“Maybe.” Or maybe Chaim was thinking about seeing me off in a more permanent fashion. Decker kept his thoughts to himself.

Jonathan dabbed his sweaty forehead. “This psychotic who punched you…Was it a warning from someone?”

“Nah, that was pure bad luck,” Decker assured him. “It’s okay, Jon. I’m fine. Did Chaim ask any other favors from you?”

“Actually, he asked me to keep an eye on you,” Jonathan admitted.

“You mean to spy on me.” Decker took another bite. “What’d you tell him?”

“I told him it wasn’t necessary. It’s a complete mystery to me, Akiva. Why would Chaim ask me to ask you to come out—just to push you away?”

“Because I didn’t do what he wanted me to do. I didn’t do anything. He and Minda wouldn’t let me do anything. And maybe that was the whole point. To make a show of wanting something done, but not really wanting something done.”

“I don’t follow you,” Jonathan said.

“I was the poster boy, my man, something Chaim could point to and say he tried. But in fact, he didn’t try at all. And before you get all offended, I’m not saying that’s the case. I’m just making suggestions. That’s what I do. Suggest some theories and see which ones make sense after the dust settles.”

Jonathan was quiet. “I wish I had a response. Because it is strange, Akiva. Even in his grief, Chaim made it a point to ask me where you had gone after you heard the news. He seemed obsessed by your actions.”

“What did you tell him?”

“I told him I didn’t know. Where did you go, Akiva? You left very suddenly.”

“I wasn’t wanted, Jon. It would have been inappropriate for me to intrude on their grief.”

“So where did you go?”

“Back into the city.”

“Why?”

“I figured maybe Detective Novack could fill me in on some crime details. He wasn’t in. I took a walk and got punched out for my efforts.”

Jonathan was satisfied with the explanation.

Decker said, “It might have helped me out if you had told me everything this morning, although I understand why you didn’t. You didn’t want to jeopardize anyone.”

“That, and I couldn’t break a confidentiality.”

“I wonder why the ‘source’ was so anxious for me to be out of the picture.”

“I can only assume that you were close to something, even if you didn’t know it.”

“So then I have to go back and figure out what I was close to.”

“No, what you have to do is leave, Akiva. Tonight. As scheduled.”

“What difference does it make now, Jon? She’s dead.”

“But you’re still alive. Now that I think about it, ‘out of the picture’ doesn’t sound promising. And I’m not sure if your punch wasn’t a warning, despite what you say. If something were to happen to you, I’d never forgive myself. I think we should leave it up to the local police.”

“You’re right, but I’m not ready to let go. I’m sending Rina out, but I’m staying until Friday.”