"I enjoy the privacy more, yes. Fewer opportunities for aggressive individuals breaking into my home," he said, unaware of the dramatic irony looming. It wouldn't be too long before the man in black took a fancy to Doctor Frederick Chilton. "Are you still satisfied with Heropa?"

He hadn't intended for it to come out like a plea for company. That was simply how Chilton communicated; loneliness was its own dialect.

"I will admit, it is odd not seeing Jeff on a weekly basis."

Odd. He didn't qualify that statement with any specific negative or positive feelings. A quick look at Will, as if that glance would determine the notoriously-difficult-to-read-man's underflow of emotions. Unsurprisingly, Chilton found himself at a loss. There was a conversation beneath the one they spoke, one full of quiet pauses and twitches and topic changes.

"Has Crane contacted your circle? Your people. Out of curiosity."