I find it interesting that Howard did not do this furtively, but made a big production of it. To me, it speaks of setting up a scenario- that illusion someone so brilliantly alluded to way back. He controls the narrative on Daniel, just as he did on AN (she talked about death all the time, compared herself to Marilyn, she was careless with drugs).
BTW, thanks to others whose names I have forgotten, for the welcome! I am trying to lurk only, but damn, it's hard not to get involved.
I had a similar observation about the hospital departures. Howard made a point to go to the desk to ask about places open to get food, but then comes back empty-handed...... or at least not carrying food.
He plants the idea, then does something different, thinking they'll be none the wiser.