Well, at least he had gotten a compliment out of his efforts. Their eyes remained locked until Malcolm nodded and gave Snape a polite smile. He turned his head to a picture on the desk, lost in thought for a moment. There were so many questions he had for Snape, but this was not the appropriate time. Perhaps the man would stick around for long enough for them to be answered. But Malcolm doubted it.
"Fair enough," Malcolm lifted his head again. "I won't push the issue any further." After all, it wasn't as if he didn't know a thing or two about Snape's intransigence. There were few people to whom the man would ever answer--in fact, there were only two that he could possibly recall. Both were dead.
"In that case, I ought tell you that I have no idea when Trimble's returning. Our communication has been mostly one-way; unanswered owls to the Ministry." Malcolm glanced at the pristine map of Mathwall lying on Trimble's desk. "I sent him word when I heard you wished to speak with him."