John shook his head grimly. "I dunno, mate, you've got more first-hand experience with Heaven's operations than I do, but the more I deal with these clowns the more I get to thinking Himself can't be actively holding the reins." He sighed. "You know, Tali never actually Fell. Far as I could tell, not that I'm any kind of expert, mind you, the Presence was with him right up til the moment he got a flaming sword in his throat." He shrugged. "Aren't there a couple more choirs that outrank the Archangels? Cherubim, Seraphim...?"

He trailed off. "Gabriel's already got his doubts, I think," he added after a moment. "He hasn't forgotten Tali either, and I don't think he much likes the memory. I guilted him into promising he wouldn't report on you and Aziraphale while you're here, if his word's worth anything. You might be able to play on that. I don't know..."

He smiled wryly at his friend. "You know, every time I say that, something always comes along to remind me I said the same bleedin' thing yesterday..."