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"And what if they're all too busy?" said Hector.

<"I doubt they will be, but if they are, then you can just give me another call, yes? And we can discuss matters from there. That will give me time to look into more leads for you, as well.">

Hector had to admit, whoever was influencing him was playing it off pretty well. Rationalizing every decision nicely. He genuinely couldn't be sure how strong their influence over him was. If any. Perhaps Hector really was just being paranoid here.

But it was hard not to be, now that he knew more about what Sparrows were capable of. Perhaps he should've asked Hanton to let Pauline come along, after all. Her input might've proven helpful, right about now.

"Alright, where can I find these people? I assume they're not all holed up inside Livingston with you, are they?"

<"No. They should all be somewhere in the Cathedral District, I believe. To your southwest.">

Oh? A slip up? Hector exchanged looks with Roman, who was tilting his head.

There was an opening to call it out now. Hector had not yet provided his current location, so there was no way that the prince should have known which direction to specify.

Hector elected not to, though. There was a chance they were being so subtle for their own security reasons and not just because they were trying to trick him, specifically. There was no need to openly confrontational.

<"...That is, assuming you are already close to Livingston yourself, yes?">

Ah. Nice save.

Hector still elected not to comment, though. "What do these senators look like?"

Another long pause arrived. <"Do you really need me to specify that for you?">

It was Hector's turn to pause. There was definitely some kind of subtext there, but he wasn't sure what it was. Should he ask? They were being purposely vague, so he probably wouldn't get much of an answer, but maybe...

Hmm.

And perhaps he was taking too long to respond, because the prince voice arrived again. <"I'm sure a man of your ability already has everything he needs to find them.">

Ah...

A test, of sorts? To see if what he'd said earlier about having extra information was actually true. And perhaps to see how much of a potential threat he was, too.

Wow. That was a more blatant acknowledgment of the situation than anything else they'd said so far, Hector felt.