“Did either woman have money?” Rarity asked the group. Everyone just shrugged. “I know both Martha and Madame Zelda are—were—dating someone. Drew told me that Martha was seeing someone. And Madame Zelda had a date after my reading last night.”

  Holly held up a hand. “I saw her going into the Garnet last night. I grabbed some takeout to eat at my desk, and she was coming in when I was going out. I didn’t see who she met, though.”

  “So, that’s the next assignment. Who is Madame Zelda seeing, and who was Martha seeing?” Shirley ate a bite of her cake. “Wouldn’t it be fun if it was the same man? If they had a fight over a guy?”

  “That would be horrible.” Malia shook her head. “I don’t know why everything has to be about some guy and how they did the women in their lives wrong. Aren’t there any good guys left in the world?”

  “One can only hope,” Sam said.

  “Oh dear, I offended you. I am so sorry. Sometimes I speak before I think. It’s just that in my day, we did a lot for our significant others.” Shirley looked around the group. “Can you forgive me?”

  “Shirley, you’re fine. We all have different viewpoints and come from different places.” Rarity looked around the group. “We need to be sensitive to other people’s feelings when we speak, but we should also assume we all have the best of intentions when we do.”

  “My mom used to tell us to use three questions as your guide. Is it true? Is it kind? And is it helpful?” Holly added to the discussion.

  “I didn’t mean to imply that you were wrong in what you said.” Malia went over and gave Shirley a hug.

  “Besides, there are no bad ideas in brainstorming, right?” Sam said, looking around the room.

  Kim shrugged. “Sometimes there are really bad ideas during a brainstorming session. And the sooner you acknowledge that, the better.”

  Kim’s words echoed in the group. Rarity could see the effect they had on the others. Where the other women had been trying to ease Shirley’s pain, Kim seemed to want to add to it.

  Rarity held up a hand. “So, we have a couple of questions about these mystery men. Anyone want to take the lead on finding out who Martha was seeing?”

  “I could call Drew and see if he knows,” Sam offered.

  “But why would he tell you?” Holly pointed to Rarity. “She has Martha’s dog. Maybe Rarity could get into Martha’s house and find her address book. She seemed like the type to have a paper list of numbers and names.”

  “Drew said Martha had a datebook. Maybe he’d let me look through it to find out when Killer’s last vet appointment was and whom she took him to. It might also have names and numbers of her contacts and friends.” Rarity shot an apologetic look at Sam. “I’ll go over tomorrow morning to the station and see if he has the datebook. Getting Killer’s vet’s name has been on my list for days anyway.”

  “I’ll come with you,” Sam added. “I can distract him while you go through the book.”

  Rarity wrote a note down in her planner that she had next to her. She’d brought it over to mark the next book they were going to read so she could buy copies, but noting her investigating duties worked too. “So, who’s finding out more about Madame Zelda’s date?”

  Holly raised her hand. “I’m friends with the bartender over at the Garnet. He’s super nice. And I know he was there because I chatted with him before my takeout was ready. He should know who Madame Zelda met there. It’s not that big of a place.”

  “I think you all are taking this a little too far, but whatever. It’s fun to watch you.” Kim tucked her book into her purse. “So are we starting a new book next week?”

  “I thought maybe we’d take a week off, so we can talk about this book next week. You all need to send me some recommendations this week. Or write them down and leave them on the counter. I’ll pick two choices, and we’ll make the decision next week.” Rarity looked around the room. It was almost nine. The time had flown. “Anything else to discuss?”

  Malia raised her hand. “I’m going to talk to my friend and see if he can pinpoint how long Martha’s car was out there. He’s a ranger, so he visits all of the trailheads and has access to the security feed.”

  “You don’t think he’ll rat you out to Drew, will he?” Rarity thought about how Drew had told her that this wasn’t her investigation.

  “I don’t think so.” Malia glanced at Shirley and sighed. “Okay, so we’ve dated a few times, and he likes me. Don’t read anything into that.”

