“I need to use the phone, Raisie.”

“You don’t have a cell?”

“I need a land phone.” He spoke softly. “I know. I’m becoming a real pain in the ass.” She had told Hershfield as much. “Look, I’ll be out of your hair soon. You and your family don’t have to worry about that.”

She lowered her head in shame. “Akiva, I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. Jonathan didn’t want to call you. I begged him to do it.”

“Be careful what you wish for,” Decker answered.

“It’s just that Chaim thinks…” Raisie stopped talking.

Decker waited. “Chaim thinks what?”

“He has this crazy idea that your investigation may be harming Shayndie’s survival.”

“Okay.” He gathered his thoughts. “And how does that work exactly?”

“He thinks she’s holed up somewhere. He thinks that the closer you get… that it might scare her off. Or maybe tell the people who hurt Ephraim where she is.”

Decker’s heart skipped a beat. “She’s contacted him?”

Tears formed in her eyes. “No. I mean, not that I know of. Maybe. He talks crazy. So does Minda. At this point, they both might be delusional.”

“I don’t know, Raisie. It sounds to me like the ideas are coming from somewhere. Has he talked to you about Ephraim’s death, confided any suspicions to you?”

“The answer is no. But I must be honest, Akiva. If he confided something in me, I wouldn’t tell you. I have to respect the family’s wishes.”

Hence talking to Hershfield, trying to shut him down. “Even if it meant compromising Shayndie’s welfare?”

She bristled, her visage hard and angry. “None of us would ever do something to compromise her welfare.”

Decker was quiet.

“Do you have any idea when Ephraim might be released?” Her voice was very cold. “We’d like to give our brother a proper burial.”

“I don’t know, but I’ll call up Novack and ask him for you.”

Raisie put her fist to her forehead. Then she looked up. “Thank you.”

“No problem.” Decker tried to hide his anger. “I have to use your phone. I need some privacy.”

“In the back bed—” She sighed with a heavy heart. “Akiva, don’t be upset with me. Don’t be mad. Please. If Jonathan knew that I’ve upset you, he’d be very angry. He adores you… absolutely worships the ground you walk on.” Tears fell down her cheeks. “I’ve lost my brother. Please be patient.”

Decker ran his hand down his face. The woman was in mourning for a dead brother, had two small children, and was under terrible strain. “Raisie, I’m sorry. I’m very pushy when I work. It’s an occupational hazard. I’ll call up Novack for you as soon as I make this other call.”

“Thank you so much.”

“You know what? How about if I use the phone in the kitchen, and you go lie down?”

She wiped her face. “I need to get some things done.”

“You’re in mourning. You’re not supposed to be working at all.”