Found and Destroyed: The Second Sarah Martin Mystery

by Danelle Helget

  “Tannya?”

  “Yeah Tannya from Morning Glory. She’s the frumpy waitress I told you about from Nisswa. Remember I told that she was cat sitting? Faith has been throwing up so she’s bringing her to me so I can get to my meeting. She’s going to stay overnight here and wants to come out with us and learn about martinis the hard way. I have an appointment for Faith in the morning,” I told him. He sure is full of questions tonight. “You could meet up with us later if you want,” I offered.

  “Mmmm tempting, but no. I’ll just wait to hear how that goes down. I’m looking forward to my own bed and a good night’s sleep before work in the morning. But, hey, why don’t you give me a call sometime tomorrow and maybe we can get together for dinner or something.”

  “Yeah, sure. Sounds good. I’ll do that. Talk to you tomorrow. Drive safe.”

  “You too. And stay out of trouble,” he said and disconnected.

  I pulled into the Applebee’s lot fifteen minutes late and hoped that Blake hadn’t been waiting long. I would have called him, but I’d had Derek on the phone. I threw the Jeep into park and quickly walked in. There was a huge crowd in the doorway which was typical for a Friday night. I looked at the bar and didn’t see Blake anywhere so I walked up to the hostess and gave her my name. I told her that I was meeting someone.

  “Oh, yes. You must be Sara. Mr. Conner is waiting for you. Right this way,” she said and led me to him.

  He was already seated at a booth in the back. He was on his phone when I walked up. I thanked the waitress and ordered a Vodka Collins. I could see that Blake already had a tall beer at the table. He looked up and smiled and gave me an “I’m sorry I’m stuck on the phone” face with a finger point at the phone by his ear. I waved my hand at him. No big deal.

  A few moments later he disconnected and set his phone aside. “Sara Martin, you look amazing as always,” he said and took a drink of his beer.

  “Thanks, so do you,” I said, noticing that he was in jeans and a button down shirt that had a thin pinstripe and a design on it. It was casual, but sexy at the same time. “Work just never ends, eh?”

  “You got that right! Can I get you a drink?” he asked.

  “I got one coming already.”

  We spent the next thirty minutes going over the details of my account, which was already making some nice returns. I learned how to read a monthly statement and what all the abbreviations meant. After looking at the account and discussing the market we decided not to change anything. We ordered dinner and made small talk while we waited. Conversation was easy with him. I’d mentioned that I’d seen him at church. He said that his sister had joined a couple months ago and was always trying to get him to go. He said he wanted to get involved but didn’t have the time.

  When our food arrived, Blake asked the waitress for another round. After we ate, and the waitress took our plates, he ordered after-dinner drinks for us. Brandy Alexanders. Oh, my gosh! Where have these been all my life? It was the first of many Brandy Alexanders. A few stories and a lot of giggles later, my phone rang. That’s when I realized it was almost 9:00. It was Kat.

  “I’m so sorry,” Kat said. “I had to wait for my stupid landlord to make a repair on my oven. Anyway, I’m almost there. I’ll pick you up at the door in ten minutes.”

  “Okay, I’ll be there,” I said and disconnected. “I’m sorry,” I said to Blake. “I lost track of time. I’m supposed to go out with a couple friends tonight. That was one of them. She’s picking me up here in ten minutes.” I took one last gulp of my drink. “Thank you so much for dinner,” I laughed.

  I’d had a great time. We both were feeling it, and everything seemed funny for some reason.

  “So you’re dumping me again … on a Friday night,” he said with a pouty lip. “I was kind of hoping I didn’t have to be home alone at 10:00 p.m. tonight. It is a Friday after all.”

  “Well, I suppose you could come with,” I said with a smile. “We’re heading to Flash, so you better be able to dance.”

  “Oh, I can dance!” he said with a smirk. “You’re in for a treat tonight!”

  I busted out laughing. The waitress came and took the payment folder and said goodnight. I told him to follow me.

  I sent Kat a text: Minor change in plans.

  She replied: At the front door.

