Chapter 2

On the way back, Oswald told Victor all he knew. He promised to help by asking around. Someone had shot Ed 'Riddler' Nygma; it was hardly something that would go unnoticed. Someone, somewhere knew something. Rose stopped the car near the Iceberg Lounge and Victor got out of the car, Oswald thanked him with deepest gratitude for his help, then they drove on, heading for home.

Once they arrived, Ivy opened the door looking tired. She had hardly slept the previous night, and all she wanted was to go to the hospital and visit Ed. Rose told her to wait just a little longer, because first, they had to get Oswald cleaned up. Ivy offered to help as she took one look at him and saw he was distressed and clearly in a state of shock, but Gertrude insisted they would cope just fine. As Rose and Gertrude led him up the stairs, Ozzie called out Dad, but Oswald didn't even turn his head and Ivy quickly sent him out to the garden again.

"Not now, Daddy's tired," she said, then she went outside to watch the kids and to explain to Lilly that her father needed it be left in peace for a while.

Rose heard water running in the bathroom, Oswald's mother was trying her best to help persuade her son to get cleaned up, but he didn't even notice as he went to the bedroom and then sat down heavily on the bed, pausing to look to the pillow where Ed had rested his head the day before, when life had still been normal.

"You need to get out of those clothes, you're covered in blood," Rose reminded him.

He let her slip off his jacket, then she helped him out of his waist coat. When she started to unbutton his shirt, his hands closed over hers.

"I'm not helpless, Rose. I have a broken heart, not broken hands."

He took his phone from his pocket and placed it next to the bed.

"I'm actually afraid to hear it ring. I don't know what the news will be."

"No news is good news," Rose reminded him, then she gave him a tight hug.

"You look so tired," she added as she gently brushed a lock of hair away from his eyes.

"I feel exhausted," he told her.

Then his mother called out that his bath was ready. He gave a sigh, left his cane next to the bed and leaned on Rose as they went together to the bathroom.

"Let me help you, my darling boy," Gertrude said, and Oswald tensed as she started to open up his shirt.

"Mother, I can manage..."

"It's okay, I'll help him," Rose added quickly, recalling how the last thing he needed right now was the embarrassment of his mother treating him like a small child.

"Then I shall make some tea," Gertrude said, then as she reached the door, she glanced back at her son, "Make sure you rest after that bath. You need to sleep, there is no sense in you becoming ill at a time like this!"


She left the room and Rose locked the door, then she rejoined her husband as he stood next to the bath and started to open up his shirt.

"You need to wash away the blood," she said quietly.

"I know," Oswald replied, then he said no more as she helped him to undress and then climb into the hot water.

As he sank up to his shoulders in water warm enough to soothe away the aches and bruises from the shooting, he gave a sigh as he rested in the bath.

"I remember the last time Ed and I shared this tub," he said fondly, "He made love to me in the water... I don't think there's a single room in this house that doesn't have our memories..."

"I know you and him like to lock yourselves away in here and take your time," she said with a smile, then she started to wet his hair and work in some shampoo, he gave a sigh as all tension momentarily left him.

"We have memories like that too," she reminded him.

"We have wonderful memories..." Oswald paused, shifting forward and tilting his head back as she rinsed away the shampoo then as he settled back again, he was deeply in thought.

"Rose, you know the first time you got pregnant and we lost the baby?"

She was just about to reach for a sponge to wash away a trace of blood from his upper chest , then she stopped.

"What about it?"

There was a sad, almost empty look in his eyes again, the same look she had seen after Ed had been shot, and it worried her. What he said next worried her even more.

"Mother often says that baby is in heaven. Do you think that's true?"

"I don't know, I like to think so."

"If Ed dies, do you think he will take care of that baby for us, the one in heaven?"

His words had given her a jolt.

"Ed won't die," she said quickly, "Stop thinking like that, Oswald." Then she reached for the sponge and started to gently clean the last trace of Ed's blood away from his body.


