John was sitting across from him, so Harding could see by the look on his face that he was interested in an amused sort of way. Bart, on the other hand, seemed a little bored so far, but Harding got the feeling that he wanted to know what he was going to say next, too, and maybe he was even a little apprehensive. John spoke up, “So tell us, overlooking for the moment the rudeness of your eavesdropping, what it is you think we are doing.” Harding leaned over the table so he could speak quietly and told them, “You confirmed it for me, John, just a moment ago when you went outside and walked straight to that little boy and pulled him out from in front of that oncoming car. Clearly you knew that danger was looming, and that raises the question: ‘How did you know that was coming?’ You are sitting here with your back to Tustin, fifty feet from the door. There is no way any human being could have seen that coming, but you did. Now, if you are not human, but instead some other kind of creature, then maybe you can foresee an impending tragedy and do something about it. That is why I think you have just confirmed my theory.”
Bart did not appreciate Harding’s use of the word ‘creature,’ and he said to John, “Why are we listening to this crap? Who cares what this guy thinks?” And then he said to Harding, “Why don’t you go sit back at the counter, and mind your own business?” Harding was about to explain that he had come this far, and that he intended to verify his theory, but John spoke up first. He said to Bart, “I agree this sounds unusual, but I am curious. Let’s hear him out, and go from there. If it turns out that we need to kill him, you can do the honors. How’s that sound?”
Harding looked back and forth between them, and thankfully Bart had an amused rather than evil grin on his face, so he felt John was only kidding about killing him. Harding knew he had better talk fast, though, so he said, “I am convinced you are both angels, and I am sorry if that upsets you, Bart. But you have to admit, there is something strange about what John just did to save that little boy. Maybe you two are not angels, but you do fit the profile perfectly. Now if you want, I will go away and never bother you again. But before you decide you should consider that maybe I can help you. For one thing, I could help you avoid giving yourselves away to other humans.”
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