There was a knock at his door. Hershfield answered it, and Rina came in. She had applied some fresh makeup. She was wearing a navy sweater over a navy skirt, and black boots. Hannah was in her arms.

“And who is this motek?” Hershfield asked.

“This is Hannah.” Rina shifted the girl in her arms. “You wouldn’t have any orange juice on you, would you?”

“I’d have anything you want.” He buzzed Britta. The brunette came in holding a pencil. “Could you run to Harry’s?”

“No, I can’t run. But I can walk.”

Hershfield ignored her. He turned to Hannah. “What can I get you, kleinkind?”

“Are you hungry, sweetie?” Rina said to her daughter.

“No, just grumpy.”

“But maybe you’d be less grumpy if you ate.” Rina looked at Britta. “Maybe I should come with you.”

“Sure,” Britta said. “We’ve already done our bathroom bonding. Would any of you gentlemen like something?”

“Coffee,” Decker said.

“I’ll go along with that,” Jonathan said.

“Mr. Hershfield?”

“If it isn’t too much work,” the lawyer answered.

“That’s what you’re paying me for, Mr. H.”

The females left.

The man was all folksy and polite. In a courtroom, he was part Tasmanian devil /part wolverine. Anyone who came up against him got bit. Decker stuck out his hand. “We haven’t met formally, Mr. Hershfield. I’m Peter Decker.”

“The Homicide detective I told you about,” Jonathan said.

“Actually, you’re selling him short, Rabbi Levine. The lieutenant here is actually in charge of the detectives’ division. Where do you work? Somewhere in the San Fernando Valley?”

“I see you’ve done your homework.”

“I’m nothing if not compulsive.”

“My division is in the West Valley—Devonshire. Do you know L.A.?”

“I have a brother in Beverly Hills. Corporate law. He’s got a beautiful house. It’s got an entry hall that you could skate in. My brother’s very successful.”

“It must run in the family,” Decker said.

“Me?” Hershfield made a face. “I’m just a bulldog who believes in due process. Sit down, gentlemen.”

The gentlemen sat.

Hershfield smiled at Decker. “So hiring counsel was your idea. I’m not surprised. You know what the police are capable of.”

Decker smiled back.

Hershfield said, “Are you related to the victim?”

“No.”

“We’re brothers.” Jonathan pointed to Decker, then to himself. “Half brothers. The victim was my brother-in-law.”

“I’m just debating how much we should talk in front of him,” Hershfield said.

“Technically, I can be subpoenaed and made to testify because I’m not a family member,” Decker said.

“It doesn’t matter,” Jonathan said, “because the family’s not involved. I’m sure of it.”

“I appreciate your loyalty, Rabbi, but I think your brother has a point.” Hershfield shrugged. “Look, Lieutenant Decker told you to call me because he thinks you might have a little problem. And you’re here because you don’t want a big problem. Very smart. So talk to me, gentlemen. What did you have in mind, Lieutenant, when you asked the rabbi to call me?”

“First I was thinking about contacting the police to see if I can get anything specific out of the investigation. Sometimes agencies are open, sometimes they’re protective. If I get some resistance, it would be nice to have a New Yorker to do some legal pushing.”