It was almost as if the jolt was what Jack needed to get back to his senses because he slackened his grip and the thief staggered back to his friend, clutching his neck.
'Next stop's Caldwell, mister,' the driver called to Jack along the aisle. 'Will you return to your seat or do I dump you right here?'
'He's fine, and we're sorry,' Ava called as she guided Jack back to his seat. 'All a big misunderstanding, everything's cool.' In his ear, she hissed angrily: 'You're acting like a total freak! What is it?'
'He was going to steal her money,' Jack muttered, pointing to the old woman. 'I had to stop him … '
'I do believe you're right, young man,' the old woman said. The disturbance had woken her, and she was smiling gratefully at him. 'I dozed off without shutting my bag. Again … ' She sighed. 'Crazy old fool, leaving my money in the open that way. If I'd lost it I couldn't eat for a month.' She placed a warm wrinkled hand on Jack's leg. 'Thank you so much.'
