[Van Zieks is silent for a moment. Gregon's death was as much a tragedy as it was the culmination of his own actions. The man hasn't been blameless for a long time, but even so... it is nonetheless regretful that he wasn't allowed a chance to atone. But such paths are not always open to those tied up in the sort of crimes they were.]

... he would have been afforded no such escape.

[After seeing what happened to the rest of those the former Chief Justice used? That much is clear to Barok.]

Stronghart would not have let a man with such dangerous information live outside of his control. Whatever the inspector may have hoped, it's improbable he was unaware. In the same manner, outright refusing the Reaper's orders would only bring the man's wrath down upon him... and those he held dear.