Decker finished drying the holiday dinner plates and put them on the top shelf. “Last time we celebrate a holiday here, huh?”

Rina said, “I can finish this up. Go outside and be with the kids.”

“I’ve been with them for the last two days. I’d rather have the quiet time with you.”

“Thank you. That’s a lovely thing to say.”

“Heartfelt.”

“I’m glad you finished off all your cases here.”

“Took a while, but like I’ve always said, Missing Persons cases usually have happy endings.”

There was a loud knock at the door. They looked at each other.

“Someone must have locked themselves out.” Decker put down the dish towel. “I’ll get it.”

He managed to sidestep his way through the maze of toys, cribs, playpens, strollers, and bedding. He opened the door, and standing on the other side was a man looking at him at eye level. Or maybe Decker was looking upward an inch or two. What he saw were jumpy blue orbs darting from side to side. The man’s mouth was downturned and his expression was frantic. Dressed in all black except for red boots, he was breathing hard, holding hands with two children: a boy around five and a girl around eleven. Decker stepped aside to let him in.

“What’s wrong, Chris?”

“Is Gabe here?”

“No, he’s out of town.”

“That’s probably a good thing.” Donatti crossed the threshold, children in tow. “Right now, I don’t want to deal with him.”

“What’s going on?”

Donatti let go of the children’s hands. “Terry’s missing.” When Decker didn’t answer, Donatti said, “The boy and I came back yesterday from India, and my wife was gone.”

Tears were in the little girl’s eyes. She whimpered, “I’m sorry.”

Donatti looked down at her. “Juleen, stop apologizing. Your mom wasn’t your responsibility.”

Rina materialized. “Terry’s gone?”

“Apparently,” Decker said.

“I just spoke to her right before Sanjay and I left.” Chris blew out air. “We all talked for about fifteen minutes. She was happy, right?”

“Yes.” Tears were running down Juleen’s face. “She was so happy.”

“I can’t believe this!” Chris started pacing. “Everything was going perfectly between us. And even if she did leave me, why wouldn’t she take Juleen with her? It doesn’t make any fucking sense! Except that it’s Terry!”

Quietly, Decker said, “Why don’t you start at the beginning?”

“There is no beginning, Decker. I told you everything I know.”

Decker said, “It just might help me to get a little background.”

“This is the background,” Donatti said. “Sanjay and I came back from India, and she was gone. I’ve questioned everyone at my place. No one seems to know anything!”

The little girl said, “I tried to call Mommy, but her phone kept going to voice mail.”