Decker noticed that the man’s hands shook, and he wondered why he had come to see him. Just what was he hoping to find out? He looked around, surprised that the studio was free of trash and dirt. There was a flat-screen television on a scarred chest of drawers opposite a deflated sofa. Several TV trays were folded and leaning against the wall. The place had a fridge and a hot plate. It didn’t smell great, but nothing reeked. He told Goldberg that he could sit down if he wanted.

Mudd said, “My brother’s a doctor.”

Decker nodded. “Really.”

“A lung doctor.”

“That’s impressive.”

“I used to smoke. I don’t anymore.”

“That’s good.”

“My brother helped me quit smoking. He’s a lung doctor.”

“He sounds like a nice man.”

“He’s a good brother. He’s a doctor.”

Decker nodded. “Does your friend Liam O’Dell ever visit you?”

“Call me Mudd. Everyone calls me Mudd. Even my brother. He’s a doctor.”

“Okay, Mudd, does your friend Liam O’Dell ever visit you?”

“Yes, he does. Liam’s a good friend. He buys me things.”

“What kind of things?”

“He bought me that…” Mudd pointed to the flat screen. “My old TV was a piece of shit, that’s what Liam said. It was a piece of shit.”

“So Liam bought you the new television?”

“Yes, sir.”

Mudd was still standing. Decker said, “You can sit if you want, Mudd.”

The request momentarily stumped him. Mudd kept blinking until he shook his head no. “I’m okay. It’s good to stand up and walk around. Otherwise you can get blood clots in the leg. That’s what my brother told me. He’s a doctor.”

“He’s right about that.” Decker held back a sigh. “Do you still play guitar, Mudd?”

“Oh yes, I do.” He smiled. “I still play guitar. But I can’t play loud. It disturbs my neighbors. I can’t disturb my neighbors.”

“Do you have an acoustic guitar?”

“I have a Martin. Want to see it?”

“Please.”

Mudd went to a kitchen cabinet and took out something wrapped in a blanket. Carefully, he took off the wrapping and presented him with a Martin Dreadnought. Decker wasn’t an expert on guitars but his son, Jake, had a passion for them. This one was in pristine condition. “Can I see it for a moment?”

Without any hesitation, he gave it to Decker, who looked at the label and memorized the serial number. Decker handed it back. “Can you play for me?”