The Domino Pattern

four-to-four deadlock has been reduced to a three-to-three deadlock?”

“Deadlock implies the matter may end without resolution,” Givvrac corrected me sternly. “That will not happen. The decision will be made before Mr. Kennrick leaves the Assembly for his return home.”

“Understood,” I said. “May I ask which members of your group are currently on which side?”

Givvrac hesitated. “That’s privileged information,” he said. “I’m not sure even the current situation justifies my telling you.”

Kennrick, to his credit, picked up on the cue. “Excuse me a moment. Usantra Givvrac,” he said, getting to his feet. “It just occurred to me that we never told the server that we would be over here instead of back in the bar. I’ll go get our refreshments.”

He headed across the dining car toward the bar. “Speaking of refreshments, Usantra Givvrac, I must again extend my apologies,” I said. “I neglected to ask if you would care to join us in a meal.”

“No, thank you,” Givvrac said. “Food does not interest me at the moment.”

I frowned. Fillies liked their food as well as anyone else in the galaxy. “Is something you ate bothering you?”

“Most likely,” he said. “I have been feeling somewhat delicate over the past few hours.”

“There seems to be a lot of that going around,” I commented, my own gut rumbling in sympathy. “While Mr. Kennrick is gone, perhaps you’d be willing to tell me which members of your team are for this deal with Pellorian?”

“You will agree not to share my words with Mr. Kennrick?”

“Of course,” I said. “I’ll sign a contract to that effect if you wish.”

Givvrac visibly relaxed. Written contracts were very important to Fillies. Even if he and I never actually signed anything, my willingness to do so would go a long way toward putting me in the trustworthy category. “No need.” he said. “Di-Master Strinni was the next strongest proponent of the Pellorian contract.”

“Really,” I said. So that was two aye votes either dead or on the critical list. “What about Master Tririn?”

“He stands against the contract,” Givvrac said. “Oddly enough, the four Shorshians were evenly split.”

“And of course, all of them knew where all the others stood?”

“Indeed,” Givvrac said. “The eight of us had several meetings together during the torchliner voyage from Earth to the Terran Tube Station.”

“Without Mr. Kennrick present, I presume?”

“You presume correctly,” Givvrac said. “Only in his absence can we speak freely on the subject.” He cocked his head in a Filly posture of consideration. “Though such opportunities were uncommon. He often joined one or another group of us for our meals.”

“Taking care to talk up the benefits of dealing with Pellorian Medical, no doubt?”

“Correct,” Givvrac agreed. “He is a tireless representative of his company.”

“I’m sure he is.” I said diplomatically. He’d probably been a tireless representative of Shotoko Associates, too, right up until the day Westali had swooped down and broken up DuNoeva’s spy ring. “So Master Colix and di-Master Strinni were for the contract. Who else?”

“Asantra Muzzfor is also on their side of the discussion.” Givvrac said. “He is one of my colleagues.”

“Yes,” I said, catching the subtle vowel difference. Colleagues they might be, but an asantra like Muzzfor was lower in rank than an usantra like Givvrac. “And the fourth?”

“I also lean in that direction,” Givvrac said. “I therefore count myself among them, though I have not entirely made up my mind.”

I nodded. “And the other opponents would then be the other two Filiaelians?”

“Esantra Worrbin and Asantra Dallilo are also against the contract,” he confirmed.

“Where do they and Asantra Muzzfor sit aboard the train?”

“All three have seats in the second of the first-class coaches, the one directly back of the exercise/dispensary car.”

“Do they sit together for the most part?”

“Yes,” Givvrac said. “To anticipate your next question, the four of us have frequently discussed the contract during this trip. Di-Master Strinni often joined us, as he too has a seat in first class.”

“And the other three Shorshians?”

“I presume they also held such conversations, though I cannot say for certain.” A shadow seemed to pass across his face. “Or rather, I presume they did when there were still three of them.”

“You haven’t spoken to them about the matter?” I asked.

“We travel in first class,” Givvrac said. “They travel in third.”

“Yes, of course,” I said. “I just thought that since Mr. Kennrick had gone back there on occasion to talk to them you might have done similarly.”

“I have not, nor have my colleagues,” Givvrac repeated firmly. “Those of first class do not mingle with those of third while aboard the train.”

Bayta nudged me, and I looked over Givvrac’s shoulder to see that Kennrick had reappeared on our side of the car, a pair of drinks in hand. “Thank you for your openness and honesty,” l said to the Filly, inclining my head. “Perhaps we can speak now of the other possible motive for these horrific crimes, namely that of revenge. Can you think of any reason why someone would be carrying anger or hatred toward either Master Colix or Master Bofiv?”

“Here we go,” Kennrick said as he came up to the table. He set the drinks down and then resumed his seat beside Givvrac. “My apologies for the delay.”

“No apologies required,” Givvrac said. “As to your question, Mr. Compton, I believe it would be inappropriate for me to speak of another’s life after his voice is silenced.”

“I understand,” I said, suppressing a grimace. Was it inappropriate to gossip about the deceased at all, or was it only inappropriate because Kennrick was now back in the conversation? “In that case. I think that’s all I need for the moment, I thank you deeply for your time and wisdom, Usantra Givvrac.”

“You are welcome,” Givvrac said. “Feel free to approach me with further questions if you have the need. Will you also wish to speak with Esantra Worrbin, Asantra Muzzfor, or Asantra Dallilo?”

“Perhaps later,” I said. “If I do, I’ll be sure to obtain your permission first.”

“No need,” he said. “I hereby grant you open access to all Filiaelians under my authority aboard this train.”

“I appreciate that,” I said, inclining my head again. Fillies weren’t the obsessive sticklers for protocol that Juriani were, but they had definite ideas of rank and chain of command. Violating those rules would burn whatever goodwill I might have started with, and could conceivably get the whole crowd of them to clam up on me completely. With Givvrac’s carte blanche in hand, at least I didn’t have to worry about that.

“Then we take our leave.” Givvrac said, placing both hands on the table and carefully getting to his feet. “Perhaps, Mr. Kennrick, you’ll assist me back to the bar area?”

“Certainly,” Kennrick said, scrambling quickly to his feet and holding out a hand where the Filly could grab it if necessary. “Compton, could you give me a hand with the drinks? I can’t handle both of them and offer Usantra Givvrac assistance at the same time.”

“Certainly,” I said, standing up.

“No need,” Givvrac said, waving me down again. “My drink has lost its taste, and Mr. Kennrick can easily handle his own.”

“Are you sure?” I asked. “It’s no trouble, I assure you.”

“I’m sure,” Givvrac said. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Compton. Mr. Kennrick?”

“Ready,” Kennrick said, picking op his own drink. As I sat down again, they turned away and started across the dining room.

And then, two steps away, Givvrac paused and retraced his steps back to our table. “One other thing, Mr.