Jonathon shook his head. “You haven’t said anything that would make me reconsider taking him off, except you have a feeling. He stays on until we, or Drew, find out where he is. What’s his full name?”
Darby gave those details, then worked on adding them to the pages in her binder. “It’s weird talking about a stalker like he’s doing it to someone else.”
“Been there, done that.” Shirley smiled at her. “You should have another brownie.”
As they went around the room, Malia brought up Talia Brooks. “The woman is an older version of Darby. What if the stalker just got confused?”
“You’re saying he’s either brilliant or stupid. This is really nailing down the possible suspects,” Holly teased. “But seriously, that woman looks just like you, Darby. Are you sure you don’t have other relatives?”
“That’s a good question,” Rarity pointed out. “Maybe your grandmother had some genealogy done. Is there anything like that in the house?”
“If there is, it would be in the den. I can look there tonight, after the meeting.”
Holly nodded. “I’ll help. I’ve got to stay awake for work anyway. I’ll try to get into your grandmother’s computer.” Holly worked for the City of Sedona in the IT department. Mostly it meant that she updated software and replaced hardware when necessary and worked the graveyard shift.
“Okay, so we have that side going.” Rarity wrote down a note. “I’ll see what I can find out about Talia Brooks online. And I’ll try to talk with her tomorrow at the memorial before the film starts.”
They finished the round-robin on Darby, then Jonathon changed the subject to Mason Pike. “Shirley, what did you know about him? You set up the event, right?”
She nodded, setting her knitting down. “When I found out about the film festival, I noticed that Mason had a book he’d just released. I figured it would mesh well with the festival, and he’d be here anyway so it wouldn’t be a financial bother. Even though he lived in Southern California.”
Rarity continued writing as Shirley talked. She wondered how close Talia and Mason lived to each other. Southern California was a large, densely populated area, but Talia had mentioned that they’d been close, once. Was that why he’d been inappropriate with Darby? He’d fallen back into time and thought she was Talia? Or had he been that way with all the pretty young things? She might not ever find out. People tended to forgive a dead man his errors. Especially if they were famous.
As they broke for the night, Jonathon hung around after the others left. “Is Archer coming by or may I have the pleasure?”
“He’s driving back from a tour, so he won’t be walking me home. You’re welcome to join Killer and me if you think Romeo can make it that far.” Rarity smiled at the dog that was sprawled on the couch near the fireplace and loudly snoring now that most of the humans had left.
“It would be my pleasure. Anything I can help with?” he asked as he picked up his laptop bag and put the leash back on Romeo. The dog didn’t budge.
“I’m checking the back and turning off lights. Put Killer on his leash and I’ll be ready to go.” Rarity double-checked the lock on the back door and made sure the security system was turned on, then grabbed her tote to meet Jonathon at the front door. After she locked it and armed the security system, she took Killer’s leash. “You did a great job leading the discussion tonight.”
“Thank you. Drew keeps harping on me to make sure you all don’t go rogue on him.” Jonathon fell into an easy pace with her and the dogs. Killer had to hurry to keep up, even at this slow pace, but Romeo didn’t seem to be in a hurry at all. The two dogs walked together, stopping at smells as they went down the street to Rarity’s house. “You were quiet tonight. Are you worn out or something got you worried?”
Rarity snickered. “I’m always worried about something. The bookstore, my employees, my friends, Archer, Killer, you name it, I can give you a reason I’m worried. But this thing with Darby has me concerned. I was going to say she can’t have someone staying with her forever, but if their mini hotel project gets up and going, I guess she can.”
“The girls will take care of her. And we’ll figure out who’s been stalking her. I hear she went out to lunch with the bike racer. What do you think about him?”
“Marc? He’s super nice. Laid back. And he’s obviously taken by Darby. Could he be trying to break into her house and threatening her with flowers and phone calls? I don’t think so. One, they only met on Wednesday. They went out to lunch once, maybe twice now. But he’s leaving town sometime this week. I’m sure with his new job, he’ll be following the circuit again.” Rarity stopped, waiting for Killer to get his fill of a new smell with Romeo next to him.
“Too bad, he was my best suspect.” Jonathon gently tugged on Romeo’s leash, and they started moving again.
“On the other hand, with what I’ve heard about Mason, he seems more the type.” Rarity shrugged. “But of course, he’s dead.”
“One less suspect to consider.” Jonathon started to say something, then paused.
“What are you thinking?” Rarity paused at the edge of her driveway.
“I’m just wondering if these two cases are tied by more than just Darby being Mason’s author wrangler the night of his death.” Jonathon held his hand up to stop Rarity from responding. “Look, I’m not saying that Darby’s a killer. Just that she’s involved in both situations. It’s just odd.”
“It’s bad luck, that’s what it is. Anyway, will I see you tomorrow? Are you going to the memorial tomorrow night?”
“I’ll be writing with Romeo at the bookstore during the day if it’s still okay I bring him. Then I’ll take him home and come back with Drew for the memorial. I suspect black suits will not be the dress code since we’re having it at the theater before his movie reveal?” Romeo lay down as Jonathon was talking.
“I’m really not sure. Maybe at least muted colors?” Rarity would text Shirley regarding the dress code. She’d know. “I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”
At that, Jonathon coaxed Romeo to stand and walk the few additional blocks home. Rarity watched them leave from her porch. From the dark, she heard a rocking chair move. “Terrance, is that you?”
“Guilty as charged. I was staying up to see if Shirley might come by, but she texted me that she’s worn out from today. That woman is going to run herself into an early grave if she doesn’t watch herself.”
