I'll change and come with you. Some folks won't open up to strangers, badge or no badge. " They started with Mrs. Patterson next door, catching her before church. Her hands shook as she retrieved a stack of parking tickets from her kitchen drawer. "Every Wednesday, when my grandson visits, Officer Barlow says we can't park on the street overnight anymore.
May I? " Malcolm photographed each citation. "Same officer? Same violation code? Targeting family visit nights. When did this start? " "After I told that developer no. " She glanced nervously through her curtains.
"Mr. Mercer seemed so nice at first. Said he'd help me move somewhere more suitable for seniors. " Her voice hardened. "This house was suitable enough when we integrated the block in '65. House by house, the pattern deepened.
Mr. Jefferson showed them towing receipts for his restored Cadillac. Suddenly, a code violation after 30 years. The Williams sisters had water pressure problems right after refusing Mercer's offer. Mrs.
Robinson's home health care aid kept getting ticketed until she quit. Titan walked slowly beside them, his usual patrol stance modified to protect his injury. His presence drew people out. Neighbors who'd been hesitant to speak watched the gentle shepherd and saw the evidence of Barlow's cruelty. "That dog ain't aggressive," Mr.
Washington declared from his porch, eyeing Titan's careful movements. "I seen him every morning. Better behaved than most people. What that officer did He shook his head and invited them inside. Malcolm recorded everything on his phone while Evelyn provided context, filling in family connections and history.
She knew which feuds were genuine and which grievances traced back to harassment. "Remember when the Baker family had to sell? " she asked Mrs. Thompson, their fourth interview. "Right after those mysterious plumbing complaints? Lord, yes.
Inspector showed up three times in one week. Then Mercer's company bought it for half what it's worth now. " By noon, they had statements from 11 households. Malcolm drove the evidence to Naomi's clinic, where she'd offered to make copies and help organize the timeline. Her Sunday schedule was light, just monitoring two post-surgery patients. "Look at this," she said, spreading documents across her desk.
Every major code violation follows a rejected offer from Mercer within two weeks. And Barlow's name is all over the police reports. " Malcolm studied the pattern. "They're isolating targets. Each family thinks they're alone until we lay it all out. " He rubbed Titan's ears as the dog settled carefully by his feet. "How's the security camera installation going? " "Running behind.
My regular guy can't come until Tuesday. " Naomi glanced out her window. "But I moved the most sensitive files off site, just in case. They worked through lunch, building the case. Around 2:00, Mrs. Thompson called.
Her sister worked in city planning and had mentioned something interesting. A young records clerk named Amy Zhang had complained about irregular file access after hours. She said permit histories kept changing, Mrs. Thompson reported. Especially on properties Mercer was interested in.
When she reported it, her supervisor told her to focus on her own work. Malcolm arranged to meet Zhang tomorrow morning before her shift. If official records were being altered, that elevated the case beyond simple harassment. He thanked Mrs. Thompson and headed back to Evelyn's, where Titan needed his evening medication.
The street felt different now. Every parked car a potential observer, every shadow a possible threat. Malcolm had worked enough corruption cases to know surveillance usually preceded pressure. He helped Titan into the back seat of his SUV, careful of the dog's injured side. A familiar white cruiser appeared at the end of the block.
Barlow, right on cue. The patrol car crept past them at walking speed. The officer's face expressionless behind his sunglasses. Malcolm stood his ground beside his vehicle. One hand resting protectively near Titan.
The cruiser's window lowered with a mechanical whir. Barlow didn't speak, just held Malcolm's gaze for three long seconds before continuing his crawl down the street. The message was clear. I'm watching. I can reach you anytime.
Titan growled softly from the backseat. Malcolm kept his face neutral until Barlow's car disappeared around the corner. Inside the house, he added the surveillance pass to his growing evidence log, time stamping the obvious intimidation attempt. The dining room felt smaller than usual, compressed by tension. Malcolm watched Evelyn arrange her famous Sunday pot roast while Naomi set places for three.
Titan lay in his usual corner, medication making him drowsy, but alert enough to track movement through the window. "He's trying to intimidate us," Naomi said, finally addressing Barlow's slow drive-by. "Like we're supposed to just fold up and disappear. " "That man's badge isn't a crown," Evelyn replied, passing the potatoes. "My daddy didn't march in Selma for us to bow our heads now. " Malcolm was measuring his response when Naomi's phone buzzed. Her face tightened as she read the message.
"Well, that didn't take long. " "Surprise sanitation review at the clinic tomorrow morning. " "8:00 a.m. Sharp. " "Your last inspection was perfect," Evelyn protested, "three months ago. " Naomi set her phone down carefully, the way she did when controlling anger. "Nothing's changed except I helped gather statements today. " Malcolm nodded grimly. "They're moving fast. " "Trying to hit everywhere at once. " "Let them come," Naomi said. "My permits are current, my procedures are documented, and my patients need that clinic.
I'm not shutting down because some corrupt cop wants to flex. " The doorbell rang. Titan raised his head, but Malcolm motioned him to stay down. Through the security panel Evelyn had installed last year, they saw Mrs. Patterson from next door, clutching an official envelope. "Sorry to interrupt dinner," she said when they let her in, "but I thought you should see this right away. " She handed the envelope to Evelyn.
Same letter came to four houses on the block. Evelyn scanned the document, her expression hardening. Property line dispute? This fence has been here 30 years. She passed the notice to Malcolm.
Now, they're saying it encroaches 6 in onto city easement. Malcolm studied the paperwork. Same department that had harassed Gloria Bell. Same impossible response timeline. They want you to move the fence or face daily fines.
Due process apparently means 10 days notice now. 10 days to hire a surveyor, get permits, and relocate fencing? Naomi shook her head. They're not even pretending this is legitimate anymore. Mrs.
Patterson wrung her hands. What do we do? I can't afford thousands in fines, but moving my fence will cost even more. First, we document everything, Malcolm said. He retrieved his laptop and began photographing the notice.
Second, we stick together. They want us isolated and overwhelmed. Don't let them separate us. After Mrs. Patterson left, Malcolm excused himself to secure their evidence.
In his SUV, he copied all photos and witness statements to encrypted drives. One for Naomi to store at her friend's house across town. Another hidden in Evelyn's attic behind loose insulation. The originals stayed with him. Back inside, he found Evelyn on the phone with Gloria.
No, honey. Don't stay there alone tomorrow. Come here after your doctor's appointment. We'll have lunch, maybe play some cards. She caught Malcolm's approving nod.
They're targeting anyone who might testify, he explained after she hung up. Gloria's statement about the code violations is too specific, too damaging. Better if she's not isolated. Naomi pushed away her barely touched dinner. This is about more than property values, isn't it?