Found and Destroyed: The Second Sarah Martin Mystery

by Danelle Helget

  “There they are!” he spat out while opening his door.

  He was pointing over the car roof to the woods on the passenger side. Sure as shit, you could see two figures bumbling through the woods.

  “Get in!” I yelled.

  I fumbled with keys and tried two before the third key fit into the ignition. Sam reached around and locked all four doors.

  “Hey! Hey! That’s my car!” We could hear them yelling from the woods. “Stop, get out! Get out or I’ll shoot!”

  “Aaagh! Let’s get out! I don’t want to get shot!” Sam cried.

  “They’re running! Hurry up!” Betty screamed. She covered her head and ducked.

  “The gun’s not loaded. They’re bluffing!” I yelled hoping that was true.

  I turned the key and the engine rumbled and shook the whole car but wouldn’t fire.

  “SHIT!” I screamed and tried again. “Come on, come on, come on!”

  The engine again vibrated and tried and tried but was struggling. I pushed down the gas pedal a few times and it finally started! I looked to my right out Betty’s window and they were only ten yards from the car. I quickly shifted into reverse, looked over my shoulder, and floored it.

  I turned forward again to see if they were still coming at us. They were! I was still flying backwards when BANG! The car stopped suddenly! I hadn’t made it more than twenty yards. We were still plenty close to the house. The light was still strong enough to see the area a little.

  “What the heck? What did I hit?”

  I was still on the driveway, so it couldn’t have been a tree. I whipped my head around to see another car behind me.

  “Are you guys okay?” I asked Betty and Sam.

  “Owwww! Aaah! Betty said holding her neck. “What happened?”

  “I hit another car,” I told her.

  “I’m okay!” Sam announced. “I’m going to have whiplash, but I’ll be fine.”

  I looked at him and nodded. The car behind me was smoking and I could smell the stench of radiator coolant. I looked out the front windshield and saw that Cory and Kyle stopped, standing there staring in shock. Crap! Now what? Sam turned and looked out the back window.

  “Oh, shit! It’s Joe! I-I-I gotta go,” he said and opened his door.

  “No, Sam. Don’t leave! Where are you going to go?” Betty asked him.

  “I don’t know, but I’m not going to stay here!” he opened the door and got out.

  “Get outta da cha, you cheat’n broad!”

  What was that? The unfamiliar voice was coming from behind me, from Sam’s open door. Sam slammed his door shut, locked it and moved over behind Betty. I looked out my side mirror to see an older man holding a rifle pointed at our car, stumbling towards us.

  “Get out, woman! You ain’t gonna leave with him!”

  I looked at Cory and Kyle and they were still standing there staring in our direction. I was so scared, I was panting. Now I was stuck between two groups of crazies, both with guns, one that might in fact be loaded. And all of them were pissed off at me, or someone in my group. Why do these things happen to me? I didn’t know what else to do, so I exited the car.

  “Hi, I’m Sara. Not sure we’ve met.” I said extending my hand.

  Dork. I guess I don’t work well under pressure. This man was short, balding and had a huge beer belly. He was dressed in a button down, flannel shirt and baggy jeans. His shirt was half pulled out and had a couple of stains on the front.

  “What? Who the hell are you?” he slurred. “Tell Betty to get out here!”

  “I’m Sara,” I repeated. “How is it you know Betty?”

  Over my shoulder I noticed a car door swing open. Sam jumped out and bolted towards the woods. He made it maybe twenty yards when BANG! The stranger fired at him. I grabbed my mouth, and shot my eyes to Sam. He’d dropped to the ground and didn’t move.

  “OH, SHIT! DON’T SHOOT!” I screamed and held up my hands at the guy.

  He looked stunned, shocked that he’d actually shot him.

  “OOOOH! OOOOH! Oh, no he didn’t!” I heard Kyle yell. “SHIT! That was a great shot!”

  “No, no! I didn’t mean to hit him! I was just trying to scare him,” he cried. Then he lowered the gun and looked at me with worried eyes. “It was an accident. I didn’t mean to,” he told me like I was the one he had to explain things to.

  He started crying and shaking his head.

  “Saaaaam!” Betty yelled. “NOOOO!”

