“The slave still has more to confess,” she said.
Gerard turned from the wall. “What did you say?”
“You heard me,” Maura said. “And so did she.”
Maribeth glanced up, wary. Gerard stepped toward Maura. “May I remind you of just who is the confessor, and who’s the assistant.”
“Don’t you even begin to lecture me..." Maura broke off. “She said herself she hasn’t confessed in a long time. Which means since you’re her confessor you’re out of practice too." She pointed at Maribeth. “Ask her. On her honor as a slave.”
Things got quiet. Maribeth’s red eyes swung from Gerard, to Maura, back to Gerard.
A tension seemed to ratchet up in Gerard. He stepped back to the wall, grabbed a single-tail whip. Shook it out. “Slave, on your honor. Have you completely purged?”
Maribeth crawled back, like a
