"Hm." Anton gazed toward the door, not really seeing but thinking. "It is possible," he said finally. "A good tool should not be easily discarded. On the other hand, a secret tool, once known, is often less useful. A ruthless master would remove the threat."

Truthfully, it was very likely this 'informant' was already marked for removal ... unless his condition was already the safeguard preventing him from being useful to anyone searching for culprits.

He looked back at Valdis. "Will you be keeping an eye on him?"