"What made you come back for it, anyhow?" the old man growled as he tucked the watch back into his waistcoat. He didn't wait for her to answer, but turned around and trundled into a back room, gesturing for Ava and Abe to follow.

Ava glanced at the younger man, who looked about as confused as she felt. "Come back?" she asked. "I've never been here before in my life." She tentatively followed him through the doorway, and was surprised by how dark the room was once Abe closed the door behind them. A single lamp glowed on the desk, and stacks of books and loose papers lined every corner.

The man laughed for the first time, a chuckle that startled his two companions. "Maybe you've never been here, missy, but we both know your family has. Your grandfather left this watch in that house to be forgotten--and for good reason, too! So why've you gone and ignored his wishes?" He glared at her again, waiting for her to answer--trying, she knew, to somehow intimidate her.

But she refused to be intimidated. "You shouldn't take things that aren't yours," she said coolly.

The man drew up a protective hand over the pocket where he'd tucked the watch. "And you should respect your elders." He turned around and picked up one of the leather tomes from the desk. "Besides," he said almost gleefully, "You won't want it now. It's not quite as...useful as it once was.