No Warnings in this chapter . . .
Amy Caldwell was excited but then why wouldn't she be? She and her new husband, Chad, and his parents had flown into Gotham City two days ago to attend a special, private, charity auction. It wasn't just any old auction either; it was also an elegant gala event that required all the attendees to wear glamorous gowns or tuxedos. While Chad was used to such things, being from a family of old money, Amy wasn't. Her family was middle class and from peasant stock for as far back as anyone knew. This was brand new for her and they were going as part of a celebration of Amy's recent promotion.
She had met her husband in a fine arts class while they attended a top-of-the-line, ivy-league University. Chad's family's name guaranteed his entry while Amy got in through a scholarship program. His major had been financing; hers, a double major in art and history. Chad went on to join his father's investment firm while Amy became an assistant professor of both art and history at the very same university they had both attended. She taught a couple of fine art classes, an art history course and two history courses. The art history course was all about the Renaissance which was why she was so excited. The university was awarding her tenure and making her an associate professor of Fine Art. It was the first step in her goal to reach full professorship and eventually department chair.
The auction had advertised several paintings done by Renaissance artists were going to be displayed and auctioned off during the event. Her husband's parents were going to help them to purchase one of these paintings for the couple's own future collection and Amy was beside herself with glee. Although Chad's parents hadn't been thrilled when he had first announced his intention to marry Amy, her bubbly personality and ability to blend with her environment, in other words, Amy's ability to blend with society, had eventually won them over.
Now, with her distinguished career well on its way and the recent decision that she and Chad had reached about starting a family during the next year, Amy was ecstatic. Everything was coming together. On top of all of this, she was looking forward to an exciting evening with her wonderful husband and generous in-laws in a gorgeous new ball gown. Amy couldn't imagine being any happier. Life was better than good and this night was going to be perfect!
Daniel Quick was new to Gotham City but that didn't mean that he wasn't going places. He had moved here a few months ago from New York City where he had had a high-ranking position with one of the two major mafia families there. Now, he was being relocated to Gotham as an extension of the family's reach and to expand new markets. He had brought with him a half a dozen other men with him to help him organize this new branch. It wasn't expected to be a peaceful or easy job. After all, easy wouldn't have required him.
Although he wouldn't normally be involved in anything so pedestrian as armed robbery, it was necessary. He thought to make his presence known to the other organized crime syndicates that already operated here. It would be easy, he thought. In and out with the goods and then send them back to his New York connections. It would provide him with the extra funds he needed to enable him to buy off cops and judges and make him look good in the eyes of his own boss. It also sent a message throughout the underworld that Danny Quick wasn't no pushover! Danny Quick was a major player and someone the Gotham Underworld needed to learn how to respect or they would get dead . . . Real Quick!
He laughed at his own joke. That was his motto: Get with the program or get dead – real quick: Daniel Quick! He moved among his men as they passed out the weaponry. Military-grade automatic rifles were going to provide the bulk of what they needed to pull this off but a few well-placed grenades would add some pizzazz, and if there was anything that Daniel Quick had in spades, it was pizzazz.
The rich Gotham-types wouldn't know what hit them. He had planned this out with care and everything should go smoothly. The night was going to be perfect!
The night was going to be perfect, Robin thought. Already it had improved upon itself a hundred-fold, starting with the bat signal. This was so much better than attending a stuffy, old auction with a bunch of adults. He hated auctions. You couldn't even scratch your nose without worrying you might be going home with some ugly Chinese vase from some dynasty or another.
Well, that wasn't totally fair. These high-end auctions that Bruce would attend on occasion usually gave out paddles with numbers on them. That way people had the freedom to scratch their noses and stretch without breaking the bank, just as long as you didn't stretch with a paddle still in your hand, you were golden. But they lasted forever.
Most of the time, Bruce went to these charity events alone but sometimes he wanted his newly turned, eleven-year-old ward, Dick Grayson, to attend with him. That had been the case this evening. He had already showered and Alfred was helping him into his monkey suit when Bruce burst into his room half dressed. He had met Dick's eyes and said two words: bat signal! And suddenly the evening was saved!
