“Do you think he’d be stupid enough to string her up in the property he was supervising and then report her dead?”

“We’ve gone through a lot of criminals in our years on the force,” Marge told him. “Personally, I’ve never met one who qualifies as an intellectual light.”

RINA KNOCKED BUT didn’t wait to be invited into the room. “I just called up Matt Birenbaum. He’ll fit us in tomorrow.”

Decker said. “Him?”

“I know he’s a little bit of an eccentric, but he’s also a top-notch hand surgeon.”

Gabe realized they were talking about him. “I’m okay, Mrs. Decker. Nothing’s broken.”

“That may be, but you need to be looked at. Even if you weren’t a pianist, I’d do it. Kal v’chomer, I should do it for someone who needs his hands for a career.”

Gabe didn’t understand everything she was saying but he felt his best defense was not to argue.

“Kal v’chomer means I should especially have you looked at,” Rina said. “I forgot the English legal equivalent. We’ve got an eleven o’clock appointment. Dr. Birenbaum prides himself on his piano playing, so at least he’ll know what your needs are.”

“He thinks he’s Mozart,” Decker said. “He’s terrible and I don’t even have an ear.”

“He’s a bit full of himself, but that’s what you want in a surgeon.” She looked at his clothes spread across his bed. “Are you going somewhere?”

“I thought I’d visit my aunt for the weekend but she’s not going to be home. Lieutenant Decker was nice enough to let me to stay until she comes back on Monday.”

“You’re moving out?”

“It might be better. Thank you so much for your hospitality. One day, maybe I can repay it.”

“No payment necessary. But you’re not going anywhere until you’ve had your hand checked out. After you’ve seen the doctor, you can go to your aunt’s. Agreed?”

Gabe nodded.

“Peter, go get him a proper ice pack.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Decker stood up and smiled at the boy’s forlorn expression. “She didn’t single you out, Gabe. She’s tough on everyone.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem for him. He should be used to tough women.” After Decker left, Rina sat on the twin bed opposite the boy. “How is your hand? An honest answer, please.”

“Sore.”

“That’s why boxers wear gloves. Let me see it.” He took his hand out of the ice bag and gave it to her. She looked it over with care. “You have some nice bruises. You can move your fingers?”

“Yes.”

“You’re lucky.”

“It was stupid.”

“It might have been stupid, it might have been smart. I don’t know. I wasn’t there. Everything turned out okay, so I’m going to leave it at that. Are you hungry?”