There was a strong scent of incense and hundreds of candles were flickering in the side Chapels.
She genuflected and stood for a moment looking at the High Altar and, then seeing a man who looked like a Verger, she went up to him and said,
“I wish to see His Eminence the Cardinal. Is that possible?”
Her appearance obviously impressed him for without hesitation the Verger replied,
“I’m not certain, madam, if His Eminence is available, but Monseigneur St. Ives is, I know in the Cathedral and perhaps you would speak with him?”
“Thank you very much,” Zia answered.
She was led down a side aisle and behind the Altar until the man who was leading her asked her to wait a moment outside a closed door.
She stood there feeling more numb than anything else.
It was as if the agony she felt at f
