“Let me get the map.” McAdams sighed. “Northeast, which is …” He took out his phone and opened a compass app. “That way.”

“Okay. Now which direction is Pauline’s old place?”

“Hold on …” Another look at the paper map. “Southeast, which is that way. Why are we interested in Pauline’s place when the blood was found at Elsie’s place?”

“Elsie’s was within walking distance. What if they were on foot and it happened while they were on their way home?” When McAdams sighed again, Decker said, “Yes, I realize it’s a long shot, but we’re here anyway. Let’s just check it out, okay?”

“When?” McAdams said. “Now?”

“No, it’ll keep until the morning,”

“Good idea. I’m tired and hungry, and it’s almost dark.”

Decker said, “Let’s find you some food.”

“What about yourself? At least I ate a couple of ribs.”

“I’m all right.”

McAdams said, “You can’t think clearly on a pretzel with mustard as your dinner. Let’s find a convenience store. We can pick up cereal and milk.” Out came the map. “There’s a gas station about three blocks from the hotel.”

“Sounds good, Harvard.” Decker smiled. “Thanks.”

“Rina’s not here.” McAdams shook his head. “Someone has to feed you.”

“Aw, you care.”

“Yeah, I care.” A pause. “I’m also a little afraid of your wife.”

“Buddy, that makes two of us.”

CHAPTER 18

I HAD TWENTY-FOUR HOURS to think about Donatti’s party and my new role as his fiancée. Chris was good at protecting things; Juleen and I needed protection. Even more important, he was paying an enormous ransom for my son. Whatever he wanted was my new motto, and tonight, he wanted dinner at a strip mall. I would have preferred to be alone and read, take myself to an alternative universe. What I did was slap some makeup on my face and fix my hair. I was all smiles when we went out the door. It put him in a good mood.

The sun sat low over the undulating crests. It was colder than I thought it would be. That was how it was in the mountains. Out here, as soon as daylight faded, the temperature dropped. As Chris brought out the Ducati from the garage, I rubbed my arms. He noticed. “You didn’t bring a jacket?”

“I forgot. I’m okay.”

He took off his leather bomber jacket. “I’m fine. It’s a five-minute ride.” He gave me a helmet. “I got you a smaller one. It might still be too big. Try it out and we’ll see if it works.”

I put on the jacket. It almost went down to my knees. The helmet was just a little too big. He tightened the straps. “Let’s roll. Are you hungry? I’m starved.”

“I could eat.”