Cougar lets him have it, settling back at the safe distance he sits from Jake, waiting for him to open it up and understand what Cougar is to him, really. He's known for so long because Jake is so open in his letters. Cougar? He's not. He's never been that able to give himself over and let himself be heard.

"Good," he says firmly, taking off his hat and setting it on the nightstand as he braces himself for Jake opening that letter. "No postage," is what he says of the envelope. "Strange. Your man, local?"