“That’s just what Russ said.”

“I’m not surprised. Care to answer the question?”

Of course, she didn’t have an answer. “I haven’t thought it all the way through. Don’t want to talk prematurely.”

Decker spooned fruit into his mouth. He chewed and swallowed. “Good stall tactic. I’ve used it myself. Find another link, Cin. In the meantime, why don’t you wait until the SUV turns up before you continue on? I’m sure you have better things to do with your time.”

“Not really.”

“Should I ask?”

“Nah, just feeling a bit blue. It’ll pass.”

Decker didn’t dare intrude. She’d just bite his head off. “Get a hobby, Princess. Didn’t you once want to make ceramics or something?”

“That was in tenth grade, Daddy.”

“See, I listen.”

Cindy smiled. “I still intend to go back to the Fordham Communal Center. I want to find out about Sarah Sanders’s boyfriend.”

“This guy David.”

She nodded.

“Who might be dead.”

“He might also be alive.”

“And MacGregor’s okay with that?”

“Yes, Father, he is.”

“So let me know what you come up with.”

“I will. Any suggestions?”

“Same ones that you used when you were looking for Sarah— shelters, halfway houses, drunk tanks, flophouses, homeless camps. It’s not fun work, Cindy. Sure you wouldn’t rather throw clay onto a wheel?”

She tossed a small piece of apple at him. “I don’t mind going back to the center. At least, Oliver won’t be standing over my shoulder this time.”

Decker tried to sound casual. “He give you a hard time?”

“Oliver’s Oliver. But he let me handle it.”

“That’s good.”

“Actually, it was. He’s a jerk but a good detective. No complaints.”

But Decker still sensed how unhappy she was. Probably the effects of witnessing something so traumatic. It blunted the senses for a while. For her, it also revived horrid memories from not too long ago. And who knew what it did to Koby, sticking his hands in all that blood and muck? Decker guessed that they were probably not offering each other too much in the way of mutual support.

Cindy saw the concern on his face. “I have an appointment with my therapist tomorrow. I’m sending you the bill. So stop worrying about me, all right?”

“I’m getting the bill?” Decker frowned. “How much does he charge?”

Cindy rolled her eyes. “First off, it’s a she. Second, I’m kidding. The Department is paying. It was part of the settlement. ‘Go to anyone, Cin, just so long as you don’t sue our asses off.’”

Decker smiled.

“I’ll be fine, Daddy. It just takes time.”

Decker took her hand and squeezed it. “I’m an impatient man when it comes to my kids. I love you, Princess.”

“I love you, too.” Her first thought was to steer the conversation back to work. Then she realized that’s exactly what her father would have done.

“I’m very proud of you,” Decker blurted out.

Cindy felt a lump in her throat. “Thank you, Daddy. That means so much to me.”