There was a silence after that statement and Chris set down the disguised jar of ground newt toes harder than was strictly necessary. Of course he had gotten the hardass partner right off the bat. That part hadn't surprised him, but would it kill the guy to be a little more welcoming? It wasn't like Chris had chosen this assignment, either. He searched a little bit more before he trudged out of the kitchen and glanced up and down the hall.

"What room are you in, anyway?" Might as well not cross paths for whatever good it would do them. Now all he wanted was for Eli to contact them back, and for them to be able to separate ways so Chris could get on with the more private part of his investigation.