Set the World On Fire
Disclaimer: "I own only what's mine. All mistakes are my own."
Chapter 2
Randy was seated at her favorite sandwich shop on the corner of main street a block from Gotham Square and Wayne Tower, the center of the city. Taking a huge bite of her turkey sandwich she noticed the familiar face of a fellow attorney friend walking through the front door of the shop.
He went through the line buying a BLT before spotting her in the corner and coming over to say hello. Daniel 'Danny' Callahan, a defense attorney with his own fancy law firm, smiled as he pulled up a chair next to her helping himself to her company.
"Fancy seeing you here, Randy. It seems fate has brought us together again." Danny intoned as he sat down.
Wiping her mouth, Randy gave a smile of her own. "So it seems."
Danny was a tall, toned, blue eyed guy with brown short wavy hair and a nice smile. "This is quite a step from a talk over coffee. You never called about when you could do dinner." Danny looked at her questioningly.
Danny had been trying to go out with Randy for a while now ever since they met after a hearing. Apparently she had impressed him in court and he wanted to grab a coffee with her but because of her busy schedule couldn't make it work. He never seemed deterred by her lack of enthusiasm at going out with him, he merely tried different tactics. Finally when they had that coffee date he gave her his card telling her to call and they'd do dinner. That had been over a month ago and she still hadn't called. It seemed fate had it in for her because here he was asking about dinner, again.
She gave a disarming smile. "Sorry...I lost your card and didn't know where to find you."
If he caught on to her white lie he didn't show it. "That's alright, I'll just give you my private cell number."
He pulled a pen from his suit jacket pocket and pulled her hand over to lay in front of him before he wrote his number on her open palm. She couldn't help thinking how terribly teenage boy that was of him to write his number on her hand, she wouldn't be responsible for its disappearance when she conveniently washed her hands. Replacing the pen in his pocket he smiled boyishly as he folded her hand around the written number on her palm.
"How about dinner tonight at Mel's. What do you say?" He asked hopefully.
Randy almost said yes thinking what was the harm in it, the guy wouldn't leave her alone until she agreed but suddenly remembered her plans to have a chat with Maroni.
She grimaced slightly. "I can't tonight but what about tomorrow night?"
He seemed a little disappointed it couldn't be sooner but smiled sweetly anyway. "Great! Eight o'clock?"
Randy nodded before pulling her phone checking the time only to find she had to leave soon.
"You need me to pick you up?" Danny inquired politely.
Standing, she shook her head. "That's okay we'll meet there." Randy went to clean up the small mess she made but his hand stopped her.
"Don't worry about it, I'll get it." When she raised a surprised eyebrow he merely waved her off. "It's the least I could do for a pretty girl like you." The line sounded like it came straight from a movie he'd seen too many times but she smiled in thanks nonetheless.
She went to return the tray her food had been on as he cleaned the table for her when a voice came from beside her making her jump. "Well that was... nice of him. Does Floyd know you're cheating on him?" Turning at the familiar voice of Bruce Wayne, dressed in dark jeans and an orange hoodie jacket over a black muscle tee. It was the most casual she'd ever seen him but granted she'd only talked to him once and seen him a couple times from afar before that.
Realizing his joking question she rolled her eyes deciding to ignore it. "Yes it was."
Bruce raised amused eyebrows. "Yes that was nice of him or yes you're cheating on Floyd?"
Crossing her arms she raised to his bait. "Yes that was nice of him, no I'm not cheating on Floyd."
Bruce leaned back against the counter with a small smirk. "That's too bad I would have been a little too eager to rub it in his face that he isn't satisfying enough for his girlfriend."
She bristled slightly at that. Floyd wasn't that bad of a guy and she wasn't dating him! "I'm not Floyd Lawton's girlfriend!" She said a little too loudly making a few close customers stare but thankfully Danny hadn't heard.
Bruce simply shrugged nonchalantly. "It seemed that way the other night with the way he was treating you." He was referring to the rather possessive way Floyd kept close to her.
"I'd never met him personally before that night. He asked me out of friendly kindness." She defended.
Bruce looked unconvinced before he glanced at Danny who still had his back turned to them on the other side of the room. "Taking advantage of another poor clueless man are we?"
Randy's eyes narrowed at the teasing accusation and her fists clenched in agitation.
"Now Floyd and Danny are poor clueless men I'm taking advantage of!?"
