“What gives her the right to come barging in here after eleven years … being the little princess after she cheated on you and dumped you … when I was the one who nursed you and got you off heroin, and stayed up nights with you during your shakes and your shivers, and cleaned your vomit and shit, and loved you unconditionally without any thought of getting anything in return! When I was the one who planned every single one of your parties and events and sat in the background to make sure everything ran smoothly. When I was the one who remembered the birthday gifts and the Christmas gifts to your clients and to your own son, and bought him a piano when his mother abandoned him. Who gave that bitch the fucking right to come back and be wife and mother when she threw it away without a second thought to anyone but herself!”

Decker walked over to Donatti. “Give me your gun, Chris.”

Donatti didn’t move.

“Give me your gun.”

“I’m okay,” he whispered.

“I know you are, but give it to me anyway,” Decker said.

Donatti looked at him, then unholstered his gun. He walked over to Rina, who was blocking the door, and gave it to her. He went up to Talia, who was still at the coffee machine. He put his hands on her shoulders. He whispered, “Where is she, Talia?”

“She’s alive,” Talia said.

Donatti closed and opened his eyes. “That’s good, sweetheart. Where is she?”

“I would never really hurt her.” Talia’s face started to crumple. “I would never do that to you.”

“I know you wouldn’t.”

“I just wanted her to feel what it was like.” Tears started running down her cheeks. “To be isolated and passed over and feel like you’re nothing after you put your heart and soul into a relationship. It isn’t fair, Chris.”

“I see what you’re saying,” Donatti answered. “I hurt you deeply. And I’m sorry. I know it wasn’t fair.”

“Exactly.”

“Where is she, Talia?”

The woman wiped her eyes with her fingers. “She’s alive. I swear she is.”

“That’s great,” Donatti said. “Then no harm done.”

“You’re mad at me.”

“Not at all, honey.” He lifted her chin and looked her in the eyes. “I’m not mad. You know when I’m mad, right?”

“Right.”

“No, I’m not mad. But I do have to know where she is. Tell me.”

“You’ll never find it on your own,” Talia said. “I’ll have to show you.”

“Okay.” Donatti licked his lips. “Where is she?”

“In the mountains. We could walk, but it’ll be faster if we drive to the head of the trail and walk from there.” A pause. “We should probably wait until it’s lighter, Chris. It’s hard to see right now.”

“Phones have flashlights, honey,” Donatti said. “And I know the area pretty well.”