Tug smiled genuinely. Decker knew the game was finally over, the shithead. Putting them through the wringer and for what? But that was the way it was going to be with this one.

“All right, all right,” Davidson said. “I won’t dock you time. One week on our time, you pay for your own transportation-both in the air and on the ground. And you pay for your own accommodations-”

“To be reimbursed by the depart-”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll agree to that. If your jaunt leads to solving this case, you’ll get your money back. Just keep receipts, including how much it cost you to set things up with the Jews. I know that didn’t come cheap.”

Though boiling inside, Decker put on a grin. “Don’t worry about that, Loo. I got a bargain. Remember, I’m Jewish, too.”

Davidson was about to agree, then looked at Decker and realized he shouldn’t say anything. Tug thought he detected a hint of sarcasm but not enough to call him on. He looked at his detectives without affect. Calmly, he said, “You got what you wanted. Now get out of here and go be useful.”

Just as the door opened, Rina had stuffed the last of her clothing into the suitcase. Quickly, she closed the valise and attempted to snap it shut, but it was too full. From the living room, she heard Peter cooing to the baby. Then he called her name out loud.

“In the bedroom,” she answered. “Wait, I’ll come out to you.”

She sat on the suitcase, trying to secure the latches without making noise. But it was too late. Peter was standing in the doorway, holding Hannah. The baby had her head against his chest. He stared at the suitcase, then his eyes went back to Rina.

“Well, you’re certainly fast when motivated,” he said.

Rina looked at him, but didn’t answer.

Decker kissed Hannah’s cheek. “Go to Mama, so Daddy can get going.” He handed the baby to Rina and swung down the matching suitcase. Canvas-nice and light. “You know where the passports are?”

Rina paused, then said, “Of course I know where the passports are.”

“Excuse me!” Decker went to his closet and pulled out a couple of suits. Slightly out of style, but the fabric packed well. “I didn’t for a moment doubt your competency. I was just asking a question for information.” He pulled out a couple of ties. “These go with the suits? I want to look professional but not like a stiff.”

Rina didn’t answer. Decker regarded his wife’s confused face.

“I’m not posing for Vogue, Rina. I just want an opinion.”

Rina remained silent.

Decker said, “Are we on the same planet here?”

“Peter, what’s going on?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why are you packing?”

“Because I can’t travel wearing just a suit on my back.” Decker stood, legs apart, hands on his hips. Cop’s stance, Rina thought. He said, “We’re missing some vital connecting sentence, aren’t we?”

“I believe so.”

Decker said, “I called you about a half hour ago. Left a long, involved message on the machine about our going to Israel. Any of this sound familiar?”

“I haven’t picked up messages from the machine today.”

“So…” Decker let out a deep breath. “So you have no idea what I’m referring to, right?”

“Right.”

“So the obvious question for me is…why are you packing your clothes? I know the marriage has had a few rough spots, but…”

Rina laughed. “I’m going to New York.”

“Why? Somebody die suddenly?”

“God forbid, no! I’m going to visit Honey Klein’s village. This is something I just have to do, Peter. So don’t try to stop me. Something strange is going on-”

“Hold on!” Decker held out the palms of his hands.

“I’ve got to see for myself-”

“Wait, wait, wait!” Decker started to talk, but laughed again. “You’re packing to go to New York?”

“Yes. And I’m going. I’ve spent two hours making arrangements-”

“I’ll write you up as a contact and get you reimbursed.”

“What are you talking about?”

Decker said, “How about we strike a deal? On our way back from Israel, we’ll stop in New York. I may even be able to swing reimbursement for that if Davidson will buy my looking into Honey Klein’s disappearance. But I wouldn’t count on it.”

He was talking more to himself than to her. Rina said, “Peter, why are we going to Israel?”

“To look for the Yalom boys.”

“They’re there?”

“Well, darlin’, that’s what we’re going to find out.”

“We?”

“I need you, baby. I’m winging this on spit and prayer and I’ll drown without something to hold on to.”

He sat on the edge of the bed and explained the situation to her. When he was done, Rina said, “You have no contacts with the police?”

“Not a one.”

“And you have no idea where the boys are?”

“I have addresses of relatives on both Arik’s and Dalia’s sides and a lot of creativity. That’s about it.”

“Can I see the addresses?”

He took out his notebook, flipped through the pages, and handed her the numbers. After a moment, he said, “The areas are familiar to you?”

“Rahavia’s in Jerusalem. That’s no problem. Ramat Aviv is a suburb of Tel Aviv. I don’t know Tel Aviv all that well, but I can find my way around with a good map.”

Decker waited a beat. “Rina, the diamond center is in Tel Aviv, right?”

“Yes. The Bursa is in Ramat Gan, I believe.”

“The Bursa is the diamond center?”

“Yes. The Bursa is the diamond center.”

“Is that far from Ramat Aviv?”

“No. Not at all.”

“Is it open to the public?”

“I don’t think so. I think there are a few shops around the place where you can pick up some goodies.”

“I’m not interested in shopping, I’m interested in talking to people. How would you get into this Bursa?”

“I haven’t the faintest idea.”

“Then how do you know it’s not open to the public?”

“I just know.”

Decker held his head. “Mr. Quixotic. Just call me Don.”

“You need to get into the Bursa?”

“I need everything. Davidson gave me a week to find the boys in Israel. I told him I had police contacts when in fact I have nothing. I also told him I had a translator named Rina. I hope I have that.”

“Of course I’ll help you.” She placed the baby on the floor and sat on the bed beside him. Hannah busied herself with the fringes on the bedspread. “I was only planning to be gone for two nights because of the baby-”

“Oh shit! Just forget it. Hannah comes first.”

“Peter, we’ll all manage for a week,” Rina said. “I just have to make some calls. And don’t worry. Israel’s a very small country. Don’t worry. I’ll get you contacts.”

He looked at her with amazement. “You can find me police contacts?”

“I know quite a few people, honey. I’ll swing something. As a matter of fact, I had a friend whose brother was with the Jerusalem police. We even went over to his house for Shabbat once. I remember we all walked to the Old City that afternoon, davened maariv at the kotel, and watched the sun set, the stones of the wall turning fiery gold.”

Decker hesitated, then said, “Who’s we?”

Rina suddenly blushed. The room fell quiet except for Hannah’s babbling. Decker took his wife’s hand. “This trip, Rina. Is it the first time you’ve been back since Yitzchak passed away?”

Slowly, she shook her head. Her voice was soft. “I’ve been back since. Right before I returned to Los Angeles, before I returned to you…I took a quick trip there with his parents. To visit the cemetery.”

“You never told me.”

“I thought it would have upset you.” She studied her husband’s eyes. “Would I have been right?”

Decker blew out air. “Yes, honestly…it would have upset me-back then. But it wouldn’t upset me now. If you want, we can visit his grave together. Least I could do for you…for the beautiful sons he produced.”

“He’s buried in Bnei Brak. That’s right outside Tel Aviv. Are you sure you’ll be okay with it?”

“I’ll be fine. I hope the boys…” He laughed to himself. “What a can of worms. You want to tell them or should I?”