Oswald went to bed after Rose cleaned him up, he slept for ten hours without waking, all the while his phone was next to the bed and it remained silent. Ivy had called the hospital, Ed was still critical. Then she had taken her son and gone to the hospital. Rose had managed to grab a couple of hours sleep next to her husband before Ivy had left, then she had the kids to look after and questions to answer, awkward questions that required thought. Ozzie had asked Rose if Ed would die. He said he wanted to see him while there was still time. Lilly had asked if the cops would be dealing with the gunman – she felt it would better all round if he was brought back to the mansion, alive.

"Then give him to Daddy," she had added with a gleam in her eyes that matched Oswald in the days of old, "He will know what to do with him... and maybe I can help, too. We'll teach him a lesson for hurting Uncle Ed."

Lilly was certainly growing up to be a little female Penguin. Rose had told her, the police had to deal with the shooter. Then she had told Ozzie that she didn't know if Ed would survive – of course, everyone wanted him to, but he was very badly hurt. Then Lilly had said she wanted to see him too.

Rose had already had sharp words with Ivy over taking her son to the hospital, after such major surgery Ed wasn't a pretty sight, he was also on life support and she had suggested maybe five year old Eddie didn't need to see that. Ivy had glared at her, telling her he was the father of her child and she would do what she damned well thought was right. Rose still wasn't sure about the kids seeing their Uncle Ed in such a mess, that was something to talk to Oswald about when he woke up.

Rose let him sleep, he was shattered and needed rest. When he woke up, Ivy had just returned for the hospital. She came upstairs, told them there was no change in Ed, then said she was taking her son home. Oswald had sat up sharply, instantly in a panic as he saw the time.

"I need to be with Ed -"

"Rest," Rose had told him, placing a hand on his chest and easing him back down to the bed.

"I miss him," Oswald had whispered, then he had grabbed Ed's pillow and pressed his face against it, inhaling his scent. That night Rose slept beside her husband as he slept with his back turned to her, needing to cling to the only comfort he had, it was the only way he could feel close to Ed at this time, the only way he could get through that first, awful night without him.


The next few days went by slowly and painfully. Oswald had agreed that the kids needed to see Ed, and they had taken them to visit him. Ozzie had become tearful and Lilly had stood next to the bed and gently held Ed's hand, promising him it would be okay, because they would find the man who had done this.

While Ed was critical, Oswald was constantly anxious and often tearful. Rose quietly worried, and going by the look on his mother's face, so did Gertrude. They were both afraid he was losing his mind. Gertrude feared Oswald's illness several years before had put so much strain on him that he couldn't take any more worry. Rose felt sure it was fear, because every day he woke up wondering if today would be the day he lost Ed.

Then, just after a week of constant worry, Ed stabilised and was able to come off life support. Two days later, he opened his eyes. The whole family were home when they got the news, and for the first time since the shooting, the light came back to Oswald's eyes. He and Rose were on their way to the hospital within the hour.


Ed Nygma had woken to a too bright room and a vague ache that quickly turned into pain in his head. He quickly worked out he was in a hospital, and as very grateful for the pain relief that kicked in fast. The doctors had checked him over, someone had told him he had been shot. But he was still alive, he concluded. He tried to speak and his voice was a whisper, his throat felt sore and he was too weak to move. Then he was told his family were on the way to see him. That confused him. He hadn't seen his family for years. Ed rested and waited, searching back to his last memory.

"Oswald..." he whispered, recalling how he had taken Isabella's murderer to the pier and shot him before watching him sink into the icy waters of the Gotham river. Anger still bit at his heart at the thought of Isabella's murder...

Then the door to his room opened, just as the ache in his head was subsiding and he was ready to sink into sleep. He had closed his eyes as he heard a voice speaking softly.

"I've missed you so much, I've been so worried!"

He felt a kiss on his cheek and turned his head away, still feeling a fog in his head as his heavy eyes stayed closed.

