The wailing toddler looked at the priest and then put his face against his shoulder for comfort. But Ruth took Sam's hand and pulled him away. "He's fine," she asserted. Sure, the priest had sort of covered for her, but she still didn't know why. Priests were right up there with teachers and rich shits in her list of people to be wary of and only slightly below coppers.

She pulled the howling child along, walking just a little slower now so that he could keep up. James could deal with the constable. He had gotten them into this mess.