"Subject also very touchy." He speaks it slowly and more under his breath as he writes. "There. That should satisfy them that I did indeed speak with you."

He tucks the pen into the clipboard and holds it neatly behind his back in both hands. "All sorts of genres and eras, of course. It's not niche. Why would I be trying to sell you something that's not here? It's not like we can nip right out and run round the corner, is it?"

He shakes his head with a good degree of certainty. "No. If he's anyone of note, I'd know of him. I know all of the esoteric collectors. We're always after the same books. It's a small circle. I'm fairly sure you're not in it, either." His smile is the sort that really isn't.