Bruce, with twinkling hazel eyes, nodded. "Yeah who knows I could be next. Maybe I should keep my distance from the likes of you."
Randy's eyebrows pulled low. "Maybe you should."
He smiled not bothered by the dangerous glint in her eyes. Randy glanced over at Danny who was picking up his mess and heading over here and she turned back to find the spot next to her empty where Bruce had been standing.
"I thought you had to be somewhere?" Danny was in front of her now tray in hand and eyebrows raised questioningly.
"I...do...I'll see you tomorrow, Danny." She felt his eyes on her back as she scurried out of the shop.
Remy was right where Randy left him a couple hours ago still looking over files. He glanced up when he saw her as she plopped down beside him and got her dad's file out. When Randy handed it to him he took it without question and flipped through it, skim reading.
Remy looked at her with disbelieving eyes after he scanned over it and she could only nod. "You're dad was crooked?"
Randy rubbed her forehead tiredly. "According to that file he is, but from what I got from Gordon there is more to the story than that."
Remy recognized her determined tone and knew she wouldn't stop until she got her answers or died trying. "You're gonna look deeper into this aren't you?"
Randy looked at him like that was a stupid question that he already knew the answer to. "Yep, starting with Salvatore Maroni."
Remy's forehead creased in worry. "That could blow up in your face, talking to a mob boss that wants you dead."
Randy leaned back in her chair. "I know, literally and figuratively speaking."
He winced at the joke. "Despite how completely crazy and dangerous this is, if you need my help in any way let me know."
Randy gave her friend and partner a grateful smile which he returned with fervor. "Thanks...now on to our case."
Remy picked up Malone's file placing it down in front of them both.
They both discussed what angle they were going for and what sympathizing technique they were going to use on the jury.
"Are we gonna bring up his connection to Maroni?" Randy questioned.
Remy's eyebrows furrowed in thought. "We best not take the chance and just stick with what this guy's done personally."
Randy leaned over the table slightly in concentration. "So we're focusing on the fact that he's a danger to society."
Remy stood glancing at his watch. "Sounds good. We gotta go, it's time."
Randy and Remy made their way into the courtroom; file-filled briefcase in Remy's hand. As they situated themselves on the prosecuting side, the defense attorney representing Malone walked through the double doors briefcase in hand. Randy glanced over to survey her courtroom rival of the day only to see Danny Callahan standing with his back to her.
"Danny?" Randy called out.
He turned at his name and smiled when he saw her. "Randy! Hey..."
She raised her eyebrows in mild surprise. "Hey..." Randy didn't know what to say.
Opening the briefcase on the table, he looked away from her. "So you're the new DA they warned me about."
"So it would seem... I didn't know you were Malone's attorney." Randy commented.
Danny looked up at her when she said that. "Simply doing a guy a service. No one wanted to represent a repeat offender. I needed the court experience anyway, you know how it is."
His tone was light but Randy sensed there was more to it than that but she didn't press. Besides she did know what it was like to be new. Randy herself had only been an attorney for eleven months before she was offered the position of DA. They must have been desperate, hiring someone right out of college to take care of a whole city even if she did grow up there. She snapped out of her thoughts when two guards escorted Darrell Malone in handcuffs into a seat next to Danny who was now looking over his files as Danny's assistant Alex Rhodes took the other open seat. The jury began filing into their seats as well as all guests that would attend. Last Judge Faden took his seat before calling order.
A police officer stepped forward. "All rise, this court is now in session."
Everyone in the court stood and Judge Faden cracked the gavel down loudly. "All may be seated."
Randy and Remy were doing well for the most part until Danny made an outrageous suggestion that the requested prison charges be dropped because Mr. Malone is a threat to society no longer and that he only be given time served and probation. As always Judge Faden, given the appropriate outing, approved.
Randy stood abruptly. "Objection, your honor. The defendant is a past accused violent criminal."
Judge Faden looked over the rim of his glasses at her disapprovingly. "That may very well be, Miss McGavin however the defendant was never proven guilty. Sustained."
He addressed Mr. Malone. "You are sentenced to given time served and probation. This court is adjourned."
Malone smirked openly at Randy who scowled darkly at his smug look as an officer removed his handcuffs.
She couldn't stand to look at that scum any longer, she grabbed her jacket and her messenger bag throwing it over her shoulder as she stormed out. Remy called out to her but she just kept walking. Suddenly a new voice shouted to her as quick foot steps followed her out but she didn't stop until she got almost to the front door of the court house.
