John Banville

They were both silent for a time, then Quirke lifted a hand and made a gesture indicating the statue, the sanctuary lamp, the altar with its gold-embroidered white cloth, and said:
"Tell me, Mal, do you really believe in all this?"
Mal considered. "I try to," he said. He looked sidelong at his brother-in-law. "And you - what do you believe in?"
"I was cured of believing in things a long time ago."