I’m told that when a woman from the FBI Magical Crimes division stopped by a week later, Jason raised enough hell to bury half the U.P. in sulfur and brimstone. He shouted that what was under his clothes was none of the government’s damn business, loud enough to draw the attention of everyone in the library and probably anyone in the neighboring buildings as well. He threatened to sue for everything from harassment to unreasonable search and seizure. He called up the ACLU and the National Center for Transgender Equality right then, using two different phones and putting both organizations on speaker so they could listen in.

He received an official apology from the FBI three days later.

“Lena and I have gotten ourselves into a bit of a mess,” I said.

“Is this the part where I should pretend to be shocked?”

“We’re trying to get in touch with Nidhi, but she’s not answering her phone.”

“I’ll head over to her place and check on her.”

“Thanks, Jason.” I gave him my number. “I owe you big-time.”

“No, you don’t.” He said it so firmly I didn’t know how to respond. “I’ll be in touch soon.”

Lena touched my arm and pointed to an older man in a pastel blue shirt and dark tie standing in the inner doorway. He was five-foot-six, tops, and appeared human. Deb was with him.

“Isaac, Lena, this is Rabbi Miller,” said Deb. “He’s taking care of our friends.”

“Thank you for that.” I stood up and extended my hand. His palm was damp, the only sign of nervousness.

“Isaac Vainio.” He looked me up and down. “You look younger in person than you do on the television.” He wrinkled his nose. “We’ve got showers and clean clothes downstairs. Nothing new or stylish, but they won’t make your eyes bleed.”

He turned to Lena and shook her hand. His intonation softened. “You’re safe here, my dear.”

“Thank you.” She stretched and rubbed her shoulders. “A shower and clean clothes sound divine.”

“Through that door to your left and down the steps. Lupe will show you where the clean towels are stored.”

I studied him for any sign of magical manipulation, but found none. Deb hadn’t influenced his mind, and neither had anyone else. “You’ll help these people find their way home?”

“We will, though it may not change much in the long run.” He beckoned Deb and me into the inner temple. I donned a yarmulke from the bin and followed. Rows of pews led to a raised platform on the eastern end of the building. Heavy curtains hung on the wall behind the platform.

There was no sign of the prisoners we’d rescued, though I spotted several doors leading to other parts of the building. Rabbi Miller sat down on one of the pews and motioned for us to join him.