Page 134 of Sing with Me

“You do understand, ma’am.”

“Of course, I do.” Skye stood up and picked up her own plate.

“Ma’am, let me do that.” Hans reached for the plate.

Skye did not give it to him. She put it on the trolley instead. And then she picked up silverware.

“Thank you, ma’am.” Hans cleared the other plates.

Diehl stood by watching, wondering what Skye was up to.

“Do you have to cook a whole lot more when Diehl and his kids come here?” Skye asked.

“Depends. The last time they came here, it was only for one week,” Hans said.

Seven months before.

“Thanksgiving week,” Diehl said. “I had to work. I wasn’t here. I sent the kids with their nanny.”

“I forget her name,” Skye said. She seemed to be directing the question to Diehl but she wasn’t looking at him.

Diehl didn’t recall telling her what the nanny’s name was.

“Romina,” Hans mumbled under his breath.

Interesting.

Would that be of interest to Detective Jeong? Diehl wondered.

“Thanksgiving is such a busy week.” Skye picked up the salt and pepper shakers. “Did you get to see your family, Hans?”

“I don’t have family nearby.” Hans cleared the flower arrangements on the table.

“I don’t either—except for my church family.” Skye helped him fold the tablecloth so that all the crumbs were inside the tablecloth.

Diehl wouldn’t know what to do there because he hadn’t paid attention all these years.

“I don’t go to church,” Hans said. “Not my thing.”

“I need God because my parents died many years ago, and my only brother has moved out of town.” Skye laughed. “Not that I’m needy and all.”

“I’m sorry your parents died.” Hans put the chairs back at the table. “Mine’s still alive but we don’t talk. They are dead to me, pretty much.”

“Well, you work quickly. I’m impressed,” Skye said.

“You helped.”

“No problem. I wish you God’s best in your endeavors,” Skye said. “I’m going to Miami Beach for a food festival so maybe I can bring home some recipes for you. Any particular thing you want to try?”

Hans didn’t seem to have to think about it. “I’m looking for new she-crab bisque recipes. If you come across any…”

“I’ll ask the chefs for you,” Skye said. “There will be some Michelin chefs there, and my brother knows a few. If they won’t share their secret, they could at least give us some tips, you know?”

“Wow. Thank you, ma’am.”

Diehl was impressed that Skye used the wordus. It seemed to make Hans open up and trust her.

At the same time, he worried that she was too friendly with everyone—especially the men. It seemed that all the men she knew at church liked her.

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