Page 54 of Pointy Ears and Purple Glitter
“This is why he tagged the workshop with the rhino symbol, and the snake symbol on that place that Grok mentioned,” Malik realized, his anger building. “He’s been cataloging paranormals by neighborhood, using animal symbols to classify us.”
Tynan’s fingers flew across the keyboard as he opened more files. “Look at this - he’s got a whole network. The ‘cleansing crews’ are mostly human, but he’s got a few paranormals working for him too - ones who hate their own kind or want to pass as human.”
“That explains how he knew what to look for,” Malik said grimly. “And why he was so confident calling me out during the attack.”
As they delved deeper, the picture became increasingly clear. Garrison had been building his operation for years under the guise of neighborhood improvement and security services. Mrs. Cooper had been one of his primary financial backers, using his services for her personal vendettas while funding his broader anti-paranormal agenda.
“It’s all connected,” Tynan said, sitting back and rubbing his eyes. “Mrs. Cooper hired me, knowing I’d fail to find Hayley, but when Garrison realized what I was, I became a target in his separate crusade.”
“And when you started spending time with me, we became a priority target,” Malik added. “Two paranormals in one location, one of whom was already on their radar.”
“The question is,” Tynan said, glancing at Malik, “what do we do with all this information? We can’t exactly take it to the police - half of these files implicate officers on Mrs. Cooper’s payroll, and that’s without the paranormal angle.”
Malik stared at the screen, his rhino stirring restlessly beneath his skin. The evidence was damning, but using it required careful consideration. Exposing Mrs. Cooper and Garrison might also risk exposing the existence of paranormals to the wider world. It was bad enough that if Hayley compiled the files, then she probably already knew something more than she should’ve.
“We need help,” he decided finally. “Someone with connections and manpower who understands the stakes.”
“Who?” Tynan asked. “We can’t exactly call the paranormal police.”
Malik’s lips quirked into a humorless smile. “No, but we know someone else who controls this territory and has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.”
“Grok?” Tynan looked skeptical. “You’re talking about the same guy whose men attacked me when we first met.”
“The very same,” Malik confirmed. “Grok may be a criminal, but he’s pragmatic. If Garrison’s operation threatens the balance of power in this neighborhood, Grok will want it shut down as much as we do.”
“I guess he’s got the muscle to help make that happen,” Tynan acknowledged reluctantly.
“Exactly. Garrison has been operating in Grok’s territory without permission. That alone would make him an enemy. It doesn’t matter why he was doing it - he’s undermining Grok’s authority in his territory. Among criminal elements, that’s a huge issue. Garrison is breaking the rules.”
Tynan considered this, then nodded slowly. “It’s not an alliance I would have expected, but it makes sense. What about Hayley,though? She trusted me with this information to help her stay hidden from her mother.”
“We use the evidence against Mrs. Cooper and Garrison without revealing Hayley’s current identity or location,” Malik said firmly. “The goal is to neutralize the threat they pose to all of us - including Hayley - not to expose her.”
“So what’s the plan? Call Grok and show him all this?”
Malik nodded. “We show him enough to make him understand the threat to him. Grok doesn’t need to know the paranormal side of things, either.”
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” Sparky chimed in, speaking for the first time in a while. “A principle as old as time, though I must say, I never thought I’d be strategizing with criminals.”
“Not the first choice,” Malik admitted, “but sometimes you need fire to fight fire.”
Tynan leaned into Malik’s side, seeking the comfort of his solid presence. “I just hope we’re not making things worse. Hayley trusts us to use this information carefully. She took a huge risk giving me this information today.”
“We will keep Hayley safe,” Malik promised, wrapping an arm around his mate. “But we also need to protect ourselves, Ian, and everyone else Garrison has targeted. If we do this right, Mrs. Cooper loses her enforcer, Garrison loses his financial backing, and we all get to live in peace.”
“When you put it that way...” Tynan offered a small smile. “I guess I’m in. Let’s call Grok.”
Malik reached for his phone, his expression grim but determined. The flash drive contained enough evidence to destroy Mrs. Cooper and Garrison - if they played their cardsright. And with Grok’s help, they might just have the winning hand.
“One more thing,” Malik said, pausing before dialing. “I don’t think blackmail or threats of exposure will be enough with these people. Mrs. Cooper has been controlling and manipulating others for decades, and Garrison has built his entire operation on hatred. They won’t stop just because we ask nicely.”
“What are you saying?” Tynan asked, though his eyes suggested he already knew.
“I’m saying we need to be prepared for this to get ugly,” Malik replied, his voice low and serious. “And we need to decide now if we’re ready for that.”
Tynan was quiet for a moment, then reached over and placed his hand over Malik’s. “I spent most of my life avoiding conflict, letting others push me around. But not anymore. This is our home, our family, our life together. I’m not going to let anyone take that away.”
Malik felt a surge of pride at his mate’s resolve. “Together, then. Whatever it takes.”
