“The kids,” Decker said. “Their behavior…I don’t know. They don’t react like normal kids.”

“Peter, imagine if you lived most of your life in eighteenth-century Poland, then you were suddenly beamed into 1990s Los Angeles. They’re in a time warp. They don’t even know what tropical means.”

“Keep people locked up long enough, they become weird.”

“They’re not locked up.”

“For all intents and purposes they are. These little religious sects are nothing but cults.”

“Except that Honey brought them out here.”

“Her rabbi would approve of this excursion?”

“The Leibbener Rebbe isn’t David Koresh or Jim Jones, Peter. He isn’t apocalyptic. That isn’t a Jewish concept. The people are free to come and go as they please.”

“That’s what they all say.”

“Goodness, you are such a cynic!”

“Of course I am. I deal with the dregs of society.” Decker smiled at Hannah. “We’re going to see the horsies, Mommie. I’ll ask Pessy to come join us. If that’s okay with Mendel.”

“He’s protective.”

“I guess I can understand that. Taking care of your family.”

Rina frowned. “I was listening to the news.”

“Why would you want to do that?”

“I heard about the missing family you’re investigating. How’s it going?”

“It’s not,” Decker said. “Could be why I’m in such a bad mood.” He turned to Hannah. “Come on, puddin’. Let’s go see some horsies.”

Hannah flapped her arms excitedly.

Decker turned to Rina. “This woman is coming back to reclaim her kids, isn’t she?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve never heard of the husband who goes out to buy cigarettes and never returns?”

“Oh, Peter…Honey would never…I mean, I don’t think…” Rina put her hand to her mouth, then dropped it. “Sometimes I just can’t read you. Are you serious?”

Decker was deadpan. “What’s four more kids? My life is a mess anyway.”

Rina looked him in the eye, her own face just as serious. “Life is tough, isn’t it?”

They both started laughing—a release for both of them. Decker hated Missing Persons cases and this one was very unusual—an entire family gone with only a phone call as a lead. Where was Dov now? he wondered.

He kissed Hannah on the crown of her head and swung her around. Again, the little girl flapped excitedly. Decker brought her over his shoulder and the baby nestled into his chest.

Ah, what couldn’t be cured by a baby’s hug.

12