Faye Kellerman_Decker & Lazarus 14

by Stone Kiss

  “She set up her uncle?” Novack’s face said he wasn’t buying.

  “Or maybe she was the target,” Decker tried out. “The uncle was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

  “He was the drug addict,” Novack said.

  “He’d been sober for more than two years.” Decker finished his coffee, signaled the waitress for another cup. “The thing is we don’t know.”

  “We don’t know?” Novack gave him a calculated stare. “So now you’re an honorary member of the two-eight Homicide division? I thought you was leaving. Matter of fact, I thought you already said good-bye.”

  “Look, I don’t mean to step on anyone’s toes, but I figured as long as I flew out all this distance, maybe I’ll stick around for a bit.”

  “How long?”

  “I’ll be out by Friday.”

  The two men eyed each other.

  Decker said, “Honestly, Mick. By Friday, I’m gone. I have to visit my parents. As it is, they’re going to be pissed that I’ve delayed it for two days.”

  “So why do it?” Novack scratched his head. “What are you after, Pete?”

  “I failed. I want to go back to the beginning and start over now that I know a little bit more about the family dynamics.”

  “Share the details with me, Pete,” Novack said. “That kinda thing makes a primary investigating detective very happy.”

  “For what it’s worth, here it is. I know that Chaim resented his brother’s presence in the business. But maybe Chaim had a reason for being hostile.”

  “First off, how do you know he was resentful?”

  “When the news came down about Shayndie, I was in the middle of paying a shiva call to the old man. I was talking to the father about his son. Trying to be nice. Ephraim was dead, Micky, and Chaim still couldn’t think of anything nice to say about him. Also, Chaim was very concerned about people stealing from him.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Talking to store workers at Ephraim’s funeral. They told me that Chaim had concerns about theft. Ephraim was in charge of inventory. Maybe Ephraim was stealing. Have you had a chance to look over the papers you took from Ephraim’s apartment?”

  “I skimmed through around half of them. Just lists of items. Don’t mean nothin’ to me cause I have nothin’ to compare it to. I don’t know if the inventory’s being monkeyed with or not. You think Chaim hired someone to off the brother because Ephraim was stealing?”

  Decker thought about the question.

  It wouldn’t be the first time in Jewish history that brother had been pitted against brother. The Bible was rife with attempted fratricide: Cain and Abel. Isaac and Yishmael. Yaakov and Aesav. Joseph and his brothers. In the Book of Genesis, hatred between siblings was more the norm than the exception.

  “Sure, why not?”

  “Because it would be easier to fire him, Decker.”

  “So maybe it was the other way around. Maybe Chaim was stealing from the store, and Ephraim caught him because the old man had put his younger son in charge of inventory. Maybe Chaim resented Ephraim’s do-gooder stance, especially since he’s been working in the stores for years and Ephraim was a latecomer. Besides, Chaim could rationalize the stealing by convincing himself that the store belonged to him anyway. If he was stealing from anyone, it was the insurance company.”

  Novack said, “Chaim was putting in false claims?”

  Decker said, “It’s easy to check out.”

  “True,” Novack said. “If any of the past news items are to be believed, there are certain Jews who have no problems committing fraud. But if Chaim was going to pop his brother, why put his daughter at risk? Why not catch Ephraim at his apartment or as he’s leavin’ his drug-addict place or when the man’s alone? Why do it when he knew that Ephraim was going to take Shayndie out for the day?”

  Decker said, “I’ve been thinking about that very question. The only answer I can come up with is putting your daughter at risk deflects suspicion away from you. If your brother’s a victim, police will investigate you especially if you two work together. But if your teenage daughter is also a victim, well, they’re going to tread lightly.”

  “You’re telling me that Chaim set up his own daughter to prevent Ephraim from telling his old man that Chaim was stealing from his own store?”

  “I’m not saying I have it down or I have it right. I’m just suggesting possibilities.”

  “Don’t get frustrated, Lieutenant.” Novack finished his coffee. “We’re on the same side. Maybe you’re still hungry.” Again he flagged down the waitress. “He needs another bowl of soup, Alma.”

