sitor. "I understand we have Your Excellency to thank for
Enforcement's timely intervention and the welfare of our patients."

"And Lieutenant Powell," Cortin said. "He's the one who infiltrated
the Brothers and came back with the original information that let me
know what questions to ask."

Mother Gabriel frowned briefly at that reminder, then her expression
smoothed. "It has become obvious Your Excellency does God's work with
His full approval, whatever I may think personally of the means
employed. We are grateful for your help, and we would appreciate your
blessing."

That was a perfectly understandable attitude from a healer, Cortin
thought. Raising her hand, she drew the Triune's symbol in the air.
"May all three Aspects of God protect and guide you and the holy
Sisters."

"And pray for the Protector's appearance," Odeon said, approaching.
"The prisoners are ready for you, Colonel."

"Thank you, Captain. If you'll excuse us, Mother Superior, I'd like
Colonel Bradford to accompany us." When Mother Gabriel nodded, she and
Bradford followed Odeon toward the holding pen. Her second-in-command
had a bloody bandage around his left bicep, but it didn't seem to
bother him, and Mother Gabriel hadn't mentioned it, so it was probably
no more than a flesh wound--not worth worrying about, so she didn't
comment on it. Instead, she asked, "How did Blackfeather react? Did
she give you any trouble?"

"Not at all. In fact, if she hadn't called a warning, Chuck would be
dead instead of wounded, and she's the one who gave him first aid."

"Oh? Quite a change from her former attitude, isn't it?"

"Considerable," Odeon agreed. "Enough that I told her I'd ask if she
could listen while you interviewed the prisoners. She won't interfere,
I'm sure of it."

"In that case, all right." Cortin stopped while they were still out of
earshot of the prisoners. "Ask her to join us, then go get Tiny; I
think the two of you flanking me ought to provide a certain amount of
incentive for the Brothers to answer my questions."

Odeon grinned. "Will do--I like that idea."

As he left, Cortin turned to Bradford. "Okay, Brad, what's this about
unexpected problems? You and Dave should be able to handle anything
that came up in the field as well as I could. Especially with your new
truthsense."

"In that respect, yes," Bradford acknowledged. "But he and I think
what we've found out is going to take your authority to deal wit