Malice? Probably not any of that to be noted. Blake found that he couldn't do much more than look a bit guilty, his eyebrows drawn. It wasn't as if lying would do him any good — a guess like that was too pointed to be anything but educated — but if he could at least point her attention in another direction, he might not have to explain too much.

"You're right, I'm trackin' a man known to associate with heroin addicts on the off chance he might lead to somethin' bigger," he whispered sharply. "Someone bigger." It was only half the information, but with enough truth ingrained, Blake was hoping it would be enough for Veronica to stop pressing. He already knew the name, already had a general location, and now it was down to actually letting the brute get back there so he could gather everything he needs to shut the whole crime family down.