“They ain’t gettin’ enough at home, they think I can help them out.” Thin broke into a smile. “Course they’re wrong.”

“Of course.” Decker threw a fin on the counter. “What do you tell them?”

“All I do is give them directions,” Thin said.

“To where?”

“Willyburg Bridge,” Thin said. “It’s all out in the open. The sisters service their needs before they go home to the old ladies. You oughtta see them, those little curls bouncin’ while the ladies are outta sight doin’ a righteous hoover on their pipes.”

Decker groaned inwardly, but kept his expression flat. Men were men in any culture, but the thought of rabbis getting blow jobs from hookers…it was like imagining your parents having sex.

“Look,” Decker said, “I’m going to write down my local phone number. Keep the photograph. This kid or someone named Hersh comes into view, you give me a call.” He put his wallet in his coat pocket. “There’s a sawbuck or two in it for you, if your information pans out.”

Thin nodded. Decker walked out of the store. At least he hadn’t promised the man a trip to Disneyland.

Rina was waiting up for him.

She must be interested in another round. Decker felt a pull below his belt. Another round? Why sure, ma’am, Detective Sergeant Decker is here to protect and serve. Goddamn, did she look edible in that peignoir. She patted the empty bed next to her and he was stretched out within seconds, having stripped nude in record time.

“You want the lights on or off?” Rina said.

Decker raised his brows. He still wasn’t used to a woman who liked making love with the lights on. But this time his eyes were tired and the harsh incandescent glare was giving him a headache.

“Turn them off,” he said. “There’s a full moon out tonight.”

Rina laughed, flipped the switch, and climbed on top of him. She took off her nightie, caressing his face with a swatch of pink diaphanous material. He bit the hemline, she tugged it out of his mouth.

Man oh man, this was what life was all about.

His stomach rumbled. He was hungry but no matter. Skip dinner and go directly to dessert.

16

Decker was ready by nine in the morning and waiting for Rina in the car. When she finally emerged from the house, she was wearing a down-filled jacket over a long denim skirt and a pair of thick black boots that looked suitable for trout fishing. The outfit was incongruous with her hair, which was jet black and fell to her shoulders in a nest of curls. She climbed into the passenger side of the car, kissed his cheek, and put on her seat belt. She wore no makeup other than lip gloss and mascara, her cheeks pink with a natural blush.

“Did you get an overnight perm or something?” Decker said.