Dinah McKinney was known as Chechen's Grey Angel in Gotham's underworld. She loved by everyone she came into contact with. A gentle woman with a warm personality and a shrewd intelligence, she had a knack for survival and a quick wit that helped her stay alive in even more dire of circumstances. Chechen himself had taken her under his wing when she was barely 18 and gave her a job in his club, more to keep an eye on her than anything else. Chechen's nightclub was a well-known gentlemen's club in central Gotham City. And this is where we begin our story, on a rainy October night that held the promising bite of winter in the air.
Chechen was sitting in a booth with the Joker discussing business when Chechen noticed Dinah at the bar, and nodded imperceptibly to her, calling her over. Chechen loved to watch Dinah walk. She was 20 years old and 5'5" barefoot, all leg, and combined with the platform stiletto heels that gave her a full 5 additional inches, she was a knockout. With a slender torso, hips and small pert breasts, Chechen jealously refused to let her dance in the club. She had long thick chocolate brown wavy hair that framed a heart shaped face. Her big pouty lips and pert nose exuded sex appeal, but her stormy eyes made her seem removed from everything around her.
"What can I get for you this evening?" She asked brightly, smiling down at Chechen before turning her attention to the Joker.
"Vodka tonic," Chechen replied.
"Nothing for me, thanks doll face," the Joker said, pleased when she didn't flinch away from the scars on his face.
As Dinah walked back to the bar, the Joker turned to Chechen. "I want her. I won't do the job unless you give her to me."
"Who? Dinah? No. Absolutely not. Her place is here, with me," Chechen said pointblank, looking over the Joker's shoulder at the waif at the bar.
"Well-ah-does she feel that way?" the Joker responded, staring at Chechen. "What could she possibly want with an old man like you?"
"What would she want with a freak like you?" Chechen shot back quietly. "No, Dinah stays here with me."
"No one else can do this job Chechen, we both know it. So-umm-you better give her to me, or I'll make meeting your ends so difficult you'll throw her at my feet so fast you won't even be stop the car to do it," the Joker said as Dinah approached from behind with a glass on her serving tray. Chechen studied her, wary to give her up. If the Joker got control of her she could find out that he was responsible for what had happened to her, and that would make his life hell. Down here there were few people who were more influential than the Grey Angel, and now that he had her, he was reluctant to let her go.
She set the vodka down on the table in front of Chechen and was about to walk away when he called out her name.
"Dinah! Come here, I'd like for you to meet a business associate of mine," Chechen said as Dinah turned and came back to the table. "This is the Joker. He's going to be doing a few jobs for me."
"It's so nice to meet you," she said, smiling down at the Joker. "I hope Mr. Chechen is treating you alright."
"He's treating me just fine toots," the Joker replied as he took her hand.
"Dinah, I'd like for you to go with him," Chechen said quietly and Dinah snatched her hand back.
"Why? I don't work for you in that capacity," she pointed out sensibly enough. "I'm just a waitress."
"What Chechen is trying so diplomatically to say is that you're my payment for my taking these jobs doll face. And you're coming with me," the Joker said, grabbing her wrist as he got to his feet.
"Mr. Chechen you can't do this!" She screamed as he began to pull her away. "I'm not chattel for you to sell! I'm not just some piece of meat!"
She pulled against his grip uselessly, screaming at Chechen's men to do something, but none of them moved, none of them would look her in the eye. Chechen's name was the last thing she screamed before the Joker dragged her out the door.