"At that time, Dr. Leiber explained his renewed plans to blow the whistle on NewEgypt for the decomposed cryo-solution and commodified contracts scandal, and that he had abstracted Madame Sato's cryo-corpse to assure her safety as a future witness.  Seizing his opportunity, he engaged Dr. Durona to revive her, as part of his price for employment, and Dr. Durona, anxious to secure his services, agreed."

"And carried her stolen cryochamber off to my secret laboratory on the spot?" inquired Raven-sensei, a bit dryly.

"Precisely."  Miles-san smiled cheerfully at him.  "Though let's not use the term stolen in your statements, should the issue arise.  Rescued would be all right, or secured."

Raven-sensei waved assent.  "And then what?"

"Dr. Leiber's attempt to leave Kibou for Escobar was a feint, to draw NewEgypt off, and out, till Madame Sato was revived and ready to testify.  Unfortunately, it worked a little too well.  But his rescue by Roic, at Raven's request, was allowed by me as a nepotistic favor to my brother's company.

"I was along for the ride tonight merely to keep an eye on Mark, whose movements are of ongoing interest to Barrayaran Imperial Security for purely Barrayaran political reasons.  Which also happens to be true, by the way.  Having concluded that there is no current threat to the Imperium from Mark's new enterprise, I shall be withdrawing from Kibou-daini shortly to tend to my own urgent affairs."

Jin blinked at this news.  Yah, well . . . of course it had to be that way.  People always left.  Nothing was ever really secure, or safe.  He bit his lip.

"I suggest we not volunteer any information on the late Alice Chen tonight, and I think her existence is unlikely to come up as yet, but if it does, Raven abstracted her at Dr. Leiber's request as well, as independent physical evidence for the effects of the bad cryo-solution.  Raven being enough of both a scientist and a businessman not to put his company at risk on mere hearsay."

Raven tilted his head and grinned at this.  "That works for me."

Miles-san rolled his shoulders and stretched.  He did look a little gray-faced, a very four-o'clock-in-the-morning look, if no more tired than anyone else here.  His eyes were bright, though.  He turned to Jin's mother.  "I have an experienced forensic economics analyst already en route from the Barrayaran embassy on Escobar.  As it happens, my need for him has been largely short-circuited by the events of the last day, but to justify the expenses of his journey I will make you a loan of him for a few days.  I expect he could be of considerable help in strategizing your next moves, should you decide to try to revive your political action committee.  Or even if you don't."

Jin's mother rubbed her forehead.  In a rather thick voice, she said, "But what if the police try to take Jin and Mina?"