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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 Hannah’s hand and a tray
     with bagels and cream cheese. The two women set the food down on Hershfield’s coffee table. Rina looked at the men. “Hannaleh,
     maybe we’ll eat this outside in the secretary’s office.”
    “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,”