Normally, Xavin was self-contained and dignified, respectful of people’s privacy, many thing that were important for her, particularly, to be. But she’d been having a pleasant if somewhat odd conversation, so she allowed herself to be a teenager and lean over the counter to peel at his book.

Police call boxes in the 1950s. Clever idea, really, miniature police stations for officers and a handy way to be sure of getting the local station if you needed them. But, “What’s magic about it?”