The commissioner had told them of a rumors that the di Bastiani family was moving into Gotham and confirmed reports of a new supplier of drugs has shown up. There had been a couple of bodies found that resembled some of di Bastiani's execution-style murders lately and other incriminating evidence that supported the rumors.
Batman had chosen to swing by the most recent murder scene to see if he could find something solid that proved di Bastiani was behind the killing. It was while they were there that the call came through on the radio that there was an armed robbery in progress that was a potential hostage situation at the Le Grande Hotel.
Robin blinked. It looked like the auction might have been exciting to go to after all, he decided as he followed Batman back out into the night.
Chad and Amy walked around admiring some of the artwork that was for sale, those whose worth did not require constant guards. The party aspect of the evening was nearly over, and as the hour was closing in that the guests were expected to move towards the connecting room that was set up for the auction, the presence of security was increased. Men, with weapons plainly visible, moved in and amongst the crowd.
The program they had received told the order in which the pieces would be brought out and auctioned off. She and Chad had already chosen the painting that they would be bidding on. His parents had wired money into their account two days earlier to help cover the probable price they could expect to pay. They had a little time before their painting would be brought out so the couple snuck out onto one of the four balconies that lined the ballroom and the adjoining auction room.
Gotham City had a reputation as being a very dangerous city but at night it was beautiful, a rare gem. Its stains were hardly visible from here atop the reputable Le Grande Hotel Gotham and at nine o'clock in the evening, not at all. They leaned against the waist-high wall that made up the balcony's railing, enjoying the view. It was still cold this time of year but especially after the sun goes down. Times like this Amy kind of wished they lived further south in a state whose weather already felt the first kiss of summer. Chad had just taken off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders when they noticed the commotion.
"What was that," Amy asked.
Chad pushed her closer to the corner of the balcony where she would be partially hidden from view and edged carefully back to the French doors. His face contorted into one of shock.
"What is it, Chad?" Amy began moving towards him when he waved her back to the corner urgently.
Amy, frightened now, opened her mouth to ask another question, one that she hoped would finally be answered, when Chad covered her mouth with his hand. He hushed her and pushed her between a tall potted bit of shrubbery and the edge of the balcony. She wasn't stupid. She recognized immediately that he was trying to hide her from whatever was happening inside the ballroom.
"Those men," he whispered in her ear. "The ones we assumed were apart of security? They aren't. They're robbing the place."
Amy eyes widened. "Oh my God, Chad! Your parents! They're still in there!"
"I know but I don't see what I can do," he said, helplessly. "You need to stay here though, stay hidden."
"But they're bound to come out here sooner or later," Amy whispered.
"I won't let them hurt you," he promised her.
She shook her head. This was horrible! How could this be happening? This was supposed to be a celebration!
Chad took the coat from around her shoulders and started putting it back on. "No matter what happens, Amy, promise me that you'll stay back here, out of sight."
"What are you doing?"
"Like you said, they are bound to come out here sooner or later," he told her. "I'm going to lead them to believe I came out here alone . . . To smoke."
"You don't smoke," she reminded him, ridiculously.
He smiled at her, pushed her back as far as she could go, kissing her as he hadn't kissed her since the night he had first told her that he loved her. "Stay here," he whispered. "Stay quiet."
Amy reached for him. "Wait! Where are you going?"
Chad peeled her hands away. "I want to be as far away from you as I can when they find me."
He waved her back when she took a step to follow him. He moved silently and quickly to the other end of the balcony, praying that the men brandishing weapons didn't notice him. But they would. Sooner or later, they would.
Reactions? What do you think of the players so far?
This is the prologue of sorts. An introduction before the meat of the story begins. Although there are quite a few original characters here, this will be centered around Robin and Batman. I thought it would be more meaningful though for you to know something about the characters that set this story off . . .
Oh, and I drew the cover image for this. My talented 13-yr old inked it for me. Let me know what you think. Should I just stick to writing?