My eyes watered. “He was just… terrific. I owe him.”

“Sweet. Can we go now?”

I cracked. “Do you have to be sodamnhard?” Tears leaked out. “I’m fine, but surely alittle bitof sympathy wouldn’t mar your hard-nosed reputation!”

My father exhaled forcibly, then grabbed me and hugged me tightly. I was transported back to when I was a little girl and afraid of the dark. He was always so big and strong and invincible. He wasn’t around much, but when he was, I always felt safe. I felt safe now. I wondered if he’d ever lose his fairy-tale touch.

“I love you, pumpkin.”

“I love you, too, Daddy.” I broke away and tried to act adult. “I’m fine.” I wiped my eyes. “Really.” I gave him a tearful smile. “Just more fodder for my therapist.”

“Cynthia, you proved you’re tough. Now do us both a favor and quit.”

“Not a chance. What would I do?”

“You’ve got a master’s from Columbia in criminal science. Go to law school.”

“You, the law school dropout, are telling me to do that with a straight face?”

“I did not drop out, I finished.”

“You want some medicated shampoos, Daddy?”

“What?”

“To help you pick out those nits. You may have the degree, but you’re still a dropout.”

“You know, I’m not the only one who’s unhappy about your profession. He doesn’t like cops, either.”

“Who?”

“Koby. He told me he doesn’t like cops.”

“Maybe he just doesn’t like you.”

Dad laughed. “That’s possible.”

“He’s black. He’s got some preconceived notions about the police that are sometimes not so preconceived. I love my job, same as you, Dad. I wouldn’t trade my badge for anything.”

“Even if he asked you to do it?”

“He’dneverask that of me. Only you do that.”

“It’s a father’s prerogative.”

“Shall we go?”

“Now who’s being hard?”

That gave me pause. “I love you, Decker. Thanks for coming down. Now maybe you should go home and get some sleep.”

He smiled enigmatically, making me wonder what was on his mind. But I didn’t ask. Instead, I opened the door that led out to the station house’s lobby. Koby saw me and stood up. Without thinking, we ran to each other and embraced, his lips brushing the top of my hair. I nestled into his tight body, then reluctantly broke away. “Go home and get some rest, Yaakov. I can take it from here.”

He took my hand. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, yeah.” I kissed his hand, then let it go. “No problem. Go. Do you have cab money?”

“I’ll have a cruiser take him home,” Dad said to me.

“Right! Thanks.”

Koby said, “Are you sure, Cynthia? I shall wait if you want. As a matter of fact, I would like to wait.”

“Don’t you have to work tomorrow… or rather, today?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Get some rest, Koby. Your being exhausted won’t do either of us any good-Oh my God! What are you going to do for a car?”

He smiled without showing teeth. It constricted his face instead of opening it up. “I suppose insurance will give me about fifty bucks.” He shrugged. “Don’t worry. I rent something. Your father said they’ll reimburse me.”

“Yeah, also about fifty bucks. Take my car.”

“No, no. I’ll find something.”

“This is all my fault. Take my car.”

“Not a chance.”

“I can loan you something,” Dad offered.

Koby’s eyes moved to my father’s face. “It’s all right. I have friends.”

“I’m sure you do,” Dad said, “but I’ve got a spare.”

“It’s a vintage Porsche,” I told him.

“No, I don’t think so!” Koby smiled.

“No, no, no…” Decker smiled back. “Not the Porsche. We still have Rina’s old Volvo. The boys use it when they’re home.”

“But they are home,” Koby said.

“Yes, they are. But they don’t need their jobs to keep a roof over their heads. They have friends, too. Take the car until you figure something out.”

He regarded Decker. “How old is old?”

“Ten years and lots of dents. It’s a clunker, Koby. Don’t worry about it.”

“Thank you.” A pause. “Thank you very much, sir.” He tried out another smile for my benefit. “Well, I suppose you’re in good hands.”

“Thanks,” Decker answered wryly.

Koby let out a small laugh. To me, he said, “You’ll call?”

“Yes, I’m good about that-unlike others in this room.”

He answered my wisecrack by sweeping me into his arms and kissing me deep and slow, lacing his long nutmeg fingers into my thick hair. I responded in kind, melting into his body, wrapping both of my arms around his neck.

I saw my father avert his eyes and turn his face.

He didn’t want me to see him smiling.

35

Standing in the corner,arms across his chest, all ears and no mouth, Decker stayed in the background while his elder daughter, the first issue of his loins, fielded questions flung from every angle. It was a test of endurance, not only for Cindy, but also for himself. Could he really listen to all this crap for hours and keep his yap shut? Finally, at four-thirty in the morning, both he and Cindy appeared victorious. As Stone and Brill wound down the interview, Decker thanked his Hollywood hosts and excused himself, telling Cindy he’d wait for her outside.

He called Rina. She answered on the third ring.

“I’m still here, but everything’s fine,” Decker said.

“How’s Cindy?”

“She was a pro. Have you been up all this time?”

“No, I’ve been sleeping… restlessly. The kind of sleep where you know you have to wake up and catch an early-morning plane.”

“You’re going to be wiped out.”

“Not too bad. I can always catnap in the afternoon.”

“Then maybe I won’t feel too guilty asking you this. Can you take Hannah to school for me?”

“You’re not coming home?”

“No.”

Silence over the line.

“Taking Hannah is no problem,” Rina said. “What are you up to?”

“I need to spend time with Cindy. As a matter of fact, I’m going to call in and take the day off.”

“Oh my… she must be really shaken.”

Decker didn’t dispel the notion. “I don’t want her left alone.”

“What about Koby? Isn’t he around? Or is he outside the emotional loop?”

“The man is crazy about her. Getting him to leave Cindy was like peeling Super Glue off the fingertips, but she finally managed to convince him to go home. I’m sure he’s not sleeping too well, either, but he’ll survive.”

“Maybe you should let the two of them comfort each other, Peter. At some point, you need to pull back.”

Decker smiled inwardly. “There’s no ring on her finger. Right now, I still have seniority. Try to get another hour or two of sleep. I’ll see you tonight, all right?”

No one spoke for a moment. Then Rina said, “Why do I think you’re up to something?”

“Cindy just came out. Gotta go.” Immediately, Decker disconnected the line. Then he turned the phone off.

?

She gave her father a tired smile. “I’m so sorry to drag you out.”

Decker hugged her. “You didn’t drag me out. I came of my own accord.”

“I can take a cab.”

Decker burst into laughter. “Yes, exactly. I’m going to let you take a cab.” He tousled her hair. “Stop being ridiculous.” He waved to the desk sergeant and opened the door for her. “Let’s get out of here.”

Together they stepped into the misty predawn morning. Cindy said, “Really… thanks for coming. But equally important, thanks for not interfering.”

“See, I can behave myself.”

They walked to his Porsche. Again he opened the door for her. Cindy smiled at his courtly behavior and Decker smiled back, always the gentleman. After her father slid behind the wheel, she asked if she could borrow his cell phone, wanting to call Koby.

Decker didn’t start the motor right away.

“First things first. Are you okay?”

She nodded. “I’m fine, Loo.”

“Good.”

She waited for her father to fork over the phone. When he didn’t, she said, “Uh, can I have your cell now, please?”