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CHAPTER THREE
“He’s going to be seriously pissed off,” said Talbot, staring at the basket filled with rotten potatoes, leeks, and carrots. The produce had been brought in earlier that morning, placed in the right section of the kitchen, and left as instructed. Two hours later, as the chefs began to prep for the evening meals, the rotten basket was discovered.
“What will I be pissed off about?” asked Islip. Talbot and Marks stared at him, then stepped to the side for him to view the basket. “When did we get these?”
“This morning, chef. We inspected them and placed them here. When we started prep for tonight’s meal, this is what we found.” They waited for the eventual explosion that would come, but he seemed to just be chewing his lip.
“Chef, we’ve sent Maurice to get fresh produce from the market. The farmer’s market is closed, so we’ll use the organic market down the street. We know it’s not ideal, chef, but…” Islip held up his hand.
“It’s alright, Talbot.” Both men looked at one another, shocked that he even knew their names. He smirked at them, almost reading their minds. He’d been in their shoes once and knew what this felt like.
“Don’t look so surprised. I know everyone in my kitchen. Thank you for thinking of the organic market. I’m sure that will be fine. Go ahead and continue with the prep. Let me know if there’s anything else you find.”
“Yes, chef,” echoed the men. They both shrugged their shoulders as he walked toward his small office and shut the door. They’d never seen him so calm, so forgiving, and wondered if he’d finally given up.
“Talbot?” called Stephanie, the hostess. “There are three men here that say they were hired by Chef Islip.”
“Hired? For what?” frowned Talbot.
“I don’t know, but I’m definitely not going to argue with them.” She opened the door further, allowing the three men to walk in. Talbot and Marks stared up and up and up. These men didn’t look like kitchen help. They looked like armed bodyguards. Marks almost asked if they were carrying weapons, then decided he didn’t want to know the answer.
“Holy shit,” whispered Marks. “How are they going to fit in here?”
“Don’t worry,” said Gabe. “We’re used to fitting into tight spaces. In fact, we’re experts. Chef Islip hired us as dishwashers.” He pointed to his brother Luc, then let Otto step forward.
“I’m here as low-level help in the kitchen,” said Otto. “I was a cook in the military for years. Just a little down on my luck, but I know a bit. Not a lot, but enough to be dangerous. Don’t worry, I won’t cut myself.”
“Just a moment,” said Talbot. He walked to the small office, knocking on the door. He opened it to find Islip staring at a photo of a little girl. “I’m sorry, chef. There are three men here saying that you hired them.”
“What? Oh, yes. Yes, Talbot. Two dishwashers and the other has some experience. Put him where you need him.”
“Yes, chef.”
“Oh, wait,” called Islip. “Send them in for a moment.” Talbot waved the men into the closet-sized office space, barely able to close the door.
“Everything alright, chef?” asked Otto, trying to keep his voice down so others wouldn’t hear them.
“No. A huge basket of produce we needed for tonight’s menu was bought this morning. Fresh from the farmer’s market. Five hours later, it was all completely rotten.”
“Who had access to it?” frowned Luc.
“My entire staff,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m feeling very defeated, gentlemen.”
“We’re going to help you with this, chef,” said Gabe. He looked at the photo of the little girl, nodding at it. “Your daughter?”
“Yes,” he said with a sad smile. “I haven’t seen her in years. A strange arrangement her mother and I had, but I sent gifts, money, anything I could to make their lives easier.”
“I’m sure that was appreciated,” frowned Luc.
“I sense your disapproval, Mr… Mr.?”
“Just Luc. That’s Gabe and Otto. And it’s not disapproval. It just makes me wonder if it might not be her. Kids have a way of creating stories in their heads of their estranged parents or even siblings. We’ve seen it before. I mean, is she here?”
“No. No, I know that her mother said she was in Europe working the last time we spoke before her death. As far as I know, she’s not back here.”
“Okay, well, let’s just keep an eye open for her. She could be pissed at you for something.” Islip laughed, shaking his head.
“I’m sure many people are pissed at me for something.” Gabe frowned at him, looking at the other two.
