“I’ll be fine. But thanks.”

“Are you hungry?”

“Not really.” Silence. “Maybe I’ll just rest for a half hour or so.”

“That’s a good idea.”

“Okay.” He paused. “Thanks for putting me up and everything.”

“It’s not a problem. The beds are going empty anyway.”

“How old are your sons?”

“They’re in their midtwenties. My oldest son, Sammy, is graduating med school and will be doing his residency in New York. I don’t know about Jacob. He’s got a degree in bioengineering but he’s working as a legal aid. He’s always marched to his own drummer.”

Gabe nodded. “Yeah…anyway, thanks again.”

At that moment, Decker walked in. He looked at the boy. “You’re up early. Or maybe you just never went to sleep.”

“I’m all right.” An awkward silence. “I think I’m gonna lie down for a little bit.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to sleep in?” Rina asked him.

“Can’t.” He smiled genuinely. “Lieutenant’s orders.”

“You know that there’s a rank above lieutenant,” Rina said. “It’s called wife.”

“Thanks, but I’ll be fine. See you in a bit.” Gabe left the room, knowing that as soon as he was gone, they’d be deciding his fate.

“Coffee smells good.” Decker sat at the kitchen table.

“Lucky for you I made enough for both of us.” She handed him a steaming cup. “What can I get you for breakfast?”

“How about a working brain?” He hit his forehead. “What was I thinking, getting involved with Terry like that? Stupid, stupid, stupid.”

“You couldn’t let her flounder, Peter. Sometimes you need to get involved. And isn’t it good that you did? Your conscience is clear and Gabe has a place to stay.” She sat down next to him. “Did I ever tell you that my parents took in one of my friends when I was fifteen?”

“No, you didn’t. What was that about?”

“I had this friend. Her father was long dead and her mother committed suicide when I knew her. She had an older brother and a younger sister. The brother was on his own and the younger sister was farmed out to some relatives, but the middle one, my friend, had nowhere to go. I asked my parents if they could take her in.”

“And they said?”