“We were on our way to the airport.” Decker was still breathing hard. “To JFK to talk to Hershfield about some drug dealers that airport security had caught. But after the van was shot out—barely on its last legs—Jonathan suggested the warehouse because it was closer. If you had left us alone, we wouldn’t have even been here.”

Donatti stared at him, then silently mouthed a series of swear words. “Might as well make yourself useful.” He handed him the dead boy’s gun, then turned his colorless eyes on Jonathan. “There’s more where that came from. Can you shoot?”

“He’s a rabbi, not a sniper,” Decker said.

“Then get him out of here.”

“My number one priority.”

“Except you can’t go out the way you came in. An alarm will sound.”

“I got in without anything going off.”

Donatti said, “It’s a one-way emergency exit. Trust me.”

“Then how do I get him out?”

Donatti didn’t answer. His breathing was labored as water cascaded off his brow.

“You don’t look good, Chris,” Decker said. “What’s wrong?”

“Shut up and let me think.”

Five minutes went by, nothing but the sound of the rain.

“You don’t look good,” Decker whispered, “but you look calm.”

“I am calm. I’m in my element.”

More time passed.

Decker examined the gun in his hands. A Smith & Wesson 9mm automatic, double action. He wasn’t sure which model, but it probably had a magazine of about twelve rounds. It didn’t smell as if it had been recently fired, the barrel was cool to the touch. Of course, it was frosty inside. Decker could see his breath. He glanced at Jonathan, crouched by his side. He was trembling hard, no doubt from fear, but the physical position they were in was anything but comfortable. Decker placed his hand on his brother’s unsteady knee. “Just another few minutes.”

Jonathan nodded. “I’m okay.”

“All right, this is the deal,” Donatti whispered. “There are five doors—front door, one emergency exit on each side, and two doors in back. The emergency exits are alarmed to go off when you leave and the front door is where the powwow’s being held. That leaves the back doors. Go for the closest one.”

Silence.

Donatti continued. “There was a cop on each alarmed side door, a pair of kids on each back door, and maybe a couple of cops at the front entrance. I’ve taken care of one cop and a kid— You know, you’re damn lucky I recognized you when you came in.”

Decker said, “It’s your artistic eye. Where was that kid stationed?”

“The one I took out? One of the back doors, which means his partner’s gonna get antsy if he doesn’t come back soon. Let’s put some lead in it.” He slipped off his backpack and pulled out a small set of binoculars. “It should be a piece of cake with two of us… if your eye is good.”

“Are you asking me if I’m a good shot?”

“Yes.”