Read Online The Theory of Death by Faye Kellerman - Free Book Online

into the dining room. “Man, that looks good.” He sat down and put his napkin on his lap. “I haven’t eaten all day. I’m beyond starved and into famished territory.”
    After ritually washing, Rina and Decker sat down. Everyone filled their plates. Conversation was kept to a minimum as they ate. Afterward, Decker and McAdams cleared the table while Rina served the baked apples. When they all sat back down, Decker said, “Rina’s going with me tomorrow.”
    “To the Wolf farm?”
    “Yes.”
    McAdams shrugged. “I see I’m being replaced once again.”
    “Stop that,” Rina said.
    “At least it’s someone competent.”
    Decker said, “Your competency isn’t at issue here. You need to study. When I go up to Boston, I’ll take you with me, okay?”
    “Goody, goody.” McAdams cut the apple into smaller bites. “So when are you going to interview Eli’s math professors?”
    “When I get back. Sometime in the late afternoon.”
    “I’d like to come with you. I’ve been around professors more than you have and I might actually be of help.”
    “It’s a fair point. Let’s see how far you get with your books.”
    “Whatever.” McAdams wiped his mouth, got up from the table, and cleared his plate. “I’m going to try to rip off a couple hours of studying.” He turned to Rina. “Thanks for dinner and thanks for putting me up.”
    After he left, Rina said, “He’s dying to come with you.”
    “It’s more important for him to study. Besides, by the time we come back, I’m hoping the postmortem will be done.” Decker stood up and stretched. “Give me a better idea of what I’m working with. I don’t want a repeat of last year: something small turning into something big and dangerous.”
    “Understood.” Rina got up. “You look beat. I’ll load the dishwasher. Take a shower.”
    “No, I’m actually okay. I’ll finish up here and you relax.” Decker looked at his watch. “We did dinner in twenty-eight minutes. By the time I’m done, I should have plenty of hot water. I like long showers. They help me clear my head. And being that we are no longer in a drought zone, I can indulge myself without feeling like I’m scoffing at some environmental water-protection law conjured up by some Green Party fanatic who drives a Prius and shops organic at Whole Foods.”
    “You’re working yourself up. Go take your shower.” She gave him a gentle push. “I’ll put the kettle on. I just got some loose-leaf exotic Indian tea at the organic coffee and tea store. It has ginger, cardamom, and ginseng. It’s supposed to revitalize the flesh as well as the spirit.”
    Decker smiled. “That sounds good to me. At my age, I can use all the revitalization I can get.”

CHAPTER 7
    D RIVING THROUGH RURAL upstate in the winter, Decker passed landscapes of white and brown, so different from the verdant fields that were in place a half year ago. Crops of lettuce, kale, cabbage, onion, beets, carrots, and oversize pumpkin had been stocked in every farmer’s market as recently as late November. Snowfall had come later this year, plus it wasn’t as harsh as last winter.
    The farming communities varied in size and modernity, from those that employed the latest equipment to oxen yoked plows. Decker didn’t know where Elijah’s parents fit in, but the phone number suggested they didn’t eschew electricity. Rina was staring out the passenger window as Decker waited until he had a chance to safely pass a buggy.
    “Another world,” she said. “Not unlike the one you encountered when we first met.”
    Decker gave her a hesitant smile. “A little different. At least these communities are producing something.”
    Rina slugged him. “We produced scholars. And there has been a real sea change in the Orthodox yeshiva world, just saying. More and more of them are encouraging their students to pursue advanced secular education.”
    “It only took what? About two hundred years?”
    “Now you’re just being