"I got you some flowers, Ed..."

He kept his eyes closed. He knew that voice but his thoughts were too slow and yet to catch up.

"Ed," his name was spoken tenderly, "Look at me, sweetheart."

He slowly turned his head, as a ridiculous thought came to mind. For a moment, he thought it was Oswald speaking. It couldn't be. He had killed Oswald, that was the last thing he remembered... Ed opened his eyes. He saw a blur leaning over him and blinked. The blurring began to clear and there he was, in a sharp suit, his black hair swept up into long, elegant spikes, his eyes shining with devotion.

"I love you, Ed!" said Oswald.

Ed struggled to sit up but his body felt too weak. He dragged in a sharp breath.

"No!" he whispered, "No, you're dead... why aren't you dead?"

"Because I wasn't hit," Oswald told him, "The guy who shot at us hit you. And you took a bullet to the head. That was nine days ago. You almost died...I thought I was losing you!"

Oswald gave a tiny sob and pressed his face against Ed's shoulder as Ed tensed.

"Get off me!"

Oswald heard his sharp tone and drew back as hurt reflected in his eyes.

"I know you're I pain, I just want to be close to you. I love you so very much -"

"I don't love you!" Ed said in horror, "How many times do I have to say it?"

Oswald stared at him.

"What's the last thing you remember?"

Ed's throat still felt sore. He paused to take a breath and looked at him with an ice cold expression.

"The day I shot you on the pier."

Oswald's jaw dropped, along with the hope in his heart as he realised the shooting had wrecked Ed's memory.

"That was years ago!" he said sharply as he blinked back tears, "That was the year I met Ivy and lost my virginity – my daughter Lilly's eleven years old now!"

The fog was slowly clearing from his mind. All he could do was manage a weak laugh.

"You were a virgin until eleven years ago? I'm not surprised, you're pathetic!"

Oswald stepped closer to him, fighting back tears of anger.

"In the end, we fell in love," he said in a hushed voice, "After I married Rose. We started a family, I have a son by her – Ozzie. Then I married you. I made polygamy legal in Gotham so I could be married to both of you!"

Ed stared at him in horror.

"No, I'd never marry the man who killed my girlfriend!"

"You faced up to your feelings after I became sick," Oswald told him, "I was very ill a few years back. You realised your true feelings and we got together... And we've been happy ever since! How dare you take that away from me now!"

Oswald was tearful. Ed was still staring at him. He wanted to think none of it was true, that this was all a little scheme devised by Oswald to try and win his affections... but something was telling him there was more. He didn't want it to be true, he searched his mind and all he could recall was the day he shot him...

"We both have children by Ivy," Oswald said as he wiped his eyes, "She's your best friend but you had a son by her to give you a blood tie to my dynasty... I'm the most powerful man in Gotham now, I own Cobblepot Oil!"

There was something about what he said that rang true, even though he recalled nothing.

"I don't remember..."

"You have a son, he's five years old his name is Eddie."

That name seemed to strike deep in his heart.

"I want to meet him. I doubt he's mine, but I'll see him..."

Finally Oswald felt a spark of hope.

"As soon as you're strong enough, you're coming home," he said, "And you can be back with us, your family. I really do think it will all come back to you once you're home again."

Ed felt deep mistrust as he looked up at Oswald.

"I don't believe any of this. I don't even believe I've been shot!"

He caught a look in Oswald's eyes that he couldn't read.

"Do you want to see?"

"See what?" Ed took in a sharp breath as a cold sense of dread swept over him.

Oswald reached for a small mirror next to the bed, turned it around and held it up in front of him. Ed gave another gasp, hit by instant shock at the sight of his closely cropped hair, one side had been shaved completely and there was a recent scar, it was huge and ugly and he raised a shaking hand and touched it.

"Oh no... no... this can't be real..."

Oswald put the mirror down.

