“You don’t have to pop her. And she’s not lying.”

Donatti kept his eyes on his drink. “This morning, you asked about my contact with Terry. It consists of my going out to Chicago for a couple of days every other month. I spend time with the kid—pick him up from school, help him with his homework, sit with him while he practices the piano, take him out to dinner, then tuck him into bed. It gives Terry some extra time for her studies. Then after Gabe goes to sleep, I fuck Terry’s brains out. After we’re done, I give her money.” He shook his head. “There are blue laws on the books against things like that.”

“It’s called supporting your child.”

“It’s called being a sucker.” Donatti plunked the glass down on the table. “I want to know that she’ll be taken care of in case I get whacked.”

“I’d help her out even if you didn’t get whacked.”

“I know. You sent her money in the past.”

“She’s paid me back—”

“I paid you back.” He sat back in his chair. “After I reestablished contact with her, I paid off all her debts. They weren’t extravagant, but they were sizable.”

“She wasn’t living the good life.”

“Actually, she was living in a slum, working two jobs, and trying to support Gabe and go to school at the same time. The girl is industrious by nature. But I still rescued her even after she dumped me like garbage. I’m putting her through medical school; I’m paying for the kid’s private education. I pay her rent, give her money for food and clothing and utilities and insurance and books and whatever the hell else she needs. I’ve turned her life around, Decker. I’ve taken it from hell and morphed it into something livable, and all I ask for in return is sporadic sex and an occasional ‘I love you, Chris.’ She fakes it well, tries real hard to make me happy. And she does make me happy. She’s the only thing in the world that I’ve got—her and the kid—and I’m totally obsessed with her. Look, Decker, I don’t want you to help her out of the goodness of your heart. I want you to feel obliged to help her. That way, it’ll get done.”

“She’s on her way to becoming a doctor. Why all the concern?”

“We’re both orphans. I’m an actual orphan, and she’s got a useless father, a bitch of a stepmother, and two nice grandparents who are now too old to help her out. I need to know she’ll have somebody out there—for her and my son.”

There was that real possibility that she would marry another man who could take very good care of her. Decker didn’t dare bring it up. “No problem. If she needs me, I’ll be there for her.”

“Good.” Donatti stood up. “Good. I appreciate it. Thanks.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

Offering nothing in return for Decker’s promise, Donatti stood. So did Decker. “So maybe we’ll talk again soon, Chris.”