It didn't seem like the roof conversation related to Council matters -- just an awkward social exchange -- and Rhiannon didn't know anyone named Helen or Brian, so she targeted her thinking at the day's water excursion.

"When you saw her today... she didn't-- she didn't ask anything weird, did she?" Rhiannon hedged. "Or make the connection between us?"

She shook her head. "Not-- okay, that sounded like I'm afraid of people knowing about us, and I'm not. I just don't want her knowing about me, period. Anything. Or you, really."

She took a breath.