Stefan’s expression was dubious, but he didn’t argue. He said good-bye and slowly shuffled out of the room. Decker said to Cindy, “Looks like you could use a nap.”

“Nah, I don’t need any sleep. I take after my father. What are you doing?”

“Looking up dentists. Lita Bellson told us Marie’s dentist was in Glendale. We’ll need a copy of Marie’s X rays if we hope to I.D. the body.”

“Can I help?”

“Yeah. Go take a nap.”

“I’ll call some offices. Cut your work in half.”

“Cindy, you’re blatantly ignoring me.”

“That’s what I’m supposed to do. I’m your daughter.” She kicked off her shoes. “Besides, you’re not going to finish all those names in an hour. Jake’ll be disappointed if you don’t take him riding.”

“That’s dirty fighting.”

“Give me some names.”

“I only have one directory.”

“I’ll make a copy of the page on the fax machine and take M and below. I’ll use the second line to call out. You’ve run out of excuses.”

Decker frowned but tore out the listings. A moment later, Cindy came back with the original. “Should I tell them I’m from the police?”

“Tell them you’re working for me.” Decker grinned. “You can even say you’re my secretary.”

Cindy punched him in the shoulder. “Chauvinist.”

“You don’t like it, quit.”

Decker picked up the phone and tried his next listing. After forty-five minutes, Decker bounced up and clapped his hands. “Yes!”

Cindy looked up from the dining-room table. “You found him?”

“Yep. He’s making a copy of the radiographs for me. By the time I get down there, they should be ready.”

“What about riding with the boys?” Cindy asked.

“Oh, shit!” Decker heard small bleats from the other room. “That was clever, Deck. You just woke up the baby.”

“Peter?” Rina shouted from the bedroom.

“Sorry,” Decker answered back.

“S’right. We needed to get up anyway.”

“Be there in a minute.”

“I’m quaking with anticipation.” Rina’s voice was light. First time he’d heard her cheerful all week. That was good.

“I’ll pick up the X rays for you, Daddy. I do know how to drive. You even taught me…remember?”

“How could I forget?”

Cindy punched his shoulder again. “Don’t think of me as your daughter. Think of me as a cut-rate messenger service.” She paused. “No rate, actually. Maybe I should start charging?”

“You charge, you’re fired.”

“Wait till the labor board hears about you,” Cindy said.

Decker exhaled. “All right, Cynthia. I’ll let you pick up the X rays. Let me call Dr. Haverson’s office and tell them you’ll be in. Bring the radiographs here, and don’t open them under any circumstances.”

“Evidence tampering, right?”

“More like common sense.”

“I won’t open them. I’m not stupid.”