lieved what he was
saying, and Brad was nodding agreement. Well, she'd learn about it in
a few minutes, from the ones who'd done it. "All right, have the first
one brought over."

Bain turned to face the holding pen and gave the appropriate hand
signals, then turned back; moments later, troopers brought the first
prisoner out. He looked about 45, his expression frightened, but
seeming hopeful as well--not at all a normal reaction, and it puzzled
her. She frowned to herself, but decided her curiosity would have to
wait. "Were you in charge of this raid?" she asked.

The man shook his head. "No, Lady," he said respectfully. "I wasn't
in charge; I'm not even a Brother."

"True. Well, then, do you have any information you think I might find
useful?"

The man shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Lady."

Cortin frowned again, this time openly. He was afraid, yes--but his
fear seemed to be of the idea she'd think him a Brother or have any
information, which was interesting. And worth pursuing, even though
she was supposedly here to evaluate prisoners. "Not likely that you
have any information, or not likely I'd find it useful?"

"Either, Lady. I'm an honest farmer. Or was, till those bas--uh,
Brothers--killed my wife and kidnapped my little girl. They said
they'd kill her too, unless . . . unless I helped them." His shoulders
slumped. "They've probably killed her anyway--or worse. But I can't
take that chance."

Cortin took a deep breath, let it out slowly. Dave was right, she
thought; this was one of the worst of the Brothers' atrocities, and it
made her coldly furious. Forcing outsiders to help in horror-raids by
threats to their families went beyond her conception--until now--of
even the Brothers' depravity. "I believe you," she said, and showed
him the back of one hand. "Any Inquisitor who wears this mark knows
when someone's telling the truth, and no one who hasn't committed a
crime will be punished. You'll be taken to the Detention Center,
though, for detailed questioning. Enforcement will use any information
you can give us to try to rescue your daughter, so be as thorough as
you can; sometimes a tiny detail you think useless can be the key.
After that, I'm afraid, you'll be kept in protective custody--" She
broke off at his expression. "Protective custody, I said! Think,
man--if we turn you loose, the Brothers can still use that threat
against you. There's no guarantee what'll happen w