The Rav began to curl the tip of his beard around his index finger. “Again, I’m not certain. Perhaps I should recall our conversation for you. According to the Leibbener Rebbe, Gershon had been a troubled man for many months. His business had been flagging for over two years. The Rebbe felt Gershon may have become involved with unscrupulous people.”

Rina thought of the phone calls Honey had reported. “Who?”

“He wouldn’t say.”

“Did the Rebbe tell the police that?” Rina asked.

“He has been in close contact with the Manhattan police.” The Rav continued to curl his beard. “Though he said nothing overt, the Rebbe…suggested that Honey and the children, after hearing about the death of Gershon, might have disappeared to escape, not because of foul play.”

“But how could she have known about her husband’s death before I did?”

“The Rebbe felt that Honey might have come to you because she knew something was amiss.”

“Honey knew that something was going to happen to her husband? So why didn’t she get him help?”

“Perhaps she tried. But Gershon was troubled, Rina Miriam. It could be he refused help for himself, but sent his family away.”

“So that’s why Honey came out here?” Rina made a face. “To escape Gershon’s enemies?”

“You seem skeptical.”

“It just seems illogical.”

“Perhaps not, Rina. It might be Honey sought you and Akiva out because she felt Akiva could protect her family.”

“It didn’t help. Her van was found abandoned.”

Again, the room became still.

Finally Rav Schulman said, “Didn’t you tell me that the van was rented under a false name?”

Rina nodded.

“Then perhaps the Leibbener Rebbe is correct. If Honey had been acutely aware of her husband’s nefarious associates, it would have made sense for her to use a false name. And it would have made sense to hide herself and her children after she’d heard of her husband’s demise. If we find them, Rina Miriam, we may be doing more harm than good. We could be leaving a trail for the gangsters to follow.”

Rina shook her head in confusion.

Schulman said, “I know what preys on your mind, Rina Miriam. What if they aren’t in hiding? What if they were abducted? Should we not intervene just to be certain?”

“Exactly.”

“I don’t have a satisfactory answer for you. I’m simply interpreting the Leibbener Rebbe’s wishes.”

“And he wants us to let sleeping dogs lie.”

“Apparently.”

“And what do you think, Rav Schulman?”

The old man appeared very thoughtful. “Personally, I am concerned for the children. Yet, there was…something in the Leibbener Rebbe’s voice that told me the kids were safe.”

Rina thought about that. The Rosh Yeshiva’s intuition was not to be taken lightly. “Rav, maybe Honey and the kids have returned to the village. Maybe the Rebbe is hiding them until Gershon’s murder has been solved.”