The senior McAdams looked at his watch. “I’ll be back in an hour.”

“Just go home.”

“I don’t want to go home. I want to come back in an hour. Any objections?”

“Would it do any good if I did object?”

“None whatsoever.”

“Fine. I’ll see you in an hour.”

Jack turned to the mayor. “I’m hungry.”

“I’ll take you out, Jack.”

“You damn well better take me out, Logan, if you know what’s good for you.”

Decker could hear Jack’s voice even after the two of them were down the corridor. He tried out a smile. Mike Radar didn’t even bother to fake it. “I think I’m going to go make myself useful. I’d rather deal with just about anything than take abuse like that.”

“I apologize,” Tyler said.

“No, I owe you an apology,” Radar said. “You didn’t want me to call them and I did it anyway. My mistake.”

“Exactly how much money does he give to the town?”

“Enough to make the mayor keep his mouth shut while he berates public servants.”

“Again, I apologize.”

“How are you feeling, Tyler?”

A forced smile. “Once he leaves, I’ll be a lot better.”

To Decker, Radar said, “So you’ll stick around?”

“Yes. I have a little thinking to do and I could use Tyler’s brain. Let’s meet up at the station house at around six in the evening. I’m going to bring Rina with me. I don’t want to leave her alone at night right now even with a cop outside our door.”

“That sounds fine.”

“Who’s outside my house?”

“Wickel until six. Then I have O’Brien from six to twelve. I’ll keep him there even if no one’s home. Kramer’s taking the graveyard shift.”

“Thanks. At some point, I’m going to need to sleep.”

“It’s not a problem. We’ve got a post outside the hospital room so you can leave whenever you need to.” To Tyler, Radar said, “Heal up, son. That’s your sole job.”

After he left, Decker blew out air. “You should probably get some sleep.”

“I’m too pissed to be tired. I was just starting to feel like I’m doing something positive and then . . .” He threw up his hands. “It’s like . . . why bother?”

Decker was about to give a pep talk, but changed his mind. He switched gears. “Why is he so keen on your going to law school?”

“Following in the old man’s way.”

“There’s more to it than that.”

“Yes, there is.” Silence. “I suppose I owe it to you to tell you what’s going on.”

“You don’t owe me anything.”

“That’s not true. Let me ask you this, Decker. That night . . . how long did it take you to realize that I might be in trouble?”