Gilbert guided Sam and Audrey toward his car. Sam was still talking—something about the fight, about Arianne's knee, about the sound the leader made when he went down. Gilbert's expression hovered between horror and reluctant pride.
"He made a sound like a dying animal," Sam was saying. "I've never heard a man make that sound before. It was incredible. She didn't even break a sweat."
"I'm going to have to thank her," Gilbert said.
"I already did."
Audrey paused before getting into the car. She turned back to Angelika, who was still standing near the station doors, still wearing the coat. Audrey didn't ask for it back. She looked at Angelika's face—the dried tears, the bruised wrist, the way she was holding herself.
"Keep it," Audrey said.
Angelika's hand went to the lapel. "I can't—it's yours—"
"Keep it," Audrey repeated. "You need it more than I do tonight."
Angelika didn't argue. Her fingers curled into the fabric. She pulled the coat tighter around herself.
