The fallen agents picked themselves up, stared grimly at Robie, and retreated.
Tucker focused on Robie. “Is there a problem?”
“Yes, actually there is. And her name is Janet DiCarlo.”
Tucker glanced around at several of his neighbors, who were standing openmouthed in their yards or next to their cars, or holding their young children’s hands.
“Robie,” he hissed. “We are out in public.”
“Not my problem. I told your guys I wanted to talk to you. In private. They didn’t seem to get the message.”
Tucker eyed one of his neighbors, a young mother gripping the hand of her five-year-old, who looked ready to pee in his pants at the sight of all the men with guns.
Tucker smiled. “Just a little misunderstanding. We’ll be leaving now. Have a nice day.” He pointed at Robie. “You, come with me.”
Robie shook his head. “I’ll follow you in my car. It’s a rental. Don’t want to lose it. You know what happened to my last ride.”
Tucker chewed on that answer for a few moments and then got back into his SUV and slammed the door. Robie climbed into his Audi, backed it up, let the motorcade pass him, and then followed.
When they reached a major street, Robie saw what he needed. He did a quick right turn and pulled into a parking lot. He got out of the car, and before he went inside the IHOP he saw out of the corner of his eye the motorcade stop and start to back up. Cars all around started honking in protest.
Robie walked inside and up to the hostess stand. A young woman approached him, a menu in hand.
“Will it be just one for breakfast, sir?”
“No, actually it’ll be two. But we’ll need room for about five large men to surround the table.”
The young woman’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”
“And if you have a private room, that would be great.”
“A private room?”
Robie pulled his creds and flashed them to her. “It’s okay, we’re the good guys.”
Robie had ordered two cups of coffee by the time Evan Tucker stormed in with his entourage. The hostess escorted them back, looking terrified.
“It’s okay,” Robie said to her. “I’ve got it from here.”
The hostess had sat Robie in the back and around a corner, which was about as private as it was going to get at the IHOP. Luckily, the place wasn’t very busy. The closest customers were at least a half dozen tables away.
Tucker snapped, “What the hell game are you playing?”
“I didn’t take time for breakfast. And I’m hungry. And I ordered you coffee.”
“We cannot discuss the matter here.”
“Well this is the only place I’m prepared to discuss it.”
“Do you want me to have you arrested?”
“You have no arresting authority in the United States, Director. And I don’t think you want to get the local cops involved. Way above their pay grade. They might arrest us all and let someone else figure it out. So why don’t you sit down, have your guys surround the table, eyes outward, deploy their anti–electronic surveillance devices that I know they carry, and we can talk about this.”
Tucker finally marshaled his fury, took a deep breath, and sat. He motioned for his men to do exactly what Robie had suggested. A low hum emanated from a device one of the guards held in his hand.
“You take cream and sugar in your coffee?” asked Robie.
“Black is fine.”
A timid waiter barely out of his teens approached. In a shaky voice he said, “Uh, are y’all ready to order?”
Before the guards could shoo him away Robie said, “I am. Director?”
Tucker shook his head and then glanced at the menu. “Uh, wait a minute, I haven’t eaten yet either.” He asked the waiter, “What do you recommend?”
The young man looked like he would rather be eaten by sharks than open his mouth. But he stammered, “Uh...we’re sort of known for our pancakes.”
Tucker aimed a small smile at Robie. “Well, I’ll have two eggs sunny side up, bacon, a stack of your recommended pancakes, and some grapefruit juice.”
“Make that two,” said Robie.
The waiter nearly ran away and Robie settled his gaze on Tucker.
Tucker said, “Now, can we get down to it?”
“One question. Do you know where Janet DiCarlo is?”
“She’s in the hospital, Robie,” Tucker snapped.
“Okay, which hospital? Because the one she was in last night has no idea where she is now.”
Tucker froze with his cup halfway to his mouth. He set it back down.
“You really didn’t know,” said Robie incredulously.