“It might take the better part of the evening. I can get you some dinner if you’re hungry.” Tinsley’s response was a shrug. “Where did you find the business card that you gave Adrianna?”

“In her pocket.”

“And now it’s in your nightstand drawer?”

“Last time I checked.”

Decker wondered why he didn’t just throw it away. Maybe he kept it as a trophy. “Would you mind if we go inside your apartment to pick up the card? It could have forensic evidence on it.”

“Like my DNA or my fingerprint?”

“You took it, so both are a possibility.”

“Yeah, go get the card. Maybe it’ll help me.”

Decker said, “While we’re in your apartment, do you mind if we look around?”

“For what?”

“I’ll know it when I see it.”

“I have a couple of ounces in my bottom dresser drawer.” He threw up his hands. “I don’t know why I just told you that. I must be in the mood for confession after all these years of being a lapsed Catholic.”

“If a couple of ounces are the worst of it, you’ll be okay. So is it a yes or a no?”

Tinsley reached in his pocket and gave him the keys. “Help yourself. Maybe you can be a pal and do the dishes while you’re there.”

“Maybe not. Is your apartment alarmed?”

“Nah, don’t have all that much to steal. Just a flat screen. But I get the sports package. The Lakers are playing tonight. When you get back, don’t tell me the score. I’ve got it on DVR. I’ll watch it when I get home…whenever the hell that is.”

LIKE ANYTHING CHOREOGRAPHED, timing was everything. The food arrived ten minutes after Decker went back into the interview room with Tinsley. Everyone pitched in to set things up and all was ready for the Loo just as the interview was drawing to a close. When Decker came out of the room, he was assaulted by a raucous “surprise” by family and coworkers. Totally disoriented, he looked around and saw what everyone had done for his birthday. Rina came up and hugged him. “Happy big one, Lieutenant.”

Decker realized with a gasp that his sons were present. “What are you guys doing here?”

“I’ll go anywhere for the free food.” Jacob hugged him fiercely. “Happy birthday, Dad.”

Sammy was next. “Happy birthday, Dad.” He gave him a bear hug. “Like they say, till a hundred and twenty.”

“So I guess I’m at the halfway mark.” Laughs all around. Decker was still dazed. “Is this all for me?”

“No, it’s for Chuck Tinsley,” Marge said.

“He wants a hamburger, by the way.”

“He’ll have to make do with corned beef on rye.”

“Corned beef makes him sick. Try turkey.”