“Going through her room might help me find her, Mrs. Lieber.”

“No, it won’t help you find her because she shares a room and I’ve already cleaned it and it’s right before Shabbos and I’ve got a lot on my mind. I don’t need another person under this roof! Chaim, why are you still here? You’re going to be late for Mincha!”

“I’m trying to get ready, Minda.” Abruptly, Lieber turned to Decker. “Will you please leave?”

Jonathan’s face was beyond shocked. He was clearly appalled. “Chaim, don’t speak to him like that. You asked me to bring him out here!”

“Then maybe I made a mistake.”

“Maybe you did,” Decker said quietly.

Suddenly, Minda broke into tears. She screamed, “Just get out of my way. That’s what I need. I need everyone to get out of my way!”

Decker sighed and tried to think like a professional. A girl’s life was at stake. “Just let me have a quick look—”

“There’s nothing in the house!” Minda insisted. “Don’t you think I’d tell you if I found something.”

“I’m not saying you overlooked anything on purpose.”

“She’s out there!” Minda’s voice was high and squeaky. “Why are you here? Go look out there and do some good! Search the streets!” Her eyes became globes of fire. “Why can’t you find her?”

“I’m doing what I can—”

“No, you’re not. You’re here instead of out there!”

“Because of the lateness of the hour, Mrs. Lieber, I think my time would be better spent here.”

“What do you care about the lateness of the hour? Shabbos isn’t your problem.”

That sure put Decker in his place. “What does that mean?”

She glared at him. “Don’t play stupid with me! You know what it means.”

Decker was so angry he could barely focus. He willed himself to keep his voice under control. “Yes, Mrs. Lieber, I suppose I do know what it means. Shabbat shalom.”

He stormed out of the house. His fury was so all-consuming that it took a moment before he realized that his brother was talking to him.

“… doesn’t mean anything, Akiva. She’s beside herself.”

“I realize that.” Decker’s voice was a growl. He opened the van door and sat inside, arms folded in front. His stomach was a tight knot of acid.

Jonathan got behind the wheel. “Akiva—”

“Funny. As a goy, I was certainly good enough to drag out here to settle things down. Now, when I actually try to work, they’re putting up fences. You’re damn lucky I’m not that sensitive. More important, you’re damn lucky I really want to find this poor girl.”

Jonathan said, “You’re not a goy.”

“No, I’m not. But she doesn’t know that, does she? As far as she’s concerned, I’m this big, dumb lug of a cop from hick town L.A. who converted just to please Rina.” Decker caught his breath. “Look. I feel for the woman. I really do, Jonathan. But it still pisses me off.” He leaned his head back and stared at the van’s ceiling. “I’m out of my element here. They’re right. It was a mistake for me to come out.”