Chapter Four
Back To Reality
Coming back to reality shaking my head I flip the red folder open. The first thing I see is this horribly taking picture of who I perceive to be the Red Hood. The man's face was blur meaning whoever took this photo was on the move as they took the shot. You could still see a distinguished face under the red armor mask and if you were meticulous you could clearly see a grimace under that cowl, besides the mask the man had a simple get up compare to someone who you might've thought was killing bad guys. He wore combat boots, and a leather jacket over what I believe to be a bullet proof vest. No it was more than a bullet proof vest, some type of flexible armor. Armor like that wasn't cheap, but I guess it wouldn't surprise me if this guy had an employer with that type of technology and from what I could see it seem to cover him from head to toe. That gave me somewhat of a lead, I'll have to look into Gotham's wealthiest and see which one would've had reason to start a vendetta against local crime.
Then something caught my eye. There was this bat insignia on his chest. I'm no fool, if this man's wearing a bat insignia on his chest that meant one thing, but it couldn't be, no impossible. Everybody from Los Angeles to New York knew who the Batman was a least we had some sort of idea. What I did know for sure is heroes didn't kill the villains even in extreme cases you had surviving chance, but your telling me one of the founding members of the Justice League has a nutcase working for him. Now I wasn't born during the first Justice League press conference, but yet I'm pretty sure somewhere it's stated that they can't execute criminals they deem unworthy of life. You know maybe this was just some guy running around with the symbol plaster across his chest. No that didn't make sense, just on the bit of information I was giving years ago about the Batman was the guy could come to perfect conclusions someone even the highest of Authority members feared. He wouldn't just let some fool run around with the bat symbol across their chest, no this was deeper. So either he knew about the guy or choose to ignore it nether answer set swell inside my head.
If you were sitting next to me you probably see the question marks dancing across my face. Behind me I heard the sound of gas being produce. The glare the lighter created illuminated the room along with the fire-place. "Cigar" I heard Joey say. Responding with "No I'm fine" I saw him make his way towards the balcony. I was never into cigarettes, but I didn't have nothing against them. I was more of a wine & liquor type of guy, but since he had already left the room asking him to pour me some of his most prestigious of drinks was out the question. Looking back to the folder I flip the pages finding more resent pictures of the Red one's victims. One thing I did notice is he didn't seem to be killing low life dealers and scouts, only the important people. He also seem to be leaving evidence for the cops on purpose, and he's been killing corrupted political figureheads lately. "Huh" this guy definitely been keeping himself busy. I heard Joey mumble something although I didn't quite hear it. "Huh" I reply. "I said, you think they would've told me the situation earlier on". I didn't know what the hell Joey was talking about, so I continue on with my page flipping. I was sure I heard sniffling, but that couldn't be the case Joey wasn't one to cry. Turning the page I realize why, I didn't even notice at first just another crooked criminal mastermind with his face beat in ,but this one was different there was no bullet hole in his forehead. The guy kinda look like mister Potato Head if you step on him. I'm not sure what he did to deserve the beat down he got, but Johnny Vasquez didn't look like Johnny Vasquez anymore. I've never been one to openly cry over someone's death it's just not the way I express my feelings ,however seeing the face of Joey's younger brother smash to a pulp manage to tug at my heart and pull at the strings of my emotions. At first I couldn't understand why Joey was acting so unusual and now I understood why. I could empathize why he wanted this man dead and now I could grasp Joey's irregular behavior.
He was so fidgety because of the murder of his twin brother. I pretty sure seeing my face smash in would make me fidgety too and I understood the feeling of losing a family member personally in many ways, but I didn't want to tackle situation head on so I continue turning the pages of the folder quietly ignoring the sounds of shuddering outside. Sadly the situation was unavoidable, shudders turn to hiccups and hiccups turn to full-fledged crying. 'Fuck, Shit, Dammit' I hated situations like these I thought, but wait a minute if Johnny was dead that meant someone had gotta Intel on him and that murderer was the last to know. Standing straight I jump over the couch rushing to the balcony almost tripping, finally reaching my destination I spoke "You don't think Johnny would've . . ." Cutting me off he semi-shouted while hiccuping "I ... Hic* don't know". Sliding my hand through the strands of my hair I turn around thinking about the situation at hand. If Johnny gave up information about the Authority thinking he could save his life that meant someone was walking around with more information than they needed to have, wait turning around to face Joey again I spoke "Does the Authority know?". Turning red he decided to respond with "Of course they know. How the FUCK would I know if they didn't know!". It's was a rhetorical question but whatever. Rubbing my hands through my hair again (it's what I do when I'm nervous) I turn my head the opposite direction than back to Joey's tearful face as he took a seat.
"Look I know you think I don't understand, but I do. I've experience what you're going through twice and it does get easier however it's up you not to forget those who've fallen. You know Johnny was a smart guy and caring not only to you ,but to others of the Authority and he was a genuine loyal friend who could out think his opponents. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't want you mopping around like this but rather he would want you to formulate a game plan to finish the guy that started this. Now please stand up this isn't the Joey I know."
I was gonna reach down and help him up but to my dissatisfaction my hair literally wouldn't let go of my right hand as I pulled with more effort more of my hair's ink like tendrils wrap around my fingers. "Shit" I muttered under my breath, it wasn't painful just highly annoying. While I struggle get a hold myself Joey manage to stand by himself. Still struggling with my hair I turn to see Joey blue eye's starring at me stupidly. "What!" I Confusingly demanded. I notice his face wasn't red anymore and slowly ,but surely a small smile appear across his face. "You think this is funny" I question only to here his laughter as my answer. "Bwah...ha I'm sorry" he responded. "No your not" I'd decreed annoyed. He simply walk pass me his cigar pretty much gone as he made his way towards his desk. Walking in following close behind him I ask "what now?". His answer " We do like you said and get down to business". Shaking my head at his answer I spit aloud "I never once said that". He didn't look from his task at hand but reply "You didn't have to". 'What was I missing here' I thought.
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