“That’s because I let her have free rein in my closet.”

“Whatever the reason, she smiles when she sees you. It’s the only time I ever get to see her teeth.”

Cindy laughed. “Was I that surly?”

“You might have been, but you didn’t live with me. I think your mother got the brunt of your teenage sulkiness.”

“And the woman still speaks to me. What a saint!” She stood up from the chair. “I promised Rina I’d help with the salad. You find out all you can on Banks and we’ll talk later. After all, Primo Ekerling was originally my case.”

“The GTA was originally your case. As far as I know, you’re currently not working Homicide.”

“Correct about that, Lieutenant, but a girl can dream.”

AROUND THE TABLE, everybody was scrubbed clean and garbed in fresh clothes for the Sabbath. Rina had curbed her culinary largesse, deciding on just a single meat entrée of turkey with rice stuffing and fresh cranberry sauce with a side of steamed asparagus. Preceding the bird were two appetizers: carrot ginger soup followed by an arugula and grapefruit salad. Grilled pineapple and peaches rounded out dessert.

“Too much food,” Decker told her after he downed the last little bit of warm, sweet fruit. “As usual, I was a total glutton.”

“I as well,” Koby said.

Decker looked at his son-in-law, six two but rail thin. Maybe it was all those years of food shortages in Ethiopia. For the Sabbath, Koby had on his usual white short-sleeved shirt and black slacks. Sandals were on his feet, and that was a concession. Koby hated shoes.

“Everything was delicious,” Cindy said. “Really light if you didn’t stuff your face.”

“Thanks for noticing,” Rina answered. “I’m trying to cook a little healthier. Hannah made the soup.”

“It wasn’t a big deal.” Hannah shrugged.

“It was delicious, and I believe the proper response is ‘thank you.’”

Hannah smiled. “Thank you, Eema, I’m glad you liked the soup.”

“Did I detect coconut milk?” Koby asked her.

“You did,” Hannah answered.

“Good touch, Hans,” Cindy told her.

“Thank you times two,” Hannah said.

“Please let me clear the dishes,” Decker implored. “I need to move.”

“No argument from me,” Rina told him. “I will gladly leave you the mess while I read the paper.”

“I’ll help you, Daddy,” Cindy said.

Hannah brightened. “Are you two going to talk shop?”

“Maybe,” Cindy answered. “Why? Are you interested in the intricacies of police work?”

“Au contraire, I believe it would be inappropriate for me to hear your discussions. As such, I’d like to be excused from KP—please.”

Rina shot her daughter a look. “Surely you can weasel out with a better excuse than that?”

Cindy smiled. “Even if we don’t talk shop, I would pick up your slack, Hannah, provided your mother approves.”

Hannah’s eyes went to her mother’s face.