Merritt finally relaxes marginally, too, letting out another breath as he finally steps away from the door, moving to sink down into one of the arm chairs. He still doesn't relax fully, perching on the edge in case he needs to get up in a hurry again. He's not as young as he once was, after all.

"Sorry, by the way," he offers after a moment, still quietly. Even if they don't have this full conversation now, he wants to say that first. "I had to find out who this asshole was."