"The knife was not mine." Her voice is mild as a lamb, her small mirroring smile a polite and pretty thing that gives little hint of the woman behind it or her motives. "I returned it. Beyond that, I can think of nothing that happened you are not doubtless aware of."

There's no suggestion of a lie because there isn't one. In its precise details, it is perfectly true. Senior Warden Hansen's capture and subsequent return were not secrets, and Adelaide has been growing into her role in the council; she thinks too well of her to think she'd have missed something that potentially significant, especially when until recently a Warden had sat alongside them.

Adelaide has the pieces of this particular puzzle. More than she probably realises. Benevenuta is not going help her position them.