  Shirley started giggling first, then the rest of the group joined in. Malia’s face turned red and then she started laughing too. “Okay, fine, he likes me. I’m just not sure if I’m ready to start dating yet.”

  The rest of the meeting was spent talking about dating and the pros and cons. They might not be reading romance, Rarity thought, but the subject had still wormed its way into their discussions.

  After the others had left, Sam picked up the last copy of the book that they were discussing next week. “I guess I’d better read this if I’m going to be part of the group.”

  “I figured you hadn’t, which is why I stalled Kim.” Rarity rang up the sale and gave Sam the friendship discount. “She was a little harsh tonight, don’t you think?”

  “Maybe she got some bad news this week.” Sam picked Killer up and rubbed his belly. “Isn’t she the one still going through treatment?”

  Rarity nodded as she ran Sam’s credit card. “Yeah, but she was almost mean to Shirley. And Shirley’s the one who brought her into the group. Maybe I should have a talk with Kim about watching her words during the meeting.”

  “Do you have any information about her? Where she works? If it’s local, you could go visit and take her for coffee. That way you’re not doing it before or after a meeting. Kind of neutral ground.” Sam tucked the bag in her purse. “I’ll walk with you to my corner if you don’t take too long closing up.”

  “All I have to do is look up Kim’s address and then turn off the lights.” She pulled out a folder where she kept all the information about the book club. She flipped through the intro page each member had turned in at the first meeting they’d attended. Kim’s page was almost empty. She read it aloud to Sam. “This is weird. Listen. Kim Smith, age twenty-eight, going through chemo and radiation now at Flagstaff Cancer Center. Occupation, lawyer.”

  “That’s it?” Sam took the page from Rarity. “She didn’t fill in anything about her favorite reads, how far away she lives, emergency contact. And if she’s twenty-eight, so am I.”

  “Yeah, I would have pegged her for being in her late thirties. Maybe she meant to say thirty-eight?” Rarity took the page back and put it away in her file. “Or she lied on the form. Gave us bogus information because she didn’t think I needed to know that about her. I’m sure Martha left a lot empty too.”

  “Let’s see.” Sam nodded to the folder.

  Rarity pulled Martha’s questionnaire out. It listed off everything Rarity had asked, including an emergency contact. She tapped her finger on it. “Eric Redding. Her son?”

  “Probably.” Sam wrote down the name and phone number on a piece of paper. “Now I have something to talk to Drew about. Maybe he didn’t know about this emergency contact?”

  “Maybe.” Rarity thought maybe Drew would wonder why Rarity hadn’t asked him about it, but she figured Sam would improvise if, or when, Drew asked her how she got the information. Which would give her more time with Martha’s planner.

  * * * *

  Wednesday morning, Rarity and Sam were at the police station right at eight. They ran into Drew and his parents when they were coming out the front door. Rarity glanced at Sam. “Hey, Drew, I wanted to stop by and see if I could go through Martha’s planner. I need to find Killer’s vet.”

  “Sam, how are you, dear?” Edith Anderson pulled Sam into a bear hug. “Drew, this is Sam, the young woman I’ve been telling you about.”

  “Nice to meet you, Sam.” Drew nodded, then pulled Rarity aside. “Can it wait? We’re heading to breakfast. They want to tell me something.”

  “Drew, maybe Sam and her friend want to come to breakfast with us?” Edith called over to where he and Rarity were talking.

  He sighed and shook his head. “So much for them telling me about finding the perfect house to move into.”

  Rarity giggled, and they stepped back toward the group. “Actually, I can’t go to breakfast. I’ve got to open the bookstore soon. I was hoping that Martha’s planner had information about where she took Killer and when his shots were due. I tried to call a few of the veterinarians, but the front staff was less than helpful and told me they’d call me back. Surprisingly, I haven’t heard from anyone.”

  He nodded. “We’ve gone over it for any clues and haven’t found anything, so I can let you look. If you wear gloves and sit in my office to read it.”

