Cryoburn - Lois McMaster Bujold [112]
"We caught an earlier ship than expected," said Miss Koudelka.
"I actually haven't any interest in impinging on whatever hornet's nest Miles is presently poking," said Lord Mark. "We don't normally comment on each other's enterprises. Think of it as the parallel-play stage of siblinghood."
His partner-lady put in smoothly, "Actually, I understand one of the functions of the consulate is to assist Barrayaran business people on Kibou."
Vorlynkin nodded warily. "Although the Auditorial investigation naturally takes precedence, just now." He added under his breath, "Whatever the hell he thinks he's doing . . ."
"Of course." Miss Koudelka's smile grew blinding; Vorlynkin blinked. "Perhaps, Mark, Raven, the consul should come along? Then we'll only need to explain things once."
Vorlynkin looked nonplussed. "Jin, do you mind?"
"Oh, Jin is welcome, too," said Raven-sensei airily. He added aside to Miss Koudelka, "Native guide and all that."
She nodded agreeably, and favored Jin with another sunny look.
Raven-sensei led off, Jin tagging along in silent wonder, down and under and through and up to Suze-san's door. Lord Mark and Miss Koudelka looked all around as they walked, very keenly, the blond lady taking vid scans on the way with a tiny hand-held.
At the corner suite, Raven-sensei knocked briskly. The door was opened surprisingly soon not by Suze-san, but by Tenbury-san. "What's all this?" He peered suspiciously through his hedge of hair. "You've gone and brought new people in without asking!"
"Asking is just what we came for," said Raven-sensei. "I'm glad you're here. May we come in and talk to Madame Suze?"
"I suppose." Tenbury squinted down at Lord Mark. "God, it's another one. How many of these sawed-off galactics do you have up your sleeve, Raven?"
Lord Mark's eyebrows twitched, but Raven-sensei replied soothingly, "Just the two," and Tenbury gave way.
Suze-san was sitting by her window playing mah-jong and drinking something that probably wasn't tea with Medtech Tanaka; Tenbury had apparently just risen from the third seat. Their eyes opened wide at Lord Mark's party.
"Now what, Raven?" said Suze-san. "I thought I'd settled with you. When do I get my two revivals, eh?"
"We're considering changing the Deal," said Raven-sensei.
Suze-san's scowl deepened.
"Instead of two, how would you like two thousand?"
Her brows went up, though her frown still bent down; but she waved a wrinkled hand, and the whole mob filed in and pulled up seats around her. Raven-sensei first introduced Consul Vorlynkin, who, indeed, had been running in and out of her facility for the past several days, as she likely knew perfectly well. Jin cast her a nod, trying to say, This one's all right. Tenbury half-sat on the wide windowsill, frowning and pulling on his beard.
Raven-sensei repeated his introductions: "Madame Suzuki, may I present my employer, Lord Mark Vorkosigan-he's also Lord Auditor Miles Vorkosigan's younger brother-and his partner, Miss Kareen Koudelka. Lord Mark is a co-owner of the Durona Group, my clinic on Escobar."
"Who's the other co-owner?" Suze-san asked, staring hard at Lord Mark.
Lord Mark bowed slightly and said, "Dr. Lily Durona. Who is also founder and clone-progenitor of the original Durona Group of Jackson's Whole. I acquired my interest a decade ago when I helped expedite the group's removal from the ownership of Baron Fell, there, and emigration to Escobar."
"You a doctor, too? Researcher?"
Lord Mark shook his head. "Entrepreneur. My primary interest in the Durona research is to support development of an alternative to the clone-brain transplant method of life extension that will knock it out of business."
"That technique's illegal!" said Medtech Tanaka.
"Not on Jackson's Whole. Unfortunately."
Jin tugged Vorlynkin's sleeve and whispered, "What are they talking about?"
He whispered back, "Some bad rich people try to get young again by having