Found and Destroyed: The Second Sarah Martin Mystery

by Danelle Helget

  I stopped at the gas station on the way to work, filled up, and grabbed a large coffee. Once at work I looked at the clock. I was still running twenty minutes ahead of schedule, and was starving, which I blamed on the run, so I headed over to Morning Glory to get a caramel roll. Tannya was working.

  “Hey, sugar!” she said with a wink.

  Today she was sporting two ponytails with ribbons around each. She looked like she was dressed up for a costume party. Her blonde hair was the usual dry-dead look and her blush was red like the hair ribbons. If she’d been in a checkered shirt and overalls she could have past for Raggedy Ann. Instead she had on the usual khaki pants, two sizes too small, and polo shirt that said Morning Glory on the left upper corner.

  “Hi,” I said trying hard not to wince at her appearance. “I need one of those caramel rolls,” I said pointing at the bakery case.

  “Sure thing. To go?” she asked.

  “Yes, I have to get back to the shop and work for a few hours.”

  She reached for a bag and the tongs, “Did ya get the phone call yet?”

  “No, nothing yet.”

  “Sara, girl, I can’t wait to see what this is all about. You have to tell me as soon as she calls. I gotta know what’s going on!” she said. “Here, this is my cell phone number. Keep it handy. Don’t look in the phone book for my number ’cause you’ll just get my crazy ex. Put this into your phone and make sure you call me.”

  I took the napkin she wrote the number on and put it in my purse.

  “Sure thing,” I said. “I’ll call you if I hear from her.”

  I took the bakery bag and handed her a five. While she was getting my change, I looked over and saw Officer McHottie coming through the door. I smiled when he made eye contact. His face lit up. He smiled back and turned to walk in my direction.

  “Here’s your change. I’ll look forward to your call,” Tannya said with a wink, then turned her gaze to Rex. “Well, good morning, Officer Dalton,” she said. “Mmmm Mmm,” she said a little quieter under her breath but so I could her. “Can I show you to a table?” she asked, fanning herself with the menu she’d just picked up.

  “Sure, Tannya,” he said with a wink. “And good morning to you, Sara,” he said with a gorgeous smile.

  “Hi,” I said with a dorky wave.

  “You on your way to work?” he asked.

  “Yup, for a little bit anyway.”

  “Well, I’ll see you later then. Have a great day,” his voice was deep.

  Rich like butter and caramel … and mmmm … I had to shake my head to snap myself out of it.

  “Sara?” I heard.

  “Huh? Oh, yeah, thanks. You, too, have a great day,” I said and turned to walk out the door.

  Sheesh. He was nice. So nice.

  I gave Faith a bit of my roll when I got back to the store and put her litter box behind my desk in the back room. She spent the morning exploring the place and seemed perfectly content. I left her water and food out for her too. When she was all situated, I did some much needed paperwork and the schedule for the next week. I scheduled Maureen and Ginger for the whole week since I was unsure of how things were going to go with Kelly and Derek and Cory. I wanted to be flexible in case something came up. I sent Derek a quick message, telling him that I was coming in a couple hours and asked where to meet him. He said he got a room for us again at the Holiday Inn and that I should call when I got close so he could let me know where he was at.

  An hour later I’d already had a handful of customers and had most of the paperwork caught up. I heard my cell phone ringing in my purse and, since the store was empty at the moment, I went to the back room to get it. Normally, if the store was open I’d turn the phone to vibrate. I looked at the screen and saw “Number Unavailable” before I connected.

  “Hello?” I answered.

  “Hello, darling, is this Sara Martin?” an unfamiliar voice asked.

  “Yes, it is,” Darling? Oh no, this must be Miss Kitty.

  “Hello, love. My name is Eleno … never mind that. Ha ha, it’s not important. People call me Miss Kitty. Did your friend Tannya tell you I’d be calling?”

  Her voice was twangy with a hint of Southern accent. Her laugh gave me goose bumps, not the good kind. She had a take-charge tone that was instantly intimidating. I shrunk two sizes just listening to her over the phone. I already feared her.

