Page 58 of Pointy Ears and Purple Glitter
“Cooper,” Grok repeated, recognition flashing in his eyes. “The society woman. Didn’t she hire you to find her daughter?”
“She did,” Tynan confirmed. “But her motives weren’t as straightforward as she claimed.”
Malik leaned forward. “Garrison’s been marking territories with animal symbols, targeting businesses he wants removed. The rhino symbol on my workshop was just the beginning.”
“I’ve noticed some of my people being harassed,” Grok admitted, examining the map. “But nothing significant enough to warrant action...until your shop was attacked.”
“That’s his strategy,” Tynan explained. “Start small, establish presence, then escalate. The documents show he’s planning to move against key figures in each territory, including yours.”
Grok’s expression hardened as he came to a page listing names - his own among them. “He’s ambitious, I’ll give him that.”
“He’s also connected,” Malik added. “Mrs. Cooper has been paying off officials for years. Police, judges, council members. Some of the same people you’ve had arrangements with.”
“Undermining existing power structures,” Grok muttered, continuing to scan the documents. “Classic destabilization tactic.”
Tynan exchanged a glance with Malik before proceeding. “There’s more. Garrison isn’t just targeting random businesses. He has specific criteria for what he calls ‘undesirables.’”
“Which include?” Grok looked up sharply.
“Anyone different,” Tynan said carefully. “People who don’t fit his idea of what belongs in a ‘clean’ neighborhood. Including successful independent business owners who won’t be controlled.”
“Like Malik,” Grok concluded. “And potentially others who operate autonomously within established territories, like myself.”
“Exactly,” Malik confirmed. “He’s not just coming for us. He’s coming for anyone who doesn’t conform to his vision - which includes your operation and the arrangements you’ve established over the years.”
Grok was silent for a long moment, processing this information. Finally, he closed the folder and fixed them both with an assessing gaze.
“What exactly are you proposing?”
“A coordinated response,” Malik said simply. “Garrison needs to be removed from the equation, and his financial backing cut off.”
“Mrs. Cooper.” Grok nodded. “And you think I can accomplish this how?”
Tynan slid another folder across the table. “These documents contain enough evidence to destroy Mrs. Cooper’s reputation and send her to prison for years. Bribery, harassment, coercion, conspiracy. But going to the authorities is complicated, given how many of them are on her payroll.”
“You want me to apply alternative pressure,” Grok concluded.
“We want her to face consequences that will permanently remove her ability to fund operations like Garrison’s,” Malik clarified. “How that happens is your expertise, not ours.”
“And Garrison himself?”
“Needs to understand that this territory is protected,” Malik said, his voice dropping lower. “By multiple interested parties who won’t tolerate his presence.”
Grok studied them both, his expression unreadable. “This isn’t just about your workshop, is it? There’s something personal here.”
“He broke my employee’s arm,” Malik replied evenly. “And threatened my partner. Yes, it’s personal.”
“This works for you, too,” Tynan said. “You get to keep your businesses protected and your reputation in your territory. That has to count for something.”
Grok smiled thinly. “Oh, it does. These documents you’ve provided contain valuable information about who’s been paid by Cooper and how much. Knowledge is power in my business.” He tapped the folder. “Plus, Garrison has been a thorn in everyone’s side for months. Removing him would earn me considerable goodwill among certain circles.”
“So we have an agreement?” Malik asked.
“We do,” Grok confirmed. “On one condition.” He fixed his gaze on Tynan. “Your source - the one who provided these documents. I want to know who it is.”
Tynan tensed, immediately protective of Hayley. “That wasn’t part of the arrangement.”
“It is now,” Grok insisted. “Information this sensitive doesn’t appear out of nowhere. I need to know it’s legitimate and not a trap.”
