[There's a soft 'mn' on the other side that said as much. He wasn't fond of surprises; he was fond of control. He only liked the unhinged when he'd unhinged it... the rest was troublesome.

A surprise? No. That might get in his way.

That gutter cat and this mouth-breather... what annoyances.]

Are you saying you're a willing accomplice? Usually, accomplices tend to be more up front with one another, Mr. Bane.

How can I be so sure we really have so much in common, if you're unwilling to talk to me?

But... that aside. It does sound as if we share mutually beneficial interests. [There. He'd admit that much to this stranger-- that he was intrigued.]