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Decker let out a long sigh and nodded. “I think that’s the most insightful thing either one of us has said during this case, Alex.”
“High praise coming from you,” she said.
As they entered the terminal Decker said, “Um, my sister invited me to visit her and the kids out in California in a couple of weeks. Stan’s flying out, too.”
“That’s great, Decker. Are you going to go?”
“I haven’t made up my mind.”
She looked at him closely. “Well, I think you should. And I mean it. After everything that just happened, a little family time might do you wonders. I know I’m going to visit my family. I need some hugs and kisses.”
Decker said, “I know that, Alex. Ididhave a family, you know.”
“Youstillhave a family,Amos,” she shot back.
They took a cab to the condo they shared in southeast DC.
When they got there, Jamison took a shower, changed into sweats, dropped into bed, and fell right asleep.
Decker put his coat back on and went for a walk down near the Anacostia River.
On the other side of town, he figured, Will Robie would be making his way about now to Memorial Bridge and the Potomac to do his brooding.
Decker took a seat on a bench and looked out at the dark flowing waters and the lights beyond.
Now what?as Robie had implied.
He took out his phone and called his sister.
Renee answered on the second ring. “My God, Amos, Stan called and told me some of what happened. It’s a miracle you’re all still alive.”
“Yeah, I guess it is.”
“I suppose this sort of thing happens to you a lot.”
“Maybe more than most. Look, about coming to see you and the kids?”
“Rest assured, we’ll give you your own space. No suffocating you with love and affection on my watch,” she added in a lighthearted tone. When she next spoke, her voice, though, had lost its frivolity. “Will . . . will you come?”
He didn’t answer right away. “I’m not sure, Renee. I’ll have to let you know.”
“O-okay.” Her tone of disappointment bounded over the ether and hit Decker as hard as anyone ever had on the football field.
“There’s just a lot going on.”
“I know. And, Amos, regardless of whether you come or not?”
“Yeah?”
“You will always be loved, little brother.”
“I’m not sure I deserve that, Renee.”
“Well, I think you’veearnedit. And coming from your sister, I hope you know how big a deal that is.”
She clicked off and he rose and started walking. Perhaps in search ofhisMemorial Bridge. Perhaps in search of something . . . anythingelse. And terrified that he would never be able to find it, because maybe it did not exist for someone like him.
He took out the photo of Cassie and Molly and studied it under the moonlight.
