“And you’ll both be able to report on what you find out during our book club meeting.” Holly stood and pulled Malia to her feet. “We’ve got a mani-pedi appointment in Flagstaff but wanted to get you up-to-date, especially since your store is right next door to hers. I hate to see you get hurt.”

  Rarity was busy with the store right up to closing. When the bell rang as she was clearing the cash register, she called out, “Sorry, we’re closing up.”

  Killer started barking his happy bark and ran to the door.

  “Make sure that door’s closed,” Rarity called out as she looked up to see Drew leaning down to pick up the little dog.

  “I got it.” He turned and jiggled it. “I’m going to lock it and turn your sign to Closed if you don’t mind. I need to talk to you.”

  Rarity’s heart sank. They’d found Martha, and Drew was here to pick up Killer. She swallowed away the pain. How could a dog get so into her heart in just a few days? “Not a problem. Come over here, and we can talk while I close up the register. Do you want coffee? I made it around three, so it’s pretty dark.”

  “Actually, that would be awesome. Black is fine. I’ve got to go back to the office anyway, and this will help me stay awake while I’m working.” He leaned against the counter.

  “Lots of paperwork in a missing persons case, I guess.” She turned away and poured the coffee into a large disposable cup. She grabbed a bottle of water for herself.

  “More with a murder case.” He took the coffee from her.

  His words took a while to sink in. She avoided looking over to the fireplace area where Martha had sat during the book club. Her chest hurt a bit as she formed the words. “Wait, Martha was murdered? Was that her Jeep?”

  He nodded. “It was. I think whoever killed her thought if we found the Jeep there, we’d assume she was hiking and fell. We found her body at the bottom of the hill just off the trail by the bridge. The evidence doesn’t point to a fall. She was hit in the head with what appears to be a tire iron.”

  Rarity covered her mouth. “Oh my God. When did she die? Who would have killed her?”

  Killer was watching her and whimpered a bit at her show of emotion. Drew rubbed his ears. “The coroner will figure the how and when. But as far as who and why, we have no clue. Yet.”

  She opened her water and took a sip. “Wow. I mean, I knew people who died. Older relatives, people who were in treatment with me. But you could see the toll the treatments were taking. And Martha wasn’t that old.”

  “Fifty-six. And she’d been starting to date a man at her church. At least that’s what my mom told me when we found out she was missing. Now, even that relationship is going to be looked at with a fine-tooth comb.” He sipped his coffee. “Anyway, I guess I wanted to tell you that keeping Killer isn’t just a temporary thing anymore. If you want, I’ll start looking for a permanent home for him.”

  “No!” It came out harder and faster than even she’d imagined. She waved a hand in apology. “Actually, I’ve been worried that you were coming to take him away from me. He’s become part of the family way too fast. Maybe he had a premonition that his owner wasn’t coming home and he needed to settle into a new family?”

  He nodded, giving the dog a kiss on the head. “He seems like a smart dog. Like I said, I would have kept him if my folks weren’t staying with me.”

  When he stood, he put Killer on the floor.

  “I guess you have to get back?” She reached over and took his cup. “If you don’t hate it, you can have the rest of the pot, or I can dump this.”

  “Give me the rest.” He smiled, and Rarity noticed he had a dimple in his left cheek.

  Stupid thing to notice, she thought as she turned to set up his coffee. She put a top on the cup. “Here you go. Don’t work too late.”

  “That’s your job when you’re the only detective in the station.” He held up the cup. “Thank you for this. Do you want me to drive you home?”

  “No, I’ll be fine. I’ll be out of here in less than five minutes, then the walkway is all lit up.” She smiled over at the dog, who’d returned to his bed by the fireplace. He had a stuffed animal and was chewing on its ear. “Besides, I have Killer.”

  “Which makes me ask again, do you want a ride?” He held his hands up and laughed when she gasped at his insinuation. “Anyway, be safe. I don’t think there’s a crazed serial killer out there, but it’s just my luck if I tell you there’s not and there is one.”

