Joker
Story Two: Gotham's Red Knight
Chapter Seven: Dealt From The Bottom
Chapter Seven! Wow, I only originally planned for five chapters per story, but there is still has another to go after this one. While the other chapters had quite a lot of action in them, this one is more of a plot-based one.
I'm hoping this chapter ties in well with one of the most famous Joker comics of all time. You'll know which one by the end, I hope. I've really had to put some thought into how all the loose ends I've made can be tied up (or at least most of them).
Thanks very much to MintierBadger and Keywee for sticking by me the whole way. You two were there from the very beginning, and I really appreciate the positive feedback you've given. Thank you, including those unknown to me who have read this whole story unfold. Enjoy!
Everything had been going fine for a while, but then I started getting into fights with Jeannie. She expected me to be there for the children all the time but I had two separate jobs to go to; I couldn't just tell the mob that my children were of greater value, could I? And if I missed out on one heist for the other boys, then we were done. No cash, no rent, no life. Eventually, I just started to not come home. It was probably more to avoid Jeannie than anything else. Believe me, I would have given anything to spend more time with the kids, but Jeannie wasn't providing. I was. Drinking became a problem. Sometimes it would be long after midnight when I would stumble home and just collapse into the living room lounge. Almost became too familiar with it as a substitute for a bed. The big wakeup call for me was the night I lost my temper. I don't generally get angry; it just aggravates an already bad situation. But that night, I must've been drunk or hung over, Jeannie and I got into another one of those fights. During it, I remember thinking that this is the same row we've had before and about a hundred other times. I could not remember a day that went by when we didn't have a shouting match. The more irrational part of me decided enough was enough and sent a punch at her. Luckily, my reactions kicked in and I made sure it missed its target. Made a pretty big dent in the fridge though. It was then and there that we agreed to make this work. Jeannie would stop nagging and I would come home after work to spend time with the kids. Generally, just do things with them a father should be doing; playing sport once in a while, give them 'The Talk', and show Sullivan how to shave. For a while, things really did seem to be getting better. I could almost not believe it when Cochran...poor Cochran.
TUESDAY
The restaurant was quite busy for lunch time. The patrons were mostly businessmen at lunch, but not the high-flying types. No, this was a restaurant for the workers. Food tasted good if you could afford it, but there was no guarantee it wouldn't come back up for a second helping. A waitress walked out of the kitchen, carrying one basket full of shrimp through the sea of eating customers. She placed it on a table near the middle of the room between three men. "Enjoy." She said with the least amount of enthusiasm as was needed and returned to her duties. One of the men picked a shrimp and began fiddling with it, deciding whether or not he should even attempt to taste it.
"I don't usually drink at lunch." He stated, eyeing off the prawn, and then letting it fall back in with its family.
"Man, be cool." Said Trent, leaning back in his chair. "If you don't want it, we can have it. Don't worry about paying for it either. By Friday, we'll all have enough cash to last us a lifetime."
"Money." Sighed the man. "It'll be good to earn enough to actually launch my bank balance up to two digits. Sandra and I have been teetering on the edge for so long now, and with the baby on the way..."
"So, why did you quit Ace Chemicals anyway?" queried Hammond, cracking open a prawn shell. "Good pay and all and one hell of a Christmas bonus to look forward to; seems a waste to let it go."
"That's what I thought about the guy who was lab assistant before me." The man explained. "He quit too. Once I actually spent a few weeks in that place, it finally dawned on me why. Those fumes, the claustrophobia; it all boiled down to the fact that you needed something strong to survive working in that place day after day. That's why I decided I'd become..." He decided, after all, that he would like to have that drink now. "But it doesn't matter. I need help, so that's why I came to you guys."
"And we really appreciate the inside info you've given us." Thanked Hammond. "Blueprints, passcodes, escape routes, security timetable-Not much of them."
"How come such a high profile chemical manufacturing plant has so little security?" asked Trent curiously and a little suspiciously.
