“I’ll take her if you’re busy,” Rina offered.

“If you wouldn’t mind, that would be helpful.” Rachel had taken the time to set up a little spread on their dinette table. She spotted Decker looking at it. “Just a little nibble in case you were hungry.”

“Thanks, honey. I’ll take some coffee.” Rina looked at her watch. It was a little after nine and too early to go out in the cold. Lily had brought out her box of blocks, meaning that they had other vistas to conquer before the park. Rina sat down on the floor, opened the lid, and dumped out the box. “How about if I make a tower and you can knock it down.”

The little girl responded with something approximating “knock it down.” Decker made a cup of coffee for Rina and one for himself. Then he took a minichocolate Danish and popped it in his mouth. He turned to Rachel. “How’s the residency coming along?”

“One more year.” She paused. “I love my profession but sometimes it’s hard seeing sick children, especially now that I have Lily.” Her eyes watered and she quickly blinked. “How’s your new job?”

“It’s slower paced, but it’s better than retirement.”

“Do you miss the LAPD?”

“Not when I’m only three hours away from all the people I love. Moving was a great decision.” He hoped he had sounded convincing. The truth? It was hard to regroup. “Today I’m actually here for work. Nothing crucial so we decided to mix it with a little pleasure.”

“That’s great. We’re always so happy to see you. What kind of work are you doing here?”

“Mostly talking to some people. Actually, I’ve got to be in Manhattan at ten. How long do you think it would take me to get to Columbus Circle?”

“Around a half hour more or less,” Rachel said. “What are you looking into if I can ask?”

“An art theft.”

“Sounds very intriguing.”

“Most intriguing thing I’ve done in six months.” He looked at Lily and Rina.

Rachel said, “I don’t know which one is having more fun.”

“My vote’s with Rina.”

“It’s so nice having both of you on the East Coast. Sammy is so happy.” Again, Rachel teared up. “So we’re all going out for dinner tonight?”

“That’s the plan.”

“It’s ten of us, right?”

“Gabe is out of town and his girlfriend’s working, so it’s only eight.”

“That’s right. You’re staying at Gabe’s apartment.”

“We are.”

“Can we come, too?” Rachel smiled. “I’m kidding . . . sort of. Sometimes this place is very small. I’ll make the rez for dinner. How long are two you staying in the city?”

“Just overnight. Then we’re off to Philadelphia.”

“Give my love to Cindy and Koby. Wow, the twins must be, like, four?”