The red-headed giant stood up from the small table, wiping mouth and fingers of both hands in the process with an oversized red and white checkerboard napkin. Throwing it onto the table casually, he said something to his partner before stepping to one side and pushing the heavy wooden chair toward the small table. Turning, he began making his way through the heavy crowd populating the barbecue joint, heading for the eatery’s main exit. He looked in neither direction as he showed admirable patience for a man of his size slipping and sidestepping around waitresses and patrons as he progressed slowly toward the exit. Startled by this sudden change in the pattern the two detectives had so far exhibited, Decker panicked and thought about getting up and leaving himself.
But he contained himself