"Like I said, you'd have to be a fool to wanna go in there." The man answered. He glanced down under the table. When the two partners sitting across from him had arrived, he had spied the rounded man carrying a thick briefcase. "What's in the case?" He finally asked. Hammond blinked, remembering the other point he had to bring up.
"Oh yeah." He mumbled, pulling the briefcase onto his lap and clicking the locks open. "You'll have to wear this." The man's face slowly sunk into confusion.
"But...isn't that what he wears? The Red Hood?"
"Phht! Get wise, kid." Hammond sneered. "There's no Red Hood."
"Yep." Inserted Trent. "It's the inside man who wears this...for increased anonymity." He finished, picking a small piece of shell and chewed on it. The man tried to say something, but had trouble forming his words that would come out in small sounds.
Finally, he cleared his throat and said; "Um...I-I don't know."
"What do ya mean 'you don't'-"
"I don't know if I can do the heist with that thing on my head." The man continued. "It hasn't even got any eye holes."
"Tinted red two-way mirror set into the helm." Assured Hammond. "You can try it on out back if-"
"No, no. I don't think I can go through with this." Trent's eyes widened.
"What?!" he exclaimed quietly.
"That plant, this helmet...and now some guy in a bat suit beating up criminals. It's all too much of a risk. I may be desperate, but I don't know if I'm that desperate."
"Listen you little shit! We did not spend the last two months of planning just so we could flush the whole goddamn thing down the toilet!" growled Trent through gritted teeth. Hammond held him down in his chair so that he could to the talking.
"What my friend here means is we understand; the fear, the anxiety. We're all going through it too. What we do not get is why, after all this time, you want to pull out. All these reasons you mentioned were there before. And think about why you should go; your bank balance, that dead-end job you've tried so hard at. Don't forget that wife of yours with a boy on the way. Whatcha gonna tell her? 'I had a chance to make this work but I didn't take it because I was scared?' Do you think she'll forgive you for it?" The man looked to the ground as Hammond preyed upon his weaknesses. "Maybe this heist is more than about money. Perhaps it is a test in your life to prove yourself as a man as well as a father." Hammond nodded to Trent to stand as he placed a couple of bills on the table. "Think it over, but be sure by Friday. Have a nice lunch, Mr. Napier."
"...What?" enquired Hillocks at the gaping face of Zed. He had just walked in the rear entrance and had to go through the kitchen where he had found their doctor.
"Is that what I think it is?" He asked, mouth still hanging open, pointing at what was in Hillock's hands.
"It's a hobby." Hillocks stated. "I do it from time to time."
"But in here?!" exclaimed Zed. "This isn't the sort of place you do that kind of-This is the operating room! I don't want to know what your hands have done while they're fixing me!"
"How do you think I got so good at it?" Hillocks raised an eyebrow while Zed pursed his lips. "Besides, it is very relaxing. You should try it sometime, I'll give you some lessons."
"I don't care if it gives you a hard-on," Zed protested, "I am not learning how to do cross-stitch." Hillocks examined his canvas, seeing if there was something there that could be turning Zed off about the practice.
"What's wrong with it?"
"It's too...girly." said Zed.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess the next time I stitch you up, I'll just have to leave some gaping wounds to make it manlier for you." Sarcastically commented Hillocks. "Cross-stitch really fills you with pride when you're finished. Look, I made a giraffe on this one." Hillocks opened a drawer and showed Zed a canvass where a tall giraffe family were grazing the treetops on an African plain.
"What does that have to-Ooh, that actually looks pretty cool." Admired Zed.
"Yeah, who's being the girly one now?" Smiled Hillocks, returning to his hobby. Zed attempted a rebuttal, but realised he couldn't win this one and left. As he entered the bar, the first thing he noticed was Jack at the phone talking to someone.
"I don't know why he invited me to dinner tonight, honey." Said Jack, obviously talking to Marybeth on the other end of the line. "Maybe I'm the only guy in the history of forever to actually be liked by the father of his girlfriend."
"I don't want you two to be friends! It's not fair you get on so well." Marybeth complained.
