“Why do you think that?”

“Because when we left the hotel, there was a car behind us that I’ve seen before.  Twice.”

She blinked at him.  “Couldn’t it just have been someone from the same hotel or a car that looked the same?  A lot of rental companies–”

“I considered that,” he said, “but I saw it near the college earlier.  And it wasn’t until I made that circle back out to the highway that they finally broke off.”  He picked up his glass of water and sipped, continuing to speak behind it.  “Now there are two men outside this restaurant maintaining eyesight with us.”

“Eyesight?”

“Yes.”

She began to turn when Rickards suddenly raised his voice.  “Stop!  Don’t turn around.”

“What do we do?”

“Just finish your lunch while I talk,” he answered.  “Does anyone else know about the envelope you gave Townsend?”

She paused to think.  “No.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.  Why?  Do you think–”

“Someone,” he said flatly, “found out about this secret last time, and we didn’t know until it was too late.  We’re not about to make that mistake again.”

Angela took another small bite and chewed.  “But the man who followed us before is dead.  And so is the man he was working for.”

“And that’s all we know,” added Rickards.  “Not who else they were involved with.”

“You think it’s them again?!”

“I don’t know who it is.  All I know is those two are watching us.”  He turned and casually gazed around the restaurant.  “Which means there may also be someone inside this restaurant with us.”

“Oh my God.”

“Relax.  Nothing’s going to happen here.  Just stay calm.”

“Are you sure nothing’s going to happen?”

No.  He wasn’t sure.  But it was unlikely.

“When you’re done eating, I want you to go to the restroom.  Understand?”

“And do what?”

“I don’t know.  Powder your nose or something.”

“Powder my nose?  What decade are we in?”

“Do anything,” he growled.  “Just stay in there.”

“For how long?”

“Ten minutes.  I want to see if anyone follows you in.”

“Now I’m bait?”

“No,” he said, before thinking and shrugging. “Well, maybe a little.”

“I am not comfortable with this!”

He inhaled, still watching through the window.  “Fine.  Then stay at the table when I get up.  You’ll be safe in the middle of everyone.”

“What are you going to do?”

He frowned, his gaze still on the window.  “I’m going to the restroom.  We just talked about this.”

“That’s not–will you just–”

Rickards suddenly stood up.

“Oh my God!  Right now?!”

“If I’m not back in three minutes, call the police.”

“The police?!”

“911.  Tell them what I told you, and tell them what I’m wearing.”

“Joe!  Wait!”

“Relax,” he said.  “Don’t act strange.”

“Don’t act strange. Are you kidding me?!”