“Is that what he told you when you saw him?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact.”

“And you believe him?”

“Yes, I do.” His eyes grew angry. “But he isn’t calling me up for help and I can’t reach him, so this whole discussion is moot. If I had wanted to give Chris the information, I could have mailed it to one of his places. But I didn’t. If you want help, I’ll look them up for you. If not, that’s okay, too.”

Back off, Decker. Chris is still the kid’s father and you’re not going to change that bond ever. “Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth. Anything you can help me with is appreciated. So sure, look them up for me. And for the future, what you do with your dad is your own business.”

Gabe was quiet. Then he said, “I don’t know why I’m defending the bastard.”

“He’s your dad. He’s got all the history with you.”

“Yeah, and most of it’s bad.” A pause. “That’s not entirely fair. He has some good points. He just chooses not to show them very often.” He looked at Decker. “I don’t trust my dad. I never have. But I wouldn’t want to be the one to put him in jail.”

“Totally understandable.” If Decker wanted an ally, he had to start treating the kid like one. He held up the list. “This is very helpful. I’ll make a copy and both of us can see what we come up with, all right?”

“Sure.”

“Gabe, my main objective is finding your mother, not screwing your father.”

“I know. But I also know that if it came down to it—that my dad hurt my mom—you’d go after him without any consideration for my feelings.”

“That’s true.”

“I’d do the same thing. I mean, if I were you, I would.”

“How about if you were you?”

“I don’t know, Lieutenant. Like my therapist would say, perhaps it’s not a good time to visit that issue.”

Decker laughed. “You know the lingo.”

“I’ve always had an excellent ear.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

MARGE PLUNKED A latte in front of Oliver. “Maybe this will help. You look tired.”

“I am tired. By the time we were done being Peeping Toms, it was past three.”

“And I told you that you didn’t have to come. Let’s drop it. And you’re welcome for the coffee.”

Oliver groused out a thank-you.

Marge rolled her eyes. “Mandy Kowalski still isn’t answering her cell. I also called the hospital and spoke to Hilly McKennick—the head nurse. Mandy was supposed to come back today, but she didn’t show up for rounds.”