"You're a liar," Prue said deliberately holding the athame menacingly.
"Hey, we have a deal," said Stuart. "Besides, why would I lie? Like I said, if I lie, you're going to find out. I don't want you coming after me. I can't help it if you don't like the answers."
"What makes you think it was Grams that hired you?" Piper asked.
"Like I said," said Stuart, "I had to do a lot of checking. That's why it's taken me so long to get here. The warlock that hired me was about sixty with brownish gray hair. And she was wearing a pendant with that symbol that's on your book on it. She told me she needed those humans dead but didn't want it connected to her. That's why she hired me."
"Anything else?" Phoebe asked. "That seems like very little to go on."
"She mentioned the three of you," said Stuart. "Only she said I wouldn't have to worry about you. She said she bound your powers when you were kids. She also said that if I went after you for your powers she'd hunt me down and vanquish me. And it wouldn't be quick or painless either. I believed her.
"She said she used to be a powerful high priestess here in San Francisco before. I asked her why she wanted those people dead. All she would say was something about the sins of the parents being visited on the children. I didn't really care, I was just curious. Anyway every time I completed a job she showed up to pay me. And she'd use her magic to suck the souls out of the athame."
"So what changed?" Piper asked.
"A couple of years ago she didn't show up when I finished a job," said Stuart. "I was pissed to say the least. I was real creative with each job. She seemed to like that. But when I didn't get paid for the job I was hired to do, I went looking for her. While I was away she broke into my place and took a bunch of stuff. That's why I'm here. I came to get back what she stole."
"How did you finally track her down?" Prue asked.
"It wasn't easy," said Stuart. "Then I started hearing rumors about these Charmed Ones. Three sisters, all witches. The granddaughter of a high priestess. At first no one seemed to know exactly who you were. But eventually I was able to piece together who she was. When I found out she was dead I figured what she took must be here. Your powers were supposed to be bound so I came looking for my stuff. That's when you two showed up in the attic."
"Is that it?" Piper asked.
"That's all I know," said Stuart. "Look, like I said, I don't want any trouble with the three of you. We had a deal. I've answered all your questions honestly. I expect you to keep your word and let me go."
No one spoke for a moment. They all looked at Prue who seemed to be seething with anger. As much as they disliked letting a warlock go free, they had given their word. Prue had been closest to Grams. They were concerned how she was going to react.
"Once you leave the attic," Prue said, "you can blink out of the manor. I suggest you get out of here before I forget we gave our word to let you go."
Without hesitation the warlock turned and headed for the attic door. Just as he passed Prue, watching her to see if she was going to try to use the athame on him, she reached out and grabbed his arm. She turned and looked directly into his eyes.
"If I ever see you again," said Prue, "you're a dead man. I promised if you told us the truth I'd let you go. I keep my word. But one you leave here, our deal is complete. I won't hesitate to kill you if I see you again. And if I find out that anything you've told us is a lie, no matter how small it is..."
"It's all true," said the warlock. "Can I go now?"
"Get out of here," said Prue, letting him go and turning from him.
The warlock had no sooner left the attic then he blinked out of the manor.
