[ He keeps up the charade for a moment or two longer, as if he needed to give the concept some serious thought. He relents at last, though, shoulders dropping a little as he lets out a quiet breath. ]

May have. At least a little.

[ (a lot.) ]

Why didn’t you ever... [ A pause, and he starts over. ] If that whistle was a straight shot to me, why didn’t you ever just... show up?