“I don’t know what to do. Sixty percent of the hookers in New York have AIDS or AIDS-related complex. I want to tell my sister-in-law, but I know what it will do to the family.”

“Are you sure he sleeps with the whores? He may only take pictures of them.”

Rina said, “I’m not positive he sleeps with them. I just assumed he did.”

“Some men take pictures because they can’t perform. Pessy may be one of those.”

“The man is a pig—a complete and utter pig. And a pervert as well. Why is he torturing me? I tell you why! Because I’m safe! A perfect victim! He knows I won’t tell his wife, because of what it would do to her. The pig! He wouldn’t try stunts like these if you were around. But I’m alone, so what can poor little Rina do? And what should I do about my sister-in-law? She won’t believe me. I wouldn’t have believed me. Pessy appears so decent, so religious. How can I tell Esther what a swine her husband is? I love Esther. She was always good to me. I feel so bad for her.”

“You want to know what I think?”

“I’m asking you, aren’t I?”

“You’re not going to like the answer.”

“What?”

“Let it ride.”

“What! I can’t do that. He’ll give her AIDS.”

“Only if he’s sleeping with the hookers.”

“So I should wait?”

“Let it rest, honey. Otherwise, you’re just going to be the villain, and who the hell needs that?”

“Maybe I can send her the picture and write an anonymous note.”

“Rina, what’s your sister-in-law like?”

“Esther’s not a horse, if that’s what you mean.”

“No, I don’t mean that,” Decker said. “I mean is she able to get along without a husband? What does she have, four kids?”

“Five.”

“Five kids. And she’s how old?”

“Forty-four.”

“A forty-four-year-old ultra-Orthodox woman with five kids. Where’s she going to go if she divorces Pessy? Where’s she going to live? Back home with her parents?”

Rina didn’t answer.

“Does she have any skill to earn a living?”

“There’s alimony.”

“I’ll bet you old Pess would fight her tooth and nail. Hell, he might even hold out on giving her a religious divorce unless she gives up everything. It’s been known to happen, and this guy is scum to begin with.”

“So I should just let the creep get away with it?”

“You quit your job, right?” Decker said.

“Yes, but—”

“You’re moving back here.”

“But—”

“If he pesters you when you return, let me know, and I’ll take care of him.”

“What’ll you do?”

“Beat the stuffing out of him.”

Rina laughed.

“I’m serious.”

“He’s five-nine, three hundred, Peter. Punches would just graze the fat.”