up. Thanks for doing that.”

  “No problem. I love the little guy.” Rarity looked past Chloe and saw Kim hurrying toward the door. “Hold on a second. I just saw someone I know.”

  “That tends to happen at funerals. I’ll let you all chat. I know you need to catch up with people you haven’t seen.” Chloe moved to the next small group.

  “Kim? Is that you?” Rarity didn’t want to yell, but she couldn’t just hurry after her either. The crowd might be small, but they were packed in the small social area.

  Kim heard her somehow, and when she caught Rarity’s gaze, she held up a finger. Then Rarity watched as she leaned over to a man who looked a lot like Dr. Conrad. If she was to be honest with herself, it looked exactly like Dr. Conrad. What on earth was Kim doing with him?

  “Guys, I can’t believe you’re here.” Kim hurried over on stiletto heels that matched the little black dress that was more suited for a cocktail party than a funeral. “I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to get to the meetings lately, work has been crazy.”

  “I guess, with your medical appointments, it’s made it worse.” Shirley patted Kim on the back. “You know they have to let you off for medical treatments. It’s not like in the past, when they could just fire you.”

  “You say that like it’s true.” Kim shook her head. “I don’t want anyone knowing about the…thing. I can’t stand to see the pity in their eyes.”

  Everyone around the group but Sam nodded.

  “It’s hard when everyone thinks you’re going to die,” Malia said, and Holly squeezed her hand.

  “That’s why we have the group. We’re more likely to tease you than give you pity.” Rarity glanced at the man who was now leaving the church. “I’m sorry, was that Dr. Conrad?”

  A second passed, and Rarity thought Kim wasn’t going to answer. Finally, she nodded. “Yes, that’s my boss. I’m his personal assistant, so I’m responsible for all his appearances and a lot of other things. Like this funeral. Martha was one of his clients. He thought the world of her.”

  Rarity bit her tongue. She wanted to ask if Kim knew that the good doctor sold supplements to his clients whether or not they needed them or really had cancer. But Kim only handled his personal calendar, so maybe she didn’t know. Then an idea hit her. “He’s not your personal oncologist, is he?”

  Kim’s eyes widened, and she shook her head quickly. “Oh no. I don’t want him to know. He might insist that I take off time, and then where would I be? Alone in my apartment? No way.”

  “You’re right.” Shirley took her arm. “Staying busy is much better. Do you have time for some coffee and pie?”

  Kim dropped her gaze. “I’d love to, but I have to get back to work. Dr. Conrad is holding the car for me, as we’ve got to get his travel plans set for the next convention.”

  “We won’t hold you up, then. It was just so nice seeing you.” Shirley gave Kim a big hug, and the rest of the group waved as she headed out the door.

  “Well, that’s a twist in the story. Thank goodness she’s not taking the supplements like Martha was.” Holly glanced around the group. “Are we still on for coffee and pie? This coffee is awful and the cookies are stale.”

  They found a table at Annie’s Bakery, and after getting their order in, they sat around the table and talked about who they’d seen at the funeral.

  Holly sipped her coffee. “I don’t know most of those people, but shouldn’t Madame Zelda have been there?”

  “She was.” Shirley wiped the table with a few napkins before setting her purse on her lap. “She was up front with Kelly O’Reilly. He had the shock of red hair? Gay wasn’t in her psychic costume, just a classic black dress.”

  “Kim’s dress was more va-va-voom than secretarial.” Malia looked around the table. “Don’t tell me everyone else wasn’t thinking it.”

  “Thinking it and saying it are two different things,” Shirley pointed out. “Anyway, Kim is one of us, not one of our suspects.”

  The waitress brought over the pie, and conversation stopped for a few minutes. Finally, when everyone was done eating, Rarity looked around the table. “Okay, so we know where two of the suspects were at the funeral. Any idea where anyone else was located?”

  “Drew’s dad and mom were on the same side as we were,” Holly offered.

  Rarity frowned. “I didn’t think Jonathon was still on the suspect list.”

  “He is until we find out who did kill Martha,” Malia said, glancing at her watch. “I’ve got a shift over at the Garnet in an hour. I better go get changed.”

  “I’ll walk out with you.” Holly stood and pushed her chair in. “I know you like the guy, but we don’t have a lot of suspects here.”

  “Maybe that’s our problem. We need more suspects. Did you find out anything more about Martha’s will or the house?”

  “Interestingly enough, I did.” She grinned at Malia, who was waiting for her. “And to find out, you’re going to have to be at our next book club meeting.”

  The two women left, and Sam focused on her coffee. “Both of them are great with foreshadowing suspense.”

  “It’s their age.” Shirley stood. “I need to get going as well. George likes to eat early. We’re old like that.”

  Rarity laughed and waved at Shirley. “Have a good night, but don’t expect me to think of you or your husband as old. You’re both so active.”

  Shirley fluffed her hair. “If I just keep running, no one, including death, will ever be able to catch me.”

  As she walked out the door, Rarity looked at Sam. “So, a waste of time?”

  “I’m not sure. I think there’s more to the story than we’re able to see. I really wish we knew who was Martha’s heir. Then we could turn the oversized spotlight on him.” Sam took the last bite of her pie. “At least we got some good pie out of the deal.”

  Chapter 20

  Saturday at the bookstore was super busy. Rarity was writing down books to order as fast as they were selling. If she had the updated software, it would have kept her shopping list for her. Instead, she had to manually enter the books she wanted to replace. A number of people stopped in and picked up the trail books that Archer had encouraged as supplemental reading for his tours. She was going to have to take him to dinner for his push. Maybe she could partner with other businesses in town to see what kinds of books their patrons would like.

  It was an idea. She wrote it down in her notebook where she kept all her bright and shiny ideas. When she had time, she’d do more research, but this was a great place to store it until she was ready to dig in. She ordered takeout from the Garnet for lunch and was surprised when Malia walked through the door with her order. “Lunch is served.”

  “I was planning on shutting down and going to get it. You didn’t have to bring it over.”

  Malia shrugged. “I wasn’t doing anything anyway. And that creep was in the bar. He can be pretty handsy, so I just stay out of there when he starts drinking.”

  “Do I know this creep?” Rarity wanted to give the guy a kick in the nether regions if she did.

  “Kind of. You know of him. It’s Kelly O’Reilly. He thinks everyone wants him, when really, he’s my grandfather’s age. Like ever.” Malia mimed sticking her finger down her throat and throwing up.