She did.

The room was spacious enough, but claustrophobic simply because it lacked the tall windows of the studio. No windows period. He bolted the door shut, then turned on a series of switches that illuminated a panel in Christmas-tree colors, and started the whirling of an overhead fan. Monitors from video cameras showed different positions around the building. The man wasn’t taking chances.

He sat down, and so did she. She was much more nervous than she thought she would be. She allowed herself a minute of thinking time, then spoke.

“I just have one question.”

Donatti waited.

“Do you know who hurt Peter?”

He took in her clear aqua eyes and said nothing.

“Was it you?”

Still, no response.

“Did you punch my husband?” Rina demanded to know.

He smiled, but it was a weak one. “Mea culpa.”

Rina slumped back in her chair and placed her hands over her mouth. Tears dropped down from her eyes. “Thank you, God!” She exhaled exhilaration. “I thought someone was trying to kill him.”

“Maybe someone is.” His voice was a whisper. “Maybe that someone is me.”

“Nonsense!” Rina dismissed him. “Why would you let him go? Why would you have let me go?”

“I like playing head games.” His eyes locked onto her face.

Abruptly, she felt herself go hot. She said, “I woke you up.”

“No, I was awake.”

For the first time, she realized how compromised he was. His face was sopping wet. He dabbed his brow with a damp towel that had been on his desk. She felt ashamed of herself.

“You’re ill. How can I help you?”

“Interesting question.” A look. “You can start by taking off my shirt.”

She got up, and so did he, towering over her. That was okay. She was used to that. With steady hands, she lifted the cotton tee over his gun, over his bandaged ribs, then over his head. Her nose was hit with a strong stench—sweat, decay, and infection—made even more intense because the room wasn’t well ventilated. The gauze was saturated and had turned rusty brown. “Let me take a look—”

“Leave me alone.” He sat back down. “I haven’t had a mother in over a decade and I don’t want one now. You have to get out of this city, Mrs. Decker. The lieutenant would be wise to leave, but he probably won’t because he’s a stubborn man. Besides, he can take care of himself.”

“Was… you know… was it for you or for me?”

“This?” He pointed to his ribs.

Rina nodded. “Yes, that.”

“I have some ideas. Don’t worry. I’ll find out. I have to find out. Something like this can ruin a hard-earned reputation like that!” He snapped his fingers. “Whoever it is… whoever he was after… he’s not too good at what he does. Because we’re both still alive.”

Rina shuddered. “Why would he be after me?”

“I’m not saying he is. But if he is, you can probably answer that question better than I can.”