“Sure he wasn’t taking anything else?” Novack asked. “Like ecstasy, for instance?”

Suddenly, Decker knew what Novack was doing. The pill found in the hotel room: The analytic results must have come in. Imprinted or not, it must have been ecstasy.

“Only cocaine and only through his nose,” Schnitman insisted. “How do I know this? Ephraim wouldn’t take anything into his stomach that didn’t have a hechsher on it.”

A hechsher was kosher certification. Abruptly, Decker laughed. “I didn’t know that there was rabbinically supervised cocaine.”

“No, of course there isn’t.” Schnitman was offended. “I know it sounds crazy, but some of the most religious abusers won’t take drugs orally. Instead, they shoot poison into the blood or sniff toxins up their noses. Just so the object doesn’t pass through their lips. I know it’s a ridiculous point of law, but the Bible says lo toechlu; that you can’t eat nonkosher food.”

“It also says you can’t touch it,” Decker said.

“Well, that’s why they have straws to blow the stuff up your nose!” Schnitman was angry. “You can make fun of us, Lieutenant, or you can try to understand us. Yes, we have inconsistencies. I’m sure you have them as well.”

“Indeed, I do, Mr. Schnitman. I’m sorry if I offended you.”

“Yeah, you’ve been real helpful,” Novack said. “Here. Try a sausage. Real spicy, so watch out.”

“Thanks, but I’ll pass.” Schnitman pushed away his plate. “I should be getting back. I have to bentsh.”

“That makes two of us,” Decker said.

After they were done saying the Grace after Meals, Novack handed Schnitman his card. “And if you hear anything—”

“I’ll call you, yes.” Schnitman took out his wallet, placed the card inside, then took out a ten-dollar bill.

Decker held him back. “I’ll take care of it.”

Schnitman said, “One of the things we learn to do when we face our problems head on is to pay our own way. So I’ll take care of it.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Decker said. “We asked you out. It’s our treat.”

Novack took the check. “This is a Homicide investigation. You’re a witness. As far as I’m concerned, let the City of New York pay for my heartburn.”

Decker buttoned his coat and rubbed his gloved hands together. He had forgotten a scarf, and his face felt the bite of the wind as he walked down Broadway. “The pill was ecstasy.”

“Yes, it was.”

“So if Schnitman is to be believed, it couldn’t have come from Ephraim.”

“Do you honestly believe that a blowhead would stop himself because the high wasn’t blessed by the rabbis?”

“As strange as it may seem, Micky, I can see that.”

“Well, you’re a step closer to it than I am, Pete.”

They walked a few moments in silence. Then Decker said, “Where would a kid like Shayndie hide in this town?”

“You kidding?” Novack said. “I wouldn’t even begin to guess. Look around. A million cracks in the naked city for kids to fall through.” He walked a few more steps. “I’ll ask Vice. And Juvie. Don’t expect too much.”