“So,” Ziva said, “I had some savings, and, as you may or may not know, Arizona is a community property state. After Christmas, I began gathering evidence that I had been an integral part of growing and supporting your father’s business ventures. I could get my hands on a lot, because the man has abysmal cybersecurity, and all his passwords are a variation on ‘Big Dick’ puns. Richard, Dick, he thinks he’s very clever.”

“As I said,” Elijah continued, “I’m not a divorce lawyer in Arizona, but I know some really good sharks, and one of them had a killer recommendation for an attorney who was more than happy to take on your mother’s case. We spoke to her this morning. I can’t predict the future, but I know lawyers, and I would be shocked if your father ended up with even half his assets.”

“I’m filing for divorce,” Ziva announced. “And then I’m getting as far away from Phoenix fucking Arizona as a yacht will take me.”

Miriam had known, as soon as her mom stood next to her on the livestream, that there was no way Ziva was going back to her old life, but she was surprised that her mom was doing it big, rather than slinking off quietly with her savings and hoping no one noticed.

“Mom, are you sure you want to do this?” Miriam asked. “It’s going to look bad.”

“It’s going to look bad for Richard,” Ziva said. “And I can’t pretend anymore. Something broke inside me, and out flooded all the time I’ve wasted covering up for him and propping him up and losing my family, to keep up appearances. Besides, if it does get out, it will look a lot better if I’ve left in a blaze of glory.”

Ah, there it was. Her mom might be bending toward her better impulses, but she was still choosing the path that reflected the best on her. It was sort of comforting, to know not everything had changed.

Ziva immediately went to start packing, and Miriam found her trying unsuccessfully to fit one of Cass’s antique furs into a carry-on.

“Mom,” she said in exasperation, “you’re going to ruin that coat.”

“Oh, love, I don’t even need it,” Ziva said. “I just had this moment of panic where I couldn’t imagine anyone loving it as much as Cass did, and I was going to give it a good home.”

“I’ll keep it here for you, for the next time you visit,” Miriam promised. “Were you planning on saying goodbye, or was your great epiphany scene as much emotion as you could muster?”