“Ginny and the baby are napping. Cindy and Opah went to pick up the boys. They take Ginger with them so she won’t bark and wake up anyone. Cindy figures maybe she’s bored and wants a ride. You have a wonderful daughter, Akiva.”

“Thank you, I have two wonderful daughters.”

Magda laughed and slapped his shoulder playfully. “Oh, that’s what I meant. You want some iced tea, Akiva? I have extra glass.”

“Love some, Magda.” Decker held out his hand to the nurse. “I’m Peter Decker. You must be Nora. Georgina speaks very highly of you.”

The nurse took his hand. She was black and had coiffed gray hair that matched her eyes. Her hands were strong and calloused. “Georgina’s a good friend. Nice to finally see you in person. You’ve got a beautiful baby, Sergeant.”

“Thank you.”

“The missus been telling me about what you’re doing for that little lost baby.” Nora shook her head. “I saw a picture of her on TV, I just wanted to cry.”

“It’s a tough one.” Decker took his glass of tea and downed half in one swig. “But that’s what the police are for.”

“Everything’s okay here, Akiva,” Magda said. “You want to work, you can go back to work. We take care of everything.”

It was a genuine offer of help. Why did Decker take the comment as if she meant he wasn’t needed? He finished his tea and placed the tumbler on the table. “Thanks, that was good. I have some calls to make. Figured I could easily make them from here.”

“You just go on and make your calls,” Nora said. “Maggie and I will take care of everything.”

Maggie?

Decker said, “Great. I’ll just check on the horses, then do my work.”

“I just fill up the water basins, Akiva,” Magda said. “I hope that’s okay.”

Decker couldn’t believe his ears. His perfectly preened mother-in-law actually stepping into the stables, picking up a garden hose, and watering the horses for him. He let out a small laugh. “Thank you, Magda. That was very considerate of you.”

“I’m hot and thirsty, maybe they hot and thirsty, too. I would feed them, but I don’t see no horse-food bag.”

“You have to pitch them hay. You can leave that to me.”

Magda smiled and nodded. There was a moment of awkward silence. Decker knew he had overstayed his welcome. He said, “I’ll be in the living room if anyone needs me.”

The women said good-bye in unison. They didn’t resume their conversation until he was back in the kitchen. Peering out the back window, Decker saw their mouths moving, their hands gesticulating, as they picked up where they had left off.