Stone Kiss by Faye Kellerman Read Free Book Online Page B

“After you talk to the police. You can tell us what they say. And by then, I’m
     sure my father will be up. And my wife, too. You’d like to talk to her, I assume.”
    “Of course.”
    “She’s out cold. Yonasan told me to give her pills, right?”
    Jonathan nodded, but was clearly uncomfortable with the advice he had given.
    Decker said, “Can I just ask you about the other times Shaynda ran away?”
    Lieber turned his head. “Not
times
. A time. One time. She sneaked out and went to a party. The other kids started doing terrible things. She got scared and
     called us to pick her up. At least she had the sense to do that.”
    “What happened?”
    “I picked her up, what do you think?”
    “Did you punish her?”
    “Of course she was punished! She was lucky that the boys didn’t try anything with her. Stupid child!” He winced. “I was mad
     at her. Now I wish…”
    Decker nodded.
    “A rebellious child can take a lot from you.”
    “I know, sir. One of my boys has a mind of his own.”
    “It’s different with boys! They can protect themselves! Girls can’t. And girls get stupid when it comes to boys.”
    “I’m sure you’re right.”
    “One time!” Lieber insisted. “She promised that she’d do better after that. It really scared her.”
    “What in specific?”
    “I don’t know! I wasn’t there. I assume it was drugs and sex! All of those kids are wild animals. The parents have no control.
     They’re no better than the kids—divorce, affairs, drugs, and alcohol—no wonder the children are beasts.”
    Jonathan looked away, his jaw bulging under his cheek.
    “She was doing better,” Lieber said. “My brother… by no means a
tzaddik
… but he was… he had… She would talk to him. It was helping her. It was helping
him
. I thought he was doing
better
.”
    “Maybe he
was
doing better, Chaim,” Jonathan offered.
    “Yes, Yonasan, that’s why they found him naked in a hotel room!” Jonathan blew out air.
    Chaim punched his right hand inside his left. “Please, Akiva. Go down and talk to the police. If we find out what happened
     to Ephraim, then maybe we can find out what happened to Shayndie. Please. It’s Friday. You don’t have much time because of
Shabbos
. Go now!”
    “I’d still like to see her room,” Decker said.
    “Yes, yes. This afternoon. Come back and we’ll talk then.”
    “I could use a picture.”
    “The police have one. Go talk to the police.” Chaim stood up and extended his hand. “I can’t thank you enough.”
    Decker rose from the chair and shook the limp fingers. “I haven’t done anything yet.”
    “Yes, you have. You’re here and that’s something.” He held up a finger. “Like Moshe Rabainu and Avraham Avenu, you came when
     you heard the call.”

5
    T he number left on Decker’s cell phone belonged to Detective Mick Novack of the two-eight—the 28th Precinct. The conversation consisted of a five-minute
     recap, Decker explaining who he was and why he was here.
    Novack said, “I just got all the paperwork I needed for searchin’ the vic’s apartment. Super’s gonna meet me there with the
     key, along with someone from the six-three. Betcha they’ll send Stan Gindi. The apartment’s in Flatbush. Wanna meet me there?”
    “Sounds good. Where’s Flatbush?”
    Dead space over the phone. Then Novack said, “It’s in Brooklyn. You heard of Brooklyn?”
    “We have Brooklyn Bagel Company in Los Angeles.”
    “Great. I’m working with a greener. Where are you calling from?”
    “Quinton.”
    “Quinton? What the hell you doing in Quinton?”
    “I’ve just come from a visit with the vic’s family—his brother.”
    “That’s right. So you’re upstate. You’ll still probably get there faster than me. I’m all the way uptown—Amsterdam and one
     sixty-two. Traffic’s a killer. Freaky Friday.” He gave Decker the address. “I don’t suppose you know how to get there… to
     Flatbush.”
    “Nope. But my brother’s driving.