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“They may not hire us,” said Suzette. “I’m a pharmacist. Riley is an oncologist. That’s a long way from food science. Sara would probably be better.”
“They know who Sara is,” said Gaspar. “Listen, this is a short assignment. Just figure out what they’re doing in there, and then we can try to link it to what’s happening with the food in these restaurants.”
“I can beef up their resumes, no pun intended,” said Sly. “But I go with them.”
“Same,” said Max.
“We sort of figured that,” smiled Nine. “That’s fine. The four of you, Teddy, George, and God help us all, Miller. If all of you are going, no need to send Sly and Max as well.”
“Hey, I won’t blow anything up. Not unless you tell me I can.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The restaurant was busy, but not as busy as the last few nights. Gabe, Luc, and Otto watched every move the kitchen staff made, while the team back home watched everything on the cameras. Gabe felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Casey.
“Excuse me, sir.”
“What can I do for you, Casey? And it’s just Gabe.”
“Yes, sir. Chef said I should show you something.”
Gabe just smiled, shaking his head. He really was an old man to this young girl. Following her toward the pantry, Luc set aside his pots and trailed along. She opened the door, and they both gagged at the smell, swiping at flies.
“Jesus, what the fuck is that?” growled Luc.
“That is rotten vegetables and fruit.” They swatted at the flies, staring at the disgusting display before them.
“This isn’t possible,” said Luc. “I watched them bring this in and set it in here.”
“We can’t finish dinner with all of this gone bad. I have no way of getting the ingredients we need,” said Casey, feeling sick to her stomach from the odor.
“Where is chef?” asked Gabe.
“He’s in his office. He’s pretty shaken. I’m not sure what to do,” she said.
“Serve them cake.”
“Wh-what?”
“Cake. Our mother made eight cakes. Her famous coconut cream cakes. Cut generous slices for everyone. Call it a celebration of dessert before dinner or something. We’ll get the ingredients we need brought here by our family,” said Gabe.
“Can you do that?” she frowned.
“We can do anything if we put our minds to it,” smirked Luc.
He got Otto to make a list of everything needed and sent the list via text to the team at home. Within minutes, the ingredients were loaded on the choppers and headed toward the city. Luc and Gabe went to the roof, where the crates would be lowered.
“Close the pantry door and don’t reopen it. I’m going to put a pest bomb in there. I’ll seal the bottom of the door with towels. Is the meat and fish okay?” asked Otto.
“Yes. Nothing seems wrong with that.”
“Good. Move back.”
The others watched as he tossed the foggy pest bomb inside the door, slamming it shut and sealing the bottom with towels. A few minutes later, the men were thudding down the stairs with crates of vegetables and fruit as the chopper could be heard above.
“I need the recipe for that cake,” said Casey.
“I’ll have to ask my mother for the secret,” smiled Luc. “She’s pretty protective of her coconut cake recipe.”
