It's some weeks later when pan-galactic (for a value of pan-galactic that invites representatives from only about half of the nexus's inhabited planets, Barrayar excluded) trade talks that could substantially alter the landscape of inter-system commerce are announced. They're to be held in orbit around Tau Ceti, and while the only invited guests are governmental representatives, there is reason to have lobbyists in the vicinity - they can't be systematically excluded from the station, let alone comm range thereof, unless they're more like assassins than like people with nonviolent political agendas.

Linya doesn't have a lobbyist, but she has an export agent, with family just a short hop away from the neighborhood; she suggests that her agent take a vacation at home so as to be in the area when delegates arrive and talks start (months later; some people have long trips to make) and keep Linya up to date on how this will affect pens and certain other items Linya might have an interest in moving around the nexus.