“I will,” Shimon said. “Danny…Akiva is a policeman—a detective. He’s been wonderful to us, to the family.”

There was an awkward pause.

Shimon said, “He wants to talk to Ephraim and Moshe about this thing.”

Danny’s eyes went from Shimon’s to Decker’s and back to Shimon’s.

“He needs to talk to them in private,” Shimon said.

“My sons had nothing to do with this terrible thing,” Danny said.

Shimon threw his arm around Danny. “Of course not. We’re just going through the motions. I’m doing it for Ezra. Please, the boy is my nephew. Ezra and Breina are worried sick. My mother and father are not well. Let him do whatever he needs to do.”

Danny exhaled, looked confused. “Why in private?”

“Just standard procedure,” Decker said. “That’s the way I’m used to talking to kids.”

“What are you going to ask them?” Danny said.

Decker said, “It’ll probably take only a few minutes.”

Shimon said, “Danny, we have four other houses to go to and as the time passes, things look worse. Please.”

Again, Danny exhaled. “Where do you want to talk to them?”

“Their rooms are fine,” Decker said. “Or I’ll just walk around the block with them if you want it out in the open—”

“No, no, no,” Danny said. “Go upstairs in the boys’ room. I don’t want the neighbors to see you interrogating my sons.”

“Believe me,” Decker said, “it’s not an interrogation. Very simple. In and out.”

“Help us out,” Shimon said.

“Of course.” Danny stepped aside, let them cross the threshold.

The household was full of guests, full of kids. Danny took his wife aside and told her what they wanted. She didn’t seem pleased by the request, but Danny had made up his mind and that was that. He told his wife to lead Decker and the boys upstairs. As Decker was climbing the steps, he noticed how easily Shimon had integrated himself into the table conversation. Smiling, talking—he seemed to know everyone. The man was so at home, Decker half expected him to take his shoes off.

Outgoing. So unlike himself. Would he have ended up this friendly had he lived here all his life?

Probably not, because he, like Jonathan, wouldn’t have lasted in this insular environment. He was a big man—demanded open spaces, unspoiled land. The first thing he’d done after his divorce was buy ranch land out in Tujunga.

They reached the top of the stairs. Danny’s wife was petite and blond, her head stopping at the middle of Decker’s bicep. The boys were small as well, but had some of their father’s bulk. They looked alike, both with sandy-colored hair, fair cheeks, full lips, and cleft chins. But one had light eyes, the other, irises as dark as coal. They reminded Decker of Chip and Dale.