“Down the hallway, first door to the right. How about some tea or coffee?”

“Normally, I’d say coffee but I’m so cold, tea sounds great.”

“Do you want me to turn up the heat?”

“No, I’ll be fine. Which door? I really need to do something, Rina. I’m going nuts.”

“First on your right. Tyler’s staying across from you.”

“Yeah, how’s the kid doing?”

“Grumpy, but that’s to be expected. How’s your arm doing?”

“Stiff . . . especially in the cold.” He rubbed his arms, and then lifted the handle on his suitcase. “I’ll just settle in.” A pause. “The Loo said it was your idea to call me.”

“The case has jumped from puzzling to dangerous. He needs someone with experience.”

“Thanks for thinking of me, Rina. I’m happy you did.”

“You’re welcome. There are clean towels on the bed. You have your own private half bath, but you’re going to have to share the shower with Tyler.”

“No problem for me, can’t talk for the blueblood.” He went to his room and closed the door.

Rina started the kettle for the tea. A minute later, she heard Tyler’s wheelchair rolling down the hallway. He came into the kitchen with a scowl on his face. “The enemy has landed.”

“Tea?”

“Sure.” He wheeled himself to the kitchen table. “How’s he doing?”

“He looks tired.”

“So now I have to deal with two codgers.”

“Two experienced homicide detectives, you mean?”

McAdams smiled. “At least it’s not Dad.” He sighed. “I assume Decker told you?”

“It’s all over the precinct. Your dad’s mouth has taken on legendary proportions.”

“Man oh man oh man.” He rolled his eyes. “So between getting shot and his charming personality have I garnered enough support for the sympathy vote?”

“Apparently not because Peter is putting you back to work.” When Tyler perked up, she said, “He wants us to start going through the reference library books tomorrow.”

“Yeah, right. Busy work.”

“Which is 90 percent of detective work.” She mussed his hair. “You know, I got a call from the provost of the college. He’s not happy about our having an armed guard with us. I reminded him that one of his students was murdered and the case is still unsolved.”

“So what did he say?”

“Not much . . . a little bluster followed by a lot of BS. But he didn’t say no, so you and I have a date with some musty old books.”

“Best offer I’ve had in a year.”

The front door opened and Rina pulled out a drawer and extracted a revolver. Tyler’s eyes went wide. She put her finger to her lips.

“Hello?”

Peter’s voice. Rina stowed the gun back in the drawer and shouted, “In the kitchen.”

Decker stepped in a moment later and kissed his wife. “Hello, gorgeous.” To Tyler. “How are you feeling, Harvard?”