[Connor looks uncomfortable, whether at her silence or at something else. Nonetheless, he launches into a brief explanation.]

...The demon possessing Kimblee is holding Oswin and Bulat hostage. He will kill them unless we spare his partner, Isaac McDougal. If we spare him, the demon will surrender.

I have proposed we spare his partner, in the interests of preserving the lives of Oswin and Bulat. There is no sense in wasting innocent lives, here.