Maybe.

Decker didn’t want to change his ticket a third time. But if Donatti didn’t deliver the girl today, Decker would be forced to rearrange his flight. His conscience wouldn’t let him do anything less. Shaynda’s safety was paramount.

The trick was how to explain it to Rina.

His wife was sitting with Hannah at the breakfast table, the little girl garbed in a new red wool sweater and pleated red-black-and-white houndstooth check skirt. There were sneakers on her feet, and her nose was buried in a book. Decker kissed his wife, then his daughter.

“You look like you’re ready to play the bagpipes,” he quipped.

Hannah didn’t answer him. Absorbed in her book, she didn’t even hear him.

Rina smiled. “I like bagpipes.” She looked her husband up and down. “I’ve got a brilliant idea, Peter. I’ll play the bagpipes if you wear a kilt.”

“My legs are private property.” He poured a big bowl of Cheerios and put two pieces of bread in the toaster. “Where are you and the little lassie off to today?”

“Hannah’s going to play with her new New York best friend. I’m going shopping.”

“What a shock!”

“Make fun all you want. The bargains are too good to resist.”

“I begrudge you nothing. Are you taking the car?”

“No, I have a ride into the city. I figured that you’d need the car.”

“You’re right. I’m going over to Quinton.” He filled a mug with coffee, then buttered his toast. “How was the family last night?”

“As expected.” Rina sighed. “How was it for you?”

“As expected.” He turned to his daughter. “Hi, Hannah. Remember me? Your father? The tall one?”

She looked up and smiled. “Hi, Daddy.”

“Hi, Hannah. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She put down her book. “Do you like my sweater?”

“It’s a beautiful sweater.”

“Eema bought it for me.”

“Eema has good taste.”

“I’m going to play today with Leah Sora Estee Beryl. She should be in school, but she has the chicken pox. But I don’t have to worry about the chicken pox because I already had the shot.”

“That’s good.”

“Kenny Talbot, a boy at my school, he had the chicken pox. After he came back to school, he brought a picture with his face all full of poxes. It was yucky. I hope Leah Sora Estee Beryl is not that bad.”

“Is that one person? Leah Sarah—”

“Sora,” Hannah corrected.

“Is that one girl?”

“Yes, she’s one girl with lots of names,” Rina said. “Are you ready, Chanaleh?”

Hannah nodded, got up, and kissed her father’s cheek. “I’m glad you didn’t name me four names. It wouldn’t fit on my math sheets at school.”

Rina took her daughter’s hand and helped her on with her coat. “You like the coat?”

“The coat is lovely.”

“Thirty dollars.”

“That’s a good price.”

“No, it’s a steal. Learn your shopping lexicon. Come along, sweetheart. Let your father eat breakfast in peace.”

Decker bid them good-bye. Fortified with Cheerios, two pieces of toast, a large glass of orange juice, and four cups of coffee, he felt ready to fulfill a mission.