"Trust me, I never intend to. --You do know I live with Terrence, right? If I was going to read it, I would have read it already."

"You living with Terrence is what makes me worried. That book -- does things to people. He wasn't like that before. And Roby talks just like him, and I'm concerned if we track down Best or DeVille they will too. And -- well, I don't know how to explain. Inaaya might be able to tell you. But it doesn't matter much anyways, since you're not going to. I just wanted to be sure. ..Don't tell Terrence I said all that, will you? I don't want a huge rift between us if there's actually something wrong there."

"My lips are sealed. --as are my eyes, when it comes to That Book."

"Thanks."

Meanwhile-- 

Oscar and Inaaya go to Mr. Sano's office. 

The secretary says, "Hello, Miss Sinope. Mr. Sano will be free shortly. Would you like something to read while you wait?"

This time, she hasn't been requested, and doesn't have an appointment. It's hard not to feel like she's managed to get somewhere that she is categorically not supposed to be, and any moment someone is going to notice. People Like Inaaya do not belong in Offices Like This One. "Yes, please."

Oscar can't remember the last time he visited Sano but it's been long enough that he redecorated.

The secretary gives Inaaya a copy of an interesting new book about quantum physics. She does not give Oscar anything at all.

Maybe he is on some kind of blacklist?

He gives Inaaya a meaningful look-- trying to land on "Crazy, right?"

She shrugs. Worrying about what that might mean is-- probably not worth her time, since even if Sano has decided he hates Oscar for some reason she can hardly take any actions about it. She reads about quantum physics.

And forty-five minutes later the secretary says, "Mr. Sano will see you now."

"I'm very sorry for the delay, Miss Sinope, Mr. Latz. I was in an unavoidable meeting. If you make an appointment with my secretary you will not have to wait so long."

"I didn't mind. Thank you for the book."

"Sorry about that, Mister Sano," Oscar says. "We've dealing with some unusual circumstances. I hope you've been well, by the way."

"I have been excellent. Would you care for some tea?"

"That'd be wonderful. Thanks." He's heard quite a bit about Japanese tea preparation.

"Yes please."

"I have some chai for Miss Sinope," Sano says, "and some excellent green tea from Japan for myself and Mr. Latz."

(Fact: According to Sal, Sano ended the performance of the King in Yellow, which, Inaaya doesn't actually have evidence that it's cursed and nobody should read it or see it but it sure didn't feel like something people should be exposed to.

Hypothesis: to whatever extent there's something not-conventionally-held-to-be-possible going on, Sano is probably more aware of it than anyone else Inaaya talks to.

Corollary: Oscar Latz is not. Like, extremely not, ridiculously not, makes up absurd stories out of thin air to justify how conventionally-held-to-be-possible things have to be. She doesn't know what to do about this. If there are codes for letting people know that you also know about magic, Inaaya doesn't know them. But there's got to be something there, right?)

In the meantime she smiles extremely sincerely and thanks him. She has, in fact, missed chai.

This green tea is great!

He pours it incredibly gracefully. In fact, all of his movements are very graceful. He's quite pretty.

Whatever he thinks of the flagrant displays of wealth, Oscar has to admit, Sano's so refined.

"What did you want to speak to me about? I must admit I didn't know that you two were acquainted."

"We were investigating the case of one Alexander Roby; Mr. Latz tried to set up a meeting with his friend Christopher Parker, and hit a dead end, and -- since you're in the rare books business -- I suggested asking you."

"It's in the interest of helping an artist in some very bad circumstances." He has no idea if this tack will work on Sano.