Kirk, Richard A - Magpie’s Ladder

And the ladder is long, extending into the Darkling Lands, realm of Mr. Magpie, a puzzling character who Lily senses she ought to avoid, focus on her work, her marriage, and yet she is drawn.
Nor is Magpie as harmless as he seemed, as Lily discovers to her despair. The title story is one of bitter experience, the price of education that leaves a scar.
George has been with the firm for ages. From the previous chairman to his son. The is not enough pay, so he boosts his revenue with a little … well … counterfeiting has such a connotation, doesn’t it? He is caught, although in “The Engrosser” he is given an option. Descend to the basement – no, deeper than that – and find out what is going on down there.
“Elephant Bridge” floats downstream with weathered Aunt Justine and young Gillian. Very far, down to where the bridge is, the structure that allegedly contains hundreds of wooden drawers. The old are seldom curious, but the young, oh, how insatiable their inquisitiveness.
A collection that goes into secrets, although answers are not forthcoming and rarely satisfy. On the plus side, this packed with Kirk’s illustrations. Readers of Clive Barker, Caitlín Kiernan, China Miéville, Thomas Ligotti will recognize his style immediately.