" He stopped, and
laughed shortly. "Not that I'm as altruistic as that sounds, of
course--you know me, Lee. But when you're in a position of authority you
have to face the responsibilities. You understand me?"
"You have to protect your own reputation back at Cluster headquarters,"
Rynason said.
"Well, yes. Of course, you get into a pattern of thinking eventually ...
sort of a fatherly feeling, I suppose, though I've never even been on
the parentage rolls back on the in-worlds. But I mean it--it happens, I
get that feeling. And I'm getting a bit worried about you, Lee."
Rynason could see what was coming now. He sat further back into the
chair and said, "Why?"
Manning frowned with concern. "I've been noticing you with Mara lately.
You seem pretty interested in her."
"Is she one of those vices you were telling me about, Manning?" said
Rynason quietly. "You want to warn me to stay away from her?"
Manning shook his head, a quick gesture dismissing the idea. "No, Lee,
not at all. She's not that kind of a woman.
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