Page 206 of Sing with Me

“Well, Romina talked to Elisa on the phone while Elisa was still at my mother’s house, so that’s where Romina had a control of the victim. Romina was like a mother figure to Elisa—since Isobel and I were gone all the time.”

“So the crime began on Seaside Island, which is under the jurisdiction of the Brunswick and Golden Isles Police Department.”

“Right. The District Attorney there could file charges against Romina and Zeta. However, the case is stronger in Atlanta because Romina was caught with my daughter—in the middle of an ongoing ICE sting. At least that’s what my family attorney told me.”

Skye breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God Elisa is safe.”

“Indeed.”

“Hans helped Elisa get out of the house and he drove her to the bus station. What’s he going to be charged with?”

Diehl nodded. “He is a party to the crime. Now I found out that Zeta gave him three thousand dollars in cash that night.”

“Ruh-ruh. So it wasn’t all love.”

“Well, he was behind on his rent.”

“Did Chef Pierre fire him?”

“Yes. Now he’s even more behind on his rent. Plus he’s in trouble with the law.”

“He confessed to his part. So maybe the judge will take that into consideration?” Skye got up to stir the rice one more time. It was almost done.

“I don’t know. Frankly, I’m just letting my attorney sort it out. He gives us the daily briefs.”

Skye turned off the burners. “Makes me think that your ex-nanny and mother-in-law hadn’t thought through this entire mess.”

“I think they were desperate. Romina needs money and Zeta wants custody of her grandchildren.”

“How’s kidnapping going to further their cause?” Skye found a bowl. She put a dollop of rice in the bowl and a generous helping of shrimp and vegetables on top.

The asparagus and carrots and zucchini in light curry sauce washed over the jumbo shrimp and seeped into the jasmine rice. Skye’s stomach rumbled.

“I should let you eat,” Diehl said. “Sorry to interrupt your dinner.”

“No, no. Let me say grace and you can continue telling me about your day.” Skye bowed her head and thanked God for the safe return of Elisa. She prayed for justice for the criminals. She felt sorry for Zeta. And she thanked God for her food.

When she opened her eyes, Diehl was drinking mineral water and staring at her.

“That shrimp bowl looks delicious,” he said.

“It’s a very simple dish. You can cook it.”

“When I get back to St. Simon’s, show me.”

“Okay.” She did not ask him when he would return to the Georgia coast. She wanted to know, but she didn’t want to ask.

“I hope to get back to St. Simon’s at some point,” Diehl added.

Skye chewed her food slowly and didn’t say a word.

“Maybe sooner than later.”

She nodded. “What are you trying to tell me, Diehl?”

“Uh… Well, I think my dad needs me at the Atlanta office, but I’m not sure. My sister-in-law is joining the company, but she can’t do it until May, when her daughter finishes high school. That leaves eleven months when my Dad would juggle three subsidiaries.”

“I thought Brooks Investments has four.”

---