Chapter 92: The North Star

Just outside the North Star Bar & Grill, Poppy hefted the strap of her leather bag higher on her shoulder and pulled the door open. Stepping inside, she scanned the room, which was about half-full on a Monday night. Customer seating was arranged in a handful of tables and booths close to the front door, and at the dark wood bar that dominated the space. Beyond the bar were a pair of pool tables, currently in use by a quartet of men who seemed to take their games seriously.

A couple of tables were available, but she made her way to the far end of the bar, where no one else was seated.

I just want a quick bite, she thought, then I want to sleep for a week.

A female bartender with dirty-blonde hair pulled into a ponytail approached. As the woman got closer, it was clear that she was younger than she appeared.

“Hi, what can I get you?”

“Do you have a Marlborough Sauvignon blanc?”

The woman blinked. “A what?”