“Not at all. I don’t know anything about the hit. More important, I don’t care. If all the Jews in the world suddenly dropped dead, I’d be happy. More money for me.”

“You’re a hopeless sentimentalist, Donatti, just like the Nazis.”

“You know I’m not a big Wagner fan.”

Decker said, “If I come up with some faces, I’ll want to talk to her again. What do I do?”

Donatti said, “I’ll call you.”

“And I can show her the faces?”

“If you play by my rules, it can be arranged.”

“Thanks.” Decker rested his hand on the young man’s shoulder. “I suppose I shouldn’t tell you this, Donatti, but you’ve been helpful.”

“Good.” Donatti grinned. “I like doing favors.”

“I’ll bet.” Decker started to walk away. Donatti caught him by the arm. “I fooled around with her, Decker, but she’s still whole. Out of respect for you, I didn’t fuck her.”

Decker nodded. “I appreciate it.” He waited a moment. “Did she know anything sexually?”

Donatti’s lips curled upward. “I usually charge money for details, Lieutenant.”

Decker kept his anger inside. He spoke deliberately. “Should I be concerned about a molestation angle?”

“You know, I don’t think I’ve been with someone that innocent since Terry.” Donatti let out a soft laugh. “Jesus, even Terry knew what a hard-on was. I’m sure last night was the first time that Shayndie had ever seen a cock, let alone touched one. That girl is from another century.”

Decker was quiet.

“She wasn’t being diddled,” Donatti said. “I’d stake my life on it.”

“All right. That’s helpful.”

Donatti looked upward. “Do you have any idea how much I could get for her in the white-slave trade? I have at least three Middle Eastern clients who’d give a fortune to rape a Jewish virgin. They’d whisk her out in a private plane, take her to their country, pass her around, then sell her to a brothel.”

Decker blurted, “Whatever you’d charge, I’ll pay it.”

“You couldn’t afford it.” Donatti bit his lip. “Maybe we can arrange a trade with your wife.” Immediately, he backed away, holding out his palms for a shield. “I’m kidding! Don’t worry. I’ll keep Shayndie safe. After you find out what happened, and it’s okay for her to go home, I’ll return her to you—unharmed and intact.”

Decker was still breathing hard. “Thanks. Thanks a lot, Chris.”

“That makes another favor you owe me.”

“You’re keeping score.”

“You bet your Jewish ass I’m keeping score.”

20

Decker awoke with a jolt, drenched in sweat and shaking. It was eight in the morning—Rina had already left the bed—and since sleep was out of the question, he decided to grab the day. Knowing that Shayndie was alive and relatively safe, he could concentrate on the murder. Since Chaim had shown only scant interest in his brother’s homicide, Decker was forced to interview the only person who had truly felt every inch of the loss. Emmanuel Lieber was sitting shiva at his house in Quinton. The idea of intruding upon an old man’s sorrow made Decker feel queasy, but if it brought results, perhaps it would be worth it. After a quick recitation of the morning prayers, he mentally planned his day. First he’d pay the shiva call, then he’d contact Micky Novack, hoping that the detective had made headway on the case. By then, maybe he’d hear from Donatti.