  She leaped from the car, ran around the rear of it straight up to Joe and punched him in the stomach. He dropped the gun, and grabbed his stomach with both hands. He folded in half at the waist and collapsed to his knees. Betty was bent over him screaming and pointing in his face.

  “What the hell are you doing? You crazy drunk fool? This is exactly why I’m leaving you! You’re drunk and stupid every day of the week! I can’t believe you killed him! I hate you, Joe! HAAATE! YOU!” she screamed fiercely then she kicked him.

  I stood there with my mouth hanging open in utter shock. The puzzle was coming together. Joe and Betty were married and Betty and Sam were having an affair. That would explain why Sam was so unfamiliar with the property, and why Betty was wondering what time it was. She knew Joe would be home from the bar soon and wanted to get Sam out of there in time. Woozers! Not only did those idiots pick the wrong woman on the wrong day, they got the wrong property on the wrong day too!

  Betty ran to Sam’s side and knelt down by him. She put her head on his chest and started bawling. Poor thing.

  “Who are you?” Joe demanded, holding his stomach and standing.

  “I’m Sara. Those two idiots over there kidnapped me,” I pointed to Kyle and Cory, who were still just standing there staring at us. “They’re wanted by the law. This was their hide-out of choice. It’s a long story. Can I borrow this,” I asked referring to the rifle I was picking up of the ground. “And do you have a cell phone?” I asked quietly.

  “Yes, in the car,” Joe answered.

  “Go get it and call 911 before they kill us all,” I told him quietly.

  I turned around, pointed the gun at Cory and Kyle and started walking towards them.

  “HE’S ALIVE!!” I heard, Betty announce from the edge of the woods. “He was just faking because he was scared. He’s not even hit!”

  That is a relief. But now what? I had the gun pointed at idiot one and idiot two and knew that I could not let them out of my sight until the police got there.

  “You two, sit!” I said walking towards them.

  They looked at me and then at each other. Cory rolled his eyes and looked annoyed. Kyle sat. It was funny because he’s such a big guy, and if he would have said no, I have no idea what I would have done. I was faking my bravery. I tried to look tough and sound tough but I was completely scared on the inside.

  “Sit, Cory! Now!” I screamed. “I’m in no mood for your shit right now!”

  I clicked the safety off the gun, and he sat. I pushed the safety back in place and lowered the barrel. They were sitting side by side. Cory still looked annoyed, and I didn’t trust him. Kyle had his head down and looked like he might be crying. Seriously? He’d better not be! If he is, I’m demanding a psychiatric evaluation upon his arrest. An hour ago he was on top of me in complete control, and now he’s crying?! I heard mumbling behind me and took a quick glance at Joe who was talking into the phone.

  “Hey, lady, what did you say your name was?”

  “Sara Martin,” I yelled back to him. Then I called to Betty and Sam, “Hey, you guys, come over here,” I yelled.

  Betty and Sam slowly walked toward me. When they got close enough, I asked Betty to go to the shed and get some rope or duct tape. Sam stayed next to me. I didn’t trust Joe and him together. I kept the gun pointed in Cory and Kyle’s direction. When Betty returned with duct tape, I instructed Betty and Sam to secure their feet and hands. They taped their wrists behind their back and their ankles together in front of them. When they were done
Betty slapped them both across the face.

  “Shame on you two! Your mother will be so ashamed of her boys,” she told them with a finger point.

  Cory looked pissed off, as usual, and Kyle looked sorry. I almost laughed at the child-like fear on his face when she mentioned his mother.

  “Suck it, old lady!” Cory shot back, and then spit at her. He missed, but now I was not happy. I took the tape from Sam’s hand and slapped a piece across his mouth.

  “Respect your elders!” I scolded. Then I took the duct tape and wound it around both of their chests and arms bundling them together as tight as I could. “There, get comfy, boys. The police should be here soon.”

  “They’re on the way,” Joe announced, walking up to us. “They asked about you,” he told me.

  His eyes were still bloodshot, but he seemed to be sobering up a bit.

  “Who the hell is this guy?” Joe asked Betty, pointing at Sam.

  “He’s my boyfriend, Joe,” she said proudly, as she put her arm around Sam’s waist. Sam’s face filled with shock at the word boyfriend. His mouth hung slack as he fearfully looked at Betty.

