Witch's Bell Book One

believe what he was saying. His face was almost alight with the wonder and truth of it all. Had that been how she'd looked to Nate? Had her eyes been just as wide with eager pep?
    'Go on,' she encouraged after Frank seemed to come to the end of his spiel.
    Frank made a face. 'There's not much more to say, really. Though the family is large, Tony Grimshore is currently the patriarch, if you will. He sits on the board of the hospital, on the council, is a good confidant of the Mayor, and is very good friends with the Commissioner too. Not to mention, he owns four hotels, three restaurants, two car parks, eight office buildings, and quite a large lot of land outside the city perimeters. And those are just his own properties. His sons, uncles, and general extended family, probably own nearly three-quarters of the business around Vale.'
    'Three-quarters?' Ebony repeated, surprised. She'd never thought about it this closely, but now she had, the thought chilled her. The family, between the lot of them, almost owned all of Vale. Hadn't anyone else thought this was a little frightening? One family with a monopoly, and quite possibly a magical protection against anyone ever speaking out against them.
    Ebony gave a shiver. 'Um.... Well, considering the family has been around so long, can I have a look at their file? Surely, after all, they must have committed some crimes at some point. Even if it's just a speeding tick-' but Ebony couldn't complete her sentence.
    A look of outraged shock flew over Frank's face. It was as if Ebony had just punched his mother. 'Ebony Bell,' he said, voice harsh, 'The Grimshores are absolute pillars of the community. Not a single one, ever, has committed a crime. Dear girl, we should all hope to be more like them. The very idea that they could have broken any law shows me just how much you don't know about them.'
    The strength of his reaction shocked Ebony. Not just because it made her feel like a child being told off by the principal for calling God dirty names, but because of the sheer peculiarity of it. This didn't feel like something Frank would ever do. The man had more passion for files than upholding the moral good. Even if Ebony had sullied her own father's name, Frank would probably have just given her a pressed-lipped tisk-tisk. Now he was admonishing her from his pulpit, with more vehemence and passion than a prophet bringing down a lightning strike to slay the unbelievers.
    'Ah okay,' Ebony said quickly, not wanting to create a scene. She had all the evidence she needed, and didn't really like the idea of being thrown out of the window by Frank for saying another word against the Grimshores. 'I was just interested, that's all. I mean,' she took a hasty look at his still angry expression, and tried to smile, 'I know that the Grimshores are the absolute best people in all of Vale,' she tried to underline her words by waving her hands around. 'They really are just so upstanding,' she smiled and smiled. 'Really, it was a stupid question to ask.'
    Finally Frank's face softened. 'Yes, it was... but that doesn't matter... now where was I,' his head dipped as he returned to work.
    Ebony studied his face very carefully for as long as she could without appearing too conspicuous. After a while he looked like ordinary, old, file-loving Frank again. She couldn't put her finger on the transformation, but one moment she could hardly recognize him, the next it was just old Frank.
    She left the office way more confused than when she'd entered. If she'd thought not being able to talk against the Grimshores had been scary, but not all that important, she now had her evidence that it was a lot more pervasive and incredible than she'd ever imagined.
    Frank had seemed like a different man when he'd been talking about the Grimshores – filled with the kind of fervor and righteous belief that reminded Ebony more of a disciple and less of an elderly detective.
    She shook her head as she left the room, still trying to take it all in. What kind of magic had the Grimshores employed in order to have this much effect on people? Whatever it was, it was powerful. Frank was in the police station, after all. And Ebony had also been right here in the police station when she'd tried to convince Nate that the Grimshores were as upstanding as flag poles. If it was some kind of cursed object making Ebony and Frank talk like this – then, by rights, it shouldn't work in the police station. The station was one of the most