Chapter the tenth. I never thought I could keep a story going this long. They usually just float around in my head for a while. Anyway- once again I don't own the Witchblade characters or concepts. Just my story and my added characters. Enjoy. And apologies to A. A. Milne.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Talismaniac dot com," Adrienne read off the sign on the door. "Well, can't make things much clearer than that." She rang the buzzer, and when no one answered, she rang again, then rapped loudly on the door. Still, no one answered. This seemed to be the pattern for the day. "Un-at-home, are you, Mr. Bowman?" she murmured as she tried the door. It opened, and Adrienne slipped in, closing the door quietly behind her.
"Hello? Mr. Bowman? Are you here? Hull-o-oh!" Adrienne sighed and proceeded to poke around the shop. "Hmmmm. something for everyone, she said softly to herself, taking stock of the various masks, skulls, vases, guns, jewelry, and other items cluttering the room.
It was at this point that Gabriel came in from the back room. He hadn't been expecting anyone, so in the interest of self preservation, he stay out of sight to observe his guest without alerting her to his presence. He let a quiet sight of relief escape him once he had taken a good look. No guns, no swords. and she was looking into the jewelry case. Actually, now that he had overcome his initial suspicion, Gabriel couldn't help but cast an admiring eye over the girl. She had a pretty, intelligent face, peroxide streaked hair, a leather jacket, tweed skirt and, (Gabriel grinned when he saw her shoes) combat boots. he walked over to introduce himself.
Adrienne looked up when she heard his footsteps. "You Gabriel Bowman?" She hid her surprise at his youth and her eyes appraised him for a moment. She seemed satisfied.
"Yup. That'd be me. How can I help you, Miss...?"
"Farrell. Adrienne. I just took a job with Edward green at Arts and Letters. He said you were holding some books for him, and sent me by to pick them up. "She handed Gabriel the note from her employer. Gabriel took the paper, read it, and began rummaging through a large cardboard box behind a counter.
"So Ed finally hired some help. It's about time. He should have ages ago. Oh well, here's one of the books." Gabriel pulled a book from the box and slid the yellowed volume across the counter. Then he turned to a file cabinet and resumed his search there. "How did you get into the business? Book dealing, I mean," he inquired conversationally. Adrienne looked at him curiously, but kept her voice even when she spoke.
"How do you know I'm not just helping him out? a job's a job, and it's not as if I need a degree to organize old books." Gabriel laughed, his attention still on the filing drawer.
"I know you must be very well educated in the area you're working in, because otherwise, Ed would never have hired you."
"Fair enough. I majored in mythological and antiquarian studies at university. I had a great deal of trouble finding many of the texts I wanted to work with, so that's what got me onto the rare book circuit. And you, how did you come by your business?"
"Could never concentrate on any one thing, ya know? So when I saw there was a demand for this kind of stuff, I figured hey, why not? Might be interesting. Ok, here's another text. Careful, it isn't properly bound. "
Gabriel was about to continue his search when her heard Adrienne sigh; she was gazing at the manuscript before her dreamily, lovingly. Her mouth silently formed the words of the text. Gabriel walked over, fascinated.
"You can read that? The Cyrillic?" Adrienne nodded, still enthralled by the pages on the counter.
"It's Tolstoy. Essays and poems. In his own hand. It's amazing."
"I'm amazed you can read Russian." Adrienne turned to look up at him.
"But you must read some languages? Surely with these antiquities..." She motioned around the shop.
"Only enough to recognize them. Hold on a minute. That last book is in the back room." Gabriel hustled off to find it. When he returned, Adrienne was staring into the jewelry case, her mouth gaping wide. He laughed. "What is it?" Adrienne's voice was nearly a whisper.
"I don't believe it. You have her ring. You have the bitch's ring!" Gabriel walked around the counter to see what she was referring to. It was a gold ring, inscribed inside and out with Greek lettering, worn with age. A polished black stone was the only setting. Gabriel studied it, wondering, and took in out of the case. it was a pretty enough bauble, in a simple way, but he didn't see anything particular about it.
"What do you mean? It's a nice piece, ancient Greek." Adrienne looked at Gabriel oddly.
"And how must are you asking for it?"
"Fifteen grand."
"Mmmm."
"What? what is it?" Adrienne slipped the ring on her finger and held her hand up to Gabriel.
"This ring," (she paused for dramatic affect) "graced the hand of none other than Helen of Troy. Or rather, of Sparta, maybe I should say. "Hell to ships, hell to men, hell to cities.' Hell-en." She smiled at Gabriel and wiggled her fingers at him.
"I don't believe you."
"Oh really? And Why not? I've studied all over the world, and I have degrees in mythology and antiquities. Gabriel continued to look at her dubiously. "Fine. have it your way." Adrienne took the ring off. "But it's worth millions." She handed Gabriel the ring, and he took it, but he grasped her fingers as well, to hold her attention.
"Why would you tell me? You could buy it off me, resell it, make yourself a very wealthy woman, and I'd be none the wiser. If, of course, you're telling the truth." Adrienne found this funny.
"But then I would be doing your job for you! And besides, why would I want to cheat you? You've certainly never done anything to me."
"Uh..."
"Go ahead. Check it out if you won't take my word for it. but if I'm right, you're buying me dinner." She withdrew her hand from Gabriel's and prepared to leave.
"Wait, how can I get in touch with you?"
"Call the book shop. or my sister's; I'm staying with her for the time being." Adrienne handed him a slip of paper with the hastily written numbers. She was nearly out the door when she poked her head back in. "And, ah, by the way, just to warn you, I always have room for dessert." The door closed with a bang.
Gabriel grinned as he locked the door. It wasn't everyday that a well educated, good-looking, and interesting girl came in. Actually, He wasn't sure it had ever happened before. And for a bonus, she seemed interested in him.
He tidied the shop, putting things in their proper places, sweeping the floor, and cashing out. When he had finished, he dug the paper Adrienne had given him out of his pocket. For several long minutes after unfolding it, Gabriel looked at it, puzzled. It was simply enough:

Adrienne Farrell@ Arts and Letters- 555-9827
@ sister's- 555-2723

However, what he couldn't understand was why the second number was Sara Pezzini's. Maybe Adrienne had accidentally altered a number in her haste. Still, it was an odd coincidence. He figured Pez would have mentioned a sister to him, especially if she was staying with her. Despite that, Gabriel made up his mind to give his detective friend a call once he was settled at home.