Rosa's expression turned somber. "I feel compelled to tell you this, Elise... Can I call you Elise without the honorifics? You can call me Rose, too. Have I mentioned that before?"
Elise nodded vigorously, gulping and holding her breath.
"If you truly care about Priest Erland, then I would advise you to provide any information that might save him. I promise to treat you as an anonymous witness and consider your testimony vital, potentially setting the course of this investigation altogether."
The teacup rattled in Elise's hand once more as she set it on the table without taking a sip. "Priest Erland and I go way back, and having watched him his entire life, I can assure you, there is no man better or kinder than he is." Her eyes, a deep, determined green that popped beneath dark auburn hair looked resolute. "He has always fallen victim to his own kindness, taking blows from the closest people to him."
