Page 139 of Sing with Me

“Detective Jeong is keeping tabs on Hans and Bradley—as are we,” Malik said.

“I figured.”

“Well, Hans knows our security personnel, but he might not know Helen’s people.”

Diehl nodded. “Good move to call her.”

“Have to protect the family.”

“You called Helen Hu?” Skye asked.

“Yes,” Diehl and Malik said in unison.

“She helped my sister-in-law find her brother,” Skye said.

“I remember that.” Malik nodded. “On top of that, an anonymous tip has led the police to a couple of persons of interest. One is a parolee living in the foothills of Tennessee. The man stalks teenagers online.”

“A man?” Diehl recoiled.

“Thirty-five years old going on eighteen—offering free car rides.”

“For a price,” Diehl said. He prayed to God that the price wouldn’t be Elisa’s life. Everything else, he could handle—with God’s help.

He saw now how much he needed God.

In times like this, none of his billions of dollars in the bank could lift his spirits more than God and His godly people could.

He glanced at Skye.

“The other persons of interest?” Skye asked.

“All men.”

“That doesn’t sound good at all.” Diehl hadn’t felt this angry in years.

“We’ll keep praying for God to protect Elisa,” Skye said. “God is bigger than this problem.”

Diehl very much wanted to believe that too.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Diehl wasn’t happy that Mom organized a last-minute playdate at Marguerite Urquhart’s house where several kids Ethan’s age played and picnicked in her yard on Urquhart Island, with overpriced nannies watching them while their ultra-wealthy grandmothers ate dinner indoors and talked about their next shopping trip at Sotheby’s or Christie’s.

If it had been at another time, he wouldn’t be too upset about it, but Mom had picked five o’clock on Sunday afternoon—the same time as evening church at Seaside Chapel. Plus, a sleepover if the kids so inclined. Who’d turn down a sleepover in a palatial mansion with free food?

On the other hand, since he had planned to attend the search party meeting after church, it was probably best for him not to have Ethan with him. He might run off and disappear like his sister.

Since Diehl had missed church this morning and had promised Skye that he’d make up for it this evening, he had to be there, with or without his son. It would be the last time he would see Skye before she left town for the week.

And he wanted to see her badly.

The two hours between the time she had left Brooks Cottage and evening church had been long without her.

Diehl filled the time by talking to his brother-in-law about the latest developments this afternoon, and Ivan agreed that their best grass-root effort would be online. After all, if Elisa had somehow hopped on a bus, she could be anywhere in the country by now and certainly not still on St. Simon’s Island, Seaside Island, or any of the barrier islands nearby.

Where are you, Elisa?

Diehl entered the Seaside Chapel sanctuary, and looked for Skye. When he couldn’t see her, he looked for Avery or anyone in his Sunday School class. They would know where Skye was. Probably.

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