  “I’ve got to leave in ten minutes,” Decker said.

  To the waitress, Novack said, “Make it quick.”

  Alma growled, “There’s a McDonald’s two blocks away for quick.” She gave them her back and huffed away.

  Decker leaned over the table and spoke softly. “Maybe Chaim paid the cleaners to pop the brother but to let the girl go. Maybe that’s why there’s no evidence that Shayndie was at the hotel. They let her get away. But something got fouled up.”

  “Like what?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe she was supposed to come home to her dad in a panic and tell him all about it. Then they’d go to the police together… Chaim doing the talking. Maybe Chaim had concocted a story that would have explained what happened but also would have drawn attention away from him. Instead, Shayndie freaked out and went into hiding. And that made the cleaners real nervous. Maybe they figured she wasn’t trustworthy, so they hunted her down and popped her, too. But that wasn’t part of the original plan.”

  Novack didn’t respond right away. “She’d witnessed the kidnapping. So she had to be dealt with.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Then why did your brother bring you out?” Novack asked. “I was talking to my brother about this. Maybe I was just a showpiece, something that Chaim put on display to convince everyone that he really cared. In fact, both Chaim and Minda hate my guts and have done nothing but put up obstacles.”

  “Interesting.”

  The second bowl was plopped onto the table, soup spilling over the rim. Decker tried to thank her, but Alma was gone before he could get the words out.

  “Eat,” Novack said. “You can use nutrition.”

  As Decker spooned soup into his mouth, he thought about Donatti. The hit seemed too careless for the bastard’s signature. And why admit to Decker that he had her? Why did he let him see and talk to her, for God’s sake, only to pop her?

  To throw him off track?

  If Donatti did it, he had become boastful and reckless, and that wasn’t him. The man was nothing if not calculated.

  Novack said, “Maybe Chaim brought you out because he wanted a couple of things from you. One, he figured you, better than him, could find out what the police knew. You’d report back to him, and then he could figure out his next options. Or two, Shayndie was gone, and he needed you to find her.”

  “Seems logical to me.” Decker checked his watch. He had two minutes before he was to meet with Jonathan. “Anything turn up on Virgil Merrin?”

  “He worked Charleston PD as a lieutenant for eight years. Before that, he jumped around quite a bit… mostly police departments in Texas. That’s always a little weird, except if you’re a real political type. You know, constantly upgrading until you get the number one spot somewhere. Looks like he met with success.”

  “I saw him in a Tattlers today, Mike.”

  “Interesting.” Novack raised his brow. “What were you doing in Tattlers?”

  “It’s a long story. I was with Jonathan—”

  “The rabbi?”

  “Yes.”

  “Go figure.”

  “He wanted to meet at a place where he was sure that no one else from Quinton’s Jewish community would be.”

  “That’s what they all say.”

  “Or maybe my brother’s a horny guy. That’s not the point. Virgil Merrin is the point. He l
ooked to be a steady customer.”

  “I’ll keep digging.”

  “Thank you. You’re being more than generous.”

  “Yeah, I am. I’m being stupid, if you want to know the truth.”

  Decker said, “I think I alienated him. Merrin. I know I did… alienated Merrin.”

  “How?”

  Decker told him how.

  “That wasn’t smart. Whaddya do that for?”

  “It bugged the hell out of me… the way he was acting. It also pissed me off that he implied that I was like him.”

  “Decker, if you want to get help, you gotta make him think that you twose have something in common.”

  “Yeah, I know. It wasn’t smart. I’ve been doing lots of stupid things lately.”

  “Then maybe you should quit before you have a bigger problem than a black eye.” Novack’s warning was veiled in kindness. “Especially when you lay shit on me, saying that some anonymous phone caller tells your brother that he wants you ‘out of the picture.’ That don’t sound too good.”

  “He didn’t tell Jonathan; he told Chaim. Jonathan never spoke to this guy.”

  “So Chaim could be lying.”

