Then keep yourself alive to take care of it. You're in enough danger without that.

[ He's getting more of a firm tone than normal. As he finishes up his cleaning, his thumb brushes lightly over Sholmes' lower lip and quickly pulls away.

He drops the rag on the table or nightstand whatever where he placed the bowl and leans on it for a moment, staring at the water with an unfocused look. ]

What I'm saying is that only one person should approach them. Why put everyone at risk? And it's better if it's someone not as closely connected to van Zieks. You two are from the same place. I'm... not.

Outside of that party, people probably think you can't stand me, anyway. So why would you trust me with an important secret?