The Pearl Diver by Sujata Massey

her?”
    “We don’t know that yet. All I can tell you is that she’s alive and well and her husband is en route to the hospital to meet her.”
    “Who’s watching the twins, then?”
    “Apparently the au pair had arrived back at the house. Mr. Johnson said that the kids are still sleeping.”
    “Yes, it was a late night for them,” I said, thinking about what a night they’d had: A night they’d never understand had almost changed their lives.

6
    It was too early to call San Francisco to give my mother the good news, and Hugh, I knew, was at a business dinner in Tokyo. I felt at loose ends, so I decided to take the run that I’d planned. Usually I ran without thinking of much other than avoiding obstructions and beating red lights. The best thing was to leave Adams-Morgan and run through the wooded trails of Rock Creek Park, something I did only during peak running hours, because Hugh had cautioned me about a young woman intern whose body had been found near a jogging trail a few years before.
    This morning was like all the others. Sun filtered through the tall, leafy trees, and the damp leaves and earth were gentle underfoot. I started to jog, but didn’t have the power, or the desire, to push myself. So I walked quickly, glancing without really meaning to at every male who moved past. Nobody stared at strangers in Washington, just as nobody did in Japan. I dropped my gaze to the daffodils along the path. It was crazy to look at people like that. Anyone meaning harm would be lurking in the trees, not striding along a path full of morning exercisers.
    I’d hardly sweated during the walk, but out of habit, I showered. As water drummed against my tight shoulders, I finally relaxed.Afterward, even though it was slightly earlier than Detective Burns had suggested, I called the hospital. The emergency room receptionist told me that Kendall had already been released.
    I decided to hold off visiting Potomac for a few hours to give her time for a reunion with the children. In the meantime, I could swing by the restaurant to share the good news and hear about how Jiro thought the restaurant opening had gone. It would be a relief to throw myself into some cheerful, trivial conversation—especially if I could forage for some good leftovers from the kitchen. My cousin was safe, and I had an appetite again. I was ready to live.
    I drove Kendall’s car to H Street, where because of the early hour, I landed a spot close to Bento. Through its spotless windows I caught the languid movements of a bus boy setting out silver, Marshall gesticulating over a table as he talked to Andrea. This was still family time; Bento would open to the public at six tonight. In the next week, it was supposed to start its regular schedule, open from eleven to eleven daily.
    “Hello, everyone!” I made my greeting as I stepped into the dining room.
    “You’re cheerful today,” Marshall said in a voice considerably less so.
    “The police found my cousin,” I announced. “She had been abducted, just like I thought. But she’s alive and well and I’m going to see her after this—I’m just so relieved!”
    “That’s so great!” Phong punched his fist in the air.
    “Yes, I heard already. They brought back my cell phone early this morning,” Marshall said.
    Andrea gave me a long look, shook her head, and went off into the kitchen.
    “Has something come up?” I asked. I couldn’t help but be shocked by Marshall and Andrea’s lack of happiness at Kendall’s rescue.
    “Just a little bit of stress. Par for the course,” Marshall said. “Actually, I’ve got to dash over to Mandala to get some coconuts. Alberto!” he bellowed.
    Alberto, the prep cook who had noticed where Kendall had gone the night before, emerged from the kitchen wearing a white chef’s coat and black-checked pants.
    “I need you to come with me to Mandala. We’ll be bringing over some produce that we need for tonight,” Marshall said.
    “Okay. I’ll find my