“Okay, I can do that.” A pause. “And what will you be doing?”

“I’ll be here in my bedroom, in private, stewing in my juices after being roped into yet another fiasco.”

Rina gave out a small laugh. “Would you like a little wine with your stew?”

Decker thought about it. “Anything left over from lunch?”

“We’ve still got a half bottle of Herzog Special Reserve.”

“Bring it on,” Decker said. “And don’t bother with a glass. I’ll just swig it from the bottle.”

CHAPTER 31

THE TAKEOFF WAS delayed because of fog. Since Donatti was copiloting the plane, Decker didn’t have a chance to question him on the flight from Greenbury to his place in Mountain Pass. The ride was bumpy and tense. The space was small. Decker had to stoop to walk to the bathroom, which barely had enough space for a hamster. But seated, it was fine, and he could stretch out his legs. Both he and Rina had downed enough coffee to wake up a small city. Finally, at 4:30 a.m. PDT, the six-seater jet touched down, everyone exhausted. After being chauffeured from the airstrip to Donatti’s place, they all got out. It felt good to stretch.

Chris spoke to his bodyguard. “Go home and get some rest. I can take it from here.”

“Are you sure, Mr. Donatti?”

“I’m sure. Go.” Donatti watched the limo leave, then he turned to the building that housed his office, his bedroom, and his son’s bedroom. He opened the door to a sally port. Once inside, he opened the interior door, turned on the lights, and stepped aside to allow Decker and Rina to go in first. He said, “I’m sorry, but I need to close my eyes for twenty minutes or so. Right now, I’m so tired, I can’t think.”

“We’re fine,” Decker said. “Go rest.”

“I’ll be in my office. There’s a bedroom to the right of the bar if anyone wants to sleep.”

“I’m not tired,” Rina said. “We napped during the day yesterday, and I’ve had too much coffee.” A pause. “It’s a little cold in here.”

Donatti adjusted the thermostat. “It should warm up soon. Help yourself to anything in the fridge and anything at the bar.” He went into his office and closed the door.

Rina rubbed her arms. She said, “You can go rest, Peter. I’m fine.”

“Too wired right now.” Decker opened the refrigerator. “There’s orange juice if you’re interested.”

“Yes, please. I’d love some juice.”

He took out the container and retrieved a couple of cut crystal glasses from behind the bar. “He’s got a real setup here.”

“The surrounding area looks vast.”

“How long has he been in Nevada?”

“I don’t know for sure. I think around ten years.”

“And he moved after Terry left him?”