“And here we all are.”

The man who looked like a cop stuck out his hand. “Chris Mulrooney.”

Peter said, “He’s the detective from Summer Village PD working on the Latham case.”

“Good to meet you, Detective,” Rina said.

“Chris, please. Sure you don’t want a chair?”

“I’m okay.”

It was the tall, tan man’s turn to be polite. “Alex Beckwith. I insist you take my seat.”

“All this chivalry is very heady,” Rina said. “I’m fine next to my husband.” She patted Peter’s shoulder. “Actually, sitting on the arm of the sofa makes me feel taller.”

The room went silent. Her presence was clearly not wanted. Rina stood and sighed. “I see no one is going to take anything unless I pour.” She turned first to the wrestler, the one who hadn’t introduced himself. “What can I get for you, sir?”

A long pause. Then he said, “Tea. Two sugars and a slice of lemon.”

“Certainly. I didn’t catch your name.”

“I didn’t give it to you.”

Peter’s eyes went dark, but Rina warded him off with a smile. The man’s accent was thick. “And you are . . .”

The man smiled back with Machiavellian eyes. “Martin Kosovsky.”

“That was two sugars and one lemon slice, Mr. Kosovsky?”

“It was.”

She handed him his tea. “Here you go.” It took another five minutes to pour for the remaining group. Beckwith and the mayor also took tea. Radar and Greg took coffee. The rest of the clan including the spooks passed. She returned to her armrest. It was her house and with that ownership, she had the privilege of saying whatever she wanted. But with a soft voice and a smile.

“Since you called up the dogs, Dr. Gold, maybe you can explain what’s going on. I assume it has to do with the codebook since that was your sole involvement with the case.”

Decker laughed. He couldn’t help it. “Lay it on the line, why don’t you.”

“Last I heard in America, you can speak your mind in your own house.”

“I think that’s still true.”

Rina turned to Gold. “Professor?”

“Of course, you’re right, Mrs. Decker. It has to do with the codebook. After breaking most of the code, I realized within the first couple of pages that the contents dealt with sensitive negotiations between our government and other countries. I called up Agent Marcus and Agent Grimm and explained to them what I had and at that point, I found out that the book had been stolen.”

Beckwith interrupted. “These negotiations have been going on for quite some time. It is a very good thing that the book was found and returned to the proper authorities. And for this reason, we’re actually here to thank all of you for your hard work.”