"What about nut cults?"

"I was coming to that. Galactic law requires us not to interfere with any religion and to adhere to that rule sternly. But since the weak and the juvenile require protection so that, always legally and with the utmost caution, we do investigate all religions thoroughly. We make ongoing investigations to assure that religious rights are not violated, that each religion has the freedom to practice in its own way, that minors' rights are not violated, that parishioners have complete freedom of choice—"

"What you are trying to say is that you keep tabs on who goes to what church and how often and you know what they are getting up to."

"Precisely," he growled defensively. "The records are secure and can only be accessed at the highest level in case of emergency."

"All right. We have an emergency and they have been accessed. Tell me."

"Rowena Vinicultura is one of the first members of the Temple. She attends regularly. She brought your wife to exactly four seances or sessions or whatever they call them."

"So?"

He was beginning to look uncomfortable again. "So, as I have explained, our records are detailed and complete. Except, that the leader of the Temple of Eternal Truth, one Master Fanyimadu, is, well…"

His voice ran down and he stared at his desktop. I finished the sentence for him.

"Master Fanyimadu does not appear in any entry in any of your records."

He nodded without looking up. "We know his place of residence and have documented his attendance at the temple. However to preserve religious freedom we have done no more than that."

"No investigations? No cross—reference with Immigration or Criminal Affairs?"

He shook his head in silence. I glowered. "Let me guess. You don't know how he came to this planet, or if he is still here—or if he has left. Is that correct?"