“I think Dr. Ben came to his rescue and Rudy was expelled.”

“So Rudy had a reason to hate Little.”

“True, but Little wasn’t murdered until five years later.”

Rina thought about that. “If Little got involved in Cal’s welfare, he must have said something to his father.”

“I’m sure he did. I’m sure that Cal Senior hated Rudy. He just didn’t have enough of anything to arrest him.”

“Acid on the genitals…how could any father stand for that?”

“I’m sure he didn’t know, Rina.”

“Talk about emasculation…” She thought a moment. “Did Vitton suspect his son was gay?”

“According to Lamar, Cal J hadn’t come out in high school, but everyone knew.”

“Is Cal really, really gay or just like…gay.”

Decker smoothed his mustache. He knew she was asking the question for a reason. “Uh…he’s not overly flamboyant, if that’s what you mean. He was definitely effete, but I’ve known guys like that who are married. I didn’t get a chance to say more than a couple of words to him. He’s not leaving until Saturday. Maybe I can catch him tomorrow.”

“What did Cal Senior think about his son being gay?”

“According to Lamar, he dealt with it by denying or not talking about it.”

“Hmmm…”

“What does hmmm mean?”

“How should I put this?” She tried to organize her thoughts. “I once knew a very religious family. They lived in one of the ultra-Orthodox sections of Brooklyn. Anyway, the family had quite a few sons and one was gay. He died of AIDS. The mother was broken up…just devastated. As for the father…he couldn’t wait to be done with shivah. I would have thought it was my imagination, but I wasn’t the only one who noticed.”

“I’m sure your perceptions are accurate.”

“Maybe, maybe not. Now it could be that the man had deep, deep feelings for his son, but he sure didn’t show it. What he projected was being repelled by his son’s makeup.”

“Okay. So, yes, maybe Cal was repelled by his son’s gayness, but I would bet that Cal Senior didn’t want anybody beating up on his son.”

“Of course not. I’m not saying that at all. If he would have found out about Rudy and the acid incident, I’m sure he would have arrested that jerk with glee. I’m just wondering…not that he approved of the bullying, not that he even knew the extent of it. Just like I’m saying that I’m sure the father didn’t pray for his son to die of AIDS. Still, his reaction was blunted…something was off. And just like that father, I can’t help but wonder if deep down inside, there wasn’t a little part of Cal Senior that agreed with the gay-bashing sentiment.”