Part 33 (1/2)

”A week should be about right,” Bradford said. ”And I think I know the ideal reporter to invite.”

Cortin c.o.c.ked her head. ”That expression says you're up to something, Brad. Just who is this ideal reporter?”

”Sara Blackfeather, of the New Roman Times.”

Cortin stared at him in shocked disbelief. ”Are you feeling all right?

She not only despises Enforcement, rumor has it she's Pope Lucius'

mistress!”

”Not just rumor,” Bradford said. ”You have to remember, though, that in that part of this world, an unmarried man is almost required to have a mistress. If he's faithful to her--and everything I've heard says he is, from the time he acknowledged her when he was Cardinal McHenry--it's only a venial sin. As for her being hostile, what would it prove if, say, Patrick James did a series? He's always been an Enforcement supporter. But if you can turn Blackfeather into a friend--even a neutral--she'd sway a lot of her followers. Even her worst enemies can't argue her honesty; if she does change her opinion, she'll say so.”

”True,” Cortin agreed. ”She's done it before, two or three times that I know of. All right, as soon as I decide on a good time, I'll send her an invitation. And while we're on that subject--Dave, have you asked Betty yet if she and the children want to move here?”

”No--until this morning, I didn't understand how you really felt.”

Bain smiled. ”I'll call her after Ma.s.s.”

”Why wait?” Cortin returned the smile. ”Call now, so we'll all know.

It's a good time to move--nice weather, and the children'll have time to make friends before school starts. And if they do come, I'd like to have them here when Blackfeather arrives--I have a feeling I'm going to need the kind of atmosphere only children can create.”

”Besides which,” Bain said, ”your secret's out, to us--you just plain like children.” He went to the phone, dialed, and moments later was speaking to his sister-in-law. He explained the new family structure and his part in the first one being formed, then went into the advantages for the children even if she chose not to marry into the group--then he grinned, giving the group around him the thumbs-up, and began discussing logistic details.

”Good!” Cortin exclaimed. ”Sis, Mike--we'll need a playground, and the third floor set up for children, and--a nanny, do you think, or--”

”Next weekend be okay?” Bain interrupted to ask.

”The sooner the better,” Cortin said. If they could move in that quickly, it might not be a bad idea to invite that reporter for the week around the Brothers' attack on the convent. If she'd never been to a fresh raid scene, she could only have a rough, second-hand idea of the suffering a raid caused. Seeing that might jar her enough to let her really look at what Enforcement did, and why--including the necessity for Inquisitors and the methods it took to stop the terrorists. Cortin wasn't sure it would, but with Blackfeather's reputation for honesty, it seemed to be worth the gamble. ”If they'll need help, fly out with whoever you need.”

Bain spoke into the phone again, then hung up and turned to the rest.

”Two of us will be more than enough, she says. Who wants to be the other?”

Pritchett raised his hand quickly. ”I've always been good with kids.”

”I would also like to go,” Chang said.

Cortin shook her head. ”Sorry, Sis. Even if you weren't pregnant, it'd be too dangerous. I know you're no more worried about yourself than any other Strike Team officer would be, but with you at the top of the Brothers' wipe list, if they tried for you, the Bains would get caught in the crossfire.”

”I had not thought of that,” Chang said. ”I would not wish to endanger others, of course. Dave and Tiny, then?”

”Right. On permissive TDY--and,” she turned to the designated ones, ”with orders to call me if the Transportation Office gives you any static about storing whatever she can't or doesn't want to bring along.

Not that that's likely, with both of you members of the King's Own.”

”True.” Bain grinned. ”I kind of hope they do, though. You cannot believe how much I'd like to see their faces if Her Excellency the King's Inquisitor had to talk to them.”

”Oh, I'd believe, all right,” Cortin said. ”I've had all the usual experiences with them myself, which is why I'm kind of hoping you have to call.”

Prince Edward tapped on the King's half-open office door. ”Good news, Father.”