I didn't expect it to be simple to connect them to anything, but that still makes it more complicated than I'd like.

[given that they're partners, maybe he should suggest they share, for their own mutual benefit-- but would it really be? even if they're tied to each other, that doesn't mean his partner won't end up sharing that information with anyone else.

it's not a trade he especially wants to risk making.]

Do they usually vary enough to change the meaning?