Chapter 62
When Brandon got back to the hotel, he tried ringing up Martin to check if he’d shipped off the hair samples.
He didn’t need to confirm if Marian and Martin were related, but he was curious to see what would come up between Sophia and Martin.
Dialing the number, he got the message. “Sorry, the person you are calling has switched off their phone. Sorry, the number you dialed is powered off.”
Brandon remembered that Martin wasn’t one to turn off his phone.
Given his unique job and hectic schedule, even when he was resting at night or in meetings, he would at most have his phone on silent. If he was off the grid now, chances were he was already on a flight.
Maybe even aboard the earliest one, likely almost touching down in Wye City by now.
Glancing at his phone which had gone back to the lock screen, Brandon tapped it against his palm, lost in thought.
When it came to Yolanda’s whereabouts, he knew there was no stopping Martin from coming.
The one thing he was thankful for was that he hadn’t yet passed Marian’s personal info to Martin.
He didn’t want Martin getting a DNA test with Marian before the results from Sophia’s test came in. Even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance Marian was Yolanda, he wouldn’t gamble on those odds.
But Marian was staying at the Starlight Hotel, and if Martin showed up, he’d likely book a room there too. Despite the hotel’s size, judging by the odds of his and Sophia’s random encounter with Marian, it wasn’t impossible for Martin to bump into her.
The last thing Brandon wanted was for them to meet face-to-face just yet.
After pondering for a bit, he decided to call Don. “Martin’s heading to Wye City, should be landing in about half an hour. If you’re free, could you pick him up?”
“Huh?” Don was in the middle of something and stood up in surprise. “Martin’s coming to Wye City? But why? He’s a busy man with no business here, what’s he doing coming over?”
“Probably got something on his plate,” Brandon said vaguely. “If it’s not too much trouble, could you pick him up?”
“Sure thing,” Don agreed without a second thought, “I’m not tied up with anything else.”
“Great, I’ll catch up with you guys later,” Brandon said, about to hang up, but then he remembered the time at the bar when he asked Marian for her WhatsApp and inquired, “Hey, did you manage to get in touch with Marian?”
Don raised an eyebrow in surprise. “How’d you know her name was Marian? Did some digging on your own?”
“Nope,” Brandon responded coolly, “What’s the situation with you two?”
Taking it as concern about a too-close relationship with Yolanda, Don quickly clarified. “What situation, could there be? Tried adding her on WhatsApp a few times with no luck. I was hoping to get her contact for you, so you wouldn’t miss out.”
“I don’t need it, but thanks,” Brandon declined flatly, “And you might want to stop bugging her.”
Don frowned. “You’re not looking for Yolanda anymore?”
“She’s not Yolanda.”
“Are you so sure?” Don was confused by Brandon’s certainty, “But that bracelet.”
“Just drop it. If I say she’s not, then she’s not. Don’t mention it to Martin, wouldn’t want to get his hopes up,” Brandon instructed, “Just pick him up and bring him to your place, I’ll come by once I’m done here.”
“Alright, no problem.”
Don hung up, got ready, and headed out.
He lived close to the airport, just a short drive away. He timed it perfectly, arriving at the arrivals hall as Martin’s flight landed. Amidst the bustling crowd, Don spotted Martin, sunglasses on, tall and sharp, standing out with his cool demeanor. Don recognized him immediately and waved. “Martin, over here!”
Martin looked his way.
Don noticed a slight frovin between Martin’s brows, as if he wasn’t too pleased to see him.
“What’s with the look?” Don complained on the spot. “I came all this way to welcome you, and is that the thanks I get?”
Taking off his sunglasses, Martin approached. “Did Brandon send you?”
“Who else?” Don slung an arm over his shoulder, “Come on, man, we grew up together. You come to Wye City and only tell him, not me What, am I not your friend?”
“Whatever you say,” Martin shrugged off his arm, looking at him, “Where’s Brandon?”
“He’s tied up, said he’d come by later for a drink.”
As he spoke, Don grabbed Martin’s luggage. “Let’s go, my place first.”
Martin stopped him. “No need, I’m heading to Brandon’s, got something to discuss.”
“Can’t it wait for a phone call? Brandon will be over later anyway, no rush,” Don insisted, taking the luggage, patting Martin’s shoulder,
“Come on.”
Martin gave him a look, getting the gist of why Brandon had sent Don.
Don was a champ at wearing people down, hospitable and loyal to a fault. With Martin finally on his turf, he’d be sure to play the perfect host, not letting him off easy.
Martin didn’t want to argue, simply nodding. “Alright, let’s go.”
Don wheeled the suitcase to the underground parking, lifting it into the trunk thoughtfully, and as he did, he turned to remind Martin, “You don’t come by often, so let loose a bit. Don’t hold back. I’ll make sure you have a blast.”
Before he could finish, Martin hailed a cab.
The taxi screeched to a halt in front of Martin.
Sliding into the taxi, Martin cut to the chase. “Don, got something to do, need to step out. I’ll catch up with you later, thanks for handling my luggage.”
“Yo, seriously, what’s the big deal? Can’t I give you a lift wherever you’re headed? What are you even up to?”
Don hadn’t even finished his yapping when Martin had already hopped into the car, waving at him through the window. The taxi zipped away with a vroom, leaving a faint trail of exhaust smoke in its wake.
Don was speechless.