  “I won’t hold you to it or haunt you if I get killed.” She put her tote on her shoulder. “I can’t speak for Killer, however.”

  “You’re funny.” He didn’t leave the store.

  She put Killer’s leash on and picked up his toys. The store would be closed tomorrow. Most of Sedona was closed on Sundays unless there was a festival, but this was an off weekend, so she had big laundry and reading plans. “Thanks for letting me know.”

  He held the door open and then waited as she locked it and set the alarm. He paused at the sidewalk. “I’m glad you get to keep him.”

  She watched as he got into his truck and drove away. There were still a lot of people on the streets. Probably walking to and from the restaurants. Before she’d come in to open the shop that day, Rarity had taken chicken out of the freezer to thaw. She might have a glass of wine with dinner. This time to celebrate her newest family member, Killer. And to mourn the loss of his last owner, Martha. A woman she hadn’t had time to get to know at all.

  The rumor mill was late getting the memo about Martha, and she didn’t get any calls from the book club members until Sunday night. She should have called them, but it still didn’t feel real. She wanted to process the idea herself so she wouldn’t be a crying mess when she called. She’d spent the day getting ready for her next week, as well as just hanging out with her new dog.

  Ignoring the feelings she had around Martha’s death. Staying busy had always been the way she dealt with unsettling news.

  And she had a lot of distractions to fall back on. She needed to take Killer to the vet, but she’d rather see if Martha had used someone specifically. Calling Flagstaff vets had gone on her Monday to-do list. Along with figuring out if she needed to tag the dog. Some areas did. Others ignored the idea, even though having a tag increased the number of pet returns when they ran off. Either way, she was getting him the shot, for her piece of mind.

  Sam was the first to call.

  “Hey, are you okay?” Sam’s voice sounded breathless as she checked in.

  Rarity set the book down she’d been reading. “I’m fine. I guess you heard about Martha.”

  “Shirley came into my shop this morning and told me. I didn’t really know Martha, but it’s a shock that someone was killed, right here in Sedona.”

  “Maybe we can get a collection going to send flowers to the funeral.” Rarity pulled her planner over and put a note in about flowers and the funeral. “I wonder if I should go and take Killer? Do dogs go to funerals?”

  “Do you think we should stop looking into this? I think Shirley’s been in the library all weekend looking at old newspapers.” Sam paused before she asked, “Don’t you want to know who killed her?”

  “I think that’s Drew’s job, he’s in law enforcement. Not us.” Rarity looked over at Killer, who was lying on the couch watching her. He whined softly.

  “Okay, but you need to tell your group. I’m not telling them that the Choose Your Own Adventure part of the club has been cancelled,” Sam said. “See you Monday.”

  “Yeah.” Rarity disconnected the call and put her phone down. Killer was still watching her. “We’re not real investigators. All we’re going to do is mess things up.”

  Killer lay his head down between his feet but kept watching her. He whined again.

  “Seriously? You want us to find out who killed Martha?”

  Killer stood up and barked twice. His entire body shook with the bark.

  Rarity stood and walked over to the couch. She picked him up and rubbed underneath his chin. “Okay, I’ll go get my fortune told tomorrow night. That’s all I agreed to. Besides, Drew will probably have this entire case solved before I can even do that.”

  Killer leaned his head into her chest as if he was telling her that he had faith in his new owner. Rarity walked outside and sat on the deck watching the night sky. She didn’t have faith in her ability, not one bit.

  * * * *

  Monday went by slowly, but when it was time for her reading, Shirley showed up at the bookstore. “What are you doing here?”

  “Well, I figured I could watch the shop. Maybe keep people here until you get back, or I could probably figure out the cash register if someone wanted to buy something.” She looked at the machine with a touch of fear in her eyes. “Either way, you need someone to watch Killer.”

  “That’s true. I don’t want to take him inside. Especially if Madame Zelda actually did know Martha. She’d know her dog, too, right?” Rarity went through a quick how-to on selling a book. She canceled out the fake sale she’d done to show Shirley and smiled. “Easy-peasy, right?”

