Page 160 of Sing with Me

Diehl placed his hands on Ethan’s shoulders. “We’re going to the hospital—”

“Hospital?” Ethan’s voice rose. “Is Elisa okay?”

“Don’t worry. They’re just checking her. You know how you go to the doctor and they test everything?”

Ethan nodded.

“There might be a lot of waiting,” Diehl added.

“I can wait.” Ethan looked at him earnestly.

Diehl patted his head. “I know you can, Son, but I need you to do something important for me, okay?”

“What?”

“You need to take care of Grandma here and go with her to the house, where Grandpa is waiting for us.”

Ethan glanced at Mom. “Why do I need to take care of her?”

“Because Grandma is fragile, and you’re the big boy of the hour.”

“What about the next hour?”

“That’s all included.” Diehl said. “I’m going to bring Elisa home, and we should be at the house very soon, but between now and then you need to make sure Grandma is okay. Don’t let her fall or do anything silly.”

“Grandma’s not going to do anything silly.” Ethan made a face.

“I wouldn’t put it past her.” Diehl glanced at Mom, who was trying not to laugh.

“While you’re at the house, help Grandma get Elisa’s room ready for her, okay?”

“Don’t you have a maid to do that for her?” Ethan asked.

Standing nearby, Earl chuckled.

“Grandpa is waiting for you,” Diehl said. “The sooner we get out of this airport, the sooner we can have your sister back with us again.”

“I miss Elisa.”

“I miss her too. Now go.” Diehl handed him over to Mom, who held the boy’s hand tightly, as if letting go would spell disaster.

“Mom, we’ll see you soon, okay?” Diehl said.

“Text me.” Mom smiled before disappearing through the sliding glass door with Ethan and Dad’s chauffeur. Trevor followed them out.

Diehl watched them go. Mom’s words came back to his mind.

Manage your emotions.

Yes, Diehl felt relieved that Elisa was safe, but in what condition? The more he wondered, the angrier he became. If they hurt Elisa…

He prayed quietly for God to quell his emotions.

Diehl, Malik, and Miranda followed Earl to his parked rental SUV. Before he pulled out of the parking lot, Earl explained all that he knew about the situation.

“Hans Gray was the key,” Earl said. “The words that Skye overheard at your mother’s house and the conversation you had with him in the dining room both led us to this day.”

Skye.

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