Page 59 of Pointy Ears and Purple Glitter
Malik’s hand found Tynan’s knee under the table, a subtle pressure that conveyed both support and caution.
“The source is Cooper’s daughter,” Tynan said carefully. “She left home to escape her mother’s control and gathered this evidence as insurance. That’s all I can tell you.”
“The missing daughter isn’t actually missing,” Grok concluded, looking thoughtful. “Interesting.”
“She wants to remain that way,” Tynan added firmly. “Her current identity and location aren’t relevant to our arrangement.”
Grok studied him for a moment, then nodded. “Fair enough. I respect someone who protects their sources.” He extended his hand across the table. “We have a deal. Garrison and Cooper will no longer be problems for any of us.”
Malik shook the offered hand, his grip firm. “How soon?”
“I’ll need three days to mobilize resources,” Grok replied. “It would make sense to have everything happen all at the same time. In the meantime, stay alert. Garrison won’t give up his plans easily.”
“We’ll be ready,” Malik assured him.
As they prepared to leave, Grok stopped them with a final observation. “You know, Malik, I’ve known you for years as a man who keeps to himself. Yet here you are, forming alliances, fighting for your territory.” His gaze shifted to Tynan. “People change, I suppose.”
“Or they find something worth fighting for,” Malik replied simply. “I’m sure you know what that feels like. But, as you’re in a negotiating mood, allowing the streetlights to be repaired and stay that way would be helpful to all of us. Those shadows have protected Garrison’s activities for long enough.”
“You might have a point.” Grok laughed. “We’ll see what happens.”
Outside in the alley, Tynan released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “That went better than expected.”
“Grok’s a businessman at heart,” Malik said as they walked to the car. “He recognizes a mutually beneficial arrangement when he sees one.”
“Do you trust him?”
“I trust his self-interest,” Malik replied. “And right now, that aligns with ours.”
Sparky greeted them with indignation when they returned to the car. “Three suspicious characters walked by while you were gone. I was prepared to peck their eyes out if necessary.”
“Your restraint is appreciated,” Tynan said dryly. “The meeting went well. Grok’s on board.”
“Excellent,” Sparky declared. “Phase one of ‘Operation Remove the Humans Who Hate Non-Humans’ is complete.”
“We really need a better name for that,” Tynan muttered as they pulled away from the pub.
“Operation Freedom?” Malik suggested.
“Operation Nest Security,” Sparky countered.
“How about we focus on staying alive for the next three days?” Tynan proposed. “Grok may be handling the big picture, but we still need to protect ourselves until then.”
As they drove back toward the workshop, Tynan couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched. The streets seemed unusually quiet, the shadows deeper than normal. His magic hummed beneath his skin, responding to his unease.
“We should check on Ian,” he said suddenly. “Make sure he’s okay.”
Malik nodded, already changing direction toward Ian’s neighborhood. “Good idea. Garrison might target him again to get to us.”
Ian’s mother answered the door, her expression softening when she saw them. “He’s in the living room, pretending he’s not in pain,” she said, ushering them inside. “The boy’s too stubborn for his own good.”
Ian was indeed on the couch, his arm cast propped up on pillows, looking pale but alert. His face brightened when he saw them.
“Boss! Tynan! Please tell me you’ve come to rescue me from daytime television. If I have to watch one more cooking show, I might lose my mind.”
“How are you feeling?” Tynan asked, settling into a chair beside the couch while Malik remained standing, instinctively positioning himself where he could see both the front and back doors.
“Like I got hit by a truck, but the drugs help,” Ian admitted. “Any news on the Garrison situation?”
