"I would not be surprised if that were the case," Childermass agrees, especially if there was cause to send the Nightriders out. Her question causes him to fall silent a moment, though, and consider what he's actually willing to share. Of course they did. Better to not go into detail.

"I'll be fine," is the answer he settles on, which may be just as worrying as any other. Who knows. "Who else is missing?"