Page 185 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

Urban tilted his head. “So, this is psychological.”

“Everything with him is psychological,” JP said.

The room fell quiet for a second.

Then DuBois spoke again. “Here’s the problem. A restaurant gives him too many eyes.” He pointed at the map spread across his desk. “Too many civilians. Too many exits. Too many variables.”

JP even closer now. “What’s around it?”

Urban answered first. “Beach access across the street. Parking lot behind the building. Alley access south side.”

JP nodded. “He won’t stay inside.”

That worried Sabre. “You think he’ll make contact outside?”

“Yes.”

That actually made more sense. The pancake house wasn’t the meeting point. It was the setup. Rourke wanted her to be off balance emotionally when she arrived.

Urban crossed his arms again. “He could have Hannah walk in alone while he watches from somewhere else.”

“No,” Sabre said quietly.

Everyone looked at her.

“He won’t risk losing control.”

JP nodded. “Exactly. Rourke would want visual control, emotional control, and escape control.”

DuBois looked toward JP. “You’re staying out of sight.”

“Sure.”

Urban gave a short laugh. “That believable where you come from?”

JP ignored him completely.

DuBois pointed toward him. “I mean it. If he sees you—”

“I get it. He already knows who I am,” JP interrupted. “And if Sabre walks in completely alone, Rourke may actually believe he’s winning.”

Sabre looked between them. “So, what are we doing?”

“Wide surveillance only.” DuBois looked toward Urban. “No units near the restaurant itself.”

Urban nodded reluctantly. “We cover outer perimeter and beach access.”

“No uniforms,” JP added.

“Obviously,” Urban muttered.

Sabre looked at the location again. Cindy’s Pancake House, a promise from eight years earlier turned into bait. Somehow that frightened her more than if Rourke had simply threatened her outright.

Chapter 72

Thursday just before noon

Sabre parked a block away from Cindy’s Pancake House and sat gripping the steering wheel for a moment before getting out. Late morning sunlight reflected off storefront windows and parked cars along the Pacific Beach strip while ocean air drifted subtly through the street.