Chapter 2

Robin's POV

Robin Gray pushed the small couch he purchased a little under an hour ago into his new office. Thank god that's the last of it, he thought. It had taken a lot longer to move this stuff from Gotham than he thought. He picked up his empty briefcase and opened the door.

The phone rang.

Robin stared at it for a second in shock. It was, after all, his first day in this city. It rang again and Robin lunged for it, in a state of disbelief that he might actually have a client on Day One.

"Detective Gray?" The woman asked. Her voice was flat, a monotone with no girlish lift. He liked it.

"Yes, may I ask who is calling?" Robin responded. He cursed the cheap landline phone, he should have gotten one with Caller ID.

"Raven Roth. I, uh, have a unique problem." She said.

Robin sat up straight. "I specialize in unique problems, Ms. Roth. What's the case?" He fiddled with the crumbling eraser on the end of his pencil.

"Um, well, I'm not really sure how to say it… You're not really going to believe me, I can't believe I've called-"

"Would you be more comfortable coming to my office? Rest assured, Ms. Roth, I'll hear any case."

"That would be lovely," she replied. "What's the address?"

"7205 West Main Street, third floor, office 207. Next to the NovelTEAS coffee shop."

"I'll be there in 20 minutes." She said, her voice set with determination.

After saying goodbye to Ms. Roth, Robin looked around the office and frantically cleaned, knowing his cleaning would be in vain. He glared at the unpacked boxes. Of all the days, why today, he thought. Maybe he could catch her at the door and she wouldn't be able to judge his work based on his currently messy office.

Raven showed up precisely when she said she would, almost exactly 20 minutes later. Robin smiled at her punctuality. 20 minutes had been just enough time to shove most of the unpacked boxes in the closet. As long as she didn't open that, he'd be fine.

She was a gray-skinned woman with purple hair, something he didn't see very often. She wore black kitten heels and black trousers. A silver silk blouse peaked out from under her blazer. He liked her look.

"So, Ms. Roth, what can I help you with?" He asked.

Raven stayed silent as she unbuttoned her blazer. Robin raised an eyebrow at this action until he saw the glowing red marks up and down her arms. She moved her hair out of the way and he saw there was a mark on her forehead, too.

"Oh, wow…" he said. "May I?" He asked. His hand hovered above her arm.

"Sure," she replied.

He gently prodded one of the marks just above her elbow. It seemed exactly like her skin, save that it was red and glowing. "Does that hurt?" He asked.

"No, not at all," she said. "They hurt when they first appeared, but now they don't hurt at all."

"Hmm," Robin pondered. "I've never seen anything like this." He said.

Raven looked sad. "So there's nothing you can do?" She asked.

"I didn't say that. Let's start with you. Who are you? What do you do for a living?" He asked. He gestured to the loveseat he had moved earlier.

Raven sat on the edge, seemingly unwilling to stay long.

"I work at a publishing company. I was made senior editor a week ago." She said.

"Any competition for that job?" Robin asked.

Raven shook her head. "Not really. It's a small company."

"Where are you from?" He asked.

Raven looked away for a moment before answering. "Here…" She trailed off, hesitant. "But, also not here. I was home schooled by my very strict mother. I was never allowed to leave the house. I only really got freedom when I went to college." She said.

"Where'd you go?" Robin continued.

"Jump City Uni." Raven replied. "I graduated two years ago, and was hired by my company shortly after."

"I think we should start with your mother," Robin answered. "It might be that your mom hasn't told you everything, especially if she were particularly overprotective. If that's a dead end, we'll question classmates, coworkers, ect. Do you have a significant other?" He asked.

"Jason. Jason Todd." She said with a smile. "He would never hurt me. He's the one who gave me your number." She amended.

Robin's smile quickly faded. He hadn't spoken to Jason Todd in years.

"Robin?" Raven asked. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, of course," Robin replied. "I'm just surprised, is all. Jason and I aren't exactly friends, you know?" Robin bit his tongue. He said too much. He hoped he hadn't lost her business. She was just too easy to talk to.

"He said that. But he also said you were the best." Raven replied professionally.

Robin's cheeks warmed slightly. High praise, coming from Jason.

"Is your mother in town? Can we meet her tonight?" He asked.

"Sure," Raven replied. "I'll call her now."

"Of course." Robin said. "I'll step out to give you some privacy."

Robin stepped out into the office hallway. He used the time to check his messages. There was a text from a number he didn't recognize.

Gave my girl your office number. Don't mess up. Robin saved the number under "Asshole." He did a quick google search of Raven Roth and found that all of her info matched up with what she said. That was a first. A genuinely innocent person is looking for help, Robin thought.

Raven opened the door and stepped aside so he could come in. "We can head over now, if you want."

"Sure," Robin replied.

"Let's take my car," Raven offered. Robin was glad; he normally took the bus to work.

Robin held the door open while Raven brushed past him. They remained silent, but comfortable, on the elevator ride down. As they stepped outside, Robin offered Raven his coat. The air was slightly chilly. Robin looked up to the sky and knew the sun set at least a half hour ago. She politely rejected- her car had heated seats, she explained.

When they turned the corner, Robin immediately noticed a man leaning against what he assumed was Raven's car. He turned to Raven. Her face was confused, she obviously had no idea who the man was.

"Happy birthday," the man said. He wore a hood and the dim lighting hid his face.

"Can I help you?" Raven asked in a serious manner. Robin angled himself so that she was slightly behind him. He could easily get her out of harm's way if push came to shove.

The man stepped forward. "Get out of the way, little bird. She's the one I want." He said. In the light of the streetlamp, Robin could see he wore a mask and his face was half black and half orange.