Page 135 of Sing with Me

Or was he just protective of her?

Jealous?

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Just about the only place Diehl could get privacy for Skye and himself in the twenty-thousand square foot cottage was outside on the terrace level downstairs. It was warm outdoors, but not too bad under the ceiling fan. He made Skye wait for him on the terrace as he sent a long text message to Detective Jeong and Malik about the dining room conversation that transpired.

Skye sat on a porch chair, checking her phone. It had been pinging since she unmuted it.

When Diehl got off the phone, so did she.

Here on the terrace, they could look out to the garden, the green grass, the dunes, and the sky. Diehl could not see the ocean from this secluded backyard, but he could hear the roar of the waves. Above them the sun was up in the sky, but it was cloudy enough for them to stay out here to talk privately.

“I can’t believe it,” Diehl whispered. “Under our noses.”

“We don’t know yet,” Skye whispered back. “I might have misheard.”

“He knows Romina…”

“Shhh. Let Jeong and Malik handle it.”

“If you watch the news, a lot of times the bad guys are closer than we think.”

Skye gave him a funny look. “I thought you’re a busy man. When was the last time you watched the news?”

“It’s common knowledge.”

“If this is a false lead…”

“Then we’re back to square one.” Diehl crossed over the terrace to sit on the low brick wall so that he could be close enough to hold Skye’s hand if he wanted to. “However, if it’s a good lead and brings Elisa home, you get the reward money.”

“That never crossed my mind, so if it works out that way, please write the check to Seaside Chapel. They can use it for their ministries in the community.”

That was generous of her, and Diehl respected her even more.

“So what would you like to discuss?” Skye asked. “I need to leave by 4:00 p.m. to go home, pick up my luggage, and I’ll be back at church for the evening service.”

“And then you’re gone for one whole week.” Diehl didn’t know how to say it so he just went for it exactly as he thought. “About yesterday morning, I’m truly sorry you had to see me in a state like that.”

Had it only been yesterday?

“Is that what you wanted to talk with me about?” Skye asked.

“Part of it.” He truly didn’t have any idea when he might expose his heart to Skye. What he would say next would be a test for her. “As embarrassed as I was, you saw both sides of me.”

“We personal chefs see a lot.”

“Are you distancing yourself from me now?”

“What do you mean?” Skye asked.

“You said, ‘we personal chefs see a lot.’ You’re compartmentalizing what you saw into a work situation.”

“I can’t take it personally.”

“No? Saturday was your day off. You came to the house because I wasn’t awake to let Chef Joseph in. Since Brin gave you the key to the house, you’re the only one who can open the door for them.”

“Well, he had to cook.”

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