were some extreme kind of snob. What I didn't realize was that I'd just insulted your most deeply-held beliefs.
'The problem is,' Martinez said, 'that pendant helped to condemn Phillips. You didn't know that one of Thuc's fingerprints was found on Kosinic's body. That linked murder and Narayanism in my mind, and I charged off on a campaign to find cult killers. That's the way cultists are always portrayed in video dramas-killing people and sacrificing children to false gods. I was misled by a lifetime of watching that sort of drama. I forgot that Narayanism isn't a killing sort of belief.'
'I wouldn't know, my lord,' Marsden said.
Martinez shrugged. 'I wanted you to know I was sorry about the way I handled things. You won't forgive me, I'm sure, but I hope you'll understand.' He took a long drink of his wine. 'That's all, Marsden. If you can copy me that recording, and append a transcription as soon as you can, I'd be very much obliged.'
Marsden braced. 'Yes, my lord.'
'You are dismissed.'
Marsden turned and walked away, his back straight, his head facing rigidly forward. Martinez watched the door close behind him.
Apology not accepted, he thought.
He took another long drink of his wine, and then he walked to his office, put the wine glass on his desk, and walked out into the corridor.
It was time to report to Lady Michi.
