Chapter 7 Judgment Day
Nancy turned to George.
"I saw the Emerald Owl! It was in Penguin's safe!"
George's eyes widened.
"You were right all along! We need to go to the police!"
Nancy nodded.
"You go and use the phone in the office behind the coat checking station. As long as Penguin's here, you should be good!"
George hesitated.
"What about Two-Face and Croc?" she asked nervously.
"They will not be a problem for much longer." Said a deep voice behind them.
Before they could turn to look, two massive grey gloved hands knocked George and Nancy's heads together. They fell unconscious onto the floor.
Back in the dimly lit back office, Penguin palmed Croc's diamond and grinned. He gingerly placed it into his safe and looked at Two-Face's contribution.
"Now, Harvey… if you ever knew what I really cleared…" he closed his eyes and gave a small laugh.
"Is there no honor among thieves, ?" came a deep voice from behind. Penguin opened his eyes, alert. He swung to face the speaker. A large dark figure in black robes, black face mask, and grey gloves stood at the entryway. He had a judge's wig, completing the specter of a judge.
"And you're worse than a thief, trafficking in stolen goods." declared the Judge.
Penguin was used to seeing costumed vigilantes as well as criminals. He drew himself to his full height, 4 foot 10 inches.
"I don't know who you are, sir, but I assure you, my transactions were all legitimate. You see, I had no actual knowledge that the items were stolen.
Given that, I don't see how the law can touch me." He grinned as he pointed at the figure with his umbrella. One touch of any of the buttons on the handle of the broom would easily rid himself of this intruder.
"I am the law." Boomed the Judge as he retrieved a long, sharp sword from the holder from under his robes. Penguin's mouth dropped open and a bead of sweat formed on his brow.
"And I find you guilty!" He swung down with extreme force at Penguin. Penguin, never known for swift movements, found himself leaping to the side as he dodged another fatal blow. He turned and fled down the hall, crying out for his assistants to help him out.
"Raven! Lark!" he cried.
As he turned the corner, he noticed two figures suspended from the ceiling.
Raven and Lark had been tied together, back to back, with rope at their wrists and mid sections.
A single rope suspended them from the ceiling. They had both been gagged, grey cloth pulled across their lips and tied behind their heads. Their eyes were wide in horror as the swung gently from the celing.
Penguin was gasping for breath as he saw the Judge enter the room. Penguin ran for the exit sign. He made it to the door but saw that it was locked. In a fit of desperation, he began to yank on the knob and throw his body against the door.
The Judge turned to this left and noticed a 14-foot-tall stone penguin. It was sitting atop a metal flatbed trolley. The only thing keeping his trolley from moving was a rope tied to the pole behind it. The Judge brought down his sword onto the rope, severing it instantly. The stone penguin started to gain momentum, hurdling towards Penguin. At the last moment, he turned to face the rolling sound. His scream echoed in the hall as the statue smashed him against the door and sending him right through it.
The Judge entered the room to see a critically injured Penguin under a pile of stone rubble. His breathing was ragged, and blood stained his face.