Once he had realized they were being followed, it only took Ellis a little while longer to notice it wasn’t him who was the target. A suspicion confirmed when he set a path, and brushed past the man and saw barely a flicker of recognition. It was almost a relief, though immediately Ellis’ concern felt more pressing. He couldn’t say why Silas might have someone following him, but Ellis had to hope it was more innocuous than he’d spun in his imagination. Still a reason to warn him.
He walked back to where Silas was still sitting, and slid onto the bench beside him, inching almost close enough their shoulders pressed together. They didn’t normally sit so close, but Ellis didn’t fancy being overheard. Laying a hand on Silas’ shoulder, he leaned in to speak. “I have a weird question, but I need you to act like it’s just normal conversation,” Ellis said, drawing his head back for their eyes to meet. Not letting his gaze slip past Silas, he was speaking again without giving a chance for protest. “Is there any reason someone might be following you?”