"Randy, wait! Hold on a second." Danny shouted.
Finally Randy slowed before whirling on Danny who winced at the frustrated look in her eyes.
"How could you defend murdering scum like him?" Randy pressed tersely.
Danny ran a hand through his hair. "Because it's my job, Randy. To protect the innocent just like you."
Randy was shaking her head vehemently. "No, not like me. You protect the guilty. The murderers, the drug dealers, the mob. You're defending the enemy, Danny."
Danny folded his arms across his chest. "You know as well as I do that not all accused are guilty."
Randy looked into Danny's eyes stubbornly. "That monster killed my father, Danny." He didn't understand that she needed this man to pay for what he'd done to her.
Danny placed a comforting hand on her shoulder but Randy shrugged it off. "You don't know that for sure and you don't want to put the wrong man behind bars either." Danny stated firmly.
Randy turned to walk away, done talking to Danny and needing to cool off a bit but again his hand stopped her. She looked up into his blue eyes only to find pity making anger flare inside her once more.
She yanked out of his grasp. "Don't...Don't pity me, Callahan. I don't need it, especially from you."
His eyes were sad, pleading with her. "Look Randy, I'm sorry about your dad, I truly am."
Randy's eyes hardened at the apology. "Never apologize it's a sign of weakness...I have to go." With that she turned and walked away but still he called out to her.
"Are we still on for our date tomorrow night?" Danny looked worriedly after her.
Without looking back she answered. "Yeah, I'll call."
Randy took the train back to her condo in the Narrows after dropping her dad's file in the safe at her office. She changed out of her suit and into a pair of dark skinny jeans and black wife beater before pulling her hair up into a bun close to her head. She slipped on slick black boots, glanced at her reflection in the mirror before leaving the bathroom grabbing the keys to her black Yamaha sport cruiser and leather jacket as she went on her way to the garage where her motorcycle was kept. Randy ran a hand over the bike's sleek black body before climbing on, slipping on gloves before her glasses and helmet. She revved the bike as the automatic garage door opened and she peeled out burning rubber as she went. Randy recklessly but routinely weaved between cars passing by them in a blur on her way to where she knew Maroni would be. She pulled up on the curb beside a local club, Maroni's hangout. Taking off her helmet she shook her hair loose from its bun before dismounting the bike. The burly body guard looking men at the door watched her with mild interest as she shut off the bike and removed her gloves. The men straightened looking rightfully intimidating as she walked up to them.
"I'm here to see Maroni. Tell him its Randy McGavin." The man on the left glanced down at her irritably. "Don't know who you're talking 'bout." She stepped up into his personal space and he glared hard at her.
"You don't understand he'll wanna see me." Randy pressed.
They stared each other down for a moment before finally he gave a slight nod to the guy beside him who slipped inside the door behind them.
Another awkward tense silence passed before the guy next to her touched his earpiece before grabbing her tightly around the arm and dragged her behind him into the club. Randy yanked out of his grasp glaring daggers at the back of his head as he led her to Maroni's table. Salvatore Maroni, mob boss of Gotham, smiled nastily when he spotted Randy coming closer.
"Well look who it is, Randy McGavin, Gotham's last and only hope." Maroni snidely greeted.
The guy that escorted Randy there shoved her into a seat across from Maroni who gave a sharp nod at him to get lost giving them a moment alone.
Maroni nursed his glass of scotch and dragged on the cigarette in his hand before leaning in toward her.
"Oh where are my manners at? Would you care for a drink, maybe a smoke, sweetheart?"
Randy cringed at the pet name and shook her head negatively making him frown. "Suit yourself, girlie. So what brings you here to see me?" Maroni seemed mildly interested.
Randy smirked looking more brave than she felt. "Oh Sal I'm ashamed to say I missed your pretty face and needed to see you." His jaw twitched and his eyes narrowed at her.
Salvatore returned her smirk letting the rather snide comment slide for now. "I'm flattered, girlie. Now really what are you here for, I got somewhere I gotta be and you're wasting my time." When he said the word 'wasting' he placed his once hidden glock on the table in front of her and Randy's eyes widened a fraction.
Randy adjusted her jacket fingering the switchblade in her pocket, on edge because of the gun. "What do you know about a veteran detective's murder about a decade ago, a man by the name of Henry McGavin."
Salvatore pursed his lips tapped the barrel of the gun against his chin before turning cold unforgiving eyes on her. "Sorry girlie, doesn't ring a bell."
