Chad made a sign with his fingers, some clue that Charlotte read before adding, “My assessment of the man is that he would not conduct a surprise drill this close to our arrival at Capella III. Doing so would be out of character and perceived as contrary to his interests.”

“Which are?”

Charlotte fixed Falise with her deep-purple designer eyes, a slight smile on her full lips. “Colonel Creamer would prefer to be prominent among the nobility upon de-boarding. In a position where he would be noticed and perceived as party to the elite.”

Chad nodded, his frown deepening. “Aguila? Our mysterious and oddly missing Board Supervisor? To what purpose would she contact Creamer, have him run a drill?”

Falise turned, caught Ednund’s eye. “Take a turn through the Transportee Deck. See what kind of drill the marines are running down there. Most likely, it will have something to do with the cargo hold. That’s about the only place with enough room to conduct maneuvers.”

“Hardly,” Chad grumbled as Ednund hurried out. “It’s packed tighter than atoms in a carbon lattice down there.”

“Outside? Something in freefall?” Falise tapped at the corner of her jaw.

“While we’re accelerating against Delta V at one-and-a-tenth gravity?” Chad shook his head. “I’m not much of a space guy, but I’m sure they’d go flying off into the black.”

Falise noticed that Charlotte’s expression had gone blank. In the time Falise had been on Turalon, she’d managed to learn the woman’s tells. “Chad, your valet has hit on something. Do have her share.”

Again, the flick of Chad’s fingers; Charlotte immediately responded, “Assuming that she did indeed order this drill, now we know why Aguila has been noncommunicative.”

Chad asked, “And that is because?”

“She believes she is acting from a position of strength. She is denying IG Soukup’s ability to use them against her.” Charlotte’s expression cleared. “That is to be expected.”

“But?” Falise asked.

“But she assumes that we’re all playing according to Corporate rules.”

Oh, clever indeed. Cinque—given his personality—couldn’t help but make a play for the woman. But what was Charlotte’s deep strategy? And, more to the point, was Chad too stupid to sense what was happening right under his nose?

Chad’s expression had sharpened, and he spread his hands wide on the table. “How many times in reports do we read the phrase, ‘Donovan does not adhere to Corporate norms,’ or ‘Corporate doctrine does not apply here?’”

Falise sipped her tea, smiling to herself. Chad, to her relief, had been the first to accede to a change in the rules. Couldn’t have suited her better. Nevertheless, she said, “But it does.” A beat. “When it relates to IG Soukup and Board Supervisor Aguila.”