“No…just the opposite.” He pulled his hand away and touched his sore cheek again. “It would have been better if she had. Then I could have hated her with a pure hate. Instead, she told me to lie still…while I was still in her…that I’d become aroused again in a few minutes, and the second time, it would last longer and it would be better. And that’s exactly what happened.”

Decker ran his fingers through thick hair. “Did you use a condom?”

“Yes.”

“You have to tell me the truth with this one.”

“Dad, I swear on Abba’s grave—”

“You don’t have to go that far,” Decker said. “Where’d you get protection if this tryst was totally spontaneous?”

“I don’t think the house belonged to Ruby. I think it belonged to a guy. He had a drawer filled with them. I think all the shit—all the stuff—the whips and boots and uniforms—I think it was his stuff, not hers.”

Darrell Holt’s sexual hideaway. Decker said, “What happened after the sex?”

Jacob said, “We got dressed and she took me home. The ride was totally silent. Nothing. Not even a good-bye.” He blew out air. “I never saw her again. Never talked to her, never talked to any of them really. It was over a year ago, and I swear I haven’t touched anything stronger than an aspirin. I also swore off girls until I’m…older. It was just…too easy. The whole thing scared me to death! In a way that you never could. Nothing like a brush with hell to make you feel suddenly grateful. Since then, I’ve been playing catch-up with my life and it hasn’t been easy.”

“And you think that’s where Ruby is? At this shack?”

He shrugged. “Maybe.”

“You have guts, I’ll give you that. You did the right thing by telling me.”

“I had no choice. We’re all Tselem Elokim—created in God’s likeness.” He smiled sadly. “Guess the rabbis taught me something.”

Decker closed his eyes and opened them. “I’m sorry I slapped you. It was reprehensible.”

“I lost my temper, you lost yours.” He gave another smile. “I would have slugged you back, but you’re bigger than I am. I’m pragmatic if nothing else.”

Decker got up. “You need some ice for that cheek.”

“Why? Is there a red mark?”

“Yep.”

“A big one?”

“Huge.” Decker took out a cold pack and gave it to him. “Here.”

Jacob put it on his cheek. “I get hit with basketballs all the time. I’m always getting red marks and welts on my face because I’m so fair. It’ll go down in a couple of hours. Don’t worry about it.”