Stone Kiss

“Coffee,” Decker said.

“I’ll go along with that,” Jonathan said.

“Mr. Hershfield?”

“If it isn’t too much work,” the lawyer answered.

“That’s what you’re paying me for, Mr. H.”

The females left.

The man was all folksy and polite. In a courtroom, he was part Tasmanian devil /part wolverine. Anyone who came up against him got bit. Decker stuck out his hand. “We haven’t met formally, Mr. Hershfield. I’m Peter Decker.”

“The Homicide detective I told you about,” Jonathan said.

“Actually, you’re selling him short, Rabbi Levine. The lieutenant here is actually in charge of the detectives’ division. Where do you work? Somewhere in the San Fernando Valley?”

“I see you’ve done your homework.”

“I’m nothing if not compulsive.”

“My division is in the West Valley-Devonshire. Do you know L.A.?”

“I have a brother in Beverly Hills. Corporate law. He’s got a beautiful house. It’s got an entry hall that you could skate in. My brother’s very successful.”

“It must run in the family,” Decker said.

“Me?” Hershfield made a face. “I’m just a bulldog who believes in due process. Sit down, gentlemen.”

The gentlemen sat.

Hershfield smiled at Decker. “So hiring counsel was your idea. I’m not surprised. You know what the police are capable of.”

Decker smiled back.

Hershfield said, “Are you related to the victim?”

“No.”

“We’re brothers.” Jonathan pointed to Decker, then to himself. “Half brothers. The victim was my brother-in-law.”

“I’m just debating how much we should talk in front of him,” Hershfield said.

“Technically, I can be subpoenaed and made to testify because I’m not a family member,” Decker said.

“It doesn’t matter,” Jonathan said, “because the family’s not involved. I’m sure of it.”

“I appreciate your loyalty, Rabbi, but I think your brother has a point.” Hershfield shrugged. “Look, Lieutenant Decker told you to call me because he thinks you might have a little problem. And you’re here because you don’t want a big problem. Very smart. So talk to me, gentlemen. What did you have in mind, Lieutenant, when you asked the rabbi to call me?”

“First I was thinking about contacting the police to see if I can get anything specific out of the investigation. Sometimes agencies are open, sometimes they’re protective. If I get some resistance, it would be nice to have a New Yorker to do some legal pushing.”

“If need be, I suppose that could be arranged.”

“I have a feeling you could arrange anything, Mr. Hershfield.”

“Ah, Lieutenant. You make me blush.”

Britta returned holding a tray of coffee, creamer, and packets of sugar substitute. Rina was holding Ha

“Don’t leave on our account,” Hershfield said.

“Of course not. It’s just better all around. That way, we won’t disturb anyone.”

“You know, there’s a Disney store on Fifth Avenue around Fifty-fifth.”

“I’m sure there is, but I doubt if it’s open at seven.”

“A very good point.”

“Come eat next to me,” Britta said. “Alma’s always late anyway.”

“She is?” Hershfield said.

Britta whispered, “It’s that time of life.” She nodded, then took some bagels and cream cheese. “See you later.”

As soon as the door closed, Hershfield spoke to Jonathan. “So why don’t you tell me what happened from your family’s perspective? The lieutenant and I can fill in details from the police.”

Jonathan gave Hershfield a brief recap. Way too brief, Decker thought. Immediately, Hershfield went after him. “So you have no theory as to what happened?”

“None.”

“Then something’s missing.” He made a face. “And your brother-in-law. Did he have any vices?”

Jonathan squirmed.

“Drugs,” Decker told him.

“Ah.”

Jonathan said, “But he’d been sober for a while.”

“What kind of drugs?”

Jonathan sighed. “Mainly cocaine.”

“Freebase?”

“Blow,” Decker said.

“Expensive,” Hershfield said. “Where did he get the money?”

“The family has a business,” Decker said.

“Yes, I know. Electronic stores,” Hershfield said. “And, Rabbi, you think the family gave him money to waste on blow?”

Jonathan sighed. “I’m sure they helped him out of a couple of tight spots.”

“Or he helped himself,” Decker offered. “He worked in the family business.”

“He only started working after he was sober,” Jonathan countered, defending him.

“Any criminal record?” Hershfield asked.

“One arrest.”

Decker looked at his half brother. “That must have slipped your mind.”

“Possession?” Hershfield asked.

Jonathan squirmed. “Soliciting an undercover police officer.”

“Jon, it would have been nice if you’d told me that over the phone.”

“I didn’t think it was relevant. It happened ten years ago, right after his divorce.”

“But it does show what kind of man he was-”

“Ten years ago, Akiva.”

“Your brother is right,” Hershfield said. “At the moment, everything is important.”

“What are you thinking about, Mr. Hershfield?” Jonathan said. “That Ephraim had a relapse of his drug use? That the setup was a drug buy gone haywire?”

“Is that what it seems to you?”

Jonathan didn’t answer.

Decker said, “You left out a couple parts, Jonathan. Ephraim was found naked.”

“They could have stripped him,” Jonathan said.

“That’s always a possibility,” Hershfield answered. “Then there is the other possibility.”

No one spoke.

“Yes, I would say that’s important,” Hershfield said. “Especially since he was supposed to be baby-sitting his fifteen-year-old niece.”

“My wife had previously asked Shayndie if any fu

Neither Decker nor Hershfield answered.

Jonathan stammered, “Yes, of course, it’s a possibility that she was lying-or covering for him. But how would murder be part of that picture?”

Decker said, “Maybe he had been threatening her, Jonathan. Maybe she had had enough.” He looked pointedly at Hershfield. “In which case, she’ll be needing a very good defense lawyer.”

“Then why go willingly with him to the art exhibit, Akiva?” Jonathan said. “Believe me, Shayndie is an outspoken girl. If he was molesting her, she would have said something.”

“Not always, Jonathan. Especially if she was in love with him.”

Jonathan bristled. “At this point, it’s all speculation.”

Decker put a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t mean to upset you, Jon. But if I’m thinking of these kinds of questions, and Mr. Hershfield is thinking about these types of questions, I’m sure the New York Police are thinking the same thing.”

“Now that is true,” Hershfield said.

Jonathan seemed to wilt. “I’m sure you’re right.”

Hershfield said, “I’m intrigued about this relationship-uncle, niece. It is unusual, especially in that community where postpubescent girls are not allowed to be with single men except their fathers. Why do you think the girl’s parents allowed such a relationship to flourish?”

Jonathan went on to explain Shayndie’s problems. “Ephraim seemed to have a special rapport with her. I never saw anything inappropriate.”

“How much time did you and your wife spend with your niece?”

“She’d come over for di

“So to him, we’re all goyim.”

“Probably,” Jonathan admitted.

“And your brother-in-law didn’t like your entertaining his daughter because you’re Conservative. But he didn’t object to his unmarried, drug-addicted brother spending time with her?” He turned to Decker. “What am I missing?”