“You’re trapped.”

“Like spider’s prey. If they really cared about their daughter, they’d give me more information. This wall of silence makes them look complicit… like they’ve stashed her away and they’re pretending that she’s missing. I don’t know. Maybe she’s pregnant, and they shipped her off somewhere, using Ephraim’s death as an excuse. Who knows? Maybe they set the entire thing up—”

“Peter, that’s a horrible thing to say.”

“It’s not nice, but it could be true.”

“I’m sure it’s like you said. Minda is just distraught!”

“Well, she certainly doesn’t trust me.” Decker’s good nature suddenly snapped. “Jonathan calls me up… asks me to come out. So I come out. Within twenty-four hours, I think I’ve outlived my usefulness.”

Rina said, “You’re frustrated—”

“Correction. They’re frustrating me! Just like when we first met. I was the evil cop. Well, you know what, Rina? I’m tired of playing that role.”

“I don’t blame you. What I can’t figure out is why they’re so hostile toward you. Jonathan made it sound as if they begged him to ask you to come.”

“Things have obviously changed.”

“What about the cops? The ones you met with today? I guess it’s technically yesterday.”

“Micky Novack. He’s a good guy. Very simpatico, but he’s also a busy man with more important things to do. He can only tote me around for so long; then it’s every man for himself.”

“So what’s next?”

“Not much as far as I’m concerned. I say we weather out the weekend here, then cut short our stay in New York. That’ll let us spend more time in Florida with my folks. We can take Hannah to Epcot and Disney World. I can take her horseback riding or for a boat ride out on the lake. We can visit the Everglades. I really need a vacation.”

Rina was silent.

Decker tried to hide his irritation. “What’s the objection?”

“No objection. You’re right.”

“You feel bad about leaving the Lazaruses.”

“Actually, it’s okay with me. Tonight’s dinner was a little intense in the emotional department.”

“Then what is it? My mother?”

“Your mother and I get along fabulously. She respects me because I know Old Testament better than she does. And your father’s downright adorable.” Rina stroked his face. “It’s not your parents at all. And it’s not leaving the Lazaruses. It’s you. You hate it when you have to give up. You think you’re okay. Then it eats away at you.”

“Not this time.”

“Famous last words!” She looked at him intently. “You promise to forget about this as soon as we leave?”

“I promise.”

“And you really can just forget it that easily?”

“You bet. How about this? We take the boys out to dinner Sunday evening; then you and I go to a Broadway show—”

“Broadway’s dark on Sunday night.”

“Really?”

“I would not lie to you, Peter.” She noted disappointment in his voice. “How about a jazz club? More your style anyway. I’m sure the Lazaruses will baby-sit Hannah.”