Hector hadnât expected to feel good about giving up information. He didnât feel like he was being judged for what he knew. Walthers made it obvious to him that this wasnât an interrogation. He was simply seeking out information that Hector may have. Not demanding. Simply following a lead.
   He actually considered the proposition for a moment, but fear settled once more in his stomach. Silent beyond a nod at the thanks, he thought over his words. He didnât know how much he could say. Despite all that had happened, the man was still with Interpol.Â
   âI canât go back, Walthers,â he said finally, deciding to test the bit of trust he had. His voice was subdued, gaze drifting to the side. âFeel like I dodged a bullet, running like that. Canât shake the feeling that someone in there wants me dead. I know it sounds⊠crazy, but⊠There ainât any benefit to me workinâ for them. Best case scenario, I find myself in a holding cell downstairs.âÂ
   He shook his head, then looked back up. He glanced around the apartment as well, knowing exactly what Walthers was getting at. He did need funds to keep himself off the street, but it wasnât that simple. âIâll help you as much as I can. But I donât owe them anything.â
Hector wasnât wrong about the Task Force, about Interpol. It wasnât full of people to be trusted - heâd learned that - it may look the unified fist of the law on the outside but inside the claws of the Illuminati, and who knew who else, dug deep. Connections within connections within connections. The man wasnât an idiot. He hadnât kept himself alive this long by making stupid choices. Adam couldnât fault him for this one. Still, it would have been easier to have him on the books.
No matter, wasnât the first time Adam would have to make âalternate arrangementsâ to get what he needed. He shrugged.
âI get it, and it doesnât sound as crazy as you might think.. Still, we can work something out off the books if that suits you instead.â Adam paused a moment and narrowed his eyes in thought, âDo I owe you anything for what you gave me today?â
   âA pack of smokes?â Hector asked with a huff of a laugh. âFirst consultation and all that. I mean, seems fair at least. Unless...â He paused to think as he determined whether he should ask. He didnât like the feeling of relying on anyone, least of all someone he already felt he owed. Debts and guilt didnât sit well. Guess he still had a conscience after all.
   Hector combed his fingers through the hair at his scalp. He tilted his head to the side as his gaze drifted off. His tone had lost its humour, though he managed to keep the edge of fear out for the most part. âI donât have any papers. Soon as I get stopped, Iâll be shipped off to Golem. Ainât a chance I wanna keep making, and I know the guy handing âem out downtown is just placing bets on desperation. Think you can help me out with that?âÂ
   He paused for a moment, finished with his thought. But the shame of asking for help settled in, and he thought better of it. âI mean, I wonât be any help to you if I get tossed in there. Fair deal, right?â It was just a trade. Business.