Decker said, “I don’t see one either, but it’s dark. I don’t think I should chance it. I’ll stop here.” He turned off the motor and looked at her. “You’re going to stay put?”

“Of course,” Rina said. “What do you think? I’m going to follow you?”

That’s exactly what Decker thought. He explained to her how to use the radio. “Give me a half hour to look around. If you don’t hear from me or I haven’t returned, call for backup.”

“Okay.”

“I’m going to lock the doors and leave you keys to the car. Keep your eyes open. If anyone approaches, take off. Don’t worry about me.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t try to contact me on my radio. Your voice will echo and the noise might alert them if they’re nearby.”

“Okay.”

“Remember, if I’m not back in a half hour, don’t start looking for me. Just call for backup and stay put.”

“I understand.”

Decker paused, gauging her responses. She seemed sincere, but as much as he hated to admit it, he didn’t trust her judgment.

“What is it?” Rina asked.

“I’m sorry, Rina,” Decker said. “I’m really sorry to do this, but it’s for your own good.”

Rina stiffened. “What are you talking about?”

Decker pulled out a set of cuffs and quickly encircled her left hand with a ring of metal. The other cuff was clamped to the steering wheel. Rina stared at him, aghast.

Keeping her voice in check, she said, “You take these off me now and I’ll pretend this was a joke.”

Decker said, “You can reach the car radio, you can reach the ignition key, you can reach the door lock.” He picked up her purse and put it on her lap. “You can even reach your gun. The only thing you can’t do is get out of the car and try to come after me—”

“Take these off me now!”

“Rina, I’m truly sorry, but I can’t.”

“This is extremely low, Peter,” Rina said. “A civilized man would not do something this low!”

“I’m trying to protect you.”

“I don’t need your protection!” Rina fumed. “I will never forgive you for this, Peter. You’re doing irreparable harm!”

“So be mad at me. You do reckless things and I want assurance that you’re going to be out of the way.”

“There’s no marriage if there’s no trust!”

“Have you given me reason to trust you?”

She didn’t answer.

Decker opened the door, told her to slide into the driver’s seat.

Rina didn’t respond.

“Okay, be like that. It just shows me my judgment was right because you’re acting like a baby.”