  “I might just tell them you’ll be back in a few minutes.” Shirley smiled, but her face was a little green. “Can you show me one more time?”

  Rarity went through the register process again, this time a little slower. Then she glanced at the clock. “I’ve got to go. If you’re not comfortable, just tell them I’ll be back at seven. The receptionist said my first visit would only last thirty minutes.”

  “Unless she knocks you unconscious because you’ve figured out her evil plan.” Shirley pulled her book out of her tote and settled in. “I really hope we have time tomorrow to talk about this. I am loving it.”

  “I’m sure we will.” Rarity slipped her cross tote over one shoulder. “I loved the book, too.”

  And with that, she left the shop and went next door. The outer room smelled of some sort of spice and wax. Candles were lit all over the small display room. A curtain was on the left wall, and when she went in, a bell rang. Madame Zelda floated out from behind the curtain and stopped when she saw Rarity standing there.

  “You’re my six thirty?”

  Rarity nodded, shifting back and forth on her feet. “Yep. I’ve never had a reading before so I thought it was time.”

  Madame Zelda narrowed her eyes and took in Rarity’s posture. “Well, let’s get it over with, then. I’ve got a dinner date at seven thirty.”

  “Oh? Are you seeing someone?” Rarity followed Madame Zelda into a small room. It had been painted black and had silver stars all over the top of the room. She sat in the only other chair after Madame Zelda took her place. The small table held tarot cards and one of those large glass balls.

  “My love life is none of your concern.” She held her hands outstretched and palms up on the table. “Relax and put your hands in mine.”

  Rarity adjusted her crossbody tote and then laid her hands on the other woman’s. “I thought we’d do cards.”

  “We will, but I want to connect with your aura first.” She paused, then frowned. “You have had many changes recently. Some I knew about, but you have a new roommate?”

  “How did you know?” Rarity was beginning to freak out a bit.

  The woman cracked a smile. “Madame Zelda never reveals her secrets, but I did see you walking Martha’s dog last week. I’m glad Killer had a place to go. Martha’s passing has been upsetting.”

  “Oh, you knew her?” Rarity asked.

  Madame Zelda pulled her hands back and somehow pushed Rarity’s away with the same movement. “We are here to find out about you. I want you to get your money’s worth.”

  “Thanks, that’s kind.” Rarity leaned in as Madame Zelda shuffled the cards.

  She pushed the pile toward Rarity. “Cut.”

  “Excuse me?”

  Madame Zelda sighed. “Cut the cards. Like when you’re playing a game?”

  “Oh yeah.” Rarity reached out and cut the cards, then again at Madame Zelda’s instruction. When she did it a third time, Rarity wondered if this was a stalling tactic, but then Madame Zelda started laying the cards out on the table. Eleven cards, all with brightly colored pictures on the front.

  Rarity looked down on the three that Madam Zelda pushed toward her.

  “Your past, your present, and your future.” She tapped each card with the time frame it represented. She touched the first card, which displayed a woman with seven wands. “You were challenged and won—you persevered through some bad times. I’m assuming the cards have picked up on your cancer diagnosis.”

  “Yes, I’d say that was spot-on.” Rarity stared at the card, wondering how hard it would have been for Madame Zelda to make sure that card showed up in her reading.

  “You still doubt me. No matter.” Madame Zelda pulled a second card, the three of cups. On it, women were dancing together. “Your book club is made up of true friends. Maybe not yet, but they’ll get there. Women taking care of each other. I’ve always loved this card. It speaks of celebrations and collaborations.”

  “You think it’s referring to my book club?” Rarity looked at her, understanding now what had happened. “Did you give my flyer to Martha?”

  “I’ve told you I don’t gossip about my clients, but since she’s passed on, I guess she’s not technically my client anymore. Yes, the flyer went to Martha. I was hoping she’d open up with others who had gone through the same thing. She held so much pain and anger inside. Why else would she name that sweet little dog, Killer?” She turned over the third card. It was the Death card. “Endings, change, transitions.”