"I can't help it that we're becoming buds." Jack argued back playfully. "People just can't help falling for my natural charisma and charm." Zed would at least end the day with at least one good insult under his belt.
"Hey, Jack! Having lady troubles?" He teased with a wide grin.
"Maybe, but at least I have one." Returned Jack. Zed opened his mouth to make a rejoinder, but was unable to come up with a suitable one.
"Man," he said sadly, "I am just off today."
"Want a drink?" asked Webber, holding out a glass for Zed.
"You saying I'm only awesome when I'm drunk?" interrogated Zed accusingly. Webber merely shrugged and drank the glass down. Hammond and Trent entered the bar, both with a concerned expression on their faces. Red, who had been sitting at a table playing solitaire by Barlow, rose and joined them.
"How did it go? Is the job still on?" he asked immediately.
"Napier's not sure." Answered Hammond.
"Not sure? He practically refused us, after everything he's been through." Trent grumbled, slumping into Red's empty chair.
"This can't be good." Assessed Barlow. "Has he said he'll turn us in or tip off the cops?"
"I don't think so." Said Hammond. "He just won't come along because of his wife. Afraid it'll all go to hell."
"I can get him to come along." Volunteered Hunt, standing by the stairs. "Just threaten to make him single again if he doesn't help us."
"No. That's not necessary." Denied Red to Hunt's dismay. "If he won't rat us out, then we don't need to worry. We've got all of the information we need here for the heist to work. It's still on. Meet up tomorrow night in my office for the full run-over of the plan. If he's not here, then consider him out. We'll have to work around those parts." Everyone understood and separated to go about their lives. Jack walked over to Red.
"So, who is this informant? What's he like?" asked Jack.
"Napier? He used to work at the plant, got a pregnant wife. I guess he's nice enough. Funny," added Red, "he's got the same first name as you."
I owe my life to Conrad at least. If it wasn't for him, I'd be dead right now. We were outside this building, minding Valestra's car while he had a 'business meeting', and I notice he's got this flustered face. I ask what's wrong and he tells me that Sal knows about my other jobs. That he isn't happy with me and that he's having me bumped off. This meeting he was in was to approve it. All I could think of was how did he know? I was so sure I had covered my tracks well. Then, it hit me; Conrad had told him. It was true. As Conrad explained, Valestra would've killed his family slowly and make him watch if he hadn't. Even though I was angry, I knew I probably would have done the same thing if it meant saving my wife and kids. I didn't even know the man had any family. Friends for that long and we knew absolutely nothing about our personal lives. The worst bit was finding out that Conrad would be the trigger man. I guess that would be punishment enough for him, at least in the eyes of Salvatore Valestra. Luckily, I was given some time to make up one last job on the other team before I could run from Gotham with my wife and kids. We needed all the cash we could get, what with our third youngster on the way. There would have to be some considerable distance between us and Valestra before his claws could pull us back in. An empire like his spread out far and wide. How I'd break the news to Jeannie, I would never know, but at least we had a chance thanks to Conrad. I will never forget what he did. I hate to admit it, but I might not have been so generous. With one last handshake goodbye, I left Conrad and Valestra behind. All I had to do was warn Jeannie to get out of town and I could meet up with her after that night's heist. Hopefully, everything would be okay. But it had been years since luck was on my side.
WEDNESDAY
Red's office was not the most spacious of planning rooms. Apart from the desk, which they had to move into the centre of the room to lay down all the documents and blueprints, a large wooden cabinet stood against the back wall. Inside its dark shelves were an assortment of random trinkets and personal items that only Red would ever understand their value. What little of his past he told people, there would be parts that remained vague and he never went into great detail about his family in general. These were memories for him only, something everyone could respect. The whole gang was here, hidden within its walls coloured a dark maroon while the floors were even darker. They gathered around the table and poured over all the information that had been given to them, just like every other heist they had pulled. Only this one was different.
"You all know how important this job is." Began Red, looking at each of them in turn. "The take has been slow these few months. Let's face it; we've been doing a better job than we thought. To some, this is actually the last jobs you'll be pulling here, so to you I extend my thanks for being here all these years. We've had some tough times to say the least. My friends, thank you." He smiled across the table to all.
