River is jerked out of his carefully orchestrated plan to mentally and physically prepare for his first Kenji date to pull Alec out of one of his spirals. The description of Alec's spite house was a depressing relevation. It was an expensive prop.
River is taking a leap into the unknown. It's very brave.
After already being attacked twice on the journey, it makes no sense to cut the protective force in half just to deliver a body, and of someone they didn't really know. It's a one person job and the principal hasn't been delivered safe yet.
I wouldn't have switched stories, no matter how good. Better to be suspected of lying than proving it. I guess we'll see how it sorts out.