Dakin has not had that drink with Irwin.

It was a possibility, and then it wasn't. Irwin doesn't remember Dakin propositioning him, and Dakin can't ask him again, not after a tragedy like this.

Still. It makes Dakin consider other possibilities, other paths.

Dakin leans forward to whisper to Scripps, "At least I asked him. And barring accidents it would have happened."

Rudge, beside Scripps, turns to say, "There is no barring accidents. It's what I said. History is just one fucking thing after another."