"I think...the thing I will miss most," thought Zed out loud, "is drunk Barlow." The rest chuckled while Barlow deadpanned Zed.
"Not funny." He said.
"But you're so extroverted! 'I love you guys! You guys are great, you can do anything! I wanna have your babies!'" Zed mocked, generating more laughs from the others. "I hope the offer is still open for that one." Even Barlow couldn't hold back a smile that he tried to hide.
"Okay! Okay, you've had your fun." Interrupted Red. "We can celebrate after the heist. I wanna see drunk Barlow one more time as well."
"I feel like your personal punching bag today." Barlow commented openly.
"Alright. Here's everything as we know it; the Ace Chemicals company has a sizeable staff who receive a Christmas bonus every year around that time. This bonus is double the pay each worker gets, which is already a generous amount. This year, however, the overlords in charge have decreed that this years' Christmas bonuses were to be invested back into the company for debt reasons."
"I'm guessing there's little debt to be paid back." Said Trent.
"None, in fact." Confirmed Red. "Ace Chemicals bought itself out of debt months before Christmas. Now, a few months after Christmas, the workers have not seen a cent."
"I knew it. Let me guess, they're holding it on-site for security purposes." Quizzed Trent.
"Mmm, inside a vault located in one of the main offices." Red pulled out the plans for the safe and rolled them out in front of Zed. "An electronic key coded safe with at least six pins, twelve at the most. Think you can handle it, Mr. Manly?" Zed shot a glare at Hillocks who stopped his sniggering and pretended to be looking away.
"Should be a synch, boss." He answered. "Synch to get rich."
"Okay, so this is how we'll go in." Red pulled out the blueprints of the whole building. "We head in through the side door here and progress section by section. Each door is blocked with a passcode encryption. There's not too much security, so as long as we're through the checkpoints by a certain time, we should be fine. Once we reach the office, we split up; Hammond and Barlow will pair off and create a perimeter to keep watch until Zed opens the safe and deletes all files about Napier from the database."
"Jeez, you really got your work cut out for ya, eh?" whistled Hammond.
"Well, the boss knows I'm a guy who knows how to use my hands." Stretched Zed, attempting to look cool.
"Huh, so that's how you got in the gang." Grinned Hammond cheekily.
"Shut up!"
"Hold on!" shouted a man in the hallway outside. Suddenly, Essex burst into the room, huffing as if he'd been running. "How come I'm not allowed to attend these meetings?!"
"But you're non-essential to the plan." Said Hunt.
"So?! You've let the doctor sit in on this one and he's not essential!"
"I think the crazy guy who insulted me has a point." Conceded Hillocks.
"Okay Ess, what's the contribution you would like to make?" asked Red.
"Do you realise what you're sitting on here?" Everyone looked at each other and back, not sure at all what he was talking about. "This chemical plant has all the latest and greatest toxin combinations! If I could get my hands on them...well, it would make me very happy to say the least." He smiled, trying to look his cutest to influence the others.
"Does anyone else not feel comfortable giving monkey-man here deadly chemicals?" queried Barlow.
"That's Mr. Monkey-Man to you!"
"Barlow's right. I don't know if I can trust you with stuff that dangerous." Considered Red.
"Humour me." Said Essex, met only with a look from Red which said 'are you kidding me?'. "Fine! Look, I promise not to blow up the building! Is that fine?!"
"If it's any consolation, I'll keep an eye on him." Inserted Jack.
"Okay, you got your chemicals." Agreed Red, met with cheers and excited jumps from Essex. "Trent, Hunt, that'll be your job. Secure the chemicals at this storage sector here, just by the main offices. Shouldn't be much of a detour at all." Essex jumped in front of Red and shook his hand.
"Thank you, thank you old friend! You won't regret this!" Essex landed a small kiss on Red's cheek and hurried out of the room, his yelps of happiness still reaching their ears as he walked downstairs.
