Page 34 of Pointy Ears and Purple Glitter
“Exactly.” Ian looked uncomfortable. “I’m not saying she did anything to them, but it’s weird, right? Three family members disappearing?”
“Very weird,” Tynan agreed. “Did you find anything else about Hayley specifically?”
“Yeah, actually. I talked to a friend who worked at the coffee shop Hayley frequented. They said Hayley often mentioned wanting to escape her mother’s control. Apparently, Mrs. Cooper monitored everything - her phone and her friends. Hayley complained, to anyone who would listen, apparently, that she even found those find them apps, that she definitely didn’t download herself. They’re apps that are used by people in relationships so that each partner can see where the other one is,” Ian added to Tynan.
“Malik and I don’t need anything like that,” Tynan said, but it was clear he was distracted.
He’s thinking. Malik could understand why. He’d hated how his instincts were screaming at him that this mysterious Mrs. Cooper was using his mate to cover up actions she might or might not have played a part in. The more they learned the more it seemed the case. As Malik watched, he could see the moment when Tynan realized it, too.
“So we have a controlling mother with a history of family members vanishing,” Tynan summarized. “And a daughterwho was desperate for freedom and may have found it with this mysterious ‘G.’ An initial that’s coincidentally connected to someone currently targeting the workshop for related or unrelated reasons – this Garrison person.”
“It’s a lot of coincidences,” Malik said.
“Too many,” Tynan agreed. He turned to Ian. “You’ve done amazing work. Seriously. This is exactly the kind of information I needed.”
Ian beamed under the praise. “Happy to help. I can keep asking around about Hayley if you want.”
“Just be careful,” Malik warned. “Don’t draw attention to yourself, especially with this Garrison character floating around.”
“I’m always careful, boss.” Ian grinned. “No one ever notices the skinny ginger kid.”
As Ian returned to work, Malik draped his arm over Tynan’s shoulders. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking you were right, and Mrs. Cooper hired me because she knew I wouldn’t find anything,” Tynan said quietly. “An inexperienced PI with a struggling business was perfect - she could claim she tried to find Hayley without risking someone actually locating her.”
“And the note that led you to this side of town?”
“I’m not sure.” Tynan’s brow furrowed. “You said it was Grok who did that.”
“I genuinely thought it was him when I mentioned it to him.” Malik thought back to that conversation. “I told him about the note you had and how I knew it was signed with the G, and he just said he was messing with you but…”
“Do you think maybe he was covering for someone else, or he didn’t want you to think anyone else was operating in this area?” Tynan looked up, his face so beautiful it made Malik’s heart jump. “If it was from this Garrison person rather than Grok, it could have been a trap…or a warning.”
Malik’s protective instincts flared again. The thought of Tynan being deliberately lured into danger made his rhino side restless. His fingers tightened on Tynan’s shoulder, needing the physical connection.
“We’ll figure it out,” he promised. “We’ll find a way to work this out – you’re not alone anymore.”
Tynan covered Malik’s hand with his own, a small smile softening his features. “I know. It’s quite nice having a partner in crime-solving. Especially one who can throw people across the room if necessary.”
“Only if absolutely necessary,” Malik said, though he couldn’t entirely suppress a satisfied smile at the thought of protecting his mate in a very tangible way.
Chapter Seventeen
The next afternoon, Tynan’s phone buzzed while he sorted through Ian’s latest social media discoveries. Ian hadn’t found anything new after his revelations from the day before, but he had found numerous articles, blog posts, and social media articles written around the time Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Cooper’s brother had disappeared. What struck Tynan was how quickly the gossip and reporting about the disappearances had stopped fairly quickly each time. Ian and Malik both agreed that information gave the implication that some people had been paid off.
It was Mrs. Cooper’s name on his phone screen.Glitter shit. I’m not ready for this.
“It’s her,” he called out to Malik, who was elbow-deep in an engine across the workshop. Tynan knew he didn’t have to explain which “her” he meant. “I’m going to have to answer it.”
Malik straightened, wiping his hands on a rag as he walked over. “Want me to listen in?”
Tynan nodded, grateful for the support, and answered. “Mrs. Cooper, good afternoon. How are you today?” It didn’t cost anything to be polite. Unfortunately, Mrs. Cooper didn’t appear to follow similar rules.
“Mr. Tynan.” Her voice cut through the line like ice. “I’ve been waiting for an update on my daughter’s case. It’s been over a week.”
“Yes. I can appreciate how difficult this is for you. I’ve been investigating several leads…”
“I want an update. In person. Today. Be at your office at four.”
