Mom adored Cindy. It was that old joke. Why do grandmothers and granddaughters have such a special relationship? Common enemy.

Decker’s phone buzzed. He looked at the number, stood up, stretched, and took the call. “Hey, Tyler. What’s happening?”

“We haven’t been able to locate airline tickets for Elsie Schulung, Bertram Lanz, or Kathrine Taylor,” McAdams said, “but they could be using assumed names. We’re now just looking at manifests around the dates they disappeared and trying to match the names to actual people. It’s going to take forever. But I’ll keep at it.”

“Thanks, Tyler, for picking up my slack,” Decker said. “Where’s Pauline’s body?”

“Still in the morgue.”

“What about next of kin? Didn’t you tell me that Pauline had a sister?”

“I did.”

“I want to call her. Get me her name and number.”

“She lives on the West Coast. It’s still a little early to be making calls. And I can call her, boss. You’re on vacation.”

Decker glanced at his mother. “That is debatable. Where is she on the West Coast?”

“In Ventura. Do you know where that is?”

“Yes. It’s where my ex-partner lives. And since Pauline’s body is in our jurisdiction, I think I can justify a visit to ask the next of kin some questions. Hold on … let me check flights from Orlando.”

“Then you’re planning on leaving from Florida instead of coming back to Greenbury?”

“Yes. There are lots of nonstops. Cheap too.”

“Then let’s meet at LAX. And we can drive up to Ventura together. Unless you want to go with Rina.”

“She’s staying in Florida. She’s going to visit her mom. You know, you don’t have to come, Tyler. I’ve got Margie over there.” Silence. Decker could picture the young kid sulking. Probably wasn’t the most sensitive thing to say. “On the other hand, this is your case as well as mine. I think we both should be there.”

“Then I’ll come. Call me when you get a flight and I’ll try to match the time.”

“I will do that. I’ve got to go. Mom is giving me dirty looks.”

“Tell Mom to give you one for me.”

“Tyler, Marge is a very nice person and was a great partner. But now you’re my partner. No need for the snide comments.”

“Moi? Snide?” The kid hung up.

Decker smiled. He had two biological children, two stepchildren, and a foster child. Between his mother and Tyler, his “kid” count went up to seven. Rina was independent, but he still felt it was his duty to protect her. That was just the way it was with husbands. All the people in his life depending on him. But it wasn’t a burden. Always better to be the hammer rather than the nail.