Mafia 66. The Road Home

But why mention the Veteran at all (in the beginning)?

Because that's the first thing one might think of. Besides, the veteran in the picture is also smoking.

The Scholar stole the ND from Amko and defended you along with him. But since you were in isolation, it displayed as it did.

In that case, the Scholar would have hinted at it. Although I don't deny that the plural form looks strange.