Franz was still in his study when his phone buzzed. Daryll's name on the screen. He almost let it go to voicemail. But he picked up.
Daryll didn't say hello.
"Noah, what the hell were you thinking?"
Franz didn't answer.
"The airport, Noah? 4 AM? In a mask? You might as well have sent out a press release."
"I wasn't thinking about the cameras."
"Clearly." Daryll took a breath. Franz could hear him moving. Pacing. "The good news is the PR firm was able to contain it. We got ahead of the narrative before it could turn."
"What does that mean?"
"It means the headlines this morning were 'Noah Hart's Mystery Woman Revealed.' By noon, they were 'Noah Hart Protects Girlfriend from Airport Mob.' We spun it. The photos of you putting your cap on her head. The hand-holding. The way you pushed through the crowd with your body in front of hers. People are calling you a hero."
Franz said nothing.
