Rina pushed her seat back until it was level with his, then slipped her arm around his neck and started massaging the tightened musculature. Though dressed as simply as he, Rina still personified regal beauty. Decker felt a swell of pride every time he thought of her as his wife.

“Feels nice,” Decker said.

“Am I hitting the right spot?”

Decker smiled. “You don’t really want me to answer that.”

She laughed. Decker took her hand away and kissed her fingers. “It was nice of you to come out with me.”

“I wouldn’t think of not coming out with you, Peter.”

“Well, thanks anyway.”

“You’re welcome anyway.” She chucked his chin. “The color has returned to your cheeks.”

“It’s the western climate,” he said. “I just think of all that L.A. sun and I get a burn.”

“You’re happy to be going home, no doubt about that.”

“I’m not really going home,” Decker said. “Not with the boys still in New York and this case hanging over my head.”

“At least you’ll see Cindy before she goes off to college.”

“True,” Decker said. “A wonderful side benefit.”

Rina sighed. “I’m sorry about all this.”

“You didn’t make the kid run away,” Decker said. He smiled at her. “Now that I’m a little distanced from all the people…” The family, he thought. “I can approach the whole thing more professionally. It’s okay, Rina. I’m in control.”

“It’s good to hear you so full of confidence.”

Decker paused. “Any reason why I shouldn’t be confident?”

“None at all.”

“This is my business, Rina,” Decker said. “I’ve been a cop for twenty years.”

“You’re the best—”

“I’m not the best, but I’m good.”

“You’re very good.”

“Damn good.”

“Damn good,” Rina repeated.

Decker broke up. “I’m still wired, I guess.”

Rina said, “Would you like to talk about the case?”

“You know I don’t like to talk about my cases.”

“I just thought it might help you get some of the tension off your chest.”

“I’m fine, Rina. Tension and I have become good buddies over the years.”

Rina said, “You know yourself better than I do.”

“Of course, if you’re curious…”

Rina smiled to herself. He was dying to talk to someone, but didn’t want to burden her. She took his hand and said, “Maybe I am a little curious…”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Decker gave her the low-down.