A message server includes a query store for storing query requests, value data for the query requests, and response time data for the query requests. A message is received, a query request is determined from the message and sent to a query server. A timeout period is determined from response time data stored in the query store. If no response to the query request is received within the timeout period, a value is determined from the value data for the query request stored in the query store. Alternatively, if a response to the query request is received within the timeout period, a value is determined from the response, value data for the value is stored in the query store, and response time data is stored in the query store. An action in response to the message is determined and the action is performed.