"I hired a guard once. the Hand left me a sweet note the next week informing me that my hired protection had to retire early. And honestly, I don't expect the Watch to do much, but if they wanted me dead, they would have killed me two days ago. Right now, all I want is peace. Failing that, I need to survive at least three more years."

"Only name he would give the watch was Hongus. I'm sure you can just waltz into the Watch and interrogate their prisoners."

"At this point, I'm willing to try almost anything. Toe will send one of his disposables a week and a half from now in order to check up on us, make sure I am ready to pay up next month."