“Not off the top of my head, but both families are in the Midwest.”
“In the same city?”
“Don’t think so,” McAdams said. “I’ll call Kevin and get an exact address.”
“I’ll call him,” Decker said. “I’ll also call the coroner and see if he’s written up his finalized report on Zeke Anderson.”
“Boss, it’s Sunday.”
“Kevin is still working.”
“Yeah, we’re a pretty dedicated bunch,” McAdams said.
“Pat yourself on the back, Tyler.”
“No biggie. I just learned from the original workaholic.”
“I’ll accept the title with honor,” Decker said.
McAdams smiled. “I’d like to look up some stuff on my tablet. I’ll need Wi-Fi. That’s a problem. You certainly don’t want me working on a case in a public place.”
“What about your step-grandmother’s place?”
“I would except she’s out of town. No one is there.”
“What about your mother?”
“She’s also out of town. My father is in town, but it’s very distracting at his place. There’s plenty of room but also plenty of drama. Danielle is home for the summer, and she doesn’t believe in closing doors unless she’s slamming them. Chucky is distracting in a different way. He loves to see what I’m doing. He wants to help me, and I find it hard to tell him that I don’t need his help.”
“You don’t have your own room where you can close and lock the door?”
“No, I don’t have my own room, because it’s not my childhood home.” McAdams seemed to turn sour. “I could probably use my dad’s office if he’s not around. No one dares to come in when the door is closed.”
“It’s better than a coffee shop where someone could see what you’re doing,” Decker said.
“It is, but not by much. I hate being there. You know who the nosiest of all of them is? My dad.” McAdams stood up from the iron bench. “I’ll figure it out.”
“Okay. Let’s meet up at dinner. You are coming to dinner with us, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, you guys are a family I can get behind: invitations to all the parties with no expectations. Well, none socially. You’ve laid plenty of expectations on me professionally.”
“Of course I have expectations,” Decker said. “Most of our work is monotonous, but the few times it is dangerous, I want a professional at my back.”
“I’ve proven my worth.”
“That you have.”
“Then no complaints.”
“None.” Decker smiled and added, “So far.”
He couldn’t be sure, but he thought he heard McAdams mutter a fuck you under his breath. He wasn’t offended. Instead, he stifled a laugh.
Chapter 16
Everyone made it to dinner on time. Thirteen adults, three children, two babies, and a hundred opinions. The Decker clan was not shy about voicing views on politics, religion, science, medicine, economics, music and art, and anything involving anyone else’s work. Advice was given freely. Advice was discarded freely. By the time the meal was over, everyone was sated and talked out. Long good-byes, great hugs and kisses, and a lot of see-you-next-times. As they were breaking up, Rina took Gabe aside.
“Your dad called me. He’s trying to get hold of you.”
“I reached him. He just wanted to pump me for information about Mom. I think he’s concerned about her safety.”
“I think you’re right.”
“That really makes me nervous. He knows about Devek’s gambling problem.”
“And?”
“He confirmed what Mom said, that Devek owes a lot of money. He didn’t say how much but when Dad used the term ‘a lot,’ he meant a lot. Chris is crazy but he’s not prone to exaggeration. I’m nervous. Plus . . .”
Gabe looked at the ceiling. “I can’t get hold of my mother. She’s not at the hotel, she’s not answering any of my calls or texts. I don’t know what’s going on.”
“Is her phone disconnected?”
“No. I left messages.” Gabe looked at his foster mom. “She said she’d leave a forwarding number. Why does she do this to me?”
Decker said, “What’s going on?”
“Terry seems to have disappeared.” To Gabe, Rina said, “Let me know if you hear from her, okay?”
Gabe kissed her cheek. “Sure.”
Decker said, “Why do you think she’s disappeared?”
“She’s not answering her phone.”
Rina said, “Terry said that she’s moving back to Los Angeles, Gabe. She was packing up when we left to get toys for your sibs. Maybe she’s on her way to the airport.”
“Then why would her phone would be off?”
“Maybe she’s afraid of being tracked,” Decker suggested.
“By Devek?”
“By Devek or by the men to whom he owes money.”
“Yeah, of course.” Gabe hit his forehead. “That’s it. You’re probably right.”
“Call us in a couple of days if you’re still concerned,” Decker said. “I know she has your siblings with her. That’s reason enough for you to want to know where she is.”
“Will do,” Gabe said. “Thanks, Peter.”
“No problem. Keep in touch.”
The prospect of a peaceful long ride home sounded delicious. Rina relinquished her shotgun seat to Tyler, hoping to curl up in the back and fall asleep.
A few minutes into the ride, McAdams said, “Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine.” Rina stretched to the side and put her legs up. “I’m just bummed that Cindy couldn’t get off work tomorrow.”
“Like father, like daughter,” Decker chimed in.
“In all the good ways,” Rina said.
“You could have stayed overnight.”
“Thanks, but I’m tired. I don’t mind going home.” A pause. “It was nice that she and Koby came into town. I know it’s a schlepp for them.”
“It was lovely seeing all the kids.” Silence. Decker then said, “I’m curious, Rina. You spoke to Terry. Why do you think she bailed on her husband? Is it that bad?”
“Is this really what you want to hear after spending two hours in the Situation Room?”
“You’re one voice, not many,” Decker said. “Unless you don’t want to talk about it.”
“It’s fine with me. In a nutshell, Terry is divorcing her husband because he is a gambler and he’s in hock up to his eyeballs. He owes a lot of money, but according to her, Devek has an out. A friend of the family—a widower—is willing to give him money to pay off some of his debts in exchange for marrying Juleen. She’s eleven. Terry, not surprisingly, objects to the arrangement.”
“Hmm . . .” Decker said. “That doesn’t pass my smell test.”
Rina nodded. “In the cold light of day, it does seem a little far-fetched.” She sat up in her seat. “Terry is also worried that when she and Devek divorce, she won’t get custody of the children. She claims Indian courts are biased toward Indian parents.”