“It’s not what you think.”

“So let’s meet and you can explain it to me.”

Again no one spoke.

Decker said, “Where’d they find her?”

“Fort Lee Park.”

“Where’s that?”

“Jersey.”

Decker’s heart started hammering. “Where? Like the middle of the state?”

“No, Fort Lee is right over the George Washington Bridge… five minutes out of the city. The park is commemorative grounds.”

“Big?”

“Yes.”

“Populated?”

“During the day, yes. It’s a big place.”

Decker didn’t know where he was last night, but he knew he had been more than five minutes out of the city. More like an hour from Manhattan. One possible scenario: Chris had murdered Shaynda after Decker had seen her, then dumped her on his way back to his place. But why would Donatti make the drop somewhere so visible and so close to his digs? He was a pro; he didn’t like to advertise. Unless he was the type who’d do it for kicks—which really gave Decker something to worry about.

Jonathan cleared his throat over the line. “Cops were thinking that maybe”—he cleared his throat again—“maybe she’d been hiding out there. Lots of spaces to hide because it’s so big. Historical… goes back to revolutionary days. That’s why it’s so close to the bridge. Actually, they named the bridge after George Washington because it’s so close to Fort Lee.”

Jonathan was rambling. Decker interrupted him. “I’d like to talk to the Quinton Police again. It’s no problem for me to travel back upstate. If you don’t want to meet with me in public, give me a private place.”

“We could meet in the city. They want me to go to Jersey… to identify the body… .” There was a deep, depressed sigh over the line. “Akiva, I don’t know if I’m up for it.”

“Would you like me to come with you?”

“They need a relative to identify—”

“I know, Jon. I’ve never met the girl.” The lie came out as smooth as tanning oil. “I just meant I’d accompany you for moral support.”

“That’s very generous of you.” An exhalation. “Thank you.”

“It’s fine, Jon. When do you want to go?”

“Someone was going to meet me at the… the morgue at about five.”

Four hours from now. Decker said, “That gives me enough time to come out to your neck of the woods. If you want to meet with me, fine. If not, we’ll talk later. I’ll go see the police. When you’re ready to leave upstate, let me know and I’ll follow you into New Jersey.”

Jonathan’s voice dropped to a whisper. There were tears in his words. “I think I might have messed up.”

Decker said, “I’m sure you didn’t. I’m sure you did what you thought you had to do. Let’s meet in Quinton and talk about it.”

“Yes, that probably would be a good idea.” Now the anger was directed at himself. “It’s what I should have done this morning.”

“Wouldn’t it be nice if we all had hindsight,” Decker consoled him. “I know I’m persona non grata at the Liebers’. Tell me where we should meet.”