James did know everything was a mess. But as far as he was aware, the Knights and others bound to stay in the city could handle it. Rangers were generally not under such restrictions because their duty was to protect those outside the city, including travelers to and from.
He took a seat when it was offered. As Aspel began her lead in, his brow furrowed. Why was she telling him things he already knew? Things she admitted to knowing he knew. And then the question. The question that told him the answer. Annoyed, he asked, "What are you getting at, Aspel?" Because this seemed exactly like beating around the bush, and if she was going to tell him something that would piss him off, she should do it straight off and not also annoy him with chatter.