  Blake followed me to the car. Kat currently drove a 2010 tuxedo black Dodge Charger, but that changed as often as her hair color. I called shotgun and giggled as we walked up to the car. Blake giggled, too, and said something about fairness. I pulled open the passenger door and poked my head in. “Kat, this is Blake. Blake, my BFF, Kat.”

  They exchanged salutations as I climbed in the front. Blake plopped down in back. Kat looked at him and raised her eyebrows in approval.

  “Blake and I had a meeting and kind of lost track of time, and count of our drinks,” I said with a giggle.

  “It’s all her fault,” Blake said to Kat pointing at me.

  “Yeah she’s fun like that,” Kat told him. “So … are we bringing him home or taking him out?” she asked me as my phone rang. I put up a finger and dug through my purse.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, girl, it’s Tannya. Faith and I are at your apartment. Nice place by the way.”

  “Aww, thanks. How’s Faith?”

  “She only threw up twice today. She’s curled up on the pillow on your bed right now,” she told me.

  “That’s her favorite spot! Well, get yourself ready. We’ll be there in ten minutes to pick you up for a martini to remember!” I said with a laugh. “Lock up behind you and meet us downstairs.”

  “Sure thing,” she said and disconnected.

  “Okay, another minor change in plans. We have to swing by my apartment and pick up Tannya, my northwoods sidekick. This one’s in her mid to late-twenties and never been to a big city, and never had a martini,” I said biting on my lip.

  Kat put the car in gear and started towards my place.

  “Oh, boy,” Kat said.

  I heard some giggling come from the back seat. I turned around and Blake’s shoulders were shaking and he was waving his hand like “never mind.” I started laughing too because he looked funny trying hard to control his laughter. My head was slightly spinning, so I was sure his was too.

  “This is the one from the diner?” Kat asked.

  “Yup. Hopefully she wears something besides her work shirt,” I said.

  “You ladies are a hoot! You should take her out and treat her like she’s twenty-one. If she doesn’t know a martini, there’s lots she doesn’t know,” Blake said excitedly.

  “Where do you live, Blake?” Kat inquired.

  “Forest Lake.”

  “Ha! Well, then you’re in luck,” Kat said. “It’s after nine already. The bars close at 2:00 a.m. I don’t have time to run you home, so it looks like you’re coming with us!”

  “Oh, boy,” I said.

  “Saaaweeet,” Blake said, his head nodding.

  His professional look was gone. I giggled again.

  We arrived at the front doors of my apartment and out came Tannya. She was dressed in what looked like yellow skinny jeans, although I wasn’t convinced they were, and a small, gold, sequin tank that tightly embraced her belly rolls, and calf-high black heeled boots that were challenging her walking skills. I exited the car and waved.

  “Hey, Tannya, hop on in,” I said.

  She smiled. When she got a couple steps closer, I noticed her bright gold eyelids, neon pink lipstick, and huge gold shoulder bag, with huge gold earrings to boot. She was a sight! I tried to contain my laughter.

  “Thanks so much for bringing Faith back to me. That really helped me out.”

  “Girl, you have no idea how long I have wanted to wear this shirt out. I ordered it online one night after a few drinks on a one-person-stay-at-home pity party and haven’t gotten the chance to wear it yet. I’m so excited to see what this is about! I watch movies about girls going out and drinking marti
nis in the big cities, and well, it’s always been a dream of mine,” she said with a huge smile as she approached the car.

  Blake had slid over and opened the door behind my seat for her.

  “Hey, ya’ll!” she said leaning into the car and waving at Blake and Kat.

  She picked one foot up to step into the car and THUMP-UFF! She went down like an elephant on roller skates! Her other leg kicked out from under her, and she fell straight back, one leg in the air and one hand still on the door. I quickly maneuvered over to her and tried to help her up. She looked like a turtle on its back, wriggling and wriggling but not getting anywhere. Then, she kind of leaned to one side, and built up momentum, rolled to her other side, and on to all fours. From there she was able to stand.

  “Are you okay?” I asked sincerely, but holding back laughter.

  “Ohhhhh, aaaahhh,” she moaned while she climbed up to her feet. “Goodness me! I can’t believe I just did that! How embarrassing! I’m fine,” she said looking down at her pants. “Am I dirty?”

