Page 132 of Sing with Me

“I just talked to some of your kitchen staff,” Jeong added.

“Chef Pierre’s staff?” Mom sounded genuinely surprised. “We vetted all of them, didn’t we, Malik?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Malik said. “They have clearance to be here, including Bradley, the dishwasher for today.”

“If I don’t do my due diligence, I wouldn’t be doing my job,” Jeong told her.

“She’s been gone for more than a day.”

“We’re doing our best,” Jeong said. “In fact, the FBI is helping us.”

“FBI?” Mom rubbed her temples.

Detective Jeong nodded. “GBI and the FBI.”

Whoa.

Diehl almost couldn’t breathe. If the Federal Bureau of Investigation was helping the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with the case, it must be deadly serious.

Diehl expelled a breath. “Are you saying…”

“The FBI is interested because your daughter is only twelve years old.”

“We can use all the help we can get, sir,” Malik added.

Diehl glanced at Ethan, who was engorging on his second slice of cheesecake. Diehl hoped Ethan didn’t catch what the adults were talking about.

Cara walked in and went to Mom directly. “Ma’am, Chef Pierre wants a word.”

“Not right now.” Mom lifted a hand. “I think I’ll go upstairs for a nap.”

Cara nodded. Without being prompted, the once-nanny asked if she could watch Ethan this afternoon.

Diehl was grateful for that. He figured she could tell that he wanted some time with Skye. As he was still sitting with Skye, Hans walked in, pushing a utility cart.

Diehl was surprised. He thought Detective Jeong would have asked Hans and Bradley to go with them to the station for further questioning. He figured they didn’t want to go.

“Excuse me, sir,” Hans said. “I thought y’all finished lunch.”

“We have. We can go elsewhere, but I was talking to Skye about my daughter,” Diehl said.

“I’m sorry about her.” Hans shook his head. “Whoever took her, I hope they catch them, you know? Can’t believe it.”

“I know. It makes no sense. Malik has so many cameras all over the place, and yet she sneaked out and vanished.”

“Sneaked out?” Hans asked.

Diehl nodded. “I think she ran away.”

“Yeah? I guess kids can do that.” He seemed to relax a little bit.

“It’s that age between a child and high school.”

“I guess. I don’t remember wanting to run away, though.” Hans seemed to be in thought. “My dad made my brothers and me work, so we were too busy.”

“Work is good. Speaking of work, you were working Friday night, right?”

“Yes, sir. I was here with Chef Pierre until nine o’clock. I told the detective.”

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