“I honestly don’t know,” Decker said. “I’d like to think he didn’t, but there’s some damning evidence against him. I’m supposed to be investigating the case for him, but I’ve been so preoccupied with my own work, I haven’t had a spare moment. Abel was fixing up my place, working off the bail money I gave him, even though I told him he didn’t have to pay me back…and then I forgot to call the boys.” He stared at his plate. “I was way out of line when I spoke to you like that. And yes, I was an ass for not telling you. I don’t know what goes through my head sometimes. Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” She took his hand and kissed it. “Honestly.”

“Thanks.”

She withdrew her hand and started to eat. Though she smiled at him whenever their eyes met, Decker knew that Rina was still holding something back. Well, he wasn’t open with his feelings, either. Often when work got him down, instead of complaining to Rina, he talked to himself. Rode his horses around and around while carrying on imaginary conversations. But Decker felt that with women it should be different. They were supposed to emote.

He said, “You’re still mad, aren’t you?”

“It’s not that.”

“Then what is it?”

“All right.” Her voice was hesitant. She lowered her fork and said, “You scared me, Peter.”

Decker was taken aback. “Scared you?”

“It wasn’t what you said, or even how you said it.” She paused and tried to find her words. “It was the look in your eyes. The absolute rage. I…I felt…forget it.”

“Don’t stop now,” Decker said. He was trying to keep his voice calm.

“Put it this way,” Rina said. “I was cognizant of the fact that you had a gun.”

Decker was shocked. “What?”

“Well, you asked.”

Decker covered his face with his hands. “Well, this is charming. You thought I was going to shoot you.”

“I didn’t say that. I was just thinking if the boys had been there—”

“I’d shoot the boys, too?”

“Forget it.”

“No, no, no. Tell me. And you don’t have to be afraid of anything, because I’m not packing.”