Lyall's expression lost most of its amiability, though at least he managed to keep it from turning into dismay. Just a kind of neutral blankness. The last thing he wanted was to deal with the police, given what he knew about them and their involvement with... everything else. Even if this one didn't smell "off"-- unless that metallic scent was some new change in them-- none of them would believe him unless they were part of the network, as well. And he didn't recognize this one as someone he'd seen.

"Are you here on official business, then, detective?" he asked, lifting his chin a little and trying to rapidly, and silently, work through his options. Hopefully he had one that didn't wind up with him and all his students targeted in the future.