I pulled my mind back to business and asked him, "Can you give me a list of the firms whose spells you're storing at this containment facility?" That was a question I could legitimately ask him, regardless of whether the Listener was conscious.

He said, "Inspector Fisher, in view of the unofficial nature of your visit, I have to tell you no. If you bring me a warrant, I will of course cooperate to the degree required by civil and canon law." He thought he was being heard again - he tipped me a wink as he spoke.

"Such a list is a matter of public record," I argued, both because it was something I really wanted to have and because I still wasn't sure I could trust him.

"And I will surrender it to properly constituted authority, but only to such authority," he said. "But it could also give competitors important information on the spells and charms we use at this facility. Limited access to magical secrets is one of the oldest principles of both canon and civil law."

He might have been playing it to the hilt for the sake of the Listener, but he had me and I knew it Sophisticated magic has to be kept secret or else everyone starts using it and the originator gains no benefit from hard and often dangerous research work. People who want to socialize sorcery don't realize there wouldn't be much sorcery to socialize if they took away the incentive for devising new spells.

"I shall return with that warrant, Mr. Sudakis," I said formally.

He grinned and gave me a silent thumbs-up the Listener wouldn't notice, so he was either really on my side or one fine con man. "Will there be anything else. Inspector?" he asked.

I started to shake my head, then changed my mind. "Is there a safe spot in this building where I can look out at the whole dump?"

"Sure is.