The put-down sounded surprisingly good to Jacob's ear. 'I certainly hope so.'
That was his exit line. Wordlessly, he turned and left the room. His stepfather was down the hall, talking to some official, but he broke off the conversation when he saw Jacob approaching.
'Ready?' Decker asked.
Jacob nodded.
They walked without speaking, down the long corridors, passing a pink-clad orderly wheeling a cart of blood vials. When they were alone and out of earshot of anyone else, Decker said, 'You're not dirt.'
Jacob blushed. 'Exactly how much did you hear?'
'Overhear,' Decker corrected. 'Not much after that. You lowered your voice.'
'I was shouting?'
'You were expressing your displeasure at being called a kike and a prick. Also, I didn't want to hear any more, so I walked away.'
'That was nice of you.'
'Believe it or not, I try to respect your privacy.'
They walked a few moments in silence.
Decker said, 'I've been a disappointment to you, haven't I?'
Jacob stopped and stared. 'What?'
'When I married Eema, you thought you'd get a real hero of a dad. Someone to protect you and keep the bogey man away. And maybe I've done that. But you were also banking on a
buddy - someone to ride horses with, to play ball with... maybe coach your team, a confidant to have long, meaningful talks with. Instead of a pal, you got saddled with a sullen adult male who not only works all the time, but who took your Eema away from you.'
Jacob swallowed hard, his eyes never leaving Decker's face. 'I don't think that at all.'
'Yes, you do. You're just being polite.' Decker headed toward the elevator with Jacob in tow. Arriving at the bank of lifts, he punched the down button and waited without talking. 'Take the other night. Even after I smacked your face, you came up to me to say good-bye. Instead of giving you my full attention for thirty seconds, I brushed you off because I was preoccupied—'
'It was understandable.'
'It was unnecessary. How long does a hug and kiss take? I'm sorry you got such a raw deal.'
The elevator chimed. Neither spoke as they rode the cage down to the parking lot.
When they stepped out, Jacob said, 'You've got it all wrong. I've been the big disappointment. I've caused you and Eema nothing but grief. I sometimes wonder why you put up with me. I know you have to because you're married to my mother, but it goes beyond that. I know you try hard. And I'm not even yours biologically. Or maybe that's why you can toss it off—'
Decker spun around and grabbed Jacob's shoulders. 'You and Sammy are as much my sons as Cynthia and Hannah are my daughters. Blood relationship or not, no matter what would happen to Eema - God forbid - you are stuck with me for the rest of your friggin' life.'
Jacob managed a wet smile. 'You make it sound like a death sentence.'
'Ask Cindy. I'm sure at times she feels that way.'
'It's fine with me, Dad. I love you.'
Decker hugged him so hard, he could hear the bones crack. 'I love you, too, Jacob. And I'm going to miss you terribly. All these years have passed... I can't get them back. I'm sorry—'
'Stop saying that!' Jacob lowered his voice. 'Just...' He broke away, then looped his arm around his stepfather's waist. 'Let's get out of here.'
'Good idea.'
They headed toward the car.
Jacob said, 'She said she's going to prison.'
'I'm not her lawyer, but I would say that's correct.'
'For computer hacking or for the murders?' He wiped his eyes. 'She claimed she didn't know what Holt was doing.'
'And you believe her?'
Jacob thought a moment, then shook his head.
Decker said, 'Do you like her?'
'No. I think she's detestable!'
'But you're still attracted to her.'
'If you like mummies.'
Silence.
Jacob sighed. 'Maybe.'
'It's understandable.' Arm in arm, they walked through the sea of vehicles, trying to find the car.
'You did a really good job the other night,' Jacob said. 'I was bowled over, how you just took command... had things all figured out in like no time. It made me proud to be your son.'
Decker allowed himself a slight smile. 'Thank you. You couldn't have said anything nicer.' He looked away. 'I still think you should let me tell your Eema about my dragging you down—'
'She'll only yell at both of us, Dad.'
'She should know about my stupidity.'
'Then she'll find out about my stupidity. Frankly, who needs the friction? Besides, it was neat... being on the edge like that. It had a certain pulse.'
'You talk as if you enjoyed it, Yonkeleh.'
'A little... a lot, actually.'
'Don't say that!' Decker cried out. 'You'll give your mother a heart attack.'
'So we won't tell my mother that, either. Another little secret.'
He sighed. 'Lord knows we've had enough of them over the past couple of years.'
Decker threw his hand over his son's shoulder. Jacob was so young, yet weighted down. 'I know I have zero credibility with you, but you'll be all right. It'll work out, Yonkeleh.'
'Sure it will.'
'It will. All you need is a brilliant, stunningly beautiful, wonderful, Jewish, religious girl with a sexy body and an overactive libido.'
'Right!'
'They do exist—'
'No, Dad, they don't exist!'
'Oh, they do.' A slow smile spread across Decker's face. He raised his eyebrows. 'Believe me, they do.'
Jacob stared at him. 'Eeeuw!'
'Eeeuw?'
'Yes, eeeuw. Stop smiling like that! That's my mother!'
'We all come into the world the same way, Yonkel, both prince and bastard—'
'Stop! I love my mother!'
'I love your mother, too. Just a little bit... differently than you do—'
'Oh, gross!' He stalked off toward the car.
Decker smiled broadly, sticking his hands into his pants pockets. Poor Jacob. He thought he had invented sex.
The End
Faye Kellerman - Decker 13 - The Forgotten Page 43
