“I don’t know how sudden it was.”

“Well, how many months was it from the time he asked to borrow the shul’s money to the time you two reconciled?”

Jonathan tapped the wheel. “About three months.”

“Must have been a hell of a three-month upturn in sales, Jon. Now if it were during Christmastime, maybe. But we’re talking from June to September—traditionally slow retail months. Forgive my skepticism.”

Decker’s stomach growled.

“Take a sandwich,” Jonathan told him. “I’ve got tuna or chicken.”

“Which one do you want?”

“I honestly don’t care.”

“Then I’ll take the chicken.” Decker rummaged through his half brother’s briefcase until he found the plastic bag and the sandwiches inside. “What do you do when you can’t wash?”

“Just make Hamotzei. I’ve also got some fruit, chips, and a couple of diet Cokes. Raisie has a stake in feeding my gut. Help yourself.”

Decker said a prayer and bit into his lunch. “Thanks, I’m really starved. Should we continue?”

“You mean should you continue.”

“Yeah, I am doing most of the talking. Anything you’d like to add?”

“Not at the moment.”

“Where was I?”

“Chaim’s upsurge in business during the summertime.”

“You’re paying attention.”

“I always was a good student.” Jonathan’s voice was bitter.

Decker took another bite. “So how did Chaim get the money? Like I said before, insurance fraud not only takes time, but also the policyholder raises a red flag by making too many claims. Now, I was told that when you want big cash from insurance, you destroy the entire stock in one fell swoop courtesy of a professional arsonist. But even if they pay off and you get the cash, it won’t get you quick cash. For the same reason— claims take time, especially big ones. There would be a major investigation. So I’m asking myself what could Chaim do to generate quick cash.”

“And what have you concluded?”

“Several things.” Decker washed down the chicken-salad sandwich with his Diet Coke. “This is perfect. Thanks. You’re not hungry?”

“Actually, I am.”

Decker unwrapped the tuna sandwich for him. Jonathan said a prayer and took a bite. “So how would Chaim get quick cash?”

“Money laundering through his business, possibly. Chaim takes a cut of whatever he cleans. But then I have to ask myself how would Ephraim have found out about a money-laundering scheme since he wasn’t in charge of any of the finances, didn’t have any bookkeeping records or anything from the bank. So laundering wouldn’t be my first choice.”

Jonathan finally made it onto the HH Parkway. It was bumper to bumper. He hoped the traffic would clear once he made it past the city. “So what would be your first choice?”

“Narcotics. Drugs. Since you’re my rabbi—and you’re confidentially bound—let me tell you what my brother Randy, the Miami Vice cop, told me.” He recapped his conversation with Randy. “It seems that our brethren have been naughty boys regarding the illegal transport and sales of MDMA, better known as ecstasy. As a matter of fact, I recall a big scandal about New York Chasidim bringing in the drug. Am I right about this?”