honestly or not."

"NO!" Conley burst out. "The Empire's not like that, truly it's not!"

"Whether that statement's true or not, you believe it," Cortin said
dryly. "Would you mind talking to me in more relaxed surroundings?"

The young Imperial didn't notice DeLayne's beginning objection or Tiny
Pritchett's silencing of him. "Yes, sir, if you think it would help."

"At worst, it can't hurt." Cortin stood, addressing her team. "Take
the rest to . . . hmm. The small guest suite, I think. Captain Odeon,
Lieutenant Chang--let's talk to Miss Conley in the common-room of our
floor."

As soon as the team and other prisoners left, Cortin signalled Odeon to
remove Conley's handcuffs. When that was done, she smiled at the
younger woman. "Since you're willing to cooperate, I see no reason to
treat you as other than a guest. Would you care for anything to eat or
drink?"

"Uh . . . do you have coffee?"

"Certainly. Sis, would you ask Matthew to serve us coffee in the
common-room?"

"Of course. I'll meet you there."

"Thanks. Mike, Miss Conley--shall we go?"

As they left the office and went upstairs, the young Imperial said,
"Excuse me, Excellency . . . may I ask you something?"

Cortin was amused at the not-quite-apprehension in her voice. "Go
ahead."

"The ones who captured us called you the High King's Inquisitor. What
does that mean?"

Cortin chuckled. "Exactly what it says. St. Thomas--this world--is
the foremost planet of the Kingdom Systems, ruled by High King Mark.
I'm the best Inquisitor in the Systems, so when the Sovereign's
Inquisitor positions were established, I was persuaded--" bribed, she
thought, would have been more accurate, "to take the position. So I'm
the Systems' chief Inquisitor, though we all hold the same rank of
Colonel. That's why the first captured Imperials were brought to me
for questioning."

"Do you . . . hurt people?"

"If necessary, but you don't have to worry; I don't even make faces at
people who cooperate with me."

Odeon chuckled at that; after a second, Conley joined in, and by that
time they were at the head of the stairs, entering the common-room.
The young Imperial caught her breath, looking around. "It's beautiful!"

"Yes, it is," Cortin agreed. "I don't really need this kind of
luxury--at times I still feel guilty wearing boots on the carpet--but
His Majesty says my position is such that I have to make a proper
showing. Not that the High King'