The Burnt House (43 page)

Sandra put on the bandage and continued to work in silence. A few minutes later, she said, “I think what we’ll do is take home the remains and give my son-in-law a proper burial.” She nodded. “We’ll bury him next to Beth. That’s where he should go.”

Rina felt her throat clog. “A husband and wife should be buried next to one another.”

“I think so, too.”

Rina heard male voices coming from the living room. Moments later, the two Peters came into the kitchen. She felt instant relief.

Decker said, “Thanks for inviting them, Rina. We had to do something to pay Tía Sandy back for all the meals she gave me in Santa Fe.”

“Please!” Sandra protested.

“My wife is an excellent cook. So is her mother. You’ll meet her in about…five minutes. How long before Shabbos?”

“A half hour.”

“So I’d better shower and shave—”

Devargas cleared his throat. Everyone looked at him. “First, before you do anything, I want to apologize for us barging in like this.”

“It’s absolutely fine, Peter,” Decker said. “Really.”

“No, it isn’t fine. It’s not proper and we both know it. But you also must know me a little by now, Lieutenant Decker. I wouldn’t have done it to be friendly. Unfortunately, we’ve come here because we have a problem.”

Sandra elbowed him in the ribs. “No, we don’t have a problem.”

“Yes, we do have a problem,” Devargas insisted.

Sandra gave him an intense “hush-up” look. “No, we
don’t
have a problem.”

No one spoke.

“I thought we had a problem.” Devargas regarded his wife, a confused expression on his face. “I guess we don’t.”

“No, we don’t!” Sandra said firmly. “We don’t have any problem at all.”

Again there was silence. The doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it,” Decker said.

Devargas said, “No, I’ll get it. That’s my job.” He looked at Rina. “Right?”

“Right.”

“Then I’ll get it.” He walked out of the kitchen, shaking his head.

Rina said, “Peter, why don’t you see if that’s my parents. I think Mr. Devargas would get along great with Papa.”

“They probably would.” Decker left.

To Sandra, Rina said, “Thanks for the fruit plate. We’ll use it for dessert.”

“I would have baked a cake, but it doesn’t travel well.”

Rina laughed. “Cake baking is my mother’s department. I’m sure she brought several of them. You’ll like her.”

“You’re close to your mother?”

“Very close.”

“That’s nice,” Sandra said, dry-eyed. “Mothers and daughters…that’s very, very nice.”