  “I can do that. I’ve got a little time before I have to open the store. Sam, why don’t you go with Drew and his folks. You were just saying you were hungry.” Rarity nodded toward the station door. “Where will I find it?”

  “Hold on a minute.” Drew turned to his folks. “Mom, Dad, why don’t you and your friend go along to the restaurant. I’ll be there as soon as I set up Rarity in my office. It shouldn’t take more than ten, fifteen minutes at most.”

  “Probably five,” Rarity added for Sam’s benefit. She knew her friend liked the Andersons, but what she really wanted was some time with Drew to see if they were compatible at all.

  Jonathon took his wife’s arm and offered the other one to Sam. “We’ll see you at the restaurant, son. Don’t hurry on my account. I’ll enjoy having a meal with two lovely ladies.”

  Drew put his hand on Rarity’s shoulder and turned her toward the station. “Let’s find you that book. Then I guess I’ll go have breakfast with your friend since my folks are bound and determined to find me a wife. Maybe if I started dating they’d move out of my house to give me some privacy.”

  “One could only hope.” Rarity walked into the station with him. For a police station, it was kind of friendly-looking. A woman sat at a counter at the end of the room, but there were couches and a fireplace on the other wall.

  Drew must have seen her pause to look around the waiting room. “We have community meetings here sometimes at night. It’s a safe place, and we just lock the front door once everyone’s here. We have a couple of AA meetings and other support groups that use it. You wouldn’t believe the number of charlatans who come to meetings like this to promote their rehab or their miracle cure. It slows them down a bit if the meetings are held at a police station. Hopefully, you won’t have that with your cancer group.”

  “I’d never thought it might even be an issue before now.” She followed him into the hallway. “We’re a small group, so if someone did try to sell snake oil, I think we’d see it.”

  “Well, just keep in mind, not everyone’s up-front with what they say they want.” He opened a door and nodded. “This is my office.”

  Rarity felt her face heat up as she thought about her ulterior motive for wanting to see Martha’s planner. He couldn’t be thinking she was lying, could he? The office was sterile, with one desk, one office chair, and two plastic visitor’s chairs. If the lobby said welcome, stay a while, this room screamed, get out now, I’m busy. “It’s”—she searched for a word—“practical.”

  Drew laughed and pointed for her to sit in his chair. “That is why I like you, Rarity. You’re unfailingly kind. My mom just said I needed at least one thing that was personal in the office. So, I’m thinking she’ll show up tomorrow with pillows and framed pictures of my college, high school, and kindergarten graduation ceremonies. As well as my Eagle Scout ceremony.”

  “Could be worse.” She took a seat at the desk as he handed her a pair of gloves.

  “Explain?” He took the journal out of the bottom drawer and opened it, using the edge of the plastic bag it had come out of.

  “It could be old prom pictures. Especially if the young lady was still in town and still single.” She slipped on the gloves and took out her journal and a pen. She set them next to the planner. “Just in case I get lucky.”

  “Okay, so you’re right, that would be way worse. Hopefully, she doesn’t think of that.” He pointed to the reception area, where Rarity could see the woman they’d seen when they’d first come inside. “Just leave the book here when you’re done and close the door. Let Sue know that you’re leaving. I’ll tell her you’re in here, so you don’t scare her when you leave. It can get kind of quiet in here when everyone’s out on calls.”

  “Have a fun breakfast.” Rarity opened the journal and started to page through it, hoping to find a list of doctors, dentists, and other professionals who Martha used. When Rarity had gone through her treatments, she’d seen so many people, she’d made a little book that listed all the doctors, addresses, phone numbers, appointment times, and who referred her. It seemed overwhelming at times, but she knew she was organized, so that helped with her anxiety.

  “Are you sure you don’t need help?” He held his hands out. “I’m begging you, please help keep me away from another blind date with my parents tagging along.”

  “Seriously, Sam’s a good egg. You’ll like her. Your parents like her, so that’s a good sign, right?” She met his gaze, setting her pen down.