  “Boyfriend? Boyfriend!”

  Joe reached for the gun in my hand and I pulled it away from him.

  “Stop!” I yelled.

  I put my hand on Joe’s chest and stood between him and Sam.

  “Yeah, that’s right,” Betty said. “You don’t come home until after 1:00 a.m. every night of the week! You go to work, to the bar, and fishing. I never see you! You never talk to me or make me feel loved or appreciated, so I got a boyfriend. I need to be loved Joe, and you don’t show me lo-lo-lovvvee!” and with that, Betty put her face in her hands and started sobbing.

  “Awww, she just needs some love, man!” Kyle said to Joe.

  I put my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing. What an idiot. Joe dropped his shoulders and stepped closer to Betty.

  “Oh, now, honey bun. Don’t cry. I didn’t know ya felt like that. I love you. I thought you knew that. I don’t mean to drink so much. It just sort of happens. And when I do come home, you tell me you like it better when I’m not here,” Joe told her.

  “Well, that’s because you go right to bed when you get home and leave me with dirty dishes and laundry,” she said in a whiny voice. “What I really need is my Joey Pooh to hold me and love me,” she said through sobs.

  Wow. I am not hearing this!

  “What?” Sam said loudly. I shook my head at him and he got quiet.

  “Ahh, man, you need to hug her. She just needs a hug.” Kyle chimed in with a soft baby-like voice. I looked over at him.

  He had puppy-dog eyes and was sporting a soft smile. Puuleeeze! Cory was not feeling the love. His eyebrows were smashed together and he mumbled something sounding like, “Shut the F up” from under his duct tape, then leaned over and head-butted Kyle.

  I let out a quick snort of laughter and then pointed the gun back at Cory and told him, “Knock it off!”

  “Haaaaaaaay! Cut it out, man, that hurts!” Kyle cried.

  “If all you needed was a hug, you shoulda just said so Betty Boo,” Joe whimpered.

  Seriously? Kill me now!

  “Commere, Boo Boo. I’ll give you hug. I didn’t know that’s what you needed. You just have to tell me.”

  “Ooooh, Joey pooh,” Betty said and stepped towards him.

  I moved back, so I was out of the way. They embraced. I noticed Sam’s eyes roll and Kyle’s head tilt. Then Joe and Betty kissed. It was a quick peck … then another … then another. Then they started moaning and smearing their faces against each other.

  “Ah, for the love of Pete! I’m standing right here!” Sam yelled.

  But they kept going, arms rubbing backs passionately. I turned away and did a loud “AHEM!” cough. They finally parted and both were out of breath. Seriously what’s taking the police so long! I can’t take anymore of this insanity!

  “I’m so sorry, Boo Boo,” Joe said. “I won’t drink anymore. I’ll quit, just for you, honey bun.”

  “Ohhh, Joey pooh, you’d do that for me?” Betty asked in a voice like she was talking to a two-year-old.

  I was gonna puke if I had to hear anymore of it. The whole situation was bringing back bad memories. “I promise, if you quit drinking, I’ll stop sleeping with Sam … and Larry … and Earl,” she said. Another quick snort of laughter escaped me.

  “Earl? Who’s Earl?” Joe asked.

  “It’s not important, Pooh. What’s important is we’re back together and in love again!” She kissed him again. He seemed fine with that.

  “How you holding up, beautiful?” Sam asked me.

  I felt his breath on my ear he was so close.

  “Ahhhhh! Nah uh! No! Step back,” I snapped at him.

  Betty and Joe were whispering in each other’s ears and giggling with their arms around each other. Finally, I could hear sirens in the distance. Thank God!

  Chapter Seventeen

  The sirens got louder and louder. I turned to look up the driveway at the approaching cop cars when I heard a stick crack in the woods.

  “Ooow!”

  And there was Joe, in the woods, trying to make a run for it. He was sitting down holding his ankle. There were four police cars in all, and an ambulance. The sirens silenced and all the cars quickly angled in at different directions. Spot lights and high beams illuminated the area. Wow! The place was really lit up. Joe was in the woods up and running again. An officer took off on foot after him.