  “Nah, nothing to worry about,” I said.

  She had dirt stains on both her knees from rolling over on them when she was trying to stand. She also had dirt on her back and a few sequins had popped off. But she didn’t need to know that.

  “We’re going to a club. It’ll be dark. No one will notice anything in there, especially on the dance floor with all the lights spinning,” I lied.

  I didn’t want to wait for her to change or see what else she might come up with to wear.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Blake asked, leaning toward the open car door from his seat.

  “Yes I’m totally fine,” she said brushing off what dirt she could.

  “That’s go-oo-oood,” he said and then completely lost it.

  As he was laughing really hard, Kat and I started laughing too. Blake and Kat went on and on … gasping for air, snorting, the whole shebang! Then, finally settling down a few moments later, both of them were drying tears. Tannya stepped into the car, but this time actually made it.

  Kat put the car in drive and we sped away. I made introductions on the way to the club. We arrived at Flash at 10:00 p.m. It was filling up with the usual Saturday crowd. There were lots of twenty-something’s at the bar doing shots, a few ugly, single men sipping drinks and scanning the crowd, and a handful of various others. Being it was me, my single forever-young friend Kat, Blake-the hottie—clean cut, sharp dressed business man—and Tannya—dirty knees McSmall Town—we fell into the “other” category. So, it was no surprise that when we walked through that door, people looked our way. I headed straight to the bar with Kat in tow and bought the first round of martinis for everyone. Tannya watched in amazement while the bartender shook, not stirred, and poured them in the glasses with much flair! He was pretty good, I’ll admit, so I left him a nice tip. Tannya was in awe watching him.

  “A toast,” I started, as we each reached for a glass, “To my new friend, Blake, who’s going to be a great financial partner, and to my other new friend, Tannya, who’s out in the big city and drinkin’ her first martini!”

  After a few “Woo hoo’s,” we clinked glasses and took sips. Kat, Blake, and I, all had our eyes on Tannya. She took a drink, and I mean drink! Her eyes opened as wide as they could and she spit it out full force all over the older guy sitting right next to me. The whole right side of his face got wet, as well as his shirt. I got a misting but that was all.

  “Holy Mother!” she screeched. She grabbed a bar towel from the counter and gave it to the guy. “Oh, geeze, sir, I’m so sorry! That was an accident. Here let me help you,” she said grabbing a few drink napkins and dabbing his face.

  Kat and Blake were doubled over in laughter. I stood in shock expecting a bar fight, but he remained seated and uncommonly calm.

  “Good grief woman, don’t you know you’re supposed to sip martini’s?” he said in a mean tone.

  “No, sir. That was my first one. I … I … I’m not from around here. I’m so sorry. I’m so embarrassed. I didn’t mean to.”

  He grumbled as he dried himself up.

  “Please, let me buy you a drink. What were you drinking?” she asked looking at his empty glass.

  He turned on his bar stool to face her and looked her up and down, stopping for a moment at her dirt-stained knees. He squinted his eyes and the corners of his mouth curled a bit. His face changed, and so did his tone.

  “Well, all right,” he said slyly. “You can buy me a drink, and I’ll accept your apology … on two conditions.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Yeah! Sure! What are the conditions?” she asked with a smile.

  I don’t think she has any idea what she’s getting herself into.

  “One, you have a drink with me, and two, I get a dance later to the song of my choice,” he said with confidence.

  He was sitting, so it was hard to tell how tall he was, but he was at least fifty-five years old and as round as a beach ball. He was clean cut and nicely dressed, and he didn’t come up swinging when he got spit on, so how bad could he be? I cut a glance at Kat and Blake. They were both still trying to compose themselves.

  “You got it. Now what are you drinking?” Tannya asked him.

  “We,” he said, “are having a brandy coke. It’s much smoother than that martini you just tried.” She ordered two and pulled herself up on the stool next to him. “So what’s your name, pretty lady?” he asked.

  “Tannya,” she said and put her hand out. He took her hand and shook it.

  “I’m Greg. Nice to meet you.”

