[ While Barnaby doesn’t mind talking about many aspects of his life, simply out of habit, Maverick is the one person he doesn’t want to discuss at all. Given half the chance, that man would have ruined his life; in fact he was already close enough to doing it. Because of him, Barnaby didn’t grow up to follow in his parents’ footsteps.

Because of Maverick, Barnaby grew up without his parents at all.

Part of him wonders what that life could have been like, but at the same time, he knows too that he couldn’t imagine his life being any other way. Not that he’ll thank Maverick for what he’s done, but he can at least recognise the good sometimes. ]

Are Contractors inclined to pick up that kind of work because they have little other choice due to their status? Or does precedent dictate what they should do?

[ Or is it something else? Barnaby isn’t sure if this crosses a line or not, but he wants to know more before they go any further. So that he can form a proper opinion of this. ]