Bass persisted with his firm but polite approach. “There seems to be a little misunderstanding. I’m a police detective and I want to speak to Father…Allston, is that right? If you could take me to him, I would appreciate it.”
Bass’s announcement clearly changed the woman’s expression. “I can’t take you to him, but I can bring you over here.” She tugged on Bass’s arm again, taking him out of the way of an elderly man coming past them in the aisle. The man was putting his sweater over the back of a vacant chair.
Marie guided Bass past the same table, then to the darkened hallway. Bass noticed a set of concrete steps farther into the archway. The floor and steps were painted a dull gray color and seemed to lead into darkness in every direction.
“I’ll tell Father Allston he has a special gu
