Rina showed her husband the package, but not the card. “This was apparently meant for me…a belated birthday present that never arrived.”

“From Bram?”

She nodded, tore open the wrapping. Inside a box was a pair of tortoiseshell hair combs. She showed them to Peter. “He bought these a long time ago. It’s good he chose combs instead of a mood ring.”

“Very good. They’re beautiful.”

“Yes, they are. Bram always loved my hair.” She smiled at Hannah, lifted her into her arms. “Come on, pumpkin. Let’s go make some juice.”

“Can I throw the oranges, Mommy?”

“No, but you can squeeze them.” She kissed Peter. “Go back to sleep.”

“Good idea.” Decker lay back on the couch, stared at the ceiling, thinking about Rina’s words, that Bram had loved her hair.

Which gave Decker significant insight into their relationship. Which had to have been very personal. Because how else would Bram have known about Rina’s long, luxurious hair, which she usually kept covered for public consumption.

From the very beginning, Decker knew intuitively that Rina had loved Bram, knew that her love had been returned in spades. Maybe they had physically consummated the relationship, maybe not. What did it matter anyway? He had once heard a Jewish proverb stating that jealousy rots the flesh off the bones—the reason why man disintegrates after death. He could believe that. It was a petty, trivial emotion—a waste of time and precious breath.

Decker thought about his wife’s closeness to Bram, examined the feelings in his heart. They felt warm, very good indeed.

About the Author

Faye Kellerman is the New York Times bestselling author of nine previous Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus mysteries as well as the historical thriller The Quality of Mercy. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, novelist Jonathan Kellerman, and their children

Praise
FAYE KELLERMAN

“A MASTER OF MYSTERY.”

Cleveland Plain Dealer

PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD

“A handsomely crafted work, full of twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge to the last page. Highly recommended.”

Library Journal

“When all the surprises are in, you may be surprised at how skillfully Kellerman counterpoints violence, corporate skullduggery, drug addiction, homophobia and anti-Semitism with Decker’s and Rina’s warm, loving and very Jewish family life…Until now, her books have been overshadowed by her best-selling husband Jonathan’s thrillers, but that may be changing.”

Detroit Free Press

“A safari into the darker regions of the human persona…Kellerman comes through with a taut plot and well-developed characters.”

Washington Times

“Fans of Faye Kellerman’s Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus mystery novels will welcome her latest…Mystery buffs who haven’t yet discovered Kellerman’s books might want to start with this one; it’s one of her best.”

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“Faye Kellerman’s readers have their prayers answered by PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD.”

Associated Press