“We didn’t have any reason to do it back then,” Marge stated.

“And you don’t have any reason to do it now,” Tug answered. “Get me some concrete evidence as to the whereabouts of the boys, then we can talk.”

“The boys are in Israel,” Decker stated.

“Show me the plane tickets, Decker.”

“We haven’t been able to locate any yet—”

“Or maybe never,” Davidson said.

Decker said, “I think they went through Canada. I think that’s why we haven’t been able to trace the tickets. There’s a large Jewish community in Toronto—”

“Find me plane tickets and then we’ll talk.”

“It may be too late by then.”

“Decker, is my hearing going bad or something? Didn’t you tell me that the sister specifically told you that she didn’t know where the boys were?”

“In a way that specifically told us the boys were in Israel,” Marge said.

“So now you mind-read, Dunn?”

Decker was growing frustrated. “Look, if it’s a matter of money—”

“It’s a big matter of money,” Davidson said. “And it’s a matter of time, too. I don’t like pulling two seasoned detectives off the field.”

Marge was sure she’d heard right. He had said two seasoned detectives—two detectives—as in plural. The son of a bitch considered her seasoned. He was actually giving them a backhanded compliment. She looked at Decker to see what his reaction was. All she saw was frustration.

Decker said, “Look, Loo, I’ll pay for my own transportation—”

“What is it with you?” Davidson interrupted. “You suddenly want to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land for a holiday or something?”

Decker kept his mouth in check. “Lieutenant, Gold said he was looking for the boys. All I want to do is find them before he does. That’s it. Find the boys and bring them back to America.”

“And you’re willing to pay for it out of your own pocket?”

“Yes, I’m willing to pay for it out of my own pocket. I’ll take a no-frills fare and travel with livestock. I’ll do it because I want to find the boys. But I also expect to be reimbursed by the department if my trip solves this case.”

“With a big emphasis on the if,” Davidson said. “Meanwhile, you still haven’t figured out the problem of your time loss.”

Decker told himself to unclench his jaw before he spoke. “I’ll be working on a homicide case, Lieutenant. I won’t be sightseeing.”

“It still amounts to me losing two homicide detectives from the field.”

“I’ll stay behind,” Marge volunteered. “There’s still plenty to do here in LA.”