  Chapter Nine

  Um, yeah, she mentioned that she gave you my number.”

  “Good, good. Well then let’s get straight to it. I need you to investigate something for me. I can’t discuss it right now, but I’d like to meet you sometime soon to go over the details. When works for you? Tonight? Tomorrow? What?”

  “Um, Miss Kitty, I think you’ve got the wrong person. I’m not a private investigator. I can’t help you,” I told her firmly.

  “Miss Sara, love, you underestimate the womanly skills you have been blessed with. You found your ex-friend, and the missing girl’s remains, and discovered your husband was having an affair, not to mention your spiritual skills. Girlfriend, you’ve got it all, and I need your help. Don’t you even think about backing out. You’re the best, and I want you! Now when works for you?”

  “But I, I don’t possess any skills. It was dumb luck that I found those two. I don’t know the first thing about investigative work,” I pleaded.

  “Nonsense! If this is about the money …”

  “It’s not, I don’t need the money.”

  “I’ll talk to you about the money on Monday then. We’ll meet at 7:00 p.m. at Morning Glory and go over all the details. Thank you, darling. I’ll see you then.”

  She disconnected before I could argue anymore. Sheesh, she had power. How do I get myself into these things? When I hung up I noticed Ginger walking through the door. I asked her about her husband. She said the doctors were running some tests but he’d live for now, although he said he didn’t want to if they were going to put him on the low cholesterol diet. I laughed and handed her the schedule for next week. She said it looked good to her. With the medical bills, she wanted all the hours she could get. She didn’t notice Faith wandering over until she had rubbed on her leg and scared her half to death. After she fully recovered from the panic attack, I packed the Jeep and went back in for Faith. The bells rang turning my attention to the front door. It was Tannya.

  “Hi,” I said to her. She was still in her work uniform, sans apron and pencil in the hair.

  “Hey, sugar,” she said looking me over. “Glad I caught ya here. It seems I almost forgot about my mother’s birthday this next weekend and thought I’d buzz on over and get a gift for her.”

  “Great. I was going to call you, too, and tell you that I spoke with Miss Kitty,” I informed her.

  Her face lit up like Christmas Day. “She called? Well, what did she want?”

  I feel bad disappointing her. “She said she wanted to meet me on Monday to go over details,” I said with a shrug. “I tried to tell her that I wouldn’t be able to help her but she wouldn’t listen.”

  “Yup. Once Miss Kitty’s made up her mind, there’s no changing it. She could tell a diesel mechanic to bake a Boston cream pie for her and he’d end up doing it. God love her, that woman is a piece of work.” Tannya said.

  I tossed my purse over my shoulder. “Yeah, can’t wait to see what she wants from me,” I said sarcastically.

  “Are you leaving?” she said as Faith went over to check her out. “Ooooh, whose kitty?” she asked as she bent over and petted her.

  “Mine.”

  “Oh, wow! She’s a beauty. Aren’t you? Yes, you are. Who’s a pretty kitty?” she said in a high voice as she picked her up and rubbed noses with her.

  My first thought was, Faith is going to have pink blush on her cheeks. My second thought was, I wonder how many cats Tannya has. My third thought leaped to, I wonder if she cat-sits.

  “Is she always here at the store with you?”

  “No, I’m just headed out of to
wn for the weekend and didn’t have anyone to watch her so she’s coming with me.”

  “Well I’ll take her! I love cats! Scooter done took my cat when he left. He hated that cat, and I cringed thinking about whatever happened to her. I haven’t seen her since the day I threw him out. I didn’t notice him take her, but there was a lot going on with all the police there and what not. After they left, and Scooter had his things, I couldn’t find Clarice anywhere. I called the cops, and Rex went over and asked him about the cat, but he said he didn’t do anything with it.”

  “That’s terrible. I’m sorry,” I offered.