  “You should have seen the last girl they liked. I wasn’t sure I hadn’t seen her on the newest FBI Most Wanted sheets we get faxed every week.” He tapped the chair he was standing next to with two fingers, a habit she’d seen him do a couple of times. “Well, call me if you need me or find something I didn’t notice.”

  “You think I might find a clue?” Now Rarity felt like a fool, trying to hide what she was actually looking for.

  “I doubt it, but a second set of eyes never hurts.” He waved as he walked out the door. “Tell Killer I said hi.”

  Rarity watched as he disappeared out the door and down the hallway. She heard him call out to the receptionist and then heard a door shut. Besides the faint hum of a radio, which must be at the receptionist’s desk, the place was quiet. Too quiet. The bookstore never really got this way since it had businesses on both sides of it. If it wasn’t noise from the street, she could hear the pipes and air conditioners in her building.

  She returned to her job, finding Killer’s vet and determining when his last appointment was. And, if she was lucky, the name and phone number of Martha’s new beau. Drew had probably already talked to him, but like he’d said, another set of eyes.

  She shook her head, wondering how she’d gotten herself talked into this plan. Her new motto of taking risks seemed to be having unintended consequences. Like lying to the local police.

  Chapter 9

  Rarity was back at the bookstore with Killer when Sam came in from her breakfast. She set the notebook aside and put down her pen. “So how did breakfast go?”

  Sam shrugged. “Okay, I guess. Drew wasn’t very talkative, and his folks kept talking him up, which made him totally embarrassed. I’ve never seen anyone so red. Did you know he was an Eagle Scout?”

  “Actually, yes. He mentioned it today when he was setting me up in his office to read Martha’s journal. I think you should give him some space. His folks do this a lot. If you’re interested in him, maybe you should try to develop a friendship first, with no strings.”

  “Like you have?” Sam leaned on the counter. “You’d tell me if you were interested in him, right?”

  “If I was interested in him as more than a friend, yes, I’d tell you. Drew and I just have Killer in common. He’s a nice guy, but right now, I’m not sure I trust my judgment with any guy. I don’t have the best track record.”

  “You can’t blame yourself for Kevin. He put up a good front. I was even entranced for a while, until I heard the way he treated you during your treatments.” Sam squeezed her arm. “You’re a catch. And if he couldn’t see that, he’s a jerk.”

  “Then he’s definitely a jerk.” Rarity didn’t want to talk about Kevin and the things he’d said and done during her treatments. She was just glad to know who he truly was before she’d said yes and had to undo all the ways two people’s lives mixed together when they got married. “Anyway, sorry the breakfast wasn’t what you or he expected. I did find some things in the datebook, though.”

  “Like what?” Sam reacted.

  “Like a vet for Killer and his next appointment. I’ve already called, and they said I can just keep the same time and they’ll switch his file over to me when I get there.” Rarity grinned. “One problem solved.”

  “I was actually asking about Martha’s death. But that’s exciting too.” Sam glanced at her watch.

  “I also made a list of several men who were mentioned in Martha’s journal. She didn’t put anyone’s name next to the Date Night entries she had once or twice a month, so we have a list of five.” Rarity passed the list to Sam, who used her finger as she glanced down the list. “Does anyone look familiar?”

  “I know a Roger, but he’s married and he’s a plumber, so maybe he’s not the same one? I know several Keiths, but no Kellys or Tims.” She pointed to the last name on the list. “Robert is a common name around here, but there’s a minister by that name. Do we know what church, if any, Martha went to?”

  “She went to church. It was in her planner, and she took cookies for the second service last week.” Rarity tried to remember if the name of the church had been mentioned. “I don’t know where she went, sorry.”

  “Well, it’s something. And maybe Shirley would know more. She’s been around for years and seems to know everyone.” Sam headed to the door. “I need to get going.”

  “See you. And don’t say that to Shirley, she might think you’re saying she’s old.”