“We won’t let them do that,” Tom said, exchanging a look with Uncle Kevin. “There’s no way they’d be able to anyway: you’re just too big, Maddy.”
“What?” Maddy said.
“Your save is everywhere. Everyone knows what you did. There’s no way the NAS could politically risk coming after you,” Tom said.
“He’s right,” Kevin said. “You know they would have been here already. Remember last time? They were everywhere.”
“I don’t know. . .” Maddy said, her mind still submerged in fear of the agents in their futuristic black armour. She still remembered the ruthless grip on her throat in Kevin’s living room. The unblinking, pitiless eyes behind the mask.
Tom sat down in the booth next to Maddy, opposite her uncle.
Kevin stood up. “I’ll get another cup of coffee.”
Tom turned to her.
“Maddy, I saw your flying. You were amazing,” Tom said quietly.
The report on the television continued.
“A statement from the White House said there will be a quick investigation into the day’s events and that, quote, ‘action will be swift’. President Linden won the election as a third-party candidate on an anti-Angel platform, and experts expect the new president to take this opportunity to push forward his mandate.”
“I would’ve let her die,” Maddy said, shaking her head. “That’s what they would have wanted me to do.” A sick feeling was in her stomach. “What’s happened to me?”
Tom had been silent, just letting her talk. He put a calming hand on her shoulder. Then it felt so natural for Maddy to lean her head against his shoulder. She could feel the pilot’s body just next to her rise and fall with each breath.
“But you didn’t let her die. That’s what separates us from them, Maddy.”
“Us?”
The door jingled again. Her head still against Tom’s shoulder, Maddy’s eyes drifted to the door.
It was Jacks.
He looked directly at Maddy with her head on Tom’s shoulder, a strange expression crossing his face.
“Jacks!” Maddy said, sitting up. She could feel Tom stiffening next to her, his body coiling up in a defensive posture.
The Angel walked further into the diner, his eyes moving coolly back and forth between Tom and Maddy.
“What. Are. You. Doing?” Jacks asked, his neck muscles tensing and releasing.
“She’s upset. I was comforting her,” Tom said.
“Nobody was asking you,” Jacks said.
“He just got here, Jacks,” Maddy said. “It’s not— ”
“What is it then?” he said.
Maddy just shook her head silently. This was the worst thing that could have happened.
Tom turned and looked at Maddy. “Are you OK? Being here with him?” Maddy put her head in her hands but nodded. “I’m going to leave, then. You need to resolve some . . . things. If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
“You don’t have to go, it’s fine— ” Maddy was clutching at straws.
Tom smiled grimly. “No, I can tell when I’m not welcome.”