Decker laid his hand on his brother’s shoulder. He was as rigid as a stone post. “You’re holding up great.”

“Thank you.” He turned to Decker. “Who do you think it was?”

“Don’t know.”

“Donatti?”

“Maybe.”

“Merrin?”

“Quite possibly.” He exhaled. “I also borrowed… well, more like swiped the gun from an obnoxious taxicab driver. It could have been him, too.” He brushed rainwater from his eyes. “I would even say maybe it was Chaim, but I think your brother-in-law has other things on his mind right now.”

Together they pulled out the spare tire and the kit. An hour later, on four inflated tires, they made their way into the Bainberry Mall parking lot. They settled upon the first store that looked promising, a unit that specialized in athletic gear that was GOING OUT OF BUSINESS. They rooted through the deeply discounted items, stocking up on sweats, T-shirts, lightweight waterproof jackets, socks, sneakers, and an umbrella. By seven in the evening, they were back on the highway in dry clothes, wolfing down bagels and sipping hot coffee from paper cups. Warmth on the skin, warmth in the belly: Heaven had many forms and shapes.

Jonathan was driving. “Where to?”

Decker thought a moment. “With the van in such poor shape, it makes sense for us to go back to Quinton. Maybe I can squeeze something from the Feds.”

Jonathan blew out air. “So JFK is out?”

“I doubt if Hershfield’s still there,” Decker told him.

“True, true.” Jonathan tapped the steering wheel. “If we go back to Quinton, we’ll be stuck there for hours.”

“I know.”

“Also, you said this could be Merrin’s doing.”

“Possibly.”

“So maybe it’s not too safe for us to be there now.”

“Jonathan, if Chaim’s house is crawling with Feds, I think we’re okay for a while.”

His brother was silent. Decker said, “What’s on your mind, Jon? You have a look on your face.”

“The Liebers have a warehouse. It’s in the middle of nowhere—an old converted barn—about twenty miles north of Quinton. So maybe around fifteen miles from where we are. You wouldn’t know how to get there unless you’ve been there before.”

“And you’ve been there before.”

“Raisie and I get our TVs, VCRs, computers, cameras, etcetera, etcetera from the overstock—last year’s models. Sometimes it’s cheaper to get rid of items than to ship them back. We’ve always gone down after hours.”

“You have a plan.”

“Well, I have a location.” Jonathan finished his bagel. “I also know where the back door is. I’m sure it’s locked and alarmed if no one’s there. But if Chaim is there, we can talk to him through the intercom.”

“And what are we supposed to say to him?” Decker asked.

“I don’t know,” Jonathan answered. “Convince him to give himself up.”

Decker laughed. “A man who set up his brother—and possibly his daughter—”

“Nonsense.”

“Fine. Be delusional. But I will tell you this. Chaim’s scared, wanted, and probably irrational. I don’t see him just… giving up.”