"You won't believe this," he said, "but I haven't the foggiest notion who X is. Do you know?"
Nadia's dark eyes looked puzzled. She shook her head, gave a short laugh. "You're going to be a big disappointment to Josiah. I wouldn't care to be in your shoes."
"Josiah ... oh, you're referring to Captain Cabot. So he expects me to be able to tell him who X represents."
"You were talking to him," said the girl bluntly.
Gavin regarded Nadia a moment. Then he asked, "Why has the sailing been advanced?"
She clamped shut her jaws.
"You don't want me to force you to talk, do you?" suggested Gavin.
"You wouldn't dare."
"Wouldn't I?"
Nadia bit her lip. "It doesn't make any difference, I suppose." She shrugged. "You know anyway, if you're working for X. Captain found out that some powerful clique is trying to have the Nova interned. He rushed his clearance through before they had time to act." She paused before adding, "X has bought off Trev."