As the drive continued, Emily turned on the radio to avoid the silence. The station it was left on was in the middle of a news update.
"Tension remains high in Congress as attempts to discontinue the Freedom to Faith Act failed, though this time by a close margin of votes. This latest attempt was helmed by Democrat Senator Patton Renauld who said in a passionate closing speech:
"When do we step back and realise that the Church is an archaic construct that should have dissolved into irrelevancy centuries ago?" the senator paused for effect in the sound clip, "the FTF Act serves as a final obstacle written to existence by the overwhelmingly ridiculous and melodramatic religious. And to this day, those who use the Act continue to abuse those who are weak and easily manipulated to siphon money from them."
The sound clip cuts as several indistinguishable opposing voices could be heard. The newscaster continues her report.
"Even though this latest attempt was close to succeeding, supporters of the Freedom to Faith Act continue to have the majority bipartisan support. Democrat Senator for Washington, Derek Pendleton at his closing statement:
"What my colleague seems to ignore is, the fact that the Freedom to Faith Act falls directly under the First Amendment in our Constitution," another man, this one sounded older than the first, stated confidently, "our right to free speech includes our right to believe. 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.'
"That is what it says in our Constitution, almost verbatim. I, for one, believe that it was overwhelmingly ridiculous that we had to create the Freedom to Faith Act, to begin with, to contend with the significant cultural stigma that circled around religion at the time."
A smile crept up on Emily's face. She enjoyed the fact that Senator Pendleton used the same phrase as his opponent in his statement.
The newscaster started talking once more.
"This latest attempt arose from findings made by the RRS on the Mulls' Community Church which was found to have abused the local branch of the Exorcism Corps, colloquially and crudely known as 'God's Army', to extort money illegally from victims."
Jordan sank into the passenger seat. He had finished the bear claw and was now cupping his coffee cup with both hands and sipping on the liquid loudly.
"God's Army'…" Emily scoffed, "we're no army…"
"We kinda are though," Jordan said, "although, I don't like the nickname as well."
"It's not much of a war though, is it?" Emily asked as she glanced at him quickly to gauge his reaction.
"Well…" Jordan lingered on the word, "you could make the argument that it's a war for souls, couldn't you? What would happen to those affected if we weren't around to do anything about it?"
"I mean — sure — but it's not like we're the only ones who are fighting against the enemy—"
Jordan exclaimed loudly in triumph, "aha! So, you acknowledge that we are fighting against an enemy. That's basically a war."
"You know that's not what I mean," Emily pouted.
Jordan watched her for a moment before he took another sip of his coffee, "all right, what do you actually mean?"
Emily glanced at him and saw that he was sincerely giving her the space to voice her feelings. She cleared her throat.
"Well, if we look at what we do, it's basically placing tape over a crack instead of filling it up with new concrete, you know? At least that's how I'm feeling lately," Emily paused, "we risk our lives to save these people that are in trouble, and we barely get any gratitude out of it—"
"We're not doing it for the gratitude Emily," Jordan said quickly, but softly.
"—I know, I know. It just makes it hard sometimes. Especially with what's happening in Congress right now, and how nearly everyone looks at us. With that…" She struggled to think up the right word.
"…I know what you mean. That look that questions why we believe in what we do, and automatically ridicules the choice." Jordan said quietly.
"Man, I really do know how to bring the mood down," Emily half-heartedly chuckled.
"All we can do is just keep doing our best and believe that there is a reason why everything's unfolding the way it is," Jordan reassured her, "it's not in our place to question His plans. We can only hope that it's revealed to us quickly."
Jordan sipped his coffee again.
"It's really difficult to take you seriously when you say something like that and then immediately drink your coffee like a child." Emily laughed.
"It's hot." Jordan simply said.
"—in other news, the investigation into the latest string of accidents in Gould Constructions has concluded, with authorities finding that they are just what they seem to be. Unfortunate accidents. In a move that has been lauded by those in the construction industry, Gould Constructions CEO Henry Gould has announced that he would be cutting his annual salary to fund research into greater improvements in worksite safety," the newscaster said.
"Did you hear about this?" Emily asked Jordan.
He shook his head, "I try to stay away from news in general. Unless it has something to do with a job."
"Absolutely terrible it is, so many families affected by the deaths of their loved ones."
Jordan slurped.
"You are a terrible conversation partner," Emily sighed.
"To be fair, that's probably why my wife left me."
Emily stole a glance at her passenger. Jordan was as straight-faced as anybody could be. Her jaw dropped in shock.
"Wow."
"Oh, come on, it's about me. I'm dissing myself. Am I not allowed to do that?" Jordan's voice grew louder as he passionately defended his quip.
"Let's just move on," Emily said, "maybe we should discuss the job instead."
"Wha—?" Jordan started, then sighed in defeat and sank back down into his seat. His two hands cupped the coffee cup once more as he placed it up to his lips and slurped. After he swallowed with a comically loud and satisfied 'ah…', he asked, "today's job is in Hope General Hospital, huh."
"Yep," Emily curtly said, "I spoke to an Anna Porter yesterday when the job listing came in, they asked for a preliminary investigation on a possible possession."
"Possible possession?"
"Patient came into the hospital acting strange with superficial cuts on their arms. The hospital thought that it was self-inflicted and got the patient a consultation with a psychologist," she glanced over at Jordan, "Hope General is connected to Hope Asylum, so they sent over one of the staff members to do the consult.
"The details are unclear, but said psychologist lasted only fifteen minutes in the room with the patient and sent in their paperwork for a sabbatical. He hasn't been able to be contacted since. That was a week ago."
"That is strange…" Jordan mumbled as he thought over the facts that Emily just said to him, "it's not often that a possible possession victim gets sent to a hospital like that. Seems like we finally got a Corps job in a public place."
"It's not like that," Emily said, "the patient is now placed in an abandoned wing that used to be part of Hope Asylum. The hospital doesn't want any complications with the public, so we'll be doing our investigation there."
"I guess you have to save face." Jordan nodded slowly.
Jordan slid down lower in the chair and raised his leg up against the dashboard. Emily hissed at him.
"Don't you dare!"
It wasn't a vicious warning, but it was serious enough. Jordan sent a sulking look at Emily that she ignored and he tsked in disappointment as he continued to cradle his cup.
"THE PASTOR..." — END