Merrick really can't help Liam in either the crossword or discovering whatever (probably) horrible situation is about to arise. Honestly, from the glazed look of his eyes and the computer headset still hanging around his neck the pooka is either on a sudden and unexpected snack run during his fifteenth hour of gaming or work is kicking his ass.
Judging by the way he zeros in on the cooler containing Jolt beverages and then just stares at it as if the glass has utterly defeated him it's probably the latter.