  “Definitely.” Decker frowned. “If some lunatic thinks he’s going to scare me away, he’s sadly mistaken.”

  “What would scare you off?” Novack asked.

  “A gun to the head, maybe.” Decker shrugged. “Not even that. Now, a gun to my wife’s head, that would scare me.” He felt a chill run down his spine. “I will be very happy when she’s out of here.”

  “When’s she leaving?”

  Decker checked his watch. “I’m taking her to the airport right now. I’ve got to go.” He pulled out two twenties. “Enough?”

  “Way, way over. The bill’s only eighteen-fifty.”

  “Leave the rest for a tip.”

  “Twenty-one fifty?” Novack laughed. “That’s more than the going rate for a blow job.”

  “Alma looks around eighty,” Decker said. “But if she’s willing, Novack, be my guest.”

  “Eighty’s a little old,” Novack said, “but there are advantages. I think Alma wears dentures. Ever get sucked by someone with no teeth?”

  “Never had the pleasure.”

  “It’s smooth sailing all the way.” Novack smiled and nodded. “Yeah, no teeth ain’t such a bad thing.”

  Silence.

  Then Novack broke into gales of laughter. So did Decker.

  Novack chortled and pointed a finger at him. “I had you going.”

  “Fuck you, Novack!”

  Decker spoke a little too loud. Alma came over. “Problems, Detective Novack?”

  “Alma, this man just left you a twenty-one fifty tip.”

  The old woman gave a wide smile, showing her full set of plates. “Thank you. You made my day. Next time you come in, I’ll give you a little extra treat.”

  Decker knew she was trying to be nice, but it came out wrong. He thanked her and left, hoping she didn’t notice that he had wrinkled up his swollen nose.

  25

  She didn’t want to be angry, not in front of Jonathan, but her stomach was swirling with anxiety. It was completely irresponsible of him to stay in New York when clearly someone wanted him to leave.

  Someone wanted both of them to leave.

  Maybe that wasn’t quite true, because analyzing what had happened to her this afternoon, Rina concluded that it was just as likely—no, it was more likely—that the shooter had been after Donatti, not her. She had just been in the wrong place… or maybe—yes, like-ly—he had been following her like he had before, and that had put her in the wrong place. Or maybe he knew something she didn’t know and he had been watching her…

  Maybe she shouldn’t try to sort it out because her thoughts were a jumbled mess. She sat back in the seat and heaved a big sigh.

  “I know, I know,” Decker said. “I cut it too close.”

  “What took you so long?” Rina couldn’t hide her irritation. It wasn’t good to be peeved with Peter in front of Hannah, either.

  “Just stupid stuff,” Decker admitted. “I’m very sorry.”

  “I’m fifteen minutes away,” Jonathan said. “You should be all right.”

  “When are you coming, Daddy?”

  Hannah had asked the same question five minutes ago. Decker said, “On Friday, pumpkin.”

  “You promise?”

  “I promise.”

  The girl nodded, but she was clearly upset.

  “I promise, Hannah Rosie,” Decker emphasized. “I’ll be there. You can sit on my lap when I make Kiddush.”

  “You stand when you make Kiddush,” Hannah pointed out.

  “Afterward,” Decker assured her. “When I eat.”

  “I can sit on your lap the whole meal?”

  “Most of the meal.”

  The child stared at her mother. Rina took her hand. “He’ll come, Hannah. He just has a few details—”

  “I know, I know,” she interrupted. “I hope Grandma will bake with me.”

  “I’m sure Grandma will bake with you.”

  “I like her cookies.”

  “She makes very good cookies.”

  “We’re here.” Jonathan scanned the various areas to park. Most of the signs registered full. “It’s going to be tough finding a space.”

  “Just drop us off,” Rina told him. “We’ll be fine.”

  Decker said, “You’ve got a heavy suitcase.”

  “I’ll manage,” Rina answered. “There’s a spot right over there, Jonathan. Pull over and drop us off.”

