“We were among the first to leave. He has to stop here first, right?”

Rina nodded.

“So you’ll be able to find him.” Decker rinsed his hands and muttered the Hebrew words. “Just tell him that I’ll see him tomorrow.”

“That’s his van. It might be nice if you told him yourself—”

“For goodness’ sake!” Decker grumbled. “All right, I’ll tell him!”

Red-eyed, Jonathan got out of the vehicle and shuffled, stoop-shouldered, over to the washing area, his arm linked about his wife’s arm, both of them weathered by the tragedies of the past few days. Raisie had fresh tear marks on her cheeks, her nose pinkened by cold and sorrow. Decker tapped his brother on his shoulder. Jonathan pivoted and looked up, a stunned expression on his face. Decker crooked a finger, and Jonathan broke away from Raisie.

“Can you take Rina to your in-laws, then back to Brooklyn?”

“You’re not coming?”

“I can’t, Jon. Something came up—”

“What?” The rabbi’s pale face instantly filled with color. “Are you on to something?”

“No, not at all,” Decker lied. “Just tying up loose ends with the detective.”

“You wouldn’t miss shiva for that,” Jonathan snapped back. “You’ve got a lead.”

Decker pulled him aside, away from the open ears. “Jonathan, listen up, because this is important. I’m going to make myself very clear. This stays between you and me.”

The rabbi nodded eagerly.

“No, I have nothing to tell you,” Decker insisted. “You’ll have to trust me. Still, you can’t talk about me to anyone—not your brother-in-law, not your father-in-law. If they ask where I am, tell them I’m not feeling well.”

“Yes, yes, I understand!” He grabbed Decker’s jacket. “I’m your clergyman, Akiva. Just tell me! You’ll have confidentiality. I can’t and won’t breathe a word of it to anyone. It’s not fair to shut me out! Please! Now more than ever, I need to know.”

“Stop right there!” Decker tried to control his temper. “Let me try again.” He looked at his brother with stern eyes. “I’m not telling you anything, and you don’t say a thing to anyone! If you shoot off your mouth, if you even give someone the wrong impression with a little tiny look, you’re going to fuck everything up! Is that clear enough?”

The rabbi recoiled at the obscenity.

Decker ran his hand over his face. Dealing with Donatti was turning him into a bastard. “I’m sorry.”

“I understand.” Jonathan put his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I have no idea what you’re dealing with, Akiva, but obviously it’s something or somebody dangerous. Don’t give it another moment’s thought. I know how to make excuses and make them believable. They’ll never suspect a thing.”

Decker exhaled loudly. “Jon, you’ve just got to trust me.”

“Of course I trust you. I’m very sorry to intrude.”

Decker tried to calm his rapid breathing. “I’ll go get Rina.”

“Akiva.”

Decker waited.

“Thank you.” He reached out toward his brother. “Thank you for everything.”

Sealing the deal with a bear hug.