The intensity of the retort was enough for Alistaire to get the message, shattering past his usual difficulties in processing emotions (his or others'). He had the connection terminated, ordered his employee into a panic room (where water laced with sedatives was waiting to keep them out of mischief for the rest of the time the MGH dose would last), and then waited a polite time for Auntie to calm down before simply calling her from a burner phone.

The first words out of his mouth when the call connects are "I'm sorry."