  Decker knew she was upset. “I’ll help—”

  “I don’t need help.” Rina tried to keep the tension out of her voice. It wasn’t working. “I need you to be okay.”

  “I’m okay.”

  “You don’t look okay.” Then she silenced herself. Jonathan eased the van curbside. Rina bounded out and lifted open the hatch.

  Decker was at her side. “I’ll get it.”

  “I can get it—”

  He held her arm. “Rina, please, don’t be this way. I love you. Please!”

  Her heart relented. Gently, she touched his eye. “Does it hurt a lot?”

  “Not nearly as much as your anger.”

  She kissed him softly. “I love you. So do your children. And your parents. And your sibling… siblings. You have lots of people who love you.”

  “I know that.” He grabbed the suitcase handle and hefted the valise out of the van. “I’m not going to do anything stupid.”

  “I hope you mean that. I’m skeptical of your story about being punched.”

  “You think I’m lying?”

  “The verdict’s still out.” Rina yanked up the handle and wheeled the suitcase over to the entrance, showing the security guard the tickets.

  Decker picked up his daughter and gave her a big hug. “I love you, muffin.”

  “I love you, too.” She kissed his cheek. “I’ll miss you.”

  “Take care of your mother.”

  “I think she’s ’posed to take care of me.”

  “How about if you take care of each other? Sound good?”

  “I guess.”

  Decker lowered his daughter to the sidewalk. Rina hugged Jonathan, then kissed her husband. “We’ve got to go.”

  Jonathan offered Rina ten dollars. “Tzedaka money.”

  Rina took the bill. “Next time, Jonathan, it will be under better circumstances. Auf simchas.”

  “Amen!”

  Decker kissed his daughter, then his wife. “I love my girls. Take care.”

  Rina took Hannah’s hand in her right, the luggage in her left, and fast-walked through the glass doors. After standing in a line for check-in, she made it through security with time to spare.

  The flight had been delayed.

  But in this case, the respite was welcome. She took a hard bench seat in the terminal. Hannah unleashed her backpack from her shoulders, took out a book, and began to read.
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  “Do you want something to eat?” Rina asked her.

  “No, Eema, I’m fine.”

  Rina sat back and closed her eyes. Then they sprang open, and she bolted upright.

  “Are you okay?” Hannah asked her.

  “Uh…” Think of something quick. “I forgot something. Not important. I’ll get it at Grandma’s.”

  Hannah shrugged and went back to her book. Rina chided herself. How could she possibly relax? This afternoon, someone had fired bullets in her direction—although the shots were clearly meant for Donatti… most likely meant for Donatti. Or…

  A warning for Peter?

  The problem was that she just didn’t know!

  If she wanted resolution, she was going to have to out-Peter Peter in the legwork department, because there was only one way to find out.

  “I have to make a private call, Hannaleh.”

  The little girl looked up.

  “I’m going to move a couple of seats away.”

  “I won’t listen, Eema.”

  “I know, sweetheart. But it’s better if you don’t hear.” Rina took an empty seat across from her, then fished the cell phone from her purse. Randy answered right away.

  “Hey, sis. You’re delayed. Big surprise, huh.”

  “An hour so far. Is this going to be stressful on Mom? We’re not getting in until nearly one.”

  “No, because I’m going to pick you up. I already sent Mom and Dad to bed.”

  Silence.

  Randy said, “What is it, Rina? Is he all right?”

  “Someone punched his face, Randy.”

  More silence.

  “He insists on staying. I’m worried.”

  “Want me to come to New York?”

  “It may come to that. We’ll talk when I get there.”

  “Don’t worry, Rina. He’s been around long enough to know his limits. He’s not a reckless man.”

  “I hope you’re right.” She summoned up her courage. “Randy, I’m very tired. Since the flight is delayed for who knows how long, I was thinking that maybe…could you maybe just pick us up in the morning?”

  Silence.

  “Would that be possible?”

  “Anything’s possible.”

  “I figured I’ll go back to Brooklyn—”

  “Rina, you’re bluffin’ me. What are you up to?”