is benefit, then left him alone under a twelve-hour
dose of eroticine. Not very original, but effective."

"That's what counts." Bradford shook his head, glad she couldn't see
the chagrin on his face. "Sometimes simple methods are the most
effective." And the hardest to spot special vulnerability to, he
reminded himself. "I'll be at the chapel in about fifteen
minutes--talk to you more this afternoon."

"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