Salvaged to Death by Vanessa Gray Bartal

Author:Vanessa Gray Bartal [Bartal, Vanessa Gray]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Cozy Mystery
Amazon: B00E9DYJTC
Publisher: Author
Published: 2013-07-29T14:00:00+00:00

Bateman had one bar, an outcast among the upstanding and family-friendly establishments. It sat at the end of the main street, which for some reason was not called Main Street; it was Second Street, although Sadie never saw First or Third. “We need to go there tonight,” Sadie said.

“Absolutely,” Hal agreed. “Detecting is hard. Time to give it up and pickle our livers.”

“Not exactly,” Sadie said. “But it is time to turn over a few rocks and see what scurries out.”

“Speaking of which,” Hal said as Luke and Vaslilssa emerged from the cheese house. Under Luke’s arm was the largest wheel of cheese Sadie had ever seen. It spanned the length of his torso; he could barely contain it.

“That should be enough to last until you get back to Atwood,” Sadie said. “Maybe.”

“Can I catch a ride?” Hal asked. “I was thinking I should get my car in case I need to leave before Sadie is finished. I can make it back tonight before the rendezvous.”

Luke shifted the cheese to his left arm and settled a worried frown on Sadie. “I could stay until Hal gets back.”

“How would you get back to Atwood when Hal returns?” Sadie asked.

“I could stay here until you’re finished. I don’t like this,” Luke said. To his left, Vaslilssa began picking at the wax on the outside of the cheese.

“Luke, you should go,” Sadie said. “I’m fine, and I don’t want Abby to be alone.”

“Gideon is there,” Luke pointed out. “And my parents.”

“It’s not the same,” Sadie said. “I would feel better with you there to take care of her. And I’m fine, really. You should go.”

“Something doesn’t feel right,” he said.

“Could it be the fifty pounds of cheese dislocating your shoulder?” Hal guessed.

For once, Sadie was more touched than annoyed by his concern. Probably because he was leaving. “You might be the only scientist in the world who relies on gut instinct.” She leaned forward on her toes and kissed his cheek. “I’m fine.”

Vaslilssa shifted possessively, took the cheese, and cradled it close like a baby.

“You always say you’re fine, but you rarely are,” Luke said.

“I think she’s fine,” Hal said. “Better than fine. Practically a superhero.” He gave her shoulders a one-armed squeeze.

Luke shot him a look of annoyance but didn’t comment.

“My cheese is going to melting,” Vaslilssa announced.

“Let’s go,” Sadie said. She waved them toward the car. “You can drop me at Fiona’s and be on your way.”

Luke sighed, the same sigh he used whenever he capitulated and wasn’t happy about it.

After an argument over whether or not the cheese wheel deserved its own seatbelt, the ride to Fiona’s house was silent.

“I’ll be back as soon as I get my car,” Hal said. “Don’t go to you-know-where without me.”

“Why are you speaking in code?” Luke asked.

“You wouldn’t approve,” Hal said.

“How do you know?” Luke asked.

“Because you never approve,” Hal said. Sadie exited the car. They continued bickering as they drove away. Fiona’s car—an antiquated Ford pickup—wasn’t in the drive. Sadie let herself in with the key Fiona had given her that morning.

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