Free Stone Kiss by Faye Kellerman Page B

needed to be there for you.”
    “That’s all right, Jon. I’m used to it—”
    “Actually, that’s a lie. It isn’t for you; it’s for me, Akiva. I need to see you in a different context, in a family context.
     I have real misgivings about this whole thing… dragging you into it. I don’t know what I was thinking. I called in a moment
     of weakness.”
    “That’s what family’s for.”
    “So far, it’s been very one-sided. You’ve never once called me for a favor.”
    “That’s because I’m an oldest child. I dispense; I don’t take.”
    “But we’re all adults.”
    “It’s ingrained patterns, Jon, and I’m okay with it. My boys are coming in for the weekend. If they weren’t here, I might
     not have come. But they are coming, and I’m here, and let’s all make the most of it.”
    “You’re being charitable. That’s my job, not yours.”
    Within minutes, they made the transition to the poorer side of the tracks. The van cut through the near-empty roadways. Decker’s
     wristwatch read two-thirty. “When does
Shabbos
start?”
    “Five-thirty.”
    “And how long will it take us to get back to Brooklyn?”
    “At least an hour, maybe longer. Why?”
    “If we have time, I’d like to stop by the Quinton Police… ask a few questions.”
    “That’ll be tight, although we’ve been making record time.” Jonathan turned onto the Liebers’ street, then pulled the van
     curbside. “You’ve never met Minda. She’s difficult under the best of circumstances.”
    “I’ll tread lightly.”
    “It won’t matter,” Jonathan stated flatly. “She’s just who she is.” He got out and slammed the car door. Decker winced at
     the noise, then opened the passenger door and stepped out. He had to fast-walk to keep up with his brother. Jon was resentful.
     So that made two of them.
    Chaim opened the door even before Jonathan knocked. “She’s awake, but it isn’t good, Yonasan. I think we should call the doctor.”
    “Can we come in first?” Jonathan asked.
    “Oh, sure, sure.” Chaim had put on a freshly starched shirt. He had bathed, too. Even though he was technically in mourning
     for his brother, the official period usually didn’t start until after the funeral. Plus, it was permissible to bathe before
     the Sabbath. Lieber stepped away from the threshold. Everyone went inside.
    Chaim said, “What did you find out?”
    Decker sat down on one of the twelve dining-room chairs. “Are you talking to me?”
    “Yes, of course. Weren’t you with the police all this time?”
    “For most of the time, yes.”
    “So what did you find out?”
    Decker rubbed his forehead. “Mr. Lieber—”
    “Chaim.” He began to pace. “What is this? We’re family. Why are you calling me Mr. Lieber? Is it bad news?”
    “Right now, it’s no news,” Decker said.
    “But you were there for four hours.”
    “Three,” Jonathan said. “There was a lot of travel time—”
    “Three, four… you must have learned something!” Lieber spun around and faced Decker with fiery eyes. “What did the police
     tell you? Anything at all?”
    “It’s at the very early stages of the investigation—”
    “Ach!” Lieber waved him off. “C’mon, c’mon. Now you’re stalling—”
    “Chaim!” Jonathan broke in. “If he knew something, don’t you think he’d tell you?”
    “I’ll tell you one thing,” Decker said. “I saw the crime scene. I can’t swear to it, but, personally, I don’t think Shaynda
     was in the hotel room with your brother.”
    “So where was she? Where is she?”
    “That I don’t know.”
    “C’mon! She’s an innocent! Where would she go?”
    “I don’t know, Chaim,” Decker said. “I’m from L.A., not New York. I guarantee you the police are looking for her.”
    “Ach!”
    Decker’s head pounded. He tried a different approach. “Chaim, can I take a look at Shaynda’s room, please?”
    “Why?”
    “Just to get a feel for the girl.”
    A shrill voice barked out