"Somebody remind me why we have this guy here." Enquired Hillocks, to which he was met with silence.
"Moving on," continued Red, "Webber will be looking after Zed and I'll be in the van. When the objectives have been completed, you will all advance through the warehouse out the back and climb out this fire escape window. That way, if we do get caught, they won't be expecting us to use that route. Then it should be a simple matter of making your way to my position and we drive away, no problems."
"Yeah." Scoffed Hunt silently, but not enough to remain unnoticed.
"What is it now?" asked Red, slightly annoyed. Yet again, Hunt was about to grace the gathering with another complaint.
"Once again, it's us into the firing line while you sit in the stands. When are you going to take part in your own heists?" Hunt leaned in, waiting for an answer.
"Are you a moron or just plain insensitive-My bet is all of the above." Insulted Barlow. "Red can't go with us. If he did, then he might be in danger and then who knows where we'd end up if he is captured."
"It might not be so bad."
"Were you brain-dead last year?!" Barlow exclaimed, rounding on Hunt. "He was gone only a few weeks and we were on the verge of collapsing! How's about leaving a chance for us who are staying!"
"Okay." Answered Red.
"Okay what?" Spat Hunt, more interested in fighting with Barlow at this second.
"I'll join you." Everyone's eyes widened. This was new, but not necessarily what they wanted. "This mission is very important, so I'll go in to oversee the whole operation. Is this good enough?" Hunt smirked.
"Yes."
"Good."
"I'll drive the van." Volunteered Jack.
"Then it's all settled. Friday night at eleven p.m., we hit Ace Chemicals and walk away rich." Red picked up his small glass from the table. "Cheers." He gulped down his drink, followed by the rest.
"Well, I guess I'll get back to my surgery room and wait there, being non-essential, for the first casualty to hit the table." Commented Hillocks just as the phone began to ring. Red quickly wheeled around and answered.
"Who is this?" he asked in a hushed voice. "Napier? Where are yo-You don't say! That is some damn, outright splendid timing." He turned to the gang, hand covering the receiver. "He's in hospital."
"Who got to him?" questioned Hunt, standing urgently.
"His wife." Everyone looked a little confused. "She's in labour. Jeez, how thick can you get?" As the men all gave their separate vocal variations of understanding, Jack smiled at the knowledge that he was the only one who actually understood the first time. Red went back to his call. "Yeah, all the boys here send their best wishes. Listen, um...any consideration on our pending arrangement?" The others waited eagerly for his response. "What do you mean you don't know? Surely that's more of a reason to join us now, make sure it all works. Wait-You told her? When?"
"He told who?" But Hunt's query was not directly answered.
"Can you trust her?" continued Red, not listening. "I know she's your wife, but she won't tell anyone, right?" Everyone at this half of the conversation rolled their eyes and growled in frustration. Napier had told his wife about the heist; the worst possible move he could make. "If you can, then I guess so can I. Look, just understand, having a kid on the way is incentive to come with us, not to leave. You have until Friday to make up your mind. And Napier, congrats." Red hung up and put his hands on his hips, biting his lip. He was concerned and troubled. This heist was proving more problematic than the rest, but was still necessary for their continuation.
"Red, we should-" Red decided to stop Hunt right there.
"No. Just...just no." Hunt settled back down, obviously angered over his immediate refusal. "If your plans have anything to do with blood, maiming and killing, as they all usually do, then no. Is it too much to ask that this one, just this one, goes off without a body being thrown into the channel?" After a while in which Hunt remained silent, Red left the office. Slowly afterwards, the others began filing out, their happiness replaced with despondency. All that remained was Hunt, unmoving. His eyes moved over the office greedily. The old man didn't know what he was talking about. If you expected a heist to be pulled off without death, you were in the wrong game.
