Decker followed his wife into the kitchen. “Tell me what you want?” When Rina turned on the faucet, he said, “I’ll wash.”

“No, I’ll wash.”

“Better yet, why don’t you use the dishwasher?”

“For two plates?”

Counting all the glasses, utensils, and pots and pans, it was a lot more than that, but he didn’t argue. “I should have consulted you before I agreed. I’m sorry.”

“I’m not looking for apologies. I’m concerned for your safety. He’s a hit man, Peter.”

“He’s not going to kill me.”

“Don’t you always tell me that domestic are the most dangerous situations because emotions get hot?”

“They do if you’re not prepared.”

“You don’t think your presence will inflame the state of affairs?”

“It could. But if she doesn’t have anyone around, it could be worse.”

“So let her hire some other body. Why does it have to be you?”

“She thinks I have the best chance of defusing Chris’s temper.”

“‘Defusing’ is the right word,” Rina said. “The man’s a bomb!” She shook her head and turned on the tap. Silently, she handed Decker the first dish.

“Thanks for brunch. The salmon Benedict was a real treat.”

“Every man deserves a last meal.”

“That’s not funny.”

Rina gave him another dish. “If anything happens to you, I’ll never forgive you.”

“Understood.”

“I don’t care what happens to her. I’m sure she’s a nice woman, but she got herself into this mess.” Rina felt anger rising. “Why do you have to get her out of it? Her asking you for help is chutzpadik.”

“It’s like she’s imprinted on me.” Decker put the dish away and put his hands on her shoulders. The tips of her black hair brushed against her shoulders, giving her face a breezy look. Rina was anything but. Intense, focused, task-oriented…those were the appropriate adjectives. “I’ll call her and tell her no.”

“You can’t do that now, Peter. He’s due to show up in a couple of hours. Plus if you backed out, you’d look like a wuss to Chris and that’s the worst thing you can do. You’re stuck.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his nose. He was tall and big, but so was Donatti. “I think I should go with you.”

“Not a chance. I’d rather back out.”

“He likes me.”

“Precisely why he’d be tempted to shoot me. He has a crush on you.”

“He doesn’t have a crush on me—”

“That’s where you’re wrong.”

“Well, then at least let me ride over with you into the city. You can drop me off to visit my parents.”

“I can do that.” Decker looked at the kitchen clock. “Leave the mess. I’ll get it when I come back.”

“You’re leaving now?”