Gawain studied Thicknesse, searching for tell-tale signs of ... something. He seemed as normal as he ever did, but that didn't tell him anything. Corruption didn't always come through in one's words, after all.
"Yes, sir," he said, taking the seat indicated and trying not to show his tension. "I have to admit, sir, that Minister Scrimgeour's resignation came as a bit of a shock."
No sense in ignoring the erumpet in the room, after all, and Thicknesse's reply would hopefully tell him a good deal about what had really gone on.