"Fortunately, such things are outside the purview of my investigations." Never was he more grateful for that fact than now, when such knowledge would have had him crimson in the face of scrutiny.

"He did, actually. We're...encouraged...not to keep family ties. They're an exploitable weakness. He knew that, and he made sure I knew it before I left." He might have taken more time coming around to that view than he did thanks to his experiences at the tower. The demons would have possessed a greater foothold in his psyche were he actively in contact with his parents.

"I know." He nodded. If he thought she was the sort to try to use personal influence with him to leverage how he conducted himself professionally, he never would have agreed to see her. "I don't intend to be...unduly provocative. It's not going to stop me from worrying, and now that concern is going to be more personal." He softened his tone of voice slightly when he added, "Like it or not, Sera Hawke."