Decker laughed. As if Marge would ever believe he’d think to give her a cake. “You two girls have a nice chat?”

She smiled. “The way we both see you is amazingly similar.”

“How’s that?”

“None of your business,” Rina said. She went in to the kitchen with an armful of produce and began to wash vegetables.

“Now that’s not fair,” Decker said, following her.

Rina handed him a head of lettuce. “You wash this, then take a knife and cut it up into tiny pieces. Think you can handle that?”

“Real men don’t make salad.”

“Try,” Rina said. “Pretend…you’re sifting through evidence. I’ve got to phone New York.” She kissed his lips, then wrinkled her nose. “And if we go anywhere tonight, I’ll drive. How many beers did you pack away?”

“Confession isn’t part of my religion,” Decker said. He turned the tap on full blast and doused his shirt as well as the lettuce. “Shit.”

“Finesse, Peter,” Rina said, laughing. “Finesse.” Her face turned suddenly serious as she dialed.

“Shaynie, it’s Rina…What? Calm down, I can’t understand you…”

“What is it?” Decker asked.

“She’s hysterical,” Rina said. Her voice was quavering. She began to pace as far as the phone cord would let her. “Just calm down. Are my boys all right?”

“What?” Decker pressed.

Rina brought her hand to her chest and ignored him. “You’re sure? Can I talk to them?…But they’re okay…Is everyone okay?…You gave me a heart attack….” She slumped against the wall. “Stop crying and tell me what’s wrong.” She was silent for a few moments, then said, “Oh no…oh God…how’s Esther doing?”

“What is it?” Decker asked.

Rina put her hand over the phone receiver and whispered “Pessy.”

Decker puffed out his cheeks and said, “The Pessy?”

Taking her hand off the receiver, Rina asked Shayna, “When did this happen?…Do you have a lawyer?”

Decker started to smile. “What happened to old Pessy?”

“Arrested,” Rina whispered to him. “Don’t use the Public Defender. You need a private lawyer, Shayna, someone who’s done this kind of work…well, I know it’s embarrassing, but—”

Decker started to laugh.

Rina told her sister-in-law to hold on. “Peter, stop it!”

“Don’t tell me,” Decker said. “Soliciting an undercover police officer.”

“Worse,” she said. “Picked up in a raid.” To Shayna, she said, “Yes, I’m still here…. Shayna, he’s standing right behind me. What do you want me to do, lie to him?…He is family. He’s my family, okay?…All right…all right…stop crying. I’m sorry…yes, I know you’re under terrible stress…. Where’s Esther?”

Rina shook her head and sat down on the chair. Decker stifled more laughter.