Page 20 of Trust No One

They walked through the door, and Dev rested his hand on her lower back, playing the solicitous boyfriend. Shivering, Mel scanned the pub. The bar was wood, with bottles arranged on shelves behind it. A gray-haired man stood behind the bar, polishing a glass. He looked up when the door opened. Nodded to them. “Welcome to Donohue’s. Sit wherever you like,” he said with an Irish lilt in his voice.

“You serve breakfast?” Dev asked.

The bartender smiled. “Best full Irish you’ll find this side of the Atlantic.”

Dev steered her toward a table that was halfway between the two doors, but sufficiently far from the other couple that they wouldn’t be overheard. As they slid into their chairs, a waitress hurried over with a coffee pot.

Twenty minutes later, they were starting their second cup of coffee when the waitress walked over with two very full plates. She set them down and said, “Enjoy. I’ll get you more coffee.”

Mel stared down at her plate, horrified. “People eat this much food at breakfast?”

“Farmers do,” Dev said. “They’re up early and working hard.”

She stared at the bacon, sausage and eggs, along with the toast, potatoes, beans, mushrooms and tomato. “I won’t be able to eat half of this,” Mel muttered.

“Just eat slowly,” Dev said. “We need a reason to hang around here until eleven.”

“Don’t think I have a choice about eating slowly,” Mel said, stabbing a mushroom.

She’d just finished her breakfast when the door opened at ten-forty-five. A red-haired, freckled man walked in. Simon Livingston. His gaze scanned the pub. He didn’t look much like a CIA agent – that red hair would stand out in a crowd. Even if they hadn’t known him, his toned body and constant alertness would be tip-offs. When his gaze landed on Mel and Dev, he hesitated for a moment, then strode over.

“What the hell are you two doing here?” he said, loud enough for the bartender to hear.

“We were on the highway and spotted this place,” Dev said. He jerked his head toward Mel. “She was hungry, so we decided to see if they served breakfast. They do. And it’s good.”

“Mind if I join you? Be good to catch up.”

“Please do,” Dev said. He stood up and moved to Mel’s side of the table. “You eating?”

“No, just needed some coffee. I was gonna be in and out, but I haven’t seen you two for a while.”

Mel glanced around the restaurant. No one was close to their table. If they were careful, they could talk frankly and not have to worry that anyone was listening to them.

When the waitress wandered over with coffee, they talked about the house they were furnishing, and Simon said he’d look at their upholstery samples after he got some coffee in him. Once his coffee had been delivered and the waitress left them alone, Simon leaned across the table.

“Thanks for coming all the way out here,” he said quietly. “I stop at this place occasionally for music in the evenings, and I knew it was open early. And usually pretty empty this time of day. Perfect place to meet.

“So what have you two been up to since the last time I saw you?” he asked.

Mel had thought about what she’d say to that question, because she’d been sure he’d ask. “We run a security business out west,” she said. “Been at it for three years.”

“So that’s what you did when you came home from the sand pit,” Simon said.

“Yep,” Dev said. “Plays to our strengths.”

Simon nodded slowly. “I can see that it would.”

“How about you?” Mel said. “What are you up to these days?”

“I’m running a network in the Middle East. They do a little of this, a little of that.”

Mel nodded, knowing not to ask any questions. “How do you like being back in the States?” she asked.

“I love it. I missed my wife when I was overseas,” he said. He smiled. “We’re expecting a baby in six months. A boy.”

“Congratulations,” Mel said with a smile. “I take it your field days are over.”

“Far as I’m concerned they are,” Simon answered.

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