July, Wednesday 2nd, 1961 12:30. Wetborough, North Georgina Kingdom, United Countries of Faeldris.

The elderly couple in my office were openly weeping. Two lovely gnomes were brought to tears because they made a bad deal. I pulled out the spare handkerchiefs I kept around and handed them to the pair as I sat on the edge of my desk to be closer to them. “Mister and Missus Tinglepots, walk me through this one more time if you would.”

“We sold our small store to a wizard that had just moved to town. He said we could stay on working there for a few more years but as soon as he owned it he told us we couldn’t work there anymore. He promised us so that we could keep connected to the town we are from. We were just a small store that dealt with everyone fairly. I thought he was a good man.” Mr. Tinglepots talked while his wife broke down further into tears as she wept at the thought of losing their connection to the community around them.

“Did you get anything in writing? How did the sale go through? What bank did you use for the sale?” I needed more information.

“He… he didn’t use a bank for all of it,” Choked out Mrs. Tinglepots. “He had gold, solid gold placed in front of us. Who… who could say no to such an offer?”

I clutched the bridge of my nose as I walked around the room. I started to get hot with the sunlight streaming through the windows and took off my jacket, placing it on the back of my chair. I was wearing my cheap suit today. I was saving my newest suit for my first trial. “What broker did you go through for the finalizing of the hand off at least? I need something I could collect some information from.”

“The city officiated the sale.” The man wrapped an arm around his wife as he looked at me. He craned his neck up as his round soulful eyes tracked me pacing the room with my nervous energy. “We had to go through them so we could pay our taxes on the sale. He paid us extra under the table with a large sum of money, twenty gold ingots. We didn’t check how pure they were though and they aren’t worth half as much as we thought they would be. Barely pure enough to be accepted for deposit.”

“I can’t use under the table deals and verbal agreements. They won’t hold up in court. I’m sorry but I can’t take your case.” I felt my heart grow so heavy at the admission to the two. I wanted to help them but I had a budding reputation to think about and losing my first case would be a devastating blow to my standing in the firm.

“Please there must be something you can do, Grizzlebats is a terrible influence on our town. All the businesses he is buying up have the worst employees to replace who used to work there..” Mr. Tinglepots stood up and balled up his fists. He was barely at my waist. I could see him shaking with anger and fury despite his size. His ancient silver hair and poor combover tugged at my heart while I thought of my own grandparents.

I clutched my nose once more. I was put in charge of finding my first trial on my own and given free reign in it all. “Look, I’ll look into this Grizzlebats fellow and see what I can do. I can’t promise anything or that I will ever bring this to trial. If you don’t have any proof I can work off of I can’t help you but I’ll see what I can find. I’ll do the research pro-bono though, since I feel bad I can’t help you.” In truth I couldn’t risk taking any dirty money.

I let the Tinglepots cry a little longer and had two soaked handkerchiefs I would have to launder overnight.

Mrs. Tinglepots was still weeping and looked at me as she walked away. “Springtrove needs someone,” Her words were soft as a whisper. 

I looked on in sadness. They were hard people shattered by the whims of a wizard. If it was true and this Grizzlebats was doing something nefarious maybe there was something I could do about it. With the recession so recent I doubted anyone would have that kind of money to buy a few businesses legally. Springtrove was a few hours away by train. I’d have to hire a PI and send him that way to do some initial snooping.

This could be my first case since graduating from Witch Law University and interning and Myoclops, Manticore, and Mandrake. However it was a risk.

Stolen novel; please report.

Rolling through my contacts on my desk I pulled the card for the PI I relied on during my intern years. He owed me. I picked up my phone and rang the man.

“Grindlestones private detective agency, how may I direct your call?” The receptionist’s voice was bright and cheery as she spoke.

“How are you, Eerinas?”

“Oh Mr. Smith. What a pleasure to hear from you. How are you doing?” Her voice was almost sultry and I remembered a few dates that seemed to go well but the hours I worked drove us apart.

“Something came across my office and I would like Grinkle to look into someone for me. Is he available to talk to? I think he owes me a favor and I’d like to cash it in.” I made sure to keep my tone as friendly as hers. Who knew when I might bring her out again.

“Just a moment John, I’ll patch you through.”

The phone went silent for a moment while I loosened my tie waiting for it to pick back up. Suddenly the phone was crackling and full of static, a classic problem when dealing with the fae touched like Grinkle. “This is Grinkle Grindlestones. How can I help you?”

“How is my favorite Redcap doing?” I smiled into the phone while I pulled out a pack of cigarettes to enjoy after the phone call.