Randy clenched her hands into fists in the pockets of her jacket. "I know you had something to do with it." She accused.
Salvatore cocked the gun and leaned forward across the table leaving the gun a few inches from her face but she didn't back down. His jaw tightened, now agitated. "I don't take too kindly to being accused, Randy. You'll tread carefully, girlie, if you know what's good for you."
Randy crossed her arms stubbornly not giving in yet. "My father was a rat working for the mob but they put a hit out on him when Falcone was still running it. You have to know something."
Maroni raised an eyebrow but didn't lower the gun he'd raised at her. "If Falcone is responsible what makes you think I know anything about it?"
"Because you were his right hand man, Sal. You knew more about what was going on with Falcone's crew than he did." Randy remarked.
Salvatore pursed his lips but nodded in agreement. "True I suppose and as to your father...do you think if I had any kind of hand in it I'd have rubbed it in your face by now? If I were you I'd talk to that looney Falcone about what happened."
Randy narrowed her eyes, he wasn't telling her something but with the gun still in her face she didn't push it. "But he's in Arkham Asylum."
Salvatore chuckled darkly at her slightly fearful expression. "And?" One of his goons signaled to him and Salvatore stood from his seat.
"Wait, what do I do?" Randy asked standing as well.
Maroni cut his eyes at her for a moment before answering. "I don't care what you do, girlie, just do it somewhere else. I got more important things to do." One of his men grabbed Randy by the upper arms hoisting her away from the table.
"But..." Randy mumbled as they dragged her away, Sal smirking devilishly after her.
The guy with the steel grip on her arms dragged her all the way to the door before carelessly tossing her onto the sidewalk. He grabbed her chin roughly in his dirty hands. "You best get lost before boss decides to kill you." He snarled in her face before shoving away from her and walking back inside.
Randy stood rubbing her shoulder where she landed hard on the pavement, glaring darkly at the closed door of the club. She climbed on her bike slipping her gloves and helmet back on, leaving the glasses off because it was getting dark outside. Randy dialed Remy's number through the blue tooth in her helmet.
"Miller, here." Remy answered distractedly.
"Hey Remy," Randy greeted tiredly.
A second passed.
"Randy, Hey! Are you okay? What happened earlier?" He bombarded worriedly.
Randy chuckled lowly. "I'm fine just too much stress over the case."
Remy sighed knowingly, realizing something more was going on. "I understand. So what's up?"
Randy turned a corner onto her street. "I'm probably not coming in tomorrow but if I do it will be late."
A pause. "Alright cool. May I ask why?" Curiosity and wariness seeped into his tone.
Randy hesitated wondering if she should just tell him the truth. "I talked to Sal and he told me to have a chat with Falcone if I wanted my answers on my father."
A sharp intake of breath. "Falcone is in Arkham Asylum. Are you sure it's wise to go there? You know with all those criminals you put behind bars recently wanting you dead and all." Remy said warily.
Randy pulled into her garage shutting her bike off but didn't get off the bike just yet. "Don't you mean the two or three criminals I managed to prosecute. If I want the answers I'm looking for I'm gonna have to speak to Falcone no matter how dangerous it is."
"And if Maroni really does know and he's just pulling your leg than what?" Remy asked.
"I don't know but I'll cross that bridge if I get to it, alright." Randy answered honestly.
Another stressed sigh came through the speaker. "Alright...oh hey I almost forgot to tell you. Some guy showed up at the office looking for you. Wanted to ask you out on a date or something." Remy's tone lightened at the change in subject.
Randy's mind immediately went to Danny. "Did they give a name?"
"Yeah... it was oh what was it...uh Wayne I think?" Remy stumbled slightly unable to recall.
Randy's eyes widened in surprise not believing the name she heard. "Bruce Wayne?"
"Yeah! That's what it was...Bruce Wayne...Wait The Bruce Wayne of Wayne Enterprises?" Remy questioned in disbelief.
Randy laughed softly at Remy over the phone. "Yeah Remy that one. What did you say he wanted?"
"Um...he wanted to ask you out to dinner. I told him you were out following a lead and wouldn't be back today. It's too bad really, he looked disappointed." The last comment was said teasingly and Randy rolled her eyes.
"Alright Remy thanks for letting me know I'll talk to you tomorrow." Randy said.
"See ya tomorrow, Randy." Remy called out before the line went dead.