“What?” Decker asked.

“I think Donatti gave Benedetto Wash Heights as payment to get out of the Family. The guy is too much of a loner to take orders from higher-ups. Not that he’s exactly come up in the world. If he’s living the good life, he’s hiding it well.”

“Don’t he own the building, Bri?” Novack popped in.

“This is true. He owns quite a bit of real estate around a hundred thirty-fifth in what’s called the Shona Bailey area. The neighborhood has all these brownstones—nice babies, but in serious disrepair. The Bailey was doing real well for a while. It was the darling of the dotcoms. Then the economy tanked and September eleventh hit. Last I heard he’s been picking up the buildings for a song.”

Novack shook his head. “No one ever accused the kid of being brainless.”

“So if I were to look for him, I’d find him uptown around a hundred thirty-fifth?” Decker asked.

“Yes, I suppose, although I don’t know if he’d be in at nine forty-five, Sunday morning. Why would you want to look for him?”

“Because you said the hit looks like one of his. And if he preys on young girls, a desperate fifteen-year-old may be just his kind of meat.”

“I don’t know why he’d mess with underage girls when he has lots of legit babes doing his bidding. Guy’s a pussy magnet—always has been. The kind of bad boy that stupid girls love.”

Not just stupid girls. Decker thought for a moment. “You have his address?”

Cork eyed him. “What are you going to do, Decker? Go over and ask him about it? If you want to go after Donatti, you don’t just pop in and announce yourself. You go over there with warrants. Otherwise, he don’t talk to you.”

“I don’t have time for subtlety,” Decker said. “I just want to ask him a couple of questions.”

“Want me to come with you?” Novack offered.

Decker’s heart sank. He wanted to talk to Donatti alone. “Sure.”

“You gonna be a party to this nonsense, Mick?” Cork made a face.

Decker said breezily, “You know, Novack, he’s probably not even in. I’ve got your cell. If I get anywhere, I’ll call you. Unless you want to come.”

Novack shook his head. “Not with the Knicks playing this afternoon. I promised the missus I’d clean out the garage. I’d like to get it done so I can watch the game in peace.”

“Go home, Mick. I’ll be fine.” To Cork, Decker said, “The address?”

“You really want to do this?”

Decker nodded.

“I’ll look it up for you,” Cork said. “My notebook’s in my car. Hold on.”

Cork disappeared. Novack regarded Decker, staring at him before he spoke. “Where are you going with this, Pete?”

“Beats me. But I’m not having luck going the traditional route.”

“It’s not wise to get too involved in other people’s business.”

Don’t tread on me. Decker said, “Hey, if you object, I won’t go.”