  “Stop or I’ll shoot,” the cop yelled.

  Joe stopped and threw his hands in the air. I scanned the crowd of police faces looking for Derek. They were all male officers and they were all standing behind open car doors with their weapons drawn. I supposed they didn’t know the good guys from the bad guys and needed a second to figure it out.

  The bull horn buzzed, “DROP THE WEAPON!”

  It suddenly occurred to me I was still holding a long-barrel rifle, which was pointed in their direction. Shit! I quickly set it down, and put my hands up in surrender. Oops!

  “Stay where you are and nobody move!” he yelled again.

  “Don’t shoot. I won’t move,” Joe yelled from the woods.

  Another car raced into the driveway and Derek bounded out almost before it came to a full stop. I saw him right away. He was scanning the area and noticed Joe and the officer in the woods right away. He swung his head in my direction and noticed me. I tilted my head a little and gave him a half smile, but as soon as I did I got all mushy inside and suddenly felt really weak.

  Now that he was here, I wanted to collapse in his arms and cry, but there I stood helpless in front of what was beginning to feel like a firing squad, with my hands still in the air. When Derek and I locked eyes, he put his hand on his chest. I could see it rise and fall with a breath of relief. He ran over to one of the officers and they spoke for a moment. Then Derek and the other officers lowered their guns and approached. Two officers went to Cory and Kyle. One grabbed the gun I’d just put down and walked towards the squad car with it.

  Derek ran to me and wrapped his arms around my neck and held me tight. It was as if the world stopped. He was warm and smelled so good and felt so safe. With his arms around me, I felt like there was a cement building surrounding me, protecting me from everything. I didn’t have to fake being brave anymore. I broke down and cried.

  “You’re safe now,” he whispered. “It’s okay … you’re safe. Thank God, you’re safe.” He pulled his head away from mine and moved my hair out of my eyes. “Did they hurt you?” he asked in his police voice.

  I shook my head. “They tried,” I said, regaining my composure, “but I got away.”

  I wiped my tears and sniffed. I heard chuckling and looked over to see the officers trying to decide how to get idiot one and idiot two separated and into the squad car.

  “Is that your handiwork?” Derek asked me with a grin.

  I half smiled, and looked at Sam and Betty.

&n
bsp; “It was a joint effort,” I told him.

  “Is anyone hurt?” one of the officers asked loudly.

  Everyone shook their heads. Except Joe, who was being escorted from the woods and overheard the question. “I am! I think I twisted my ankle.”

  The officer pushing him along from behind and shook his head. They sent the ambulance on its way.

  “You’ll live,” the officer told him.

  “What’s the story with the two smashed cars in the driveway?” Another officer asked.

  I looked at Joe.

  “That was my fault,” he confessed. “I had too much to drink and I drove.”

  Wow, that’s big of him. Then he waddled over with his hands still cuffed behind his back and kissed Betty on the mouth. I held my breath hoping this wouldn’t get ugly again. It didn’t.

  He stepped back and said, “Betty Boo, Pooh has to go away for a little while, but I’ll be back, and when I do I’m going to take care of you good. Real good, baby! We’ve got to make up for our lost time, don’t we?” he said in a whiny voice.

  “Yes, Pooh. I’ve missed you these last eight days. I promise to wait for you,” Betty said.

  Eight days? Lost time? Good lord! The officer escorted him to a car. Derek shot me a look and I smirked back.

  “Isn’t that sweet?” I sarcastically whispered.

  The other officers looked like they were going to puke too.

  After they cut the duct tape off Cory and Kyle and cuffed them, they transported them to separate squad cars. Derek said I could ride with him to the station, while Betty and Sam went with another officer. A few officers stayed on the scene to collect evidence and take pictures. The rest of us met at the St. Paul Police Department. We all went into separate rooms and gave our accounts of what happened. Two hours later, I’d had two cups of coffee and needed two quarts more. I was so exhausted. I signed my statement, and Derek took me home. I just wanted to see Faith. He left me at the door but waited until I got in.

  When I got there, Kat and Tannya were on the couch and floor half asleep. Derek had called them when he found out what was going on, and then again on the way to the station. He’d told them that I’d be home in a couple hours and I was okay.