e
if necessary, or I can tell it to monitor full-time if I think there
could be a need."

"Still a lot I don't know," Odeon said ruefully. "I'd recommend the
latter whenever you leave the Lodge." He hesitated, then asked
abruptly, "How do you feel about Joan?"

"I'm not in love with her, if that's what you're asking."

"It was, but how--oh. You felt it when you mind-touched us right at
first. I'm not surprised; you don't seem the type to become an
Enforcement trooper. In case you're worried, that's the only
personality type she has that effect on. I'd say the Sandeman is,
though."

"He is," Medart said, then, "You felt my mind-touch? That's never
happened before, unless I did it deliberately."

Odeon grimaced. "I had some . . . mental surgery . . . a few months
ago. It left me able to release the compulsions Shannon could impose,
and it gave me a strong sensitivity to mental contact. I can't do
anything with or about the contact, unless it's with someone else he
mind-touched, but I know when it happens."

Medart sensed the other's reluctance to pursue that subject, so he
returned to practicalities. "Since you don't have fabricators, and
what I'm wearing is all I've got till Keith gets back with my kit, is
there any way I can get my clothes cleaned in the couple of hours I'll
be napping?"

"Easily," Odeon said, clearly relieved. "We sometimes have unexpected
overnight company, so the guest suites are equipped with robes,
pajamas, and standard toiletries. If you'll change, the servants can
have what you're wearing clean and back to you in about an hour."

"I'd appreciate that."

* * * * *

When Medart woke, his uniform was hanging up inside the bathroom door,
his underwear was folded neatly on top of the clothes hamper, and his
boots and other leather items had been polished. He showered and
dressed, decided not to call DeLayne since he'd gotten the necessary
information about Cortin's odd Talent from Odeon, and checked the time.
He'd slept longer than he expected; it was about 1730 Standard, about
an hour later local time.

He left his suite, followed sounds of talk and laughter to the living
room--and was pleasantly surprised to be greeted with a hug and
enthusiastic kiss from the Inquisitor. He returned both with equal
enthusiasm, got a similar greeting from Sis and a more restrained one
from Betty--right, she wasn't a trooper, didn't share their
dispensation, so