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the council quieted. “Thank you, Doris.” She nodded at the doctor, who packed up her papers and exited through a side door.
    â€œFrom what I understand,” Blanchefleur continued once Dr. Doris had left, “after security identified the victim, they ran a check on pregnancy authorizations. No one by the name of Minn was on the list. However, the name appeared on another list. This insider had gone missing from her job at the Temple Donors more than seven months ago.”
    There was silence as Blanchefleur adjusted herself in her seat. “Of course, the case remains under investigation. There are a few loose ends. The outsider cleaner has, indeed, fled. But there are several extenuating circumstances. Traces of human blood were found in the dirt below the wall and on the inside of the cleaner’s cabin. We think he came upon Minn and felt compassion for her. We believe his sympathy overpowered his good sense and he carried her into the shelter of his home.”
    â€œHow horrible it must have been for her,” Gloria cut in. There was a murmur of agreement from some of the councillors. “The thought of that creature carrying an insider into his filthy hut makes me sick to my stomach. He could have done anything to her that entered his disgusting mind.”
    â€œThe cleaner in question, a former ranger-in-training, was working in the dead zone as punishment for the use of bad judgement caused by misplaced kindness and an inclination towards softness of heart,” Blanchefleur said. “I can’t imagine anything he might have done to her or to what purpose. There have been no indications that he was anything but kind to her. Dr. Doris’s autopsy indicates that he may have served her tea. Her burial site was primitive and basic, but she had been laid out respectfully. There is no question that he broke the law of contact. Like all outsiders, he knew the rules, and the consequences for breaking them, so there can be no question as to why he would have fled the scene following her death. When he’s found, he’ll pay his debt to this law, however unjust that law may be under these circumstances.”
    â€œSo you sympathize with the outsider,” said Gloria.
    â€œDraw whatever conclusions you must,” continued Blanchefleur. “We will nonetheless use the incident as a warning to insiders about the hazards that lurk beyond the wall and of the dangers posed by all outsiders, though not just because of their violent history. It is more the danger that nature inflicted on us that we must worry about, the danger of temptation.”
    Blanchefleur took a sip of water from a glass in front of her, then continued. “As the doctor said, Minn was employed at the Palace of the Temple Donors. Apparently she was one of the technicians who collected the temple fluids, and was thus in regular contact with the outsider donors. At one point she applied for compassionate leave to visit her mother, who she claimed was seriously ill. She was granted two weeks, and more if required. When the holiday was over, she never returned to work.
    â€œAt first there was a slip-up in reporting that she was missing. Most missing persons cases clear themselves up in due course. The authorities figured this one was no different.” Blanchefleur paused and let her eyes sweep the room. With a sigh, she continued, “I spoke to the palace manager. She remembered Minn as a kind but troubled young woman. Apparently she had developed an unhealthy attachment to one of the donors. The manager was relieved when Minn stayed away from work.”
    â€œAre you saying that Minn had an inappropriate relationship with an outsider ?” Gloria asked incredulously.
    â€œMinn had been repeatedly warned to maintain the proper decorum and dignity when dealing with her donors,” Blanchefleur explained. “She was informed that her tendencies were being noticed and that she was at risk. I cannot