Honey sneaked a sidelong glance at Decker and blushed. “I changed my mind. Some things are just worth the cost. So we’re mobile now. Let’s just grab us some lunch and then we’re off!”

“We had lunch, Mama,” Pessy said. “Sandwiches. Peanut butter and jelly. And potato chips too!”

“Don’t forget the carrot sticks,” Minda said.

“Yeah, and carrot sticks.”

“You all ate?”

“Each and every one of us,” Minda said.

Honey said, “Bryna, did you eat?”

The girl nodded.

“You did?”

The girl nodded.

“Really, Bryna?”

“She had two glasses of milk, Mama,” Minda said.

Astounded, Honey looked at Decker. “How’d you do it?”

“Must be vacation,” Decker said.

Honey’s smile was genuine. “Great. So I’ll just grab something and then we can go to the zoo.”

“I’d rather watch TV,” Minda said. “I can go to the zoo anytime. They’re spinning this big wheel, Mama, and if it lands on the word ‘fur,’ they win a mink coat. It’s not a joke. Come look.”

“Beetul Torah,” Mendel said. “Stupidity! What would Papa say?”

“Papa isn’t on vacation,” Minda snapped.

“Minda, Pessy really wanted to go to the zoo.”

“So go without me,” she said without anger. “I’ll be fine.”

Again, Honey blushed. “The addictive powers of the boob tube. Gershon would be furious.” She shrugged. “I guess a day of TV won’t hurt.”

Decker wasn’t about to offer an opinion. “Come. I’ll bring you to Rina.”

Honey followed him into the kitchen and closed the door behind them.

“There you are!” Rina said to Honey. She placed Hannah in her high chair and belted her in. “I was getting worried about you.” She noticed Honey’s tired face. “Is everything okay?”

“I rented a car.”

“You did? Why?”

“I didn’t want to bother you.”

“It’s not a bother, Honey.”

Decker cleared his throat. “I’d better be going.” He stared at Honey’s eyes. Something was off. “Are you sure everything’s okay?”

Wearily, Honey sat down on a kitchen chair. “Just the news, I suppose.”

“The news?” Rina said.

“Something about a family that disappeared. The father was a diamond dealer.”

No one spoke. Then Decker said, “What about the family?”

“Gershon is a diamond dealer. I hear things like that, I get scared.”

Again, the room fell silent. Decker broke it. “Why? Have there been incidents like that in New York?”

Honey’s eyes went to her lap. “Not a whole family disappearing, no. But we’ve had murders. It’s a cash and carry business. Sometimes I worry.”

Decker sat down. “The family that’s missing? That’s my case, Honey. Anything you might tell me is greatly appreciated.”

Rina cleared her throat. “Honey’s on vacation, Peter.”

Decker tapped his forehead. “Anyone home in there? You’re right. Scratch the question.”

“No, it’s okay,” Honey said, quickly. “What do you want to know?”