I'm not sure he has it in him to plan all of this. He doesn't strike me as clever enough, for one thing.

But I do think he is vulnerable and may be doing things he otherwise wouldn't, if forced by blackmail or the temptation of a bribe.

What was it that Darcy said? Very few men have it in them to do evil things cold-heartedly, but when once they begin to commit lesser wrongs, they are able to rationalize doing greater and greater evils? I can see Hurst walking into this very trap and once in, he doesn't seem the type of man who could find his way back out again.