“What was he thinking pulling a foolhardy stunt like meeting a serial killer by himself?”

“Sounds like he was willing to do anything to get a story,” said Rachel.

“And what was the deal with him and that package?” asked Grant. “I find it hard to believe Ferguson would just hand over his account number to Silver and toddle on his merry way.”

“What other possibility is there?” asked Everett. “Ferguson ordered the crate himself, stuffed the dead man inside, and sent it to you as a belated holiday gift?”

“I’m not sure what I’m thinking.” Grant shook his head. “I just know I’m not going to rest easy until I get some of these answers.”

Everett gave his brother a pat on the shoulder. “I think you’ll be resting plenty starting next week, old chap—what with retirement around the corner.”

“Couldn’t come a moment too soon.”

“Does that mean you’ll reconsider my invitation to Zermatt for New Year’s?”

“All I’m considering is going to bed and hoping I’ll wake up to realize this has all been some horrible nightmare,” replied Grant.

“Well, aren’t we the life of the party?” Everett quipped. He turned to Rachel and Frankel. “You think you two can work on him to see if he’ll change his mind?”

Frankel raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize I was invited.”

“Of course you are,” chortled Everett. “What young man doesn’t want to ring in the new year with his best girl at his side?”

Frankel glanced at Rachel and could see her starting to blush. Truth be known, Frankel thought he might be getting a little red behind the ears as well.

“It does sound rather fun,” said Rachel. “Don’t you think so, Dad?”

The only response she got was a subdued hmmmm.

“We’ll get back to you on that one,” Rachel told her uncle.

An hour later, when they were leaving the restaurant, Frankel noticed that Grant’s mood had only dampened with the weather outside where, impossibly, it seemed to be raining even harder. As the Grant brothers exited to hunt down cabs, Frankel hung back beside Rachel near the coat check.

“Maybe you should head home with your father tonight,” Frankel suggested.

“You trying to get rid of me already, Detective?”

“Furthest thing from my mind actually.” Frankel motioned outside. “I think the commander has a lot on his mind right now and you’re the only person in the world who can try and help him go a little easier on himself.”

“You don’t know my father as well as you think. This sort of thing can go on for days,” Rachel said. “But I think it’s a lovely notion and even lovelier that you suggested it.” She leaned in and gave him a healthy kiss.