  “That’s nothing. Scooter’s done much worse, I’m sure. That man went from a nice country boy to a drug-addicted alcoholic overnight. He turned on me and the world for no reason at all, well, except the drugs I guess. Anyway I threw him out and had the police there for protection when I did. They all knew him on a first-name basis, so it went pretty good that day, but he shows up on my doorstep every once in a while on something demanding some money or other item he thinks he left behind. The man’s crazy. I keep my distance from him.”

  “Wow, that’s terrible too. Geez, sorry,” I said. She looked back at Faith, who had loved the rub down she’d gotten while Tannya told her story.

  “Anyways, if you need someone to watch your cat, I’d love to do it. I aint got nuttin’ goin’ on this weekend anyways,” she said.

  I thought about it. Faith would probably have more fun with a lonely cat lover than locked in a hotel room for the weekend.

  “Really? Are you sure? That’d be great if you could,” I said with a smile.

  “Oh, yeah. It’s no problem. I’m headed home right now, and I plan to paint the kitchen this weekend so she can wander around while I do that.”

  “Okay, well thanks, Tannya. That’s very nice of you. I’m sure that Faith will have a great time.” I said.

  “Sure, no problem at all. I’ll just look around quick for a gift and then we’ll head home,” she said, turning around with Faith in her arms scanning the room.

  “Great. I’ll go get her box and food and supplies out of my Jeep and be right back,” I said setting my purse down.

  Twenty minutes later, I was on the road to Morris, and Faith was with Tannya on the way to paint her kitchen. I was not looking forward to the drive. It was going to be long and boring. I had the radio cranked up and was singing at the top of my lungs, when I heard my phone. I stopped singing and was a bit embarrassed, even though I knew that the caller couldn’t hear me. It was silly, but I still felt it. I dug in my purse with one hand, the other on the wheel, and I wished I’d had a bluetooth. Finally, I found it and looked at the caller ID. It was my friend, Kat. Geez, I haven’t talked to her in a while.

  “Hello!” I sang.

  “Hey, girl! You’re still alive! I was getting worried,” she said with a laugh.

  “I am! I know I’ve been busy and been meaning to call you.”

  “Well, I think that it’s time we get together again. We need to catch up. You still seeing that Derek guy?”

  “Yeah, although he’s been busy too. It’s a long story, but I’m headed to meet him now.”

  “Oh, so you’re going to be in the Cities this weekend?” she asked.

  “I’m not sure yet. I’ll call ya after I meet with Derek and find out what the plan is. If I can, we’ll meet for drinks somewhere, okay?”

  “Okay, but make me a priority! I need someone to talk to, and dance with, and have fun with.”

  I laughed.

  “Okay. I’ll call you later and see what we can do. I’ll talk to ya soon.”

  “Mmm,’kay, bye,” she said and hung up.

  It was only Wednesday so I hoped that by Friday or Saturday I would be able to get together with her. It occurred to me that it was the last Friday of the month. That meant I was supposed to meet with Blake. Blake was my new financial adviser. He was a gorgeous man. He could fill out a suit like an angel food cake could fill out a pan: all the curves were perfect, the overall shape was appealing, and the smell was heavenly. I picked my phone up off the seat and looked through my contact list. I took a deep breath and dialed his number. After his secretary answered and put me on hold, I waited for a few minutes, listening to elevator music and thinking about him. He was single, and I could tell from the last time we met that he liked me. I liked him too.

  “Hello, Sara!” he said, and as always, I could hear the smile in his voice.

  It gave me goose bumps.

  “Hi, Blake,” I said trying to hide the sigh in my voice. “I was just calling to see if we were still on for Friday for our monthly meeting.”

  “Absolutely! I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “Do you want to meet at Applebee’s again or try somewhere new?”

  “Applebee’s is fine. So Friday, at 7:00 p.m. at Applebee’s,” I said to clarify.

  “Sure thing! I’ll see you then.”

  “Is there anything that I should bring with me?” I asked, new to this whole investment thing.

  “Just yourself. I’ll have a few documents and some reports for us to go over but you don’t need to bring anything,” he said.

