Marcus returns her comment with a pointed look and an arched eyebrow before giving a genuinely amused laugh. There is so much wrong with the Catholic Church, rot that can be traced right back to its very core, and the reputation is rightly has with children is some of its worst crimes.

"I wasn't a priest in the traditional sense," he says. "I didn't work in a church, I didn't have a congregation and I certainly didn't lead any sermons. I imagine half the bishops in the Vatican would have sooner sold their souls to the devil than allowed me to properly preach."

Which was just fine with Marcus.

He hesitates, then says, "I was an exorcist. Still am, I suppose, though it's less necessary in Darrow than it used to be."