They were, in fact, terrible men. Simon wouldn't deny his part in that. He's had his reasons for behaving the way he has but that doesn't mean he hasn't done awful things. To her, and in general. He was a loudly confessed murderer after all, even if he knew Alex thought he was right, though she'd never admit that out loud. Still, it wasn't a great position to be in. At least here he didn't have to upkeep the worst of it. Thomas Warren wasn't around to listen in.

She's right, however, that he absolutely will just leave faster if she pushes too hard on questions he's not ready to answer yet. Though she might be surprised to find he's at least slightly more willing to cooperate now. It's been a long year for him, the rules have changed. Not to mention goose injuries, but he wasn't bringing those up.

"Yes. Why else?" There was more, of course. So many reasons to discredit, terrify, and misdirect Alex in her investigation. While still keeping her roped in chasing dead ends. If Thomas Warren wanted her gone, she'd be gone. There was a reason he was still keeping her involved, if lost. Although she was only partially right about one thing... "Thomas Warren wasn't the only one using you to flush out Coralee Strand."