“Because if he didn’t kill her, he’s worried about her and he knows I can help him. If he did kill her, he’s going to want to sound me out, find out how much I know about it. Either way, I’m better to him alive than dead.”

“Do you think he murdered her?”

“It’s a possibility.”

“And you’re handing Gabe over to him after you think he murdered his wife?”

“If Gabe wants to go with him, I have no choice.”

“Gabe only wants to go with him because he doesn’t want to go with his aunt or his grandfather. Maybe he wants to stay here.”

“Rina, if Donatti wants his son and Gabe’s willing to go with him, I’m not stepping in the way. That would be unnecessary provocation. Right now, all I want is for him to get here. Got a lot of questions for him.”

“He’s not going to confess to you, Peter.”

“No, of course not. And there is that possibility that he didn’t do it. Donatti has made lots of enemies. Maybe Terry’s disappearance has to do with one of them.”

Rina thought about his words. “That makes sense.”

Decker kissed her forehead. “Go to bed. Let me get this over with, all right?”

“I won’t be able to fall asleep until you’re beside me.”

“Then you’ll probably be up all night. It’s going to take a long time.”

“It’s okay. I’ll wait up.” She held up the magazine. “This book contains fifty killer crosswords and I’m only on number four.”

AT THREE IN the morning, Decker got up from the couch and knocked on the door to his stepsons’ bedroom. After a few seconds, Gabe opened the door. “He’s here?”

“You sound surprised.” When Gabe didn’t answer, Decker shook his head and said, “No, he’s not here and he hasn’t called. I have a feeling that he might be a no-show.”

Gabe went back into the room and perched on the edge of Sammy’s bed, folded his hands in his lap. Decker sat facing the boy, on Jacob’s bed. The two twins were separated by a nightstand. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not,” Gabe said. “I’m relieved.”

“You’re relieved.”

The kid nodded.

“I told you that you didn’t have to go with him.”

Gabe said, “Actually, yes, I would. Chris says go, you go. By not showing up, he made the choice. For once, I caught a break.”

“Now you put me in a bind. What should I do if he does show up?”

“Lieutenant, if he wanted to be here, he’d be here by now. My father’s obsessive. That includes being punctual. He’s not going to show.”

“So you’re okay with that?”

“Yeah, I’m really okay with that.”