"Ed, you met me at the oil company, we were walking to the car, someone opened fire on us and you got hit! That was nine days ago!"

He felt a spike of panic as he wondered where the years had gone and why the hell he was married to Oswald, the man who had murdered Isabella. He looked down at his hand and saw a platinum band on his ring finger. He looked to Oswald's left hand, on his ring finger he wore two rings, the first was gold, the second was platinum and matched his own.

"I'm not married to you!"

"Yes, you are!"

Ed coughed and Oswald grabbed a glass of water, then slid his hand gently behind his head as he raised the glass to his lips. Ed drank the water, then as Oswald let go it bothered Ed that there was something familiar about Oswald's touch, tender, gentle, almost familiar... he pushed that thought aside.

"Last thing I recall is shooting you!"

"A lot has changed since then. You're not even a wanted man any more, I own most of this city, I made a deal to secure your freedom!"

"Why?"

"Because I love you!"

"Don't keep saying that!" Ed turned his face away.

Just then Rose came into the room. Ed looked at her, and she seemed vaguely familiar but he couldn't recall why.

"How are you, Ed?" she asked.

"Are you the other spouse?" he whispered as he looked at her with mistrust.

"He doesn't remember," Oswald said as emotion cracked his voice, "Rose, the last thing he recalls is shooting me!"

"The doctor was just telling me about his memory," Rose replied, then she looked to Ed.

"I know you don't like or trust us right now, but that's because you were shot. You've had a bullet dug out of your brain. Nothing is going to be easy for a while. You're lucky to be alive, Ed!"

He blinked. She had just spoken to him like she knew him very well...

"Please leave," he said quietly, then he raised his left hand, "Take this thing off my finger. I'm not married to anyone. I certainly wouldn't marry Oswald!"

She stepped closer to the bed, then she slipped the ring off his finger.

"Rose, don't!" Oswald said, but she just passed him the ring and he slipped it on to his own hand, placing it above the other thin bands of gold and platinum.

"You get some rest, Ed," Rose told him, then she leaned over him and placed a kiss his cheek. He hadn't seen it coming and had no time to turn away.

"Why did you do that, why did you let him take his ring off?" Oswald said to his wife.

Ed shot him a warning look.

"Don't you even think about kissing me!"

He saw pain reflected in his eyes as Rose took his arm and tugged on it, then told him again to leave him to rest. Oswald reluctantly followed her from the room, and finally, Ed rested alone, his heart racing with a flicker of panic.

"This is not real," he whispered, "It's a bad dream, it has to be a bad dream..."

But as he lay there, his ring finger felt strangely empty without that platinum band. The reason why felt like quite a tough riddle, but his damaged mind wasn't up to solving riddles yet.


"He doesn't know me. He's not the Ed I married – he's stuck in the past, Rose!"

As Oswald said that, he laid down heavily on the bed that used to be so warm with both his lovers to share the space. Ever since arriving home, it just didn't feel like home any more, not knowing Ed had woken up and looked at him with such hatred in his eyes.

Now as Rose joined him, she saw hopelessness in his gaze. The thought that he might be sliding back into despair was unbearable, but clearly, Ed's memory had been damaged. The doctors didn't know if or when it would return; all they could do was wait, and that was more than Oswald could handle.

"I still want him home, as soon as he's strong enough," Oswald said, "I don't care if he thinks he hates me, what's he going to do about it? He's too weak to start a fight. Some day he's going to look at me and remember everything."

His eyes were slightly red. He had been crying on the way home. Telling the rest of the family that Ed's memory was gone had been hard. At least Ivy had the consolation that the mention of their son had seemed to ring true, even if he rejected all else that had been said. Gertrude had told her son to be patient, and to please stop the crying, because it would not help Ed. But Oswald was hurt by all he had said to him – for Ed to wake with memories intact of the most painful times in the lives had been too much to take after the shooting.

Outside, the sky was growing dark. The kids were off to bed and the house was silent. Then a vague trace of the sound of Gertrude singing drifted up the stairs as she busied herself, tidying the house before retiring for the night.

