Witch's Bell Book One

productive, something directed. But what? Should she wait here, all starry-eyed, until Nate came back? Should she stay here and go through the files, trying to find out more about the Grimshores?
    It took Ebony several minutes to come up with a plan. She'd go down to Frank and see if there was any mention of the Grimshores in the non-magical files, she'd decided. Perhaps they had a couple of speeding fines, or something. Or maybe every single Grimshore had always led a fault-free life. It was worth a check, just to see if their blessed lives extended beyond magical crime.
    She wouldn't bother asking Frank what happened to the book from the crypt. Nate wouldn't be lying to her about that. If he said it hadn't been retrieved, then he'd be right.
    As for who had it.... Ebony sighed. This was just another thing to chalk-up on her list of problems to solve.
    She had to concentrate now on the Grimshores. What was the true extent of the magic protecting them? Could not a single person in the whole of Vale speak against them?
    Even if Ebony's search through the regular records didn't bring up anything on the Grimshores, she could still try and talk to other people – to see if they too had such automatic and glowing views of one of Vale's, purportedly, oldest families.
    Plus, she could also find out more about this mysterious break-in at Praytors. Praytors was one of Vale's biggest jewelers. And while they made a pretty good wedding ring for the mundane citizens of Vale, they were also known as trustworthy suppliers of magical items. If you needed a good quality, certified, reliable amulet, sacred knife, blessed ring – or any other magical item – Praytors was your first port of call. And while they trucked in both ordinary and extraordinary items, they were very careful to keep both sides of their business separate and safe. Praytors had at least two wizards on guard in their shop at all times, doubling as magical bouncers and dashing shop-assistants. So technically, should the brave, ambitious, or plain stupid, try and steal their stock – Praytors should be able to look after itself.
    Should be, she reminded herself. But if Nate's final mumblings were anything to go by, then the unimaginable had happened, and Praytors had been robbed.
    How? And by whom? And what exactly had they wanted, Ebony wondered with a swallow.
    But she wasn't going to get anything answered just sitting at her desk with a mild blush on her cheeks. So Ebony finally pushed herself to her feet and headed downstairs.
    Her first port of call would be Frank. Not only would Frank know everything there was to know about looking through the police files, he was also more than old enough to remember this stuff off the top of his head. He would be a real test, Ebony assured herself as she marched up to his desk, of whether the citizens of Vale were truly free to speak their minds about the Grimshores.
    'Ebony Bell,' Frank mumbled from his desk as he looked up from a pile of Manilla folders, printouts, and newspaper clippings, 'how's your father?'
    Ebony shrugged. 'Fine.'
    'I take it, from your short answer, that you aren't here to talk about your dad.'
    Ebony shook her head. 'Look, this is going to sound odd, but just go with me here.'
    'Go with you where?' Frank looked at her, aged face pressed with confusion.
    She just smiled through a laugh. 'I've just been looking through some cases... and I was wondering if I could get your opinion on something.'
    He answered with an expectant silence, just sitting there still as a statue, waiting for her to ask her question, or get bored and leave.
    'I was wondering if you knew who the Grimshores are.'
    'I would have thought you'd know that, Ebony, it is common knowledge,' he sat so neatly in his chair it looked as if he'd been arranged there by an artist.
    'Yeah, pretend I don't....'
    Frank sighed, obviously slightly irritated by her silly game, but probably had just enough respect for her father to play along anyway. 'The Grimshores are one of Vale's most respected and oldest families,' he nodded sagely as he spoke, as if he were simply filled by the privilege of imparting such an important story as this. 'The members of the family sit on many prestigious boards, give to many worthy charities, and generally look out for the citizens of Vale like wondrous guardians.'
    Ebony just nodded, keeping her expression as blank as she could. It was incredible though, she admitted to herself, how much Frank appeared to