"Would one of you gentlemen mind getting me a drink? Tall, wet and alcoholic if you please."

I stepped aside as the twins rushed the bar. She went to the couch, sat, and signaled me to join her.

"I didn't mean to be brusque earlier, Jim. I was tired and I thought that you would appreciate action before conversation. I'm so sorry about Angelina. I listened to the message that she left for you and I believe, as you do, that she will be found. But not back on Lussuoso. We will find her. I promise."

From anyone else these would have been polite words. But Sybil spoke with an authority that rang true. I wanted very much to believe her.

"For you," my son said, holding out a glass. She took the drink, drank, smiled—and sighed. "Thank you, Bolivar. I needed that." "I have another one—if that's not enough." "Not quite yet, James." "You're sure you're not mixing them up?" I blurted out.

"Impossible to do, as you well know, Jim. I imagine James has always had that tiny scar on his left earlobe."

I blinked. It was almost impossible to see.

"Since I was four years old. Bolivar bit me."

"Believe that and you'll believe anything."

She smiled at both of them. Then turned to me and was serious again; playtime over.

"The service of the Seekers of the Way seems to be a near replica of the one described in the briefing for the Temple of Eternal Truth. Uplifting organ music, a good bit of incense to mask the smell of tylinyne. As you undoubtedly know that is a mild tranquilizing drug. No lasting effects, but it does relax the subjects, makes suggestion much easier. Not that it was much needed since everyone there was very convinced to begin with. The sermon was most inspiring and very strange to hear from a physicist of Slakey's reputation. Heavily mystical, plenty of guff about the hereafter and the good life and good deeds that pave the road to Heaven. After some more music some of the women spoke with great warmth about their visit to Heaven, after which they donated impressive sums for the furthering of the good works. Sounded very much like the recorded statement of Vivilia VonBrun that Jim made."