Oswald sat up and started to undress, his thoughts still on Ed.

"How can the doctors not know anything? They're supposed to have all the answers..."

"It's too soon," Rose reminded him. She had already slipped into a short, sheer nightgown and was in bed, waiting for her husband to join her.

"They said to me, his memory could come back – or not. He might be weak and unsteady for the rest of his life – or get over it. They know nothing!"

"I do agree we should bring him home as soon as we can," Rose replied as her husband joined her in bed, "he needs to be with his family. Most of all, he needs you."

Every small line on Oswald's usually youthful face seemed deeper at that moment.

"I never thought it would come to this. I thought maybe in twenty years, my leg might get a lot worse, maybe Ed would be pushing me around in a wheelchair. I didn't expect this to happen to him. I can do this, of course I can take care of him...I just didn't see it coming."

"How could you?" Rose reminded him as she shifted closer and slipped her arm around him, "No one knew this would happen."

"And the cops haven't found the shooter yet," he said as his voice darkened, "I want to find that guy. I want it more than anything, I want to see his blood spill -"

"Stop it," as her hair trailed his chest, her hand was cool on his cheek as she looked into his eyes, "Of course you want him dead – but if you do that, if you get caught, you're locked up forever and then we lose you."

Revenge was still burning in his mind, he had killed enough men during his career as a high profile criminal to know one more death on his conscience was nothing at all. When it came to Ed, no revenge would be too great and neither would the size of the personal sacrifice, if it meant evening up the score... But that was not something he cared to share with Rose.

He lifted the covers back, exposing the hem of her gown. It skimmed her thighs, it was almost transparent and as he gently pushed it up and exposed her sex, she gave a sigh.

"I've neglected you, I've been a terrible husband."

She ran her fingers through his hair as she met his gaze.

"You had Ed to worry about."

"I'm still worried."

She parted her lips to speak but he silenced her with a kiss, as he slipped a hand between her legs, feeling the heat of her body as she instantly soaked his fingers. Oswald's eyes darkened with desire.

"Turn over, Rose..."

She caught her breath, feeling an exquisite ache as she realised he was taking her from behind, something he rarely did, but he needed the intensity of it, something to take his mind off his worries, he needed to be rough, to mix pleasure with pain. He was missing Ed like crazy and wanted to blow his mind to temporarily fix that.

She shifted position, and as soon as she was up on her knees, she gave a gasp as his fingers slipped inside, then out again, then he moved upward in a swift movement, pushing two wet fingers into her. It felt tight but she was turned on enough to give a low moan, then he swore under his breath as his bad leg slipped and he dragged it up again, then his hands were on her hips. He entered her with a firm thrust, gasping at the tightness of her ass. As he panted and moved quickly, impatient to reach his peak, she reached down, stimulating herself as every thrust became pleasure instead of bordering on pain. She heard him pant as her body jerked with his movements, then he gave a sharp gasp, throbbing inside her. As she lost control and cried his name, he separated from her, then pulled her into a weak embrace and kissed her.

"I love you, but I miss Ed," he said, and she saw tears in his eyes.

"I miss him too," she promised, "He'll be home soon..."

Oswald rested with his head on her shoulder as she stroked his hair. He stifled a sob but kept his face turned away, not wanting his wife to see him weeping after they had just had such an intimate encounter. He wanted to love Rose as much as he always had, but even after this, he felt no closer – instead, he felt guilty for making love to her with such passion while Ed was still in the hospital. As Rose slept, Oswald stayed awake, his thoughts with the man he loved as his heart ached for all he was going through, and his arms ached to hold him again.


A few days later, after turning up no information on the man who had shot Edward Nygma, Jim and Harvey decided to pay a visit to the mansion, in the hope that perhaps Oswald could recall more about the shooting. They entered the estate by the front entrance, then drove around to the back, to first speak with Ivy.

