“Because of the scandal and because he’s overtly gay.” The priest fingered his cross. “She’s old-fashioned. Thinks that if gays really wanted to change, they could. To her, homosexuality isn’t an innate, hardwired sexual preference. To her, it’s being stubborn.”

“And it’s being a sinner.”

“That, too.” Bram waited a beat. “Actually, it’s the homosexual act that’s the sin, not the homosexual. Though the distinction makes little difference to a woman like my mother or to a man like Reginald, it would make a great difference to someone like my father who took the Bible literally.”

“Meaning?”

“He’d have nothing against homosexuals as long as they abstained from engaging in homosexuality.”

Decker paused. “So your father wouldn’t discriminate against gays as long as they remained celibate.”

“Exactly.”

“Hard to do.”

“It can be done.”

Decker said nothing. The priest’s face was neutral.

Bram said, “Either celibate or sublimated in a legitimate heterosexual union.”

“But neither is the case with Decameron.”

“No.”

“And yet your father kept him on.”

“Yes.”

“Ever get an indication that your father was trying to save Decameron’s soul?”

A small smile played upon Bram’s lips. As if the thought was too absurd for words. “No, I never did see any indication of that. But perhaps it was an agenda of my father’s.” He looked around. “I’ve got to get back to the crowd.”

“Of course,” Decker said. “Out of curiosity, is punishing the act but not the desire how the Catholic Church views gays?”

“Our philosophy is to deal compassionately with everyone. Anybody—and I do mean anybody—is welcome in my church. Theologically speaking, confession and penance are required for all immoral thoughts regardless toward whom they’re directed.”

“Although personally you think immoral thoughts could be construed as healthy outlets for tension.”

Bram stared at him. “Ah, our discussion last night. I should be more temperate in my speech. I didn’t quite mean that, Lieutenant. As an agent of the Roman Catholic faith, I feel it’s not only commendable but very wise to keep the mind as spiritually focused as possible. I had just been musing for my father’s benefit. He expected theological interchange whenever I was around. I tried not to disappoint.”

Decker nodded, wondering what kind of fantasies had ever danced in the priest’s mind.

Bram said, “By the way, Lieutenant, I want to apologize for my sister’s comments yesterday. Eva isn’t anti-Semitic. But she is having a hard time with her Jewish husband. She’s another one who has trouble making distinctions.”

“How’d your parents feel about Eva marrying a Jew?”

The priest’s voice leaked exhaustion. “I’d appreciate if you didn’t bring that up with my mother either.”

“I’m not bringing it up with her. I’m bringing it up with you.”