"Right." Cortin hung up, turned to the two waiting. "He mentioned a chapel—where is it?"
"On the main floor," Pritchett told her. "Dedicated to St. Eleanor, of course."
The patron saint of Enforcement, yes, since there were no Inquisitor saints. "Good—I'd hoped for a chapel, but I hadn't really expected one."
"I'll show you where it is." Pritchett grinned. "I go to Mass every day, when I can—glad I didn't miss it today."
"Can I go too?" Powell asked hesitantly. "I've been once, so I can't take Communion, but …"
"Certainly!" Cortin exclaimed. "Whenever you want, as long as it doesn't interfere with your duties. Shall we go, gentlemen?"
Not at all to her surprise, after seeing other parts of the Lodge, Cortin found the chapel to be exquisitely—and expensively!—equipped and decorated. She went into the vestry for some private meditation, then put on her stole and went out to say Mass.
Bradford was struck by the change in her when she went to the altar and began the preliminary prayers. She was still attractive, rather than beautiful, but there was an aura about her now that made her seem as beautiful as the ceremony itself. She was completely wrapped up in it, obviously unaware of those in the chapel with her except for the little time it took her to administer Communion. He couldn't be sure if she even needed her Missal, or if her references to it were simply as part of the ceremony; somehow, he believed it was the latter. He'd only seen this sort of absorption twice before, he thought in awe. He'd have to report it to his superior—and he'd definitely have to talk to her later. After talking to Odeon!
As soon as Mass was over, Bradford took advantage of Cortin's offer to borrow her main-floor office. He should have summoned Powell for questioning, but what he'd just seen wouldn't let him; it was Odeon he called for. And, as he'd half expected, Cortin's second in command was trying to conceal something, his cold pale eyes revealing to the Inquisitor what his impassive expression hid: he was afraid. Not for himself, though; for Cortin?