Probably the most difficult thing I have ever done was keep calm as I entered the apartment. I didn't want to worry the kids, so I had to lie when they asked why I was home early. Jeannie saw right through it, knew from the start that something was up. We snuck away into the kitchen where I explained everything; the jobs, Conrad's confession and how we had to leave as soon as possible. She wasn't too happy, of course, especially when I told her I'd have to pull of one more job before meeting her out of town, but didn't hesitate to agree. As soon as I left, she and the kids would start packing and meet me at Beaufort; the concept of safety there was still present in my mind. I kissed her goodbye and told her 'I love you' before I left. I always had a bad feeling before something big happened. It's natural, but this one felt potent, true to its word. By the time I arrived at the robbery the feeling had only grown into an ache, but it numbed as soon as I realised the gang was not here. Searching around a while, I found their car empty, parked by the sidewalk as per usual. When I looked closer, I noticed tiny holes in the glass which splintered outward from the impact like a spider's web. Bullet holes. Blood was splattered inside, barely pooling. They were either injured and on the run, or dead and moved. I checked the nearby alley where a large dumpster sat. I didn't need an expert to tell me the dark red stains on the lid were wet blood. There was far too much, even for two people to make and I thought it best not to look inside. All thought was washed from my mind as gunshots rang out around me, and I suddenly found myself ducking for cover within their bloody car as Valestra's men tried to kill me.
THURSDAY
Different venue, same company. This time, it was The Boon Docks Bar and Grill that would host this small gathering. Lunch was over, just a couple of drinks between Jack Napier and the two Red Hood Gang members sitting opposite him. The air was a tad more relaxed since they had been chatting about Sandra's pregnancy. She hadn't given birth, wasn't even nearly dilated enough to begin, but the doctors were sure it would happen sometime in the next day or so. Still, there was something that Trent and Hammond wanted the answer to, and only one answer would make them feel better. "So...everything settled for tomorrow? You gonna go through with it?" Trent requested with much restraint. His future outside of the gang meant that this job went smoothly. Unfortunately for him, Napier was obviously still indecisive.
"Well, erm...I'm not sure." He stammered. "The more I think it over, the more I realise that it might be easier to just up and go from Gotham and try to start over somewhere else. Sandra and I have often talked about going to Seattle and try to find a job there. I have family who might give us a place to stay while we get settled."
"Wouldn't it be easier for you to get a little extra cash under your belt? You could jump start that new life of yours." Considered Hammond. "Just imagine the spare change you'll have for all the tough times ahead, and that kid of yours is practically a drain that the money will flow down. You'll need it."
"I also want to be alive for my child's birth." Napier said matter-of-fact-ly.
"And you will, you can trust us." Negotiated Hammond. "We do everything to make sure you get out with exactly what you want."
"And besides, you should be more worried about you messing the whole thing up." Inserted Trent to Napier's surprise.
"Me? What did I do?" questioned Napier, taken aback.
"You told your wife about the whole damn thing. That's reason enough to doubt you commitment, if there is any." Trent folded his arms.
"Hey, let me tell you, I know my wife. Sandra would never say anything to anyone, you have my word."
"Oh yes, and we can trust that word while she's screaming her lungs out during birth or drugged up on pain killers. Who knows what she might belt out at the wrong time." Hammond had to calm Trent down; he was attracting the attention of several of the other patrons.
"Trust me, she's not saying a word." At that moment, two silhouettes appeared through the glass of the front doors. They entered; one was a policeman, the other was Grogan. As soon as they were inside, they walked up to the table, Grogan pretending not to notice Hammond or Trent. Instead, he focused on Napier who was startled to be the centre of attention.
"Excuse me, sir." Grogan began, pulling out his badge. "Could we speak to you outside for a moment?" Napier became very flustered.
"Me? B-but why? I haven't...I-I-I mean, uh-"
"It'll only take a minute, sir." The policeman interjected through Napier's nervous stuttering. He attempted to agree verbally, but realised it couldn't be done so he simply nodded. As he was led to the door, he looked back at Hammond and Trent, pulling a worried face before the glass obscured him. Trent immediately launched into a heated, whispered rant.
"That stupid son of a bitch." He cursed.
"Trent." Warned Hammond.
"Doesn't he understand that he's put the whole goddamn thing at risk?!"
"Trent."
