“Front-page articles.” Decker tried to shake fatigue from his sleep-deprived brain. “I didn’t know Hershfield was religious.”

“He doesn’t wear a kippah in court, but he’s self-identified as modern Orthodox.” Jonathan tapped the wheel. “He’s defended all the biggies. He’s well connected.”

Decker glanced at Rina. “Connected, as in Joseph Donatti.”

“Among others,” Jonathan countered.

“But Donatti was his biggest triumph.” The mobster had been indicted on three counts of murder along with lesser charges of fraud and racketeering. After the third hung jury, the state declined to try the case again. Evidence kept getting lost. The Donatti name always piqued Decker’s interest, although his curiosity wasn’t at all limited to the old man. “When was the trial? About six years ago?”

“About.” Jonathan gripped the wheel. “Hershfield got him off.”

“That he did.”

“You said to hire the best, Akiva.”

“Yes, I did.” Decker raised his eyebrows.

No one spoke.

“Has Hershfield given you any advice?” Decker asked.

“He wants to talk to us before we talk to the cops. By us, I think he means my brother-in-law.”

“Is your brother-in-law going to meet us there?”

“Chaim’s not in any state to talk to anyone. I told him I’d talk to Hershfield first.”

“Chaim must be beside himself.” Rina reached over and smoothed Hannah’s curls. She had fallen back asleep, her eyes moving behind onion-skin lids, her head upward, her mouth agape. She was snoring softly.

“The whole family’s crazed,” Jonathan answered.

“How is the mother holding up?”

“Minda? She’s… we had to tranquilize her. Normally, I would never suggest medication at a time like this, but she was out of her mind with hysteria.” Jonathan hedged. “She and Shayndie had been at odds for a couple of years. ”

“That doesn’t mean anything,” Rina said. “All parents and kids fight.”

“Their arguments were… vitriolic,” Jonathan said. “I’m sure Minda feels as if this is all her fault. Of course, it isn’t.”

Unless she had something to do with the disappearance, Decker thought. “So Chaim and his father own some electronic stores.”

“Yes.”

“Equal partners?”

“I don’t know. It’s not my business.”

“Just asking questions. Do they do all right financially?”

“The stores have been around for over thirty years. I know that the last year has been tough—the strain of living in New York topped off by the economic slowdown. But I haven’t heard about any major financial problems. Of course, they wouldn’t tell me if there were problems.”

“Ever hear of any improprieties in the business?”

“No.” He bit his lip. “I really feel for my father-in-law. He lost his son. Everyone is so focused on Shaynda—and rightly so—it’s almost as if they’ve forgotten about Ephraim. Not only does my father-inlaw have to deal with the pain of his son, but he’s also worried about his granddaughter.”

“When’s the funeral for Ephraim?” Rina asked. “We’re hoping that they’ll release the body today so that we can do the levaya on Sunday. But I have a feeling it’s going to take longer. Shabbos is going to be hell, everyone in a suspended state of animation. Unless they find Shayndie today…” Jonathan glanced at Decker. “That’s a possibility, right?”