The thing that the Fucker of Sons is after still exists. I was allowed to hold it and inspect it for veracity. It is not damaged and looks pristine despite how it arrived and where it was stored since.
I was not allowed to take it. Once I inform the requester of what I saw, my duty to him is done. I owe him no debts for what happened to his son, and he has no leverage to force me. If anything, he now owes [a certain entity] a huge debt for brokering my assistance.
Rummer John was right. I did not understand the importance of what I was asked to do and I would have played right into his hands.
Later I get to hit up the Library of Misinformation (the internet) about something (or someones) called “The Coates”. I feel like I should know that word, but I don’t.