question? There may be hundreds like it.”
“Do you want proof that the cup belongs to the synagogue? That can be arranged. I can probably even dig up the original sales receipt. But I’ll tell you one thing for your own benefit, in case your client wants to change his story. That cup isn’t an heirloom. We bought it a year ago when the synagogue began having regular kiddushes after services.”
“What’s a kiddushes?” Jaime Dahl asked.
“Hors d’oeuvres after the Sabbath prayers. Before you eat, you need to make a benediction using wine. Hence, the silver cup.” Decker just realized that suddenly he was the resident Jewish expert. A position usually reserved for Rina, he felt strange occupying it now.
Melrose said, “You know a lot about this particular synagogue. May I ask if you’re a member?”
“You may ask, and I’ll even answer it, Counselor. Yes, I am a member.”
“So you’re hardly an unbiased party in this investigation.”
“That may be. But that doesn’t negate the fact that I can identify this cup as stolen.”
Melrose bluffed it out. “None of this will hold up in court. It’s an illegal search and seizure done under false pretenses. You told the students that this was a routine contraband check.”
Carter stood up. “Aren’t we missing the main issue? What were you doing with a cup from a vandalized synagogue, Ernesto?”
“It isn’t the right time to talk about this,” Melrose said.
Jill said, “This is all a mistake. Our son would never have anything to do—”
“Are you going to arrest the boy?” Melrose asked. “Yes or no?”
Decker sat back. He addressed his comments to Ernesto. “Mr. Golding, this isn’t going to go away. I am going to find out what happened, and if you’re involved, it’s going to come out. You can be in the catbird seat, or one of your cohorts can bring you down. Take your pick!”
“Ernie, what’s going on?” his mother asked.
“Nothing, Mom,” Ernesto answered. His breathing suddenly became audible. “He’s trying to psych you out. He’s a part of an organization of brutality. Police lie all the time. They’re never to be trusted. How many times have you told me that?”
Decker saw Jill Golding’s cheeks turn pink. “Ernesto,” he said, “you talk to me, I can ask a judge for leniency. Most you’ll do is some community service. More important, if you cooperate, I can try to get your records sealed even though you’re almost eighteen. The Ivies would never have to hear about it.”
“I don’t believe a word you’re saying,” Ernesto answered. “Cops are pathological liars.”
Decker raised his eyebrows. “Fine, son. Have it your way. I’ll recommend that you’re tried as an adult.”
Ernesto stood up. “You can’t bully me into submission! I’ve had way worse nightmares!” He stomped out, slamming the door as he left. Mom was the next one out the door. Dad waited a beat, swore under his breath, and then took off as well. The quiet ticked away for a few moments.
Decker said, “You want to bring him down, Mr. Melrose, or do I take out the handcuffs?”
“I’ll get him.” Melrose left.
Again the room fell silent. Jaime Dahl broke it. “I can’t believe it! Almost anyone but him!” She regarded Decker. “You still have a few boys left to search. Would you like me to do that?”
“I’ll do it when I’m done with Ernesto. I’ll need a list of his friends—”
“I don’t think I can do that, Lieutenant,” Jaime answered. “Finking is not part of the contract.”
“Finking?”
“It’s one thing to catch a student with stolen goods, it’s quite another to have a boy rat another out.”
“The synagogue was a horrible mess,” Decker said. “Pictures of dead Jews were thrown all over the place. He didn’t do it alone. I want names!”
Williams was about to offer some words, but the discussion was cut short. The door opened, and Ernesto tromped in. Still short of breath, he gasped out, “I want to talk to you.”
Decker pointed to his chest. “Are you talking to me, Mr. Golding?”
“Yeah, I’m talking to you … sir.”
“I like the ‘sir’ part,” Decker said. “It shows civility.”
The parents and Melrose materialized. Carter Golding was red-faced and furious. “I am the boy’s father. I demand to know what’s going on!”
“I’m trying to get that done, Dad,” Ernesto said with anger. “Can you just … like lay off for a few moments—”
“You’ve been accused of vandalizing a house of worship, and you want me to lay off?”
“Carter, I know you’re upset, but please, let’s deal with one issue at a time,” Melrose said.
Ernesto said, “I’ll tell this cop what’s going on, but first you’ve got to guarantee me what you just said … about it being sealed.”
Melrose said, “Ernesto, the man is a police lieutenant. If you want someone to do you favors, start acting appropriately humble.” He looked at Decker. “What can you do?”
“I could probably get his part pled down to malicious mischief, which will require some explaining since it’s a hate crime. But if it turns out he’s jiving me, all bets are off.”
“What is malicious mischief?” Jill asked. “What does it mean?”
“It means it’s a misdemeanor,” Melrose stated flatly. “I’m still not sure this is the best way.”
“Why the change of heart?” Decker asked Ernesto.
“I have my reasons,” the teen answered. “If you want to know about them, give me a guarantee.”
“I’ll do the best I can,” Decker said.
“Not good enough,” Ernesto stated.
Decker stood and took out the cuffs. “Fair enough. You’re under arrest—”
“Wait a damn minute!” Carter broke in. “Ernesto, once this man arrests you, you can’t be unarrested! Are you aware of that?”
Ernesto was quiet.
“It won’t hold up, Carter,” Melrose assured him. “He doesn’t have any rights here.”
“Can you guarantee that?”
No one spoke.
“This is