  We took that as our cue to give them a little space. We went across the room and got a stand-up table near the dance floor. Tannya peeked over her shoulder and spotted us. We all raised our glasses, and she smiled big and gave us a thumbs-up. The DJ was on the stage getting set up. I felt my purse vibrate, and heard my ring tone. It was Derek. I excused myself and took the call in a quiet corner.

  “Hey!” I answered.

  “Hey you,” he said with a sigh. “What are you doing?”

  “Well I had that meeting, and then Kat picked up me and Tannya and Blake, and now we’re at Flash. We’ll be here the rest of the night. Why? What are you doing? Wanna join us?”

  “Who’s Blake?”

  “He’s my financial adviser, remember?”

  Awkward. The line was quiet.

  “Hello?” I finally said.

  “Yeah, no, I think you’ve got more than enough company, so I’ll pass. Have a good night. I’ll talk to ya later,” he said and disconnected abruptly.

  Well, geez, someone’s cranky. I went back over to the table and chatted with Blake and Kat who were getting to know each other.

  “So, do you have a girlfriend?” she blurted out.

  I almost choked on my drink. Leave it to Kat to get straight to the point.

  “No, I don’t,” he said, then looked at me and smiled.

  Oh, crap! I hope that smile meant he was interested in Kat and not me. The music started, and I heard a long scream from across the room. I whipped my head around. It was Tannya! She was off her stool and headed in our direction.

  “Yes! I love this song!”

  She grabbed my arm and pulled me to the dance floor, which was fine with me. I reached out and grabbed Kat on the way, who reached out and grabbed Blake. We were the only people on the floor. The song was “Last Friday Night” by Katie Perry, and Tannya knew all the words. Her drink could not have kicked in already! She must just be very excited to dance.

  “This is so cool. I can’t believe I’m here! And I met a great guy already! This is going to be a great night,” she screamed in my ear.

  “Glad you’re having fun,” I yelled back at her.

  We stayed out there and danced a few more songs, and then when the music changed to a slower song, Greg came shuffling out with his and Tannya’s drinks in hand. She took hers and thanked him, then he took her hand, turned her around, and pulled her in close. She didn’t seem to min
d. The three of us headed to the bar. We slowed down the pace by switching to beer. After the bartender brought me my change we walked back over to the stand-up table.

  Kat asked Blake what he did for fun, and if he was looking to meet anyone. I listened and watched the conversation, and hoped that those two would hit it off. He was so hot, but I liked Derek. Not Blake. I mean Blake was nice, and handsome, and successful, and easy to talk to, and fun to hang out with, and smelled so good … but, I liked Derek. Yup.

  “Sara? SARA?”

  I heard my name but found myself staring at Blake while I was thinking and not at all paying attention to what they were talking about.

  “Huh?” I asked snapping back to attention.

  “I said,” Kat said, “that you were one tough cookie and have been through a lot lately, but are the strongest I’ve ever seen you. Does Blake know about your interesting past?”

  I shot Kat a warning look and then turned to Blake.“Yeeees, I told him about my divorce and my land purchase. I left out all the boring details, but, yes, he’s up to date.”

  “Okay,” Kat said with raised eyebrows and took a drink.

  “So are you a baseball fan?” Kat asked Blake. “I love baseball,” she said as she leaned over the table towards him.

  Oh, the flirt was working the area now. I excused myself to go to the bathroom and gave them some space. I took my time, secretly wishing Derek was there with me. Maybe I should call him or maybe not. I was pretty tipsy. I checked my phone. It was almost midnight and I had a facebook message. I looked at the message. It was from Cory:

  I got what you need. My brother said it was urgent. Come over and get it, text me first to make sure I’m here. Come alone and don’t give out my name. Bring cash.

  Oh geez, here I am on a Friday night, drunk, and we finally get a break on Cory. My heart was beating fast, which caused the room to spin a bit. I exited the bathroom and walked out the side door to call Derek. It was just as busy and loud outside because all the smokers were pressed up against the walls by the entry getting their fix. I walked to the other side of the crowd and dialed.

  “Yeah,” he answered sounding upset.