Author: Danja
Disclaimer: Birds of Prey, its characters, and concepts are the property of Warner Brothers, Tollin-Robbins Productions & DC Comics.
Switch Chapter One
Barbara, Dinah, and Helena were watching the evening news on the overhead plasma screen.
"In our Assignment: Community segment tonight, New Gotham is pleased to announce the opening of a new children's home," intoned the announcer onscreen. A scene of a ribbon-cutting ceremony then replaced the image of the announcer.
"The Greenlefe House will serve as a refuge for abused and neglected children," the announcer's voice-over continued. The square-jawed face of a man in his early-to-mid fifties filled the screen. He had blue eyes and bright red hair for a man his age. A caption at the bottom of the screen read, "Roy Tucker, Director, Greenlefe House".
"I am pleased and honored to be involved in the development of Greenlefe House," said Roy Tucker with a gulping Southern drawl.
At this point, Dinah felt her heart stop. All of the color suddenly drained out of her face. No, she thought. Tell me it's not HIM. She stared at the screen with her jaw agape.
"Dinah, are you all right?" Barbara inquired as she noticed Dinah's deer-frozen-in-the-headlights expression.
"No … NO!" moaned Dinah, shaking her head. Barbara and Helena watched as she spun on one heel and ran towards the rear emergency stairwell entrance located near the elevator. She opened the steel fire door that led to the stairwell, ran inside, and slammed the door shut.
"What's HER problem?" ejaculated Helena after Dinah had left.
"I don't know," Barbara replied. "But something tells me … something's up."