He turned around, facing her puzzled—and slightly wounded— blue eyes. “What? Did he tell you to seduce me? He’s playing games. He knows I don’t do that kind of stuff. Sit down.”

She retreated to the bed and sat down with her hands in her lap, as obedient as a schoolgirl.

“Do you live in Quinton?” Decker asked her.

“Rosehill.”

“Where’s that?”

“About ten miles east of Bainberry.”

“Separated by woods?”

She nodded.

“What’s this area? Like a series of little townships?”

“Exactly.”

“And why did you choose to settle in Rosehill? Did he set you up there?”

“My husband’s practice is in Rosehill.”

“Your husband.”

“Yes.”

“What does your husband do?”

“He’s a physician. Family medicine. He’s been in Rosehill for over thirty years.”

“Thirty years.”

“Yes.”

“He’s quite a bit older than you?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t mean to imply anything negative about that. I’m much older than my wife… well, not that much older.” Decker began to pace. “Does your husband know what you do?”

She regarded him defiantly. “What I do is secretarial work. Nothing more.”

“A few moments ago you were willing to do more.”

Her eyes were steel. “Doing an old friend a favor, that’s all.”

Decker stopped and rubbed his forehead. “You know a girl from Quinton was murdered about five days ago.”

“Yes. Down in New Jersey. A shame.”

“She was fifteen years old.”

“A terrible shame.”

“You get clients from Quinton?”

“Sure.”

“The Jews come in?”

“Yes.”

“Have you ever serviced a man named Chaim Lieber?”

“We keep our clients’ names private. People expect that, you know? But since you seem to have a… personal relationship with Mr. Donatti, I’ll answer the question.”

“Thank you.”

“No.”

“A big buildup for a letdown.” Decker laughed. “He never came in… Chaim Lieber.”

“No.”

“What about his brother?”

“Who’s his brother?”

“Ephraim Lieber?”

Again she shook her head no.

“Merrin comes in here a lot.”

She grew quiet.

“Nice man?”

“He’s always been polite.”

“Good to hear.” Decker began to pace again. This was getting nowhere. “Let me ask you this, Jen. If I wanted to fly a little, where would I go?”

Her smile was patronizing. “To the airport.”

“Very funny. Could you answer the question?”

“I wouldn’t know. This is a spa, not a rave.”

“A spa?”

“We have a steam bath. Are you interested?”

“No, I’ve been wet enough for one day, thank you.” Again Decker tried to change tactics. “So you get some Quinton people in here.”

“Yes.”

“Men who like their privacy.”

“Yes.”

“Probably get some boys in here, too. You know, horny kids looking for some action.”

“All our clients are over eighteen.”

“You card the ones who look underage?”

“Of course. We don’t want problems.”

“Merrin get a kickback for looking the other way?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Lieutenant.”

First time she had used his title. Donatti must have told her.

“You get some bad boys in here, Jen?”

“We get all types of men. But if they want a massage, they mind their p’s and q’s.”