Page 131 of Sing with Me

“Just a bit more.” As Skye waited, she watched the other guy wash dishes. He didn’t say a word to her nor did he turn his face to look at her. “You guys did such a great job with the crab legs and lobster tail. Thank you.”

She felt like she had to say something even though she hadn’t eaten any of what she mentioned.

“It was all Chef Pierre’s work, but thank you.” Hans smiled. Cute dimple. Hans heated up a small saucepan and melted some butter in it. He sprinkled some dried herbs in it.

“Ah, the secret ingredient?” Skye smiled.

“It’s just a bit of basil.” He poured it into a small dispenser and handed it to her.

“Thank you.” Skye waved and returned to the dining room down the hall.

She held her breath.

Maybe it was nothing. Maybe she had imagined what she heard.

“Where have you been?” Diehl whispered in her ear when she took her seat.

“I’ll text you right now,” she whispered back.

Chapter Thirty-Six

As soon as Diehl received the text message from Skye explaining what she had heard and seen, he felt a shock through his system. It might be nothing, but it might also be the lead they needed.

Get on the bus?

Greyhound?

He texted Malik and Detective Jeong with rapid speed. Within seconds, Jeong texted back, advising him to remain in the dining room and eat lunch as per usual. If they abandoned the dining room, which was down the hallway from the kitchen, it would arouse suspicions.

Malik also texted Diehl, saying that he was coming over with his security team to guard the exits from the kitchen until the detective arrived.

When, though?

Diehl wanted them to hurry up for two reasons. It had been over twenty-four hours since Elisa disappeared. The longer it went on, the more danger she was in.

The other reason had to do with Skye. Diehl longed for some alone time with her. He couldn’t wait to get her out of the dining room to speak to her privately before she might have to leave. Evening church was in three hours, and then Skye would fly out and away from him for a whole week.

When Chef Pierre didn’t show up with the dessert, and Cara brought Skye’s partially eaten cheesecake instead, Diehl knew that Malik and Detective Jeong were up to something.

“This is a good cheesecake,” Ethan said. “Just the right consistency and taste. Five stars.”

“Thank you, Mr. Ethan,” Skye replied. “You made my day.”

Before dessert was over, Malik and the detective entered the dining room. Malik smiled. Detective Jeong did not.

“Detective?” Mom looked startled. “What brings you here?”

“I had some questions to ask Malik, ma’am,” Jeong said.

Malik nodded.

Diehl glanced at both of them, keeping a straight face. What about Hans and the dishwasher?

“I may need to re-interview a number of people,” Jeong said.

“I told you all I know.” Mom lifted her wine glass. She liked a glass of bubbly with her lunch.

Strangely enough, Diehl had no desire for another drink—especially not in front of Skye and her God.

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