"Oh sure. I think everyone does that to some degree."

He watched Vicious walk away with a trace of anxiety, then made an apologetic gesture at Nora once he was out of earshot.

"Sorry. He's a man of few words."

He'd had the feeling making Vicious stand there would lead to even more glaring, and he liked Nora enough to spare her his comrade's overt displeasure before it got started. Also it was easier to talk about him without him standing over his shoulder.