Sisters Grimm 05 Magic and Other Misdemeanors by Michael Buckley Page A

station and parked the car on the street. The first thing Sabrina noticed was that the bicycle store next door had closed. A big sign in the window said g oing out of business.
    "I guess I can cross that off the list," Sabrina said. One of her birthday wishes was for a bicycle.
    "It appears times are tough all over," Granny Relda said as she pointed across the street. An antiques store and a florist were also boarded up, each with signs hanging in the window that read sorry, we're closed.
    Entering the police station felt like climbing into the mouth of a lion. The new sheriff was cold, calculating, and carried a dagger with him wherever he went. Luckily, he was not in the lobby when the family stepped inside. Christmas decorations hung from the walls and a needleless pine was rotting in the corner with a few multicolored bulbs still clinging to its decaying limbs. These were decorations Sheriff Hamstead and his deputies, Swineheart and Boarman, had set up back in December. It was just one example of the office's neglect. An inch of dust covered most surfaces, leaning towers of files spilled their contents onto the filthy floor, and many of the desk chairs were broken and lying on the ground. There was no one at the front counter or anywhere else. The only new addition to the station was a full-length mirror leaning against a wall. "Hello!" Granny called out.
    "Maybe he's gone," Sabrina said hopefully. "We should come back."
    Before anyone could take her advice, a door at the far end of the room opened and Sheriff Nottingham entered. He was a tall, angry man with long black hair that fell past his shoulders. He had a jagged scar that ran from the bottom of one of his dark eyes to the corner of his lips. A goatee framed his wicked mouth.
    "What do you want?" he growled as he limped over to the desk. Sabrina remembered that the injury was the result of one of Robin Hood's well-aimed arrows.
    Granny forced a smile onto her face. "Sheriff, we haven't had the opportunity to talk since you were elected. I thought it best if we came down and said hello. I'm sure you're aware of my family's history in Ferryport Landing. I know the previous administration found our unique talents very helpful. I wanted to extend my hand with the hope we'll be able to work together for the good of the town."
    "Extend your hand, woman, and you'll find me lopping it off with a sword," Nottingham seethed.
    Uncle Jake stepped forward. "You talk like that to my mother again, pal, and you and I are going to have a big problem."
    The sheriff pulled his coat aside to reveal his shiny dagger. "Our problems have yet to begin."
    Uncle Jake pulled his jacket aside to reveal hundreds of blinking rings, wands, and jewels. "If you're feeling froggy, Sheriff--take a leap."
    The two men stared at each other tensely.
    "Why are you here?" Nottingham demanded.
    "We're investigating a series of robberies--"
    Nottingham quickly cut her off. "I haven't received any reports about robberies."
    "I suppose you will once the citizens get to know you," Granny said. "But these are close friends, and we're just helping out. Our investigation has led us here. We'd appreciate it if we could speak to the Lilliputians."
    Nottingham laughed. "I'm afraid I couldn't do that even if I wanted to. I released all the Everafter prisoners when I became sheriff."
    "You did what?"
    Granny cried. "Some of those people were dangerous."
    "Says you. This town is no longer your playground, Mrs. Grimm," Nottingham barked. "You and your meddling family have had your fun, and now it is over. Luckily, you won't be around much longer."
    "What's that supposed to mean?" Uncle Jake asked, already reaching into his pockets for a weapon.
    "I'm talking about the tax."
    "The tax?" Sabrina said.
    "The property tax," Nottingham said with a smile. "What? Didn't you get the letter?"
    "What letter?" Granny said.
    Nottingham reached into a desk and pulled out a typed form. He threw it at Sabrina, who scanned it quickly