Was that guilt that stole across his face at Nora’s words? It was a brief thing, fleeting, before once more his stoic expression returned full force in the still granite of Remy’s features. Except the knowledge of the Syndicate settled heavily in his eyes, just as they weighed heavily on the pretty young woman that stood defensively behind the one he had sought out this evening. Perhaps, eventually, they would be able to speak candidly to one another. Alone. For the time being, he could only tilt his head back in acknowledgement in the same motion it took for him to take another drink of the Scotch.<br/><br/><br/>Just as fluidly, his attention slid back to Lane, a lukewarm smile -- something that meant nothing, but opened the floor for something -- already sculpted into his face. It was a look that opened the floor to possibilities, but it was also a reserved look. Though Remington had been created to be reserved; he was the neutrality that kept an organization like the Syndicate from ripping apart and scattering. Or worse -- from destroying itself from the inside out. As much as he would never admit it out loud, not to himself, and most especially not to its members -- those that joined their ranks had the ability to do as much harm as the things they tried to keep at bay.<br/><br/><br/>That included such things as James Sinclair. And Remy’s own queen. Though from Lane’s recollection of her time spent with the rogue arcanist, she knew next to nothing of what he was truly capable of. He imagined that her obliviousness was a grace sent in disguise; sometimes ignorance was bliss. Nodding solemnly, his attention was forced once more on to Nora. This time, his smile quirked, turning bemused at her interjection.<br/><br/><br/>“The Syndicate has something that belongs to James Sinclair that he would do anything to recover. He is a danger, you understand, now that he has decided to turn his back on us to pursue his own… endeavors,” Remy started, keeping his voice professional, the contents of his words ambiguous. Then he looked away, down to the remnants of his drink in front of him. “Gideon must not be allowed to use Adele’s grimoire, Ms. Barnes. If he succeeds in summoning anything from that book, that could be… disastrous to many innocent people. The Syndicate is aware of his -- past dealings with more unsavory entities -- and cannot allow him to go through with his antics. So yes, we need to retrieve the book from his possession.”<br/><br/><br/>He looked up again, his attention sharpening on Lane’s face, this time choosing to ignore Nora’s overbearing presence. “Your personal relations aside, do you understand what could happen if a demon is summoned onto the mortal plane? A higher demon; something that could make an… impression if released. No matter the sins of the past, the Syndicate was formed to protect the world from its hidden disasters. As well as to protect those that wish to remain hidden from those who do not understand.” The last caused his attention to drift back up to Nora, as if the backhanded apology was meant for her ears rather than a way to justify his presence.