Grimoires and Where to Find Them (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 6) by Honor Raconteur

Author:Honor Raconteur [Raconteur, Honor]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: The Case Files of Henri Davenport
Publisher: Raconteur House LLC
Published: 2021-04-30T04:00:00+00:00

Sasson Walcott looked very different than he had earlier that day—no longer the posturing gentleman, but a hunted man who sat hunched in his chair, afraid and miserable. Jamie went ahead of me into the interrogation room, where they’d temporarily stashed him while he was waiting for our arrival. I followed closely at her heels, ready to hear either the truth or a whopper of a story.

With criminals, it could be either.

Jamie spoke as she drew out the chair opposite him, sitting confidently, as if it was her due. “Well, Mr. Walcott, I didn’t expect this. After you ran from us this morning, the last thing I expected was for you to turn yourself in this evening. May I ask what changed?”

“I panicked earlier,” he admitted heavily. “And…after I ran, I went to an acquaintance for help. But doing that meant crossing paths with someone I really didn’t want to meet, and he’s now threatening my life.”

That did and didn’t answer the question. I was still very upset with him, more so after looking in a mirror and seeing the damage to my face. I’d had to trim my fringe and apply several potions and creams to restore myself to rights.

But as much as I wanted to cut this man to the quick, answers trumped my personal feelings.

I sat as well and requested, “Start at the beginning, please. We know you’ve been dissecting grimoires and selling the pages. What started you on that path?”

He stared at his hands—both in cuffs—on the table as he spoke in a dead voice. It was only then that I really noticed his hands. The nails were cracked and the pads stained a very unhealthy purple-grey. I’d suspected he’d been on the receiving end of magical backlash due to his work. The hands confirmed it, although I had to wonder what other ailments now plagued him.

“When I first opened the office, I was sure the clientele would come in quickly. I was in such a good location, after all. But it was slow to build up. I’d jumped too hastily into moving offices, and the rent alone was killing me.

“I happened across an old grimoire in an estate sale, and when I got it back and examined it, I realized the cover and binding were done for. But some of the pages inside were quite unique. The charms were very beautifully drawn. I’ve been in this business long enough to know that with the right charms, a single sheet can sell well. The book was more valuable in pieces than it was as a single volume.”

I winced. “You realize those charms are normally put into glass displays.”

“I did take precautions. I pasted sealing charms on the back of them before selling them.”

That did make me feel marginally better. There was not much margin to begin with, mind you.

Jamie made a noise of encouragement. “So, that worked out well for you. And you decided to continue?”

“At first it was only the books I knew wouldn’t sell well,” he said miserably.

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