They attracted considerable attention themselves as they approached the registration desk, largely

because of Broom following in their wake and carrying their bags. Many adepts possessed familiars, the

most popular being thaumaturgically engineered pets such as snats and paragriffins, though some of the

more traditional adepts owned cats. However, an animated kitchen broom that shuffled on its bristles,

had rubbery arms with three-fingered hands, and spoke like a Jewish matron from Queens was an

unusual sight almost anywhere, even in the flamboyant, bohemian atmosphere of Santa Fe.

They attracted considerable attention themselves as they approached the registration desk, largely

because of Broom following in their wake and carrying their bags. Many adepts possessed familiars, the

most popular being thaumaturgically engineered pets such as snats and paragriffins, though some of the

more traditional adepts owned cats. However, an animated kitchen broom that shuffled on its bristles,

had rubbery arms with three-fingered hands, and spoke like a Jewish matron from Queens was an

unusual sight almost anywhere, even in the flamboyant, bohemian atmosphere of Santa Fe.

"This is nice," said Wyrdrune after he had tipped the bellman and stretched out on the king-size,

mission-style bed with a large, ornately carved headboard. "I could get used to this."

"Don't get too relaxed, we didn't come here for a vacation," Kira said. "I don't think we should waste

any time getting in touch with Paul Ramirez. Especially since he's the only contact we've got in this town.

With any luck, we'll get to him before that field agent from the Bureau arrives and starts throwing his

weight around."

"You're right," said Wyrdrune, getting up reluctantly, "but I don't think it would be a good idea if we just

went trooping over to his office to see him. It would be better if we could meet him somewhere privately.

The question is, how to set it up."

"No problem," Kira replied. "Call his office and tell them you're calling from Bureau headquarters. Then,

when he gets on the line, give the phone to Billy and have Merlin say a few words."

"That should get his attention," Wyrdrune said with a grin. "If it doesn't give him a heart attack first." He

went to the phone and dialed information. "I'd like the number for the College of Sorcerers, please."

Paul Ramirez told his secretary that he had developed a migraine and was taking the afternoon off. He

had no headache, but being involved in an investigation of murder by necromancy had unsettled him

profoundly and discovering that Merlin was still alive had been a shock.

His secretary had told him that it was someone calling from Bureau headquarters, so he had quickly

taken the call, expecting it to be a response to his report. Instead, when he had picked up the phone and

identified himself, a voice on the other end had said, "Is this line secure?"

"Yes, of course, this is an official Bureau line. It's spellwarded."

"One moment please, Professor, there's someone here who'd like to speak with you."

"Hello, Paul. How's my favorite teaching assistant?"

That voice! For a moment he was too stunned to speak, then he recovered and angrily demanded,

"Whois this?"

"Don't you recognize my voice, Paul? It's been a long time, I know, but I felt certain that you wouldn't

have forgotten me."