“If you get mad at him, you’ll make me look bad. So don’t you dare do it! I twisted his arm and he told me out of concern for you.”

“The answer to your question is yes,” I told him.

“Good. Let’s go.”

But I didn’t move. I whispered, “And you wouldn’t have done the same thing?”

“I would have done exactly the same thing.”

“Germando must have told his buddies about me. I screwed up and now Koby’s paying the price. I can’t be content with just doing my job well! I’ve got to throw a noose around my neck and drag innocent people into my extracurricular affair. I’m such a goddamn jerk—”

“Stop it!” Decker held my shoulders and gave me the fire of his eyes. “Cynthia, if you aren’t calm out there, we’ll never get Koby to leave. If you like him and want what’s best for him, you will go out there and convince him to go home so he can get some sleep!”

My eyes watered. “He was just … terrific. I owe him.”

“Sweet. Can we go now?”

I cracked. “Do you have to be so damn hard?” Tears leaked out. “I’m fine, but surely a little bit of sympathy wouldn’t mar your hard-nosed reputation!”

My father exhaled forcibly, then grabbed me and hugged me tightly. I was transported back to when I was a little girl and afraid of the dark. He was always so big and strong and invincible. He wasn’t around much, but when he was, I always felt safe. I felt safe now. I wondered if he’d ever lose his fairy-tale touch.

“I love you, pumpkin.”

“I love you, too, Daddy.” I broke away and tried to act adult. “I’m fine.” I wiped my eyes. “Really.” I gave him a tearful smile. “Just more fodder for my therapist.”

“Cynthia, you proved you’re tough. Now do us both a favor and quit.”

“Not a chance. What would I do?”

“You’ve got a master’s from Columbia in criminal science. Go to law school.”

“You, the law school dropout, are telling me to do that with a straight face?”

“I did not drop out, I finished.”

“You want some medicated shampoos, Daddy?”

“What?”

“To help you pick out those nits. You may have the degree, but you’re still a dropout.”

“You know, I’m not the only one who’s unhappy about your profession. He doesn’t like cops, either.”

“Who?”

“Koby. He told me he doesn’t like cops.”

“Maybe he just doesn’t like you.”

Dad laughed. “That’s possible.”

“He’s black. He’s got some preconceived notions about the police that are sometimes not so preconceived. I love my job, same as you, Dad. I wouldn’t trade my badge for anything.”

“Even if he asked you to do it?”

“He’d never ask that of me. Only you do that.”

“It’s a father’s prerogative.”

“Shall we go?”

“Now who’s being hard?”

That gave me pause. “I love you, Decker. Thanks for coming down. Now maybe you should go home and get some sleep.”