  “Martha seemed not to be able to let go of the past. Is that what your cards are saying? Ending because of the inability to let go of the past.” Rarity could see it. Having cancer for some people was like a badge of honor. It was the most important thing about their lives—before and after.

  Madame Zelda met her gaze. “Dear, these aren’t Martha’s cards. They’re yours. You have an ending coming soon if you’re not careful.”

  Chapter 8

  Tuesday night the group was at the bookstore fifteen minutes before the start of the book club. They all gathered around the fireplace and set their books on the table. Shirley had brought Texas sheet cake for the group, and she was busy cutting slices for everyone.

  Holly was midstory. “It was my third chemo treatment, and the first two hadn’t bothered me—to the point I was wondering if I’d even lose my hair. I’d read somewhere that some people don’t. Anyway, the nurse was kind and tried to let me down easy. A guy in the treatment pod spoke up and said he hadn’t lost his hair until the second chemo. He’d been getting ready to shave and had put on shaving cream. All of his hair came off with the cream. He didn’t even have to pick up a razor. Of course, my hair fell out the next week. Thank goodness I’d bought a wig after the first treatment, just in case.”

  Rarity put up the sign by the door and then joined the group by the fireplace. After a few more hair loss stories, they settled in, and Shirley spoke up. “I found some things about Martha and her husband in the library.”

  Kim choked on the coffee she’d just taken a sip of. She set the cup on the table and wiped her face with a napkin. “Don’t tell me you went snooping?”

  “Hold on before you answer that. We need to make a decision before we go any further. We’re supposed to be a book club. For people who have been touched by cancer or have had friends go through treatment. Like Sam. But with Martha’s death, I think we’re turning into something more. And I think we need to discuss this before it goes any further. Maybe some of us, like Kim, just want to be here for the book discussions.” Rarity looked around at the members.

  “I didn’t mean that. I feel as badly about Martha as the rest of you, but investigations should be left to the professionals, don’t you think?” Kim looked around at the other four, and from their expressions, Rarity saw the answer. And so did Kim.

  Rarity took a deep breath. “Okay, so we’re now a book club and murder-investigating group? What can we even find out?”

  “There’s a lot,” Holly said, glancing at Malia. “We found her car—the police didn’t. We pointed them in the right direction to find her body. And now that we have evidence of her connection with Madame Zelda, we might have found her killer.”

  “The fortune teller? You think she killed Martha?” Kim leaned back in her chair. “This is getting interesting.”

  “Okay, I guess the vote is done. Everyone wants to go down this path?” Rarity met each member’s gaze and waited for them to nod. Even Sam agreed. “Then the Tuesday Night Survivors’ Club just turned into the Tuesday Night Sleuthers’ Club.”

  “It has a nice ring to it.” Sam smiled at her. “Bonus, I get a full membership card instead of just an associate member.”

  The group laughed, and Shirley handed everyone a three-ring binder.

  Rarity met puzzled gazes around the group. “Shirley, what’s this?”

  “It’s a notebook where we can all write down the clues and add to it when we find out more.” Shirley looked at Rarity like she’d grown a second head.

  “Of course it is.” Rarity opened the book. Sometimes she felt like the book club was getting away from her. Other times—like this—she was certain.

  Shirley took her comment as approval. “Okay, so I’ve put paper in this, lined and blank, so we can make notes and draw out maps if we need to. I made a report of what I found in the library and added a report on what ‘someone who shall not be named’ found out about Madame Zelda’s family and Martha’s.”

  “During my reading, she admitted that Martha was one of her clients. And that she’d given her the flyer to try to get her to attend the book club.” Rarity glanced through the notes. “That doesn’t seem like someone who wanted Martha dead.”

  “Maybe they got in a fight about something else,” Malia offered. “Typically, it’s love or money.”