"Possible. Or the blackmailer could be an Orlesian Venatori sympathizer. Someone who is acting on ideological grounds, possessed of the lever to move Marquette. Of course, there's the possibility Marquette is a believer himself who coincidentally enjoys enriching himself, but I think you're right that the risk of working with the Vantori is high for just a man hoping to line his pockets. Greedy men are the kind you hire for a one-off job where they don't ask who they're working for. Marquette is clearly aware."

He drums his fingers against the desk once, thinking. "I agree, though. Removing Marquette is useful in itself, but it's worth thinking about the potential consequences of letting him continue unopposed. Perhaps worth a bit of prioritizing sooner than later."