“Well, John Smith, I’d recognize that cocky drawl anywhere. Finally cashing in that favor I owe you for bailing me out?” His voice had a glint of greed. Fae hated being in debt with anyone and it pained him quite literally anytime I talked and didn’t use it.

“That is right. Why don’t we meet for dinner and we can go over all the details. I have someone I want you to look into and get as much dirt on as possible. I’m talking about records, hobbies, lovers, anything and everything I can comb over. Scrying stills, the whole thing. Don’t you skimp out on me.” I pulled out and lit one of my treasured vices and took a deep breath. “There is a diner that is my favorite. Get a couple slices of pie at the end of the meal, what do you say?”

“As long as you're paying for the meal I’ll do you the favor. If I’m paying, count yourself as having used your debt.” I could hear him lick his teeth through the static of the phone call. 

“Oh, I’ll pay. It’ll hurt with how much you put away but hells, you’re always worth it. See you at Ulric’s Diner, 6pm. Bring a notebook.” I took a deep drag and blew out a cloud of smoke into the air of my office.

—--

I was sitting at the diner and looking at the menu absentmindedly as I waited. I knew all the food by heart and didn’t actually need to look at it while I drank my iced tea. The sweltering heat of the day was being siphoned out by the open windows and doors of the diner. The sounds of the grill filled the air. I was still in my suit from this morning and to my shame had quite the sweat stains running down my sides. The sweltering heat of the mid south of the united countries was something I was still getting used to.

The waitress walked by and I admired her shapely and lovely rump until a hand smacked on the table across from me. I cursed as my body jumped at the interruption. Fucking Fae being so sneaky. Grinkle was a redcap and his mop of blood red hair showed for it. His trademark hat of burning red color sat on the table near the window we were at as he fanned himself off with a hand. His suspenders were a wintery blue covering a button up shirt that had seen better days. Stains from ketchup and mustard on plain display in strange patterns. His razor toothed grin showed his mirth at having spooked me and his crooked broken nose curved off to the left.

His voice was like oil sitting on water, “John Smith. The mortal who got away. I’m surprised you avoided having debt when you went to that university of yours. Working a full time job and busting your ass at school. Most would have just taken out a loan or accepted a scholarship from one of the Fae Queens.”

“Most but not all.” I slid the menu across the table and he snatched it up with alien grace. His golden orb eyes with black slit pupils skimmed over the page lightning fast. As he looked I pulled out my pack of cigarettes and offered him one while he was distracted. It was always good to get any debt you could out of a Fae and I had pulled this trick on several less savory individuals.

His hands paused as he was about to grip the offered smoke and he frowned, “Tricky bastard.” Snatching his hand back he slapped the menu down and smiled wolfishly at me. “You sure I can’t offer to pay for the whole meal?”

“Oh I’m sure.” I lit up my cigarette and tucked my smokes away. Soon I sipped my refreshing beverage. “I’m sure once you hear what I have to say you’ll know that the meal and favor will cover the full extent of what I want you to do.”

“What do you want me to do, track down a wizard or something?” He laughed at the mere thought of doing such a task against one of the most feared professions in the modern world. I was deathly silent, “... Fuck me dead. You do.” He leaned back as the cushioned booth creaked under his weight. “Should have taken that cigarette.” His hands gripped his hair as he stared at the table.

“Look, I don’t want you putting yourself in danger but I need as much info on this guy as possible and it's gonna be a lot of work. That's why I’m pulling in the full favor you owe me and I’ll be paying some of your fees. You’re the best in the business, I wouldn’t go with anyone else.” I tried to placate his ego and get him in a brighter mood.

He glared at me as the waitress dropped by and took our order. His eyes never wavered as she talked and his order was short and clipped. The waitress frowned at the treatment and sauntered away with a little more attitude in her step than before. “You got some nerve John. A goddamn wizard. You know how easily that fuckwit could trap me in a circle if I’m not careful? How much debt he could squeeze out of me if he does?”

“Look, just hear me out,” His iced tea nearly slammed in front of him by the offended waitress as she passed by. He didn’t flinch. “A couple of real nice people came to me today and they have some major concerns about a wizard that moved to their town. Tricked them out of their store and they say he has been hurting the town more than anyone realizes.” I let out a long stream of smoke into the air angling it away from my companion.

“God, you fucking sap. Your bleeding heart is literally gonna get me killed.” He chugged his drink and wiped some condensation from the glass over his forehead. “Tell me about him.”

“His name is Grizzlebats the Magnificent.” I began to tell him everything I knew.