Nolan sat at his desk, his fingers flying across the keyboard as he double-checked the fake websites and articles he'd built for Kieran Everleigh's alias. A business mogul in the real estate world, complete with a history of investments and a portfolio designed to impress. Nolan ran through it all checking dates, re-reading the fabricated press releases, and making sure the details were airtight. There couldn't be any loose ends. Harrow had money and power, and someone like that wouldn't miss a false trail if it didn't look right.
With everything in order, Nolan stood, stretching his legs before heading out. The game plan was clear. Kieran Everleigh would be the one to close the deal on the hotel. He'd already set things in motion.
The first phase of the plan was simple: lay the groundwork. Nolan wasn't just going to walk in and announce his intentions. No, he needed to make Harrow feel the pressure, but subtly. This was going to be a game of influence.
He checked in with his network. The homeless community he had built around his relocation service was now more organized than ever. They moved fluidly through the city, unnoticed by most, and that was exactly what Nolan needed. He reached out to one of his most trusted contacts, Sherry, as he now knew her and asked her to make some appearances around Harrow's hotel.
She wasn't the only one involved, though. Nolan used his connections to get a few others stationed around Harrow's hotel. It was a subtle operation nothing too obvious, but enough to have an impact. They didn't approach the building directly but loitered nearby, coming and going in small groups. People who had once been invisible to society now had a purpose, and they were more than happy to do their part.
Soon, the local press caught wind of the scenes outside Harrow's hotel. A few photographers snapped shots of Harrow yelling at a group of homeless people to move away from the entrance. His temper flared, his security guards pushing people out of the way, and the images of the encounter found their way into the newspapers.
By the time Kieran stepped into the scene, Harrow's image was already beginning to crack. The once-immaculate façade was showing signs of wear, and Kieran was ready to capitalize on it.
He put in a call to one of his contacts in the press. "We need to highlight that confrontation, make sure it's on the front page by tomorrow."
As he left his apartment to make his move, Kieran couldn't help but smile. He was well aware of Harrow's next steps how the man would be quick to dismiss the reports as 'fake news' or 'agenda-driven,' but the damage had already been done. Harrow's reputation was now attached to the very people he despised the ones he'd tried to push out of his pristine, high-class world. Kieran's moves were deliberate, but they had to be.
Kieran's mind was already racing through the possibilities as he walked through the crowded streets of Gotham. The more he thought about it, the more perfect the plan seemed. To truly hurt Leonard Harrow, Kieran needed to play into his carefully crafted image of success. And there was no better way than to ruin it with a health inspection that would leave his hotel floundering in the press.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his burner phone, dialing the number he had for Tony. Tony was someone who had been in debt, buried under the weight of loans he couldn't pay off. Kieran's organization had helped him out of a sticky situation a few months ago, hiding him away until the heat died down. They'd taken no money from him just a favor to be repaid when the time came. Kieran had a perfect opportunity for Tony to do what he was best at now.
"Tony," Kieran greeted, his tone smooth but urgent. "You remember the deal we made? Time to cash in."
There was a pause on the other end, and then Tony's familiar, gravelly voice came through. "Oh shit."
"You work with them yeah?"
Kieran smirked, "If you mean I work for the people who saved your life then yes, indeed I do old pal."
"Okay, what do I need to do," Tony said after a brief pause
Kieran smirked. "You're going to pay it off today. I need you to do a health inspection. I've got a hotel for you to hit. I'm sure you'll find plenty of violations enough to make it look like they're on the verge of being shut down."
"Health inspection?" Tony said, a small chuckle escaping him. "That's it? I can't believe you guys even remember I am a health inspector, that's like the most boring part of my life."
"Oh man you'll be perfect," Kieran replied, his voice calm and measured. "I've made sure you have the access you need. They won't question you at all. Just show up, point out a few violations, and get the paperwork filled out. Make sure it looks bad, Tony. Real bad."
"I'm not gonna ask why," Tony said, the sarcasm evident. "But yeah, I can do that. Just give me the details."
Within an hour, Kieran had Tony prepped, briefed, and ready to take on the task. He'd found the perfect angle to exploit Tony had been hidden for a while, and now, he was in debt to Kieran and his organization. No money was exchanged; Kieran had simply asked for a favor when the time was right. Tony owed him that.
The next day, Tony showed up at Harrow's hotel. He walked in through the back, his demeanor casual, like any other inspector making his rounds. He was dressed in the standard dark blue shirt, a clip-on badge that didn't raise suspicion, and carrying a clipboard with blank forms to fill out. He'd done his homework, this hotel has had an average rating for a while now.
Tony didn't waste any time. He moved through the hotel with a practiced air, clipboard in hand, scribbling down notes. He stepped into the kitchen first, his eyes scanning for obvious violations. The smell of grease and burnt food lingered in the air, making his nose wrinkle slightly.
The stove was greasy, the counters had a layer of dust, and the refrigeration units were on the edge of being non-compliant. Tony made sure to note it all, checking off boxes, knowing this would be enough to ensure a failing grade.
He moved through the back hallways, slipping past staff who didn't recognize him. But saw some of their eyes widen at the sight of his badge. He slipped into the employee restrooms, his gaze falling on cracked tiles, broken sinks, and a lack of adequate sanitation. Every small flaw was documented, every violation recorded. He made sure this inspection would be impossible to ignore.
As he worked his way through the hotel, Tony couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between the glitzy front of the hotel and the behind-the-scenes reality. The lavish lobby gleamed with polished floors and fresh flowers, but in the back, the building was barely holding together. Harrow had built an empire on appearances, but now that empire was on the verge of crumbling.
By the time Tony reached the guest rooms, he was practically running through the checklist. Broken air conditioners, dirty carpets, unclean bathrooms he noted everything down, including a very obvious issue with the fire escapes that hadn't been properly maintained. This was the kind of inspection that could get the entire hotel shut down. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on NovᴇlFire(.)nᴇt
Tony finished his rounds in about an hour. He filled out the report, making sure it was clear: this place was a disaster waiting to happen. He made a few calls and ensured the report made its way into the right hands. The final touch was making sure it ended up in the press. A failing health inspection, combined with the media already breathing down Harrow's neck over his treatment of the homeless outside, would be more than enough to cause a scandal.
Before Tony left the hotel, he slipped into a corner, making sure the staff was still distracted. He gave Kieran a quick text: Done. Report's filed. It's all over now.
Kieran sat back in his 'office' chair as he read the message. He smiled to himself, already thinking ahead. The hotel would be hit hard with the news. The press would pounce on the story, another luxury hotel failing to meet standards while its owner tried to push the homeless away. Harrow's reputation would be damaged, and the damage would stick. He knew how these things worked. The public loved to tear down the powerful, and Harrow was no exception.
Kieran set his phone down and leaned back. This was just the beginning. Harrow wouldn't know it yet, but he was already in the process of losing everything. The hotel would drop in value, and when it did, Kieran would be there to pick up the pieces.
And when the dust settled, the hotel would be his.