The women waited until Mateo gulped down the second full glass of water. With the coffee he’d consumed at the restaurant, Sam figured his bladder would start giving him a problem within minutes.

“So let’s hear it, Avery Mateo. Tell us what it’s like to work for AT&T. What’s your boss’s name? What are your hours? What’s with the gizmo in your ear, and why were you listening to our conversation? Who sent you to spy on us? Talk fast.”

“A job’s a job. Working for AT&T is just like working for Coca-Cola. You make seventy grand a year and do what you’re told.”

Sam dropped to her haunches. She looked Mateo in the eye. “We’re going to give you that one, but from here on in, we ask, you answer. You got that? Olivia, call your friend and have him come over here ASAP. With the tools of his trade.” The man groaned as Slick handed him a third glass of water.

“You’re beyond evil,” the man blustered. “I’m not going to forget this.”

“Yep, we’re all that and more. Guess who’s trussed up and guzzling water! Slick, get your camcorder! I’m thinking we might want to preserve this and add it to our résumés if things don’t work out.”

Mateo guzzled the water, his face beading with sweat.

“Is this guy part camel or what?” Zoe grumbled. “Thirty-six ounces of water is the equivalent of three beers. Plus the coffee he had earlier. What will we do if his bladder bursts? Even I know your brain can explode or swell or something if you don’t…you know, pee.”

No one answered her.

Sam, still on her haunches, stared at the man in front of her. “Let’s start over. Who do you work for?”

“Okay, okay. Poke Donovan.”

“And who does Poke Donovan work for?”

“I don’t know. It’s a chain of command.”

Sam digested this information. “Who signs your paycheck? That seventy grand a year you earn?” She could see Slick with her camcorder focusing on both of them.

“I have no clue. I never see a check. Direct deposit,” he sneered.

“What does your W2 say? Don’t even think about telling me you don’t know. Is the tattoo artist here yet, Slick?”

“Any minute now, Sam. Oh, I think I hear his car.” She handed the camcorder to Zoe as she ran inside to open the front door.

“All right. Listen, I have to go to the bathroom,” Mateo said, squirming in the deck chair.

“I bet you do but not yet. And you didn’t answer my question. I won’t ask twice.”

“It’s just a bunch of initials. I swear, I don’t remember. Something like XYZ or YZX. Yeah, yeah, I think it’s YZX. Now can I go to the bathroom?”

“No,” Sam replied.