[It's like grease on his scalp that he can't wash off, fingers clenching to fists. He'd always been a physical man more than a calculated thinker, it doesn't occur to him that he could try and force her out some other way.]

Stop--

[It comes out slightly panicked, through gritted teeth. It doesn't even hurt, but he can't fight back and he can't run away.]

I don't know, ok? I don't know. They contacted me. The trace must have been scrambled. It doesn't lead anywhere.

[It tumbles out, hopefully before she tries to burrow even farther. He just wants her out -- and though nothing he says is untrue, he'll say just about anything to make it happen.]