“That wouldn’t be wise,” said Agent Blond.

Decker said, “I’m not wise, sir, just practical. And I’m not asking for money or anything illegal, God forbid.”

“Ho-kay,” Kosovsky said. “Let us hear what the little lady wants.”

“It is always wise to let the little lady speak,” Rina said. “I do believe that my husband is right. That you, Mr. Beckwith, must have some great bargaining tool that Russia really wants.”

“And what might that be?”

“Maybe like . . . the original Amber Room. That’s what Detective Decker and Detective McAdams have thought all along.”

Kosovsky tried to hide it, but he looked stunned. When no one answered, she said, “Well, maybe not all twenty-seven cartons. Maybe just a couple of them were magically ‘found’ in America in some unknown warehouse.” Rina made quotes with her fingers. “And as a gesture of goodwill, perhaps the U.S. government has agreed to return a carton or two to Russia in exchange for the willingness of the Hermitage to loan out a Da Vi . . . a Leonardo.”

The room was absolutely silent.

“But that’s just a theory,” Rina said.

Beckwith spoke first. “Mrs. Decker, you can hardly compare the value of a Leonardo with a box of amber from the original Amber Room.”

“Of course there is no comparison in rarity and value. Any Leonardo is priceless and even amber from the original Amber Room isn’t anywhere in that league. But I happen to know that your fearless leader, Mr. Kosovsky, was once the deputy mayor of St. Petersburg. To bring home part of a historical treasure would no doubt endear him to his people. The PR would be enormous.”

“You have still not told us what you want,” Kosovsky said.

“I’m getting to that,” Rina said. “The Marylebone Police have been working on a case of missing icons by the famous Russian artist Nikolai Petroshkovich. They were taken from the local church. It would be nice if they could be recovered before the poor detectives passed. They’re elderly and it would be grand to give them some closure.”

Kosovsky was stoic.

“Perhaps you know what I’m talking about?” Rina asked.

“Perhaps.”

“And perhaps you can help?”

“Perhaps . . . with one.”

“Or two.”

Kosovsky’s eyes narrowed. “At the most.”

“That would be lovely.”

Kosovsky looked at his Rolex. “I have a plane—”

“I’m not done.” Rina smiled. “Just another minute, please.”

“What now?”

It came out with anger. Rina spoke quickly. “The Russian Library still holds a vast amount of books and papers from Rav Schneerson’s collection. And while I know that your fearless leader has given the Jewish Museum around five hundred books and articles, there are still many items in dispute. Perhaps you can arrange for another batch of items from the collection to be donated to the Jewish Museum or to the Museum of Tolerance. Think of all the wonderful PR it would generate, Mr. Kosovsky.”

Again, the room went quiet. Rina simply waited him out.

“I can do my best, but that is all I can do,” Kosovsky said. “I am not the fearless leader as you call him.”

“I’m sure your best is better than almost anyone, Mr. Kosovsky.”

“You are a clever woman, Madame Decker. I admire that.”

“Thank you, Mr. Kosovsky.” Rina turned to the CIA agents. “Now you are done.”

The Russian stood up. “I extend the same invitation to you, Madame Decker, and your husband that I do to Detective McAdams. If you ewer find yourself in Moscow, please allow me to host you. I think you would learn a lot about Russia from me.”

“I’m sure that would be true.” A small arch of her eyebrow. “Thank you very much for the invitation.”

The Russian again looked at his gold Rolex. “As I said, I do have a plane to catch. Good day.”

As he headed for the door, Beckwith followed without a word. With Beckwith and Kosovsky on their ways, the lieutenant governor got up. He thanked Rina and then he hurried to catch up. The CIA agents and Mayor Brettly tailed him at a brisk pace.

As soon as they were all gone, Mordechai Gold said, “Check your place for bugs and not of the insect kind.”

“That fast?” Rina said.

“Your house, your cars, your phones, laptops, tablets, ovens, dishwashers, refrigerator . . . and your Jacuzzi.” Gold smiled. “I used to sweep my house and office every few months after I left the CIA. I found bugs all the time. In the last ten years, they’ve given up although I’m sure that will change after this afternoon.”

“How close were we in our theories, Professor?” Decker asked.

“That Kosovsky was willing to negotiate with you should tell you how close you were.” Gold smiled. “Please feel free to call me if you’re concerned about anything. I know these guys and they can be a bit intimidating.” He looked at Rina. “For most people, that is.”

“Never let them see you sweat,” Rina said.

Gold smiled. “I do have to get back to school. Stop by if you’re ever in Cambridge. I’ll show you around.”

“That’s an offer I can take you up on,” Rina said. “I don’t see Russia in my future.”

“No, that trip has been deleted from the bucket list,” Decker said.

“Glad I saw it when I did,” McAdams said.

“I couldn’t afford it anyway,” Mulrooney added.

“You and me both,” Radar said. “Besides I don’t see a lot of vacation time in my future. Brettly’s pissed.”

“Sorry about that,” Decker said.

“Screw him. You, Oliver, McAdams, and Mulrooney did good.” A pause. “Not as good as Mrs. Decker I have to say.”

“I blush,” Rina said.

Decker shook his head. “I have to call Angeline’s parents.” To Mulrooney, he said, “You’ll take care of Latham’s parents?”

“Of course. The news won’t make any of them whole again, but at least we can say the guy was . . . dealt with. Maybe it is better . . . sparing everyone an emotional trial where bad things can come out.”

“Pleasure working with you, Chris.”

“Same here, Pete.” He smiled at Rina. “Nice meeting you, Mrs. Decker.”

“You’re earned the right to call me Rina.”

“Thank you.” Mulrooney waved and left.

With the locals remaining behind, Rina said, “How come it feels like midnight when it’s only five o’clock?”

“Did you know about the Amber Room or was that just a lucky guess?” Radar asked.

“I did happen to know that the fearless leader was the deputy mayor of St. Petersburg. So since I couldn’t think of anything else, I went with what Peter and Tyler have always said.” Rina picked up the kettle. “Tea, anyone?”

“Are you sure Kosovsky didn’t slip a Mickey in it?” Decker asked.

Rina laughed. But then she looked inside. “I don’t see any powder or anything.” She felt the pot. “It’s a little cold. Maybe I’ll just put a fresh kettle on—after I wash it out with soap and water . . . very, very hot water.”

Decker said, “Throw it away, Rina.”

“It’s pure copper.”

“I’ll get you another pure copper kettle. For your contribution to the mess, it probably should be gold plated . . . and studded with diamonds.”

“A copper pot is fine,” Rina said. “No diamonds necessary unless you want to take a trip to Maxwell Stewart’s gallery.”

Oliver said, “This is gonna cost you, Deck.”

“Big time,” McAdams said.

Decker said, “Do you think Maxwell Stewart will give me a discount?”

“After what happened, I think he’d do just about anything to get rid of all of us,” Rina said. “That is only if you’re inclined to prey on the weak, God forbid.”

CHAPTER 38

WINTER SNOWS MELTED into a very wet spring, flooding streets and highways. But that was okay with Decker. He and Rina decided to stay put for a while. By the time June rolled around, Greenbury had turned positively bucolic: sylvan woods and clean air filled with warm days, and balmy nights hosting twinkling stars and darting fireflies. There were free concerts and community fairs almost every weekend, the events held in the numerous park grounds that surrounded the town. The Fourth of July fireworks were particularly spectacular. The local theater was gearing up for another season, the performers cast with summer stock from the local colleges and even some New York stage actors in the mood for a change of scenery.