"Yes, and I need to speak to Madame Suze about that," Miles said.  Ako looked marginally appeased at this indication of aboveboard-ness.  "Tenbury told me you are something of an apprentice to the plant medtech?"  Miles would be meeting her again soon, if things went as he hoped.  Best to placate her.

Ako went wary.  "I help her clean and things.  In the infirmary."

"Just so."  Miles motioned to the van; the rest of his entourage piled out.

Miles was relieved of the problem of introductions by Jin taking them over, possibly more reassuringly than Miles could have: "This is Raven-sensei, he's a friend from Escobar, this is Roic-san, he works for Miles-san, this is Lieutenant Johannes, he's all right."

Ako bent and whispered, "Jin, they're not policemen, are they?  You should know better—"

"Naw, they're Barrayarans.  Galactics."

Ako bit her lip, but seemed to accept this provisional guarantee.  She watched as they sorted themselves out, Johannes and Roic to stay with the van till Jin got back to supervise loading it, Raven and Jin to accompany Miles.

"I should come with you," Roic muttered to Miles's ear.

"These people are justifiably nervous of outsiders.  I won't get what I want if we hit them en masse, and you're en masse all by yourself."  Miles tapped his wristcom.  "I'll call you if I need you."

Roic returned him The Sigh, familiar shorthand for the usual argument.  Miles let Jin lead him and Raven off down the exchanger tower.  Ako trailed as far as the kitchen, where Miles prudently detoured to grab a carafe of coffee and some cups.  She stared after them as they headed toward the stairs to Suze's suite.

As they waited for an answer to Miles's knock, he turned his head and said to Jin, "I had better pitch this to her in my own way.  I'll let you know when you can chime in."

Jin, shifting from foot to foot, gulped and nodded.

A slow shuffle from within heralded the door opening a crack.  Suze's bleary eye peered out.  "You again!" she said.  "I thought we were well rid of you."  She squinted at Jin.  "Of both of you."  The eye traveled on to Raven.  "Who the hell are you?"

"Raven Durona, from Escobar," Raven answered readily.  "Pleased to meet you."

"He's a friend," Miles said.  "As in, Pass, friend."  He brandished the carafe.  "May we come in?"

"Eh . . ."  Reluctantly, but with her one open eye on the carafe, Suze gave way.  She wore the same loose black garments as before; she probably slept in them.  Her inner chamber had the same close geriatric smell.  She went to her window and set the polarization to admit a grudging shade more morning, and waved Miles, and his carafe, cups, and followers, to her battered seats.

"You found your wallet, I see," she said, settling across from them.  At Miles's gesture, Jin hastened to distribute coffee.

"Yes, and my luggage and my friends.  I'm back in business."