As they got out of the car, Harvey looked up at the large, palatial home that was almost half the size of the Cobblepot mansion, then he saw the huge greenhouse to the side of it, that building was impressive...

"Let's hope someone's heard something," he said as they went up to the front door, "This is crazy, Jim – how can someone shoot a guy as well known as Nygma in a city like Gotham and there's not a whisper on the streets about it?"

Jim rang the bell.

"I know, it doesn't make sense," he agreed.

The door was opened by a small boy, his hair was the same shade as Ed's and he wore glasses. His t shirt was decorated by question marks and he looked up at the visitors and smiled as Jim showed his badge.

"Can we speak to Ivy?"

"Yes, come in, she's with the plants," the little boy said, and he let them in and closed the door behind them.

"You must be Eddie Nygma, Ed's son,"Jim said, "How is your Daddy?"

Sadness reflected in the child's eyes.

"He's hurt very bad. But Mommy said he's coming home as soon as he's better."

"Well I hope that happens soon," Jim said kindly. For a brief moment he thought back to the old days and the chaos Riddler had once caused in the city. Then he looked down at Nygma's son, reflected on how their lives had changed and felt an ache in his heart for this poor kid – Nygma had taken a bullet to the brain, he might never recover enough to be a father to this boy again. Eddie looked at Jim thoughtfully.

"Do you have a bad leg?"

"No, why?" he asked.

"Because if you do, my Mommy will give it a magic rub, then give you a bath, then you have to help her with the plants all night. But it's very hard I think you have to go up the ladder and hold the big tall trailing one up to the roof so it can grow, but it's hard work and takes all night."

"I don't understand, about the plant?" Jim asked.

Eddie explained.

"I once heard Mommy talking to my Uncle Oswald on the phone, she said if his leg hurts, he has to come over and get a magic rub and then she gives him a bath."

"And how does he help her with the plants?" Jim wondered, feeling utterly confused.

"Then I heard her say to him, she's got some plant stuff that will keep him up all night, very hard. Then she turned around and told me not to listen when grown ups are talking."

Harvey has a smirk on his face as he turned to Jim and lowered his voice.

"What are my chances of getting some of Ivy's magic rubbing if I fake a bad leg?"

Jim looked away, hiding a smile.

"Oh jeez, this family," he muttered, hiding his amusement.

Just then Ivy joined them.

"What can I do for you?" she asked, "Is there any news on the shooter?"

"Unfortunately not," Jim replied, "I was wondering if maybe the family has heard anything through street contacts? I realise Oswald would be very reluctant to give up that kind of information if he could take personal revenge, but I am trying to keep this strictly a police matter."

Ivy shook her head.

"This is the weird part," she replied, "No one has heard anything. Pengie asked a very old friend to ask around but so far he's come up with nothing. It's crazy to think Ed could get shot and no one knows who or why."

"Does Ed have any enemies?" Harvey asked.

"Not any more," Ivy replied, "Penguin worked hard to drag both their names out of the mud when he bought the oil company. Do I need need to remind you, times have changed, and they are both fathers now?"

Ivy was glaring at him.

"We were just asking," Harvey added, "We have to ask these questions."

"How is Ed?" Jim asked.

"He's lost a large chunk of his memory, he doesn't remember me – I went to see him a couple of days ago. I didn't take Eddie with me in case he pushed him away, but I showed him his picture and he seemed to vaguely recognise him. He doesn't trust Rose, or Gertrude. It's Pengie I feel sorry for, Ed talks to him like he hates him, he blames him for everything. Ed's memory seems to be stuck years back, around the time they were enemies. So as you can imagine, visiting him isn't a great experience. Pengie leaves in tears every time."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Jim replied, "And if you do hear anything at all about the identity of the shooter, be sure to give me a call."

"Whatever, " Ivy replied as she walked to the door and opened it for them, "I think we both know who I'm telling first if I get a name – Pengie's entitled to revenge. You haven't seen Ed. That bullet wrecked his life!"

