The elevator shaft smelt of almond oil. At the bottom was a virgin parchment inscribed with the words GOMERT and KAILOETH and the sigil of the demon Khil, who has control over some of the spirits of the air the can also cause earthquakes, and so is a useful spirit to know in Angels City).

The almond oil is part of the paste that summons him, the other ingredients being olive oil, dust from close by a coffin, and the brain of a dunghill cock. "Seventh floor," I said, and was lifted up.

As soon as I got into the office, I called Charlie Kelly He listened while I told him what I'd found, then said, "Nice piece of work, Dave. That confirms and amplifies the information I'd already received. Go to work on that warrant right away."

"I will," I promised. "I know just the judge: I'll take the information over to qadi Ruhollah. He's about the strictest man in A.C. when it comes to environmental damage." I chuckled. "Tor that matter, he's a rigorist on just about everything - Maximum Ruhollah, we call him out here."

"Sounds like the fellow we need, al] right," Kelly said.

"Anything else?"

I started to say no, but had to think better of it. There is one other thing, as a matter of fact. Sudakis - the dump manager - wondered how you'd heard something new might be wrong at his place when no one out here had a clue. I couldn't give him an answer, but it made me curious, too."

As it had once or twice when he'd called me at home, the silence stretched longer than imp relay could account for by itself. Finally Charlie said, "A bird told me, you might say."

"A little bird, right?" I started to laugh. "Charlie, I stopped believing in that little bird about the same time I found out the stork only brings changelings."