[ The skepticism isn't a surprise, since he would treat it with a similar amount were it not for who it came from and his own suspicions. Technically, the 'who' alone was more than enough for Hannibal to believe it without question, but he leans on the latter in his explanation. ]

It would put them in danger, yes. But I can at least say that I agree. I had been suspicious, but with nothing more than my own instinct, I wouldn't damn someone without more certainty.

[ He folds his hands in front of himself, frowning slightly. ]

...It's not something I particularly wanted to share, as it would give false expectations for what I can do. It is so often guesswork at best. But I was a consultant for the FBI. A profiler for serial killers. [ He nods lightly, since he's hoping that Percy will understand why he hadn't shared that bit of information. It wasn't malicious, but he had worried about people looking to him for absolute answers where he would never have them.

because squee nerfed his super sniffer nose :'( ]