“Cops are territorial.”

“Not the cops, Counselor, the clients. I have this notion that certain people are sorry they got me involved. Lord only knows why they called me.”

“Initial panic, maybe?”

“Probably.”

“Then maybe it’s time to say good-bye.”

The speed with which Hershfield answered gave Decker second thoughts. It seemed likely that the Liebers had contacted Hershfield, maybe even asked him how to get Decker off their backs. “Although, I’ve got to tell you,” Decker answered, “I’m having a hard time letting go. I have this thing… my daughter says it’s called the zygarnic effect. It’s this pathological need for closure. At least, that’s what my daughter says.”

“Children love to categorize their parents.”

“My wife says the same thing about me. Must be a kernel of truth in there.”

“I’m sure you’re right. But if the need is pathological, maybe such doggedness is not such a good thing.”

“It works well in my field.”

“I suppose it does.” Hershfield smiled. “And what about the cops? When we last spoke, you said you were going to contact them, ask them questions.”

“They’ve been very cooperative.”

“That’s good to hear. Do you think that they’re competent?”

“They’re fine. Good actually. Motivated.”

“So why not leave the case to them? Unlike you, they’re not working blind. They have the resources and the connections. Why visit trouble? The family won’t appreciate it anyway.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because that’s the way we Jews are, nu?”

Now he was being folksy as well as conspiratorial.

“Maybe it’s time to close up shop before you get in over your head.”

Decker eyed him. “Over my head?”

“It’s just like you said, Lieutenant, if I may be blunt. New York is a behemoth. If you’re not a local, you don’t stand a chance. Even if you were a local, you’d be in thick gravy. Plus, you’ve got this subset called Chasidim. If you think the cops are doing a good job, I would strongly suggest that you bow out before you get sucked into something you can’t handle.”

Decker stared at him. “I’m not wanted.”

“Don’t take it personally.”

“Who am I pissing off? Obviously, Minda doesn’t like me, but I think it’s more.”

Hershfield shrugged, offering Decker a palms-up gesture. “I like you. In some ways, I identify with you. We’re both frum Yiddim, trying to negotiate the world for a bunch of black-hatters who think we’re goyim. Why stick your nose into dung if people are only going to tell you that you stink?”

“That’s what I do for a living, Counselor. Stick my nose where it doesn’t belong.”

“But you’re not getting paid for this, Lieutenant. You’re taking precious vacation time to get spit at. And if you think you’re going to redeem yourself with these people, even after this is over, think again. You’ve been with the tribe long enough to know that working for Jews is nothing but problems. I’m getting paid for it. But what do you need it for?”