  He had a really sexy voice. After I disconnected I wondered how many clients he had that he did dinner dates with. Oh, well, why should I care anyway? I called Derek because he never replied to my message. I got his voice mail. Weird. I left a message saying that I would be there around 3:30 p.m.

  I stopped for gas at Super America and was offered a car wash, but decided to pass on that. I did get a large coffee, doughnut, and some Fun Yuns. I was half expecting a disapproving look from someone, but the young guy at the counter just looked at me and asked if I had gas. I showed him my free coffee card, and he took off the charge for the coffee. Yay. Walking out of there It felt just like when I was a kid and would sneak up to my room with extra dessert.

  As I approached Morris, I began feeling a rush of adrenaline.

  Chapter Ten

  I was suddenly overwhelmed by emotions. I was about to see Derek, which was great. I missed him terribly. I was about to see his sister lying in that bed, unable to move or speak because of what that loser Cory did to her. Then there was the fear of knowing that Cory was loose in this town. I guess he could be in another country by now, but with his lack of funds and intelligence I doubted that. And who knew what kind of drugs he was on. I wondered if he even cared about what he’d done.

  I heard a story once that was told at a meth-awareness conference by a retired police officer. Dispatch had him go check out a location along a highway where there were reports of something being thrown out the window. Three calls had come in about a car driving erratically on the highway and a male driver throwing something into the ditch out of the passenger side window. When the officer arrived at the location he found a young man’s head. Cut off at the neck.

  The police officer went in pursuit, looking for the car matching the description of the three callers’ reports. He found it, and pulled the middle-aged man over and asked him what he was doing. The officer then noticed blood on the passenger’s seat. The driver told him that while he was driving, the voices were all fighting and making too much noise, and that he said to throw him out, so he threw him out of the car.

  He immediately arrested the driver. They went to his home and found the headless body of his seventeen-year-old son, still sitting upright on the couch in front of the TV. A sword that was once on display on the wall was now lying on the floor next to the body. The next morning, when the drug was out of his system, the officer went in to see the man.

  “The man looked tired and confused,” he told the audience. “He asked what he was doing there and why he’d been arrested.” The officer, fighting his rage with everything he had, said, “Why don’t you tell me about your day yesterday.”

  The man hung his head and admitted to buying and trying meth for the first time. He said that he was building a new house while working full time and just needed something to get r
id of the stress. He apologized to the officer and asked how it was going to affect his record. He was concerned because he was a top business man at his job and worried that it would reflect poorly on him if corporate found out about it.

  At that point the officer asked if he remembered what he did last night. He told him no, and that he only remembered going home after work and into the bathroom to light up. He lay down on the tile floor, closed his eyes, and then woke up in the jail cell.

  The officer told his audience that he had felt sorry for the guy, and that telling him what he’d done while he thought he was asleep was the hardest thing he had ever had to do: “How do you tell a father that? How do you tell his wife, who’s out in the waiting room that? How do you tell a man who makes six figures, wears a suit and tie to work every day, has three kids, a beautiful wife of nineteen years, and is near the top of the ladder in his career, that last night he cut his son’s head off, put it in the passenger seat of the car, went out for a drive, and threw it out the window going down the interstate at seventy miles per hour. How … do you tell someone that?”

  Meth is a crazy drug. If that’s what Cory’s on, I fear for anyone in his path. My phone rang. It was Derek.

  “Hey,” I answered. “I’m pulling in to town now.”

  “Okay, come to the hospital. I’ll meet you in the entry. Just park on the street if there’s room.”

  “All right, I’ll see you in a few minutes,” I said and disconnected.

  I found parking on the street, tossed my bag over my shoulder, and headed to the double doors. Through the glass I saw Derek. I walked up to him and threw my arms around his neck. He looked really happy to see me. I asked about his sister, and he said that she was finally awake. He had a huge smile with tears in his eyes. I sighed in relief and hugged him again. He buried his face in my neck for a few extra seconds. When he pulled back I could see was crying. I smiled a closed-lipped smile and rubbed his back.