“He didn’t tell Jonathan; he told Chaim. Jonathan never spoke to this guy.”

“So Chaim could be lying.”

“Definitely.” Decker frowned. “If some lunatic thinks he’s going to scare me away, he’s sadly mistaken.”

“What would scare you off?” Novack asked.

“A gun to the head, maybe.” Decker shrugged. “Not even that. Now, a gun to my wife’s head, that would scare me.” He felt a chill run down his spine. “I will be very happy when she’s out of here.”

“When’s she leaving?”

Decker checked his watch. “I’m taking her to the airport right now. I’ve got to go.” He pulled out two twenties. “Enough?”

“Way, way over. The bill’s only eighteen-fifty.”

“Leave the rest for a tip.”

“Twenty-one fifty?” Novack laughed. “That’s more than the going rate for a blow job.”

“Alma looks around eighty,” Decker said. “But if she’s willing, Novack, be my guest.”

“Eighty’s a little old,” Novack said, “but there are advantages. I think Alma wears dentures. Ever get sucked by someone with no teeth?”

“Never had the pleasure.”

“It’s smooth sailing all the way.” Novack smiled and nodded. “Yeah, no teeth ain’t such a bad thing.”

Silence.

Then Novack broke into gales of laughter. So did Decker.

Novack chortled and pointed a finger at him. “I had you going.”

“Fuck you, Novack!”

Decker spoke a little too loud. Alma came over. “Problems, Detective Novack?”

“Alma, this man just left you a twenty-one fifty tip.”

The old woman gave a wide smile, showing her full set of plates. “Thank you. You made my day. Next time you come in, I’ll give you a little extra treat.”

Decker knew she was trying to be nice, but it came out wrong. He thanked her and left, hoping she didn’t notice that he had wrinkled up his swollen nose.

25

She didn’t want to be angry, not in front of Jonathan, but her stomach was swirling with anxiety. It was completely irresponsible of him to stay in New York when clearly someone wanted him to leave.

Someone wanted both of them to leave.

Maybe that wasn’t quite true, because analyzing what had happened to her this afternoon, Rina concluded that it was just as likely—no, it was more likely—that the shooter had been after Donatti, not her. She had just been in the wrong place… or maybe—yes, like-ly—he had been following her like he had before, and that had put her in the wrong place. Or maybe he knew something she didn’t know and he had been watching her…

Maybe she shouldn’t try to sort it out because her thoughts were a jumbled mess. She sat back in the seat and heaved a big sigh.

“I know, I know,” Decker said. “I cut it too close.”

“What took you so long?” Rina couldn’t hide her irritation. It wasn’t good to be peeved with Peter in front of Hannah, either.

“Just stupid stuff,” Decker admitted. “I’m very sorry.”

“I’m fifteen minutes away,” Jonathan said. “You should be all right.”