“I suppose that’s true. Leaving one phase and going into another. Your mind is always filled with what-ifs and contingencies. But you can’t plan for everything. I guess it’s good to throw away the instruction sheet every once in a while.”

“And you’re okay with leaving Greenbury PD?”

He sighed. “I’d feel a little better if I could wrap up the two cases I’m still working on.”

“I’m betting that you’ll get solves on both.” She looked down at her almost empty bowl. “Finish the nuts. I’ve got another bag in the pantry.”

He thought a moment. “I thought you don’t eat nuts on Rosh Hashanah. Doesn’t it have the same gematria as sin or something like that?”

“Indeed, you are right. These are for the care packages I’m preparing for after the holidays. The kids will need something for the ride home.”

“Always a step ahead, eh?” Decker said. The house phone rang. “I’ll get it.” He picked up the receiver. “Hel-lo.”

It was Radar. He said, “Guess who just walked into the police station?”

“Give me a hint.”

“Elsie Schulung.”

“That’s more than a hint.” Decker’s heart started beating harder. “Have you talked to her?”

“Not yet. I thought you’d want to be there. When are you coming down?”

“As soon as I hang up from you.”

“See you in ten minutes.”

“Do me a favor, Mike. Call the kid.”

“Already done.”

CHAPTER 28

DRESSED IN JEANS and a blue-and-white-striped shirt, Elsie Schulung sat in an interview room, head up and spine erect. She had a long, thin face with wrinkles around her sky-colored eyes and her mouth, short-cropped blond hair, and a complexion as white as powdered sugar. Her hands were long with spidery fingers, clasped together and resting on the tabletop. Mike Radar had provided her with a bottle of water and a cup of coffee. When Decker came in, she rose to her feet. She appeared to be around five eight or nine. Decker knew she was in her forties, but she could have been older. He extended his hand and she took it.

He said, “We’ve been looking for you.”

“I’ve been out of the country.” Her voice was high and chirpy. “With what’s going on, I knew I had to come back.”

Decker nodded. At that moment, McAdams entered the room. He wore tan slacks and a black polo shirt with Vans on his feet. After he introduced himself to Elsie, the three of them sat. “Ms. Schulung just told me that she knew she had to come back. And I’m glad you did. First things first, did you take Bertram Lanz and Kathrine Taylor out of the country when you left?”

“Everything was voluntarily. They wanted to leave. I just helped them along.”