“Don’t worry,” Alex said reassuringly. “I’ve been in situations like this before.”

Amy sensed that he really meant to say “worse than” instead of “like.” She relaxed slightly and then saw a flash of terror cross Robinson’s face.

Alex apparently saw the same thing. “Mark, maybe we can get some information over the car radio.”

“Good thought,” Robinson said. “I’ll go check it out and be right back.”

“What exactly is this situation?” the barista asked Alex when Robinson left.

“Communications go down,” he said easily. “Cell towers…”

“Tell her!” Barb interrupted. Amy could tell that she was ready to say it herself, blowing Alex’s credibility if he didn’t do it first.

“I AM,” he said forcefully, glaring at Barb. Dead quiet punctuated his statement, which bothered Amy like a sudden itch. “This may be intentional.”

Barb’s disgust was palpable, but Amy was focused on her own discomfort. She found the source outside, where a dozen people watched Robinson as he approached the detectives’ unmarked car.

“What do you mean, intentional?” the barista asked Alex.

“He means it could be part of an attack on the country,” Barb interjected. “That’s what his partner is trying to find out.”