Hawksley shook his head, his voice dripping with fake regret.
"He used my humble, clean family name," Hawksley explained perfectly, "and my completely spotless reputation to cover his own dirty, illegal tracks. He used the forged signature to secure massive loans from the London banks for his illegal smuggling ships."
Hawksley paused dramatically. He looked down at his hands as if he were deeply, profoundly ashamed of his own weakness.
"When I finally discovered his terrible, hidden crimes," Hawksley explained, his voice shaking just a tiny, perfect bit for maximum emotional effect, "I went directly to him. I demanded he stop his illegal actions immediately. I threatened to expose him to the magistrates."
Hawksley looked back up at the High Chancellor, his gray eyes wide, innocent, and pleading.
