Disclaimer: Birds of Prey, its characters, and concepts are the property of Warner Brothers, Tollin-Robbins Productions & DC Comics.
Daddy Chapter One
Dinah emerged from the elevator carrying a large brown padded envelope.
"Order something?" asked Helena. Barbara was typing on her PC in the Clocktower.
Dinah looked at the return address on the front of the envelope. "It's from a law firm in Seattle," she said.
"Seattle?" Helena exclaimed. "Who do we know in Seattle?"
Dinah tore open the envelope, took out a sheaf of papers, and began to read silently. She then quickly laid the papers down onto the computer desk and glanced away, her face now a mask of grief and pain.
Barbara looked up from her PC and took note of the scene. "Dinah, what's wrong?" she asked.
"Can't read it," Dinah squeaked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Barbara took the papers and began to read aloud:
"My beloved daughter:
I, Carolyn Drake Lance, being of sound mind and body, do hereby bequeath all of my worldly possessions to my daughter and sole next-of-kin, Dinah Laurel Lance." Barbara looked up from the papers. "This looks like a will," she said.
Dinah reached into the envelope, pulled out two sets of keys, and laid them on the desk. Barbara took note of the keys and continued to read:
"Enclosed please find keys to my home, car, and safety deposit box number 5150 located at the First National Bank of Seattle, 1318 State Street, Seattle, Washington."
"Canary was from Seattle?" asked Helena.
"That was her last known base of operations," Barbara replied. She thumbed through the rest of the papers. "The rest is a catalog of assets," she said. "Home, car, furniture, bank accounts … that sort of thing."
Dinah reached into the envelope once more, pulled out another sheet of paper, and examined it. "This is a copy of my birth certificate," she said as she showed it to Barbara.
Barbara took the birth certificate and examined it. "There appear to be two men listed under 'Father'," she said.
Dinah and Helena huddled around Barbara. There were indeed two men listed as Dinah's father: Oliver Queen … and a second person (whose name began with the letter "D") that was scratched out.
"Who's Oliver Queen?" asked Dinah.
"He was … one of us," Barbara replied. "He went by the name 'Green Arrow'."
A superhero, Dinah thought. "Did you know him?"
Barbara shook her head. "Not personally," she said.
"Was he a meta?"
Barbara shook her head. "Not to my knowledge, no." She handed the birth certificate and the will back to Dinah. "He was a helluva shot with that bow and arrow of his … but as far as his being a meta was concerned, no."
Dinah looked at the birth certificate once more. Who's Mr. "D"? she thought. Why is his name scratched out? Is he my REAL father? She put the keys and the documents back in the envelope. "I'm gonna go put this stuff away," she said. Barbara nodded as Dinah turned and walked towards the elevator.
Dinah lay in her bunk, examining the birth certificate over and over again. Who IS this "Mr. D"? she wondered. Why would my mother keep him from me? She stared off into space, lost in thought. Is HE the source of my meta powers? It was then that she made a decision. It's summer vacation … no time like the present.
"Miss Barbara! Miss Barbara!" exclaimed Alfred as he rushed into the Comm Center, carrying a note. It was now the next morning.
Barbara looked up from her PC and turned towards him. "What is it, Alfred?" she inquired.
"I'm afraid that I have some most disturbing news," said Alfred. "Our Miss Dinah has run away," he said as he gave the note to Barbara.
"Where did you find this?" asked Barbara.
"I found it lying on the kitchen counter, Madam."
Barbara took the note and read it silently to herself:
Dear Barbara, Helena, and Alfred: I appreciate everything you've done for me. I have to find my father -- my health may depend upon it. Barbara, Helena: I'm going to be OK. You two taught me everything I know. Alfred: Thank you for everything. You're one of the sweetest people I know. I don't know when or if I'll be back. There's a large piece missing from my life. I can't rest until I find some answers. I love you all. Dinah
"Thank you, Alfred," said Barbara. "I'll take over from here."
Helena's bony hand sleepily reached out from under the covers, turned on the desk lamp that sat atop the nightstand that was next to her bed, and picked up the ringing telephone that sat next to the desk lamp.
"ello?" Helena mumbled drowsily into the receiver.
"Helena?" said Barbara at the other end of the line. "It's Barbara."
"It's early…"
"Are you up for a trip to Seattle?"
"What's in Seattle?"
"Dinah's run away," said Barbara. "She left a note saying she's gone to find her father."
"WHAT?!" Helena exclaimed, wide awake now.
"I don't think she knows what she's getting herself into."
"Explain…"
"Canary X'd his name out on Dinah's birth certificate for a reason," said Barbara. "She clearly did NOT want her to have a relationship with him."
"So you think the guy's pond scum…"
"I prefer the term 'unsavory'," said Barbara. "I have a feeling that Dinah's first stop is going to be Canary's old stomping ground in Seattle."
Good girl likes a bad, bad boy, Helena thought. "How fast can you get me out there?"
"I can have a Wayne plane gassed and ready for you in two hours," Barbara replied. "There'll be a car waiting for you at Seattle-Tacoma Executive Airpark."
"I'm on my way."
"One more thing," said Barbara. "Bring Huntress with you."