Page 101 of Sing with Me

“Sorry.”

“She’s my chef first.” Diehl wondered what Skye would tell the detective if asked. “We just started hanging out these couple of weeks.”

“Do you get drunk a lot?”

“No.” Diehl was sure of it. “The last time I was drunk was right after Isobel’s funeral one year ago, when I was upset she had died and angry that she left me with two motherless kids. I felt so bad for them. They were so young. However, I hired a nanny who did a great job before we had to let her go. The kids went to stay with their maternal grandparents for the school year. And here they are having their summer break with my parents.”

“Has Elisa ever run away before?” Jeong jotted down some things on his notepad.

“I don’t remember. We might ask the nanny. She doesn’t want to talk to me since I fired her six months ago, not because she didn’t do a great job, but because we didn’t need her anymore.”

“What’s the nanny’s name?”

“Romina Myers… She got married recently,” Diehl said.

“Harrison is her new last name. She divorced a few months later, but kept her married name,” Malik said. “I’ll give you the contact information.”

Jeong looked up. “So it’s been a year since you were last drunk. And just happens that the one morning you were passed out, your daughter disappeared.”

Diehl moaned. “It’s my fault. I should never have gone into Dad’s cellar. I should have stayed above ground. Then maybe Elisa wouldn’t have run away.”

“She might not have run away. We’re looking at all possible angles.”

“Is that why your officers are combing my mother’s house?” Diehl asked. “Taking fingerprints or something?”

“Let’s hope we find her but I wish someone had called us sooner.” Jeong closed his notepad. “I need to talk to your son, but he said he won’t talk to us until you’re here.”

“The sooner we find out where Elisa might have gone, the sooner we can get her back.” Diehl took out his phone from his pocket. He texted Skye. “Ethan’s eating pancakes in the kitchen. Do you want to talk to him in the family room upstairs?”

“That’s fine. Somewhere he can be comfortable.”

Diehl texted Cara to tell her to get the Bishops and Mom out of the family room. Detective Jeong would be interviewing Ethan there. He also asked her to take his toast and coffee upstairs.

Diehl didn’t want to see the Bishops.

“You asked me earlier why it might be a coincidence for me to be passed out drunk at home while my daughter went missing,” Diehl said. “I admit that it was a bad coping mechanism after finding out that both my children are not mine.”

“That must have hurt.”

Diehl glanced over at Malik to see his reaction. Malik just sat there.

“However, I am stronger than that, and I pray to God that never happens again. I am determined now, more than ever, to stay sober for my two kids—whether they are mine biologically or not. When they turn eighteen, they can decide for themselves where they want to go.”

Jeong’s face registered appreciation.

Diehl felt that he had gained the detective’s trust.

“Did you ask the Bishops why they appeared at our home without any prior notification, and are still here the day Elisa vanished?” Diehl asked. “Everyone in the house knew they want non-parental custody of my children. They want to take me to court. My family attorney, Mark Gill, can fill you in on the details. Malik, could you give Detective Jeong his number too?”

Malik nodded.

“Do the two kids know what you all were discussing?” Jeong asked.

“To be honest, I don’t know. All I know is that the adults agreed to keep it among ourselves until our lawyers get together.”

“Walls have ears, Mr. Brooks. Walls have ears.”

Chapter Thirty

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