“Unfortunately, I’ll be at the airport,” Decker said. “How about if I come pick it up first thing tomorrow morning?”

“That would be fine, Sergeant.”

“Thanks for phoning, Ms. Rawlings,” Decker said. “Take good care of my baby girl.”

Rina slipped her arms under Peter’s jacket and hugged him tightly. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so happy, so relieved. Strong arms, something to lean on. She could feel her muscles loosen, her shoulders and jaw go wonderfully slack. Peter bent down and kissed her gently on the lips. She knew they had to move, that they were blocking the path of people deplaning, but she couldn’t bring herself to break the embrace. Peter finally did it for her.

He looked at her at arms’ length. Metallic blue eyes, creamy, smooth skin, pronounced cheekbones highlighted by a windswept stroke of blush. Her hair was long and loose—a beautiful ebony wave sheathing her back. She wore a navy shirtdress gathered at the waist, bisected by a white belt.

“You look gorgeous,” Decker said.

“You do, too.”

Decker laughed. “That’s not true, but it’s nice of you to say it.” He picked up her carry-on and her wardrobe. “Did you bring a suitcase?”

Rina shook her head.

“Then let’s get out of here.”

The freeway was jammed rush-hour traffic in the afternoon heat. The unmarked’s air conditioner tried desperately to cool off the sticky upholstery, but the temperature gauge’s needle was grazing the red zone. Horns blasted, the sun reflected blindingly off chrome fenders, side mirrors, and rear windows. Decker shut off the air conditioner and cranked open the window.

“Car’s going to overheat, honey,” he explained.

Rina nodded, rolled down her window. A gust of exhaust fumes from a bus assaulted her nostrils.

“Welcome back,” Decker said with a smile.

“This would be welcome weather in New York. I left one-hundred-degree heat and ninety-percent humidity. At least it’s dry out here.”

Decker took her hand. “Your hair’s uncovered.”

“You noticed.”

“Is that a statement?”

“Sort of.”

Decker took his suit jacket off, inched the car forward. “You want to talk about it?”

“First tell me how you’ve been,” Rina said.

“Nothing changes around here. God, I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too.” She took a tissue out of her purse and dabbed his forehead. “It’s so good to see you, Peter. Sometimes I wonder why I left.”

“I’ve been wondering about that, too.”

“I think I wanted you to find God…or my concept of God…I don’t know. How are you and God doing?”

“I can’t speak for the Big Man, but I’m doing okay.”

“How’s Rav Schulman and the yeshiva?”

“Rav Schulman’s fine.”

“Did you spend Shabbos with him last week?”