Decker thought for a long time. What would be the point of telling her that she’d made chitchat with a possible rapist, making her feel even dumber than she probably felt already? She’d probably never see Abel again. Probably one of those flukey things. He just happened to show up, forgetting Decker’s request to stay away. Abel was like that. Things went through him, although he could have a memory like an elephant when he wanted to. Decker would call him up tomorrow and remind him to get lost—again.

Finally, he said, “He’s just one of those unfortunate vets who never made the adjustment back to civilian life.” Decker wondered if he’d ever made the adjustment as well. After all, in police language there were two classes of people—cops and civilians. He looked at Rina and said, “I’m not comfortable with him, or any guy, hanging around you when I’m not around.”

“Peter,” Rina said, “you didn’t give me a chance to explain. I wasn’t as stupid as you thought—”

“I don’t think you’re stupid,” Decker said. “Rina, I just love you so damn much, I get scared at the thought of anything happening to you.”

“I’m still nervous myself, Peter. You don’t have to convince me to be careful.” She stopped speaking a moment, then said, “I had my gun with me.”

Decker stared at her for a moment. “What?”

“My Colt thirty-eight Detective’s Special. I’ve continued to take lessons in New York.”

“It’s against the law to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.”

Rina’s eyes widened. “So arrest me.”

“You brought your gun with you from New York?”

“In my packed luggage.”

“Why?”

“To protect myself. You speak as though it’s an affront to your masculinity.”

“Rina—”

“I’m just as scared about myself as you are. I thought you were in the barn, and when it wasn’t you, I immediately reached in my purse and pulled a gun on this Abel Atwater. And let me tell you something. It made me feel a lot more secure than running into the house and locking the door.”

Decker lowered his head. Too much input in one day. He said, “I didn’t know you were taking shooting lessons in New York.”

“I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d be upset. I know how you feel about guns, but frankly, I’m going to carry one. So why don’t you be supportive of me and finally get me that carry permit I asked you for about a year ago?”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Oh, come on! You could pull strings if you wanted to.”

“Honestly, Rina,” Decker said, “I can’t do it. Anyway, why do you need to be armed with me around?”