"And I'm hoping Oswald won't break the law because of that," Jim replied.

As they stepped out on to the porch, Ivy closed the door. Jim turned to Harvey.

"I guess we should go up to the main house now."

Harvey looked down the long, winding path that led to the Cobblepot mansion.

"Okay, let's go see Gotham's very own Addams family," he replied, and they began to walk down the path towards the house.


Rose opened the door when Jim knocked, and she greeted him and Harvey with a polite smile. The two men couldn't fail to notice how her blue dress clung to her curves. They had just been treated to the sight of ivy looking stunning in a short skirt, her legs seeming to go on forever as she stood there, tall curvaceous and ever so slightly hostile towards the cops. But Rose, she always smiled.

"Do you have any news?" she asked as she invited them in.

"Sorry, but no," Jim replied, "It's a complete mystery so far – no one seems to know anything about the shooting. No one can even suggest a name because he had no known enemies on the street."

"Where's Oswald?" Harvey asked.

"He's visiting Ed," she replied, "The past few weeks have been hard. Oswald is very worried, on top of that he has to spend half the week at the oil company, he's letting work slide... I don't blame him, though. He said Ed comes first. We're hoping he can come home soon. The hospital said maybe three more weeks. Oswald wants him home now. He won't be happy until Ed's back. I've never seen him so depressed."

"Has Oswald mentioned anything new about the shooting? Has he remembered anything else?"

Rose shook her head.

"He told you everything he knows. The only person who might have seen the shooter's face is Ed – and he can't remember anything. His last recollection is back in the days when he hated Oswald. He's lost twelve years. We don't know if he will ever get his memory back."

"I'm truly sorry," Jim replied, "And we won't give up on this case."

"Thank you," Rose replied, "Ed might suffer because of the shooting for the rest of his life, you have no idea how this has affected us all. We need some kind of closure."

"And I'll do my best to give you that," Jim promised, then he and Harvey left the house and walked back towards the car.

As they reached the car, they both felt a jolt at the creepy sight of the Cobblepot children, Ozzie and Lilly, both dressed in black and standing beside the vehicle. Their ice blue gaze was fixed on the approaching cops, as Lilly stood beneath the shade of her black lace parasol. She spoke up as Jim and Harvey joined them.

"Have you caught the man who shot my Uncle Ed?"

"Not yet," Jim replied, "But we will."

"You'd better make it soon," Ozzie added, "Get him, before someone else gets hurt."

Harvey looked down at Lilly, thinking how she was the image of her father. He didn't doubt when she grew up, she would be like Oswald back in his Penguin days. He could see it in her eyes, that kid would be trouble one day.

"I expect you and your brother are very upset about your Uncle Ed," he said, "It must be difficult for all of you."

Lilly nodded.

"When we heard the news, my mother and Auntie Rose were very upset. My baby brother cried. Ozzie was upset too. My Grandma is worried about my Dad. So am I. He cries a lot. You'd better catch the man who shot my Uncle Ed. Do it soon, please. I just want my family to be okay again."

"We are trying very hard," Harvey promised her.

"You can rely on us," Jim added.

Then they got into the car and drove away.


Lilly stood there, watching as the car left the grounds of the estate, then she lowered her parasol and turned to her brother.

"Ozzie, I don't think the cops can find this guy. So it's up to us," she said, "You and I must find the would be assassin. And then..." she hit a button and a sharp blade slid out from the tip of her parasol and she smiled as her eyes shone ice cold.

"Cool blade!" said Ozzie.

She hit the button again and retracted it, then closed her parasol and leaned on it in an elegant pose.

"Thank you, dear brother, I fashioned it myself. And we shall test it out on the man who shot our Uncle Ed. All we need is a name..."

Ozzie's eyes narrowed as he glanced at his sister and thoughts of revenge filled his mind.

"The sooner the better!" he agreed.