Kendall had come alone as far as they could see. But Rafael or any of the other goons could be in the lobby or nearby.
Rowan and Jason were observing the meeting from Room 336 via Rowan's surveillance setup.
Knox and Allie browsed the menu while discreetly observing Kendall's meeting with occasional furtive glances and earpieces tuned to the microphone concealed in the flowers.
"Stop scratching your head," Allie said, eyes on her menu. "That wig isn't attached with superglue. If it falls off, you're going to call attention to yourself."
"Yes, ma'am." Knox swallowed a complaint about how itchy the wig was.Note to self, find some non-itchy wigs for undercover work.
Allie's eyes flicked to Kendall sitting a few feet away. "Big guy. I think his mass is testing the integrity of that chair."
"No kidding." They could hear every word of the men's conversation through their earpieces, but so far that mainly consisted of Drakos asking the waiter to bring particular appetizers and drinks to the table. Knox turned the page of his menu. "By the way, to make this look convincing, we have to order something."
"Always looking for an excuse to enjoy The Mandeville's culinary offerings, aren't you?"
"Is that your polite way of saying I'm always thinking about food?"
The conversation mutually halted when they heard Kendall say, "Well, Drakos, I take it you've decided to reconsider our offer to purchase The Mandeville?"
Drakos's cool response came between gulps of iced tea. "What gave you that impression?"
"What am I doing here, then? You're too smart a businessman to waste my time. Why did you accept my invitation to meet?"
Jason and Knox had spent a few minutes that morning coaching Drakos on what to say and not say. Knox prayed Drakos would keep to the plan.
"I may be reconsidering your offer," Drakos said. "But I have some questions."
"What's on your mind?"
"Are you responsible for the blood on my suit?"
Silence sat between them for two beats. "Blood on your suit?" Knox heard a smile in Kendall's voice. "That sounds distasteful. Why would I have anything to do with that?"
Drakos huffed. "It was purposefully poured onto the suit I wore to our last meeting. I took it as a threat."
The silence returned. Knox couldn't wait to watch the video later to see Kendall's expression during these pauses.
"Well, like I said, you're a smart businessman. I'm sure you know how to handle a message like that."
A waiter's presence interrupted the men's conversation while he refilled their tea glasses.
Allie looked up. "He sounds cocky."
"Yep. And that conniving tone is proof enough that he sent that threat."
Another waiter appeared at Knox and Allie's table. "Would you like to order?"
"Yes, we would." Knox motioned for Allie to order first.
She chose a vegetable omelet with a side of fresh fruit.
Knox ordered waffles. And bacon. And scrambled eggs.
The waiter left and Knox returned his concentration to Drakos's comments, already in progress.
" . . . don't appreciate being threatened. If you want to negotiate, then let's negotiate. Offer a higher price."
Knox noticed Kendall take a bite of a mini quiche. It wasn't the first time the hulking man purposefully paused before answering Drakos's questions. He wasn't floundering for aresponse. He used the silence to assert his control over the conversation.