"I've just about had enough of his crap. I have half a mind to persuade him to join us with my fists."
"Trent!" snapped Hammond angrily. "If he doesn't take part, that's his prerogative, but you're being awfully bloody selfish."
"Me?!"
"Yes! You think this is an easy decision for a guy like him? He wants safety and security for his family, and both paths lead to neither in the short-term. He's gotta pick the lesser of two evils and unfortunately, I do not see us winning out." Hammond grabbed his drink and eyed it. "You're not the only one with his future on the line." He drank down the last drop of water. Trent stared at him, curious.
"You're not leaving Red, are ya?" he asked but Hammond didn't answer. He didn't even look up. Just then, Napier reappeared by the table, pale as a ghost. He didn't look shocked or sad but...pained.
Before either Trent or Hammond could manage, Napier began weakly; "My wife. She's dead." The gang members exchanged looks. "My wife..." Napier trailed, holding back the tears.
"How?" queried Trent.
"Killed. They don't know who...Oh God, Sandra." Another exchange of glances.
"Jack, do you have any enemies? Has anyone been following you?" interrogated Hammond lightly.
"N-no. Why would you think...?" He was stopped by Trent reaching into his jacket and staying his hand within. "Oh my God. You don't think they're here, do you?"
"Whoever they are, they know you're connected with us." Trent scanned the area in the diner. "You'll be safer with us, but you'll need to be there at the heist."
"I...what?"
"If they want to kill you, then you'll need to disappear. To disappear, you will need money. You still want to live, right?" Posed Trent.
"Y-Yes."
"Then come on." Trent grabbed Napier's collar and roughly escorted him out of the diner. Hammond, while checking for any suspicious characters, dropped some cash on the table and followed them out. Whatever happened today, tomorrow would judge their fate.
"Come in." called Loeb after three brief knocks on his office door. Inside stepped a man, cold and calculating. He had barely gotten his foot through the door and Loeb has immediately begun to dislike him. "Shut the door." The man complied and sat down in front of the Commissioner's desk. Loeb himself sat down and looked the man over once more. "I know you."
"I'm a friend of a friend." Smirked Hunt, picking up a snow globe. "Now enemy."
"I work for Falcone now." He stated blithely. "Red can't order me and I won't follow his orders if I expect to live."
"You misunderstand." Hunt relinquished the globe. "I'm here...for me. My own benefit, as well as yours."
"Explain."
"At first, I would have preferred Red over Falcone. Then I realized that I was betting on the wrong horse." Clarified Hunt. "I allowed Falcone a chance to remove Red from the picture, but his little guardian angel stopped him from kicking the bucket."
"Get to the point." Sighed Loeb, not interested in a life story.
"Tomorrow night, there is another chance to remove this nagging pest of a man from our sight."
"You're sure?" asked Loeb, interested.
"I've made sure everything plays out the way I want it so far." Assured Hunt. "I've provided opportunity, you just need to take it."
"And what, pray, do you want in return?" quizzed Loeb, leaning forward.
"I want Red Hood." Stated Hunt simply. "Imagine all that you and your boss could do with an obedient organisation to do your work. Those little bits of illegal jobs that we can make sure don't lead back to either of you." Loeb considered this, leaning back. If Hunt was right, then this might secure his future in power. All he had to do was make a better job than Falcone could. "What do you say?" With one last thought, Loeb shook hands with the devil on a deal of a lifetime.
As the car was pelted with ammunition, I noticed the keys were still in the ignition. I carefully crawled into the driver's seat and started it up, careening down the street and away. It was a few minutes of random twists and turns before I was satisfied they weren't following. All I could think of the whole time was getting back home; if Valestra knew that I had a job that night, then he would definitely know I was planning on turning tail and running away. I was so frustrated that I couldn't get back faster, I felt so helpless that time and space were fighting against me; this physical form was slowing me down. When I arrived and saw the door hanging off its hinges, I knew the worst lay ahead. Immediately inside lay the body of Conrad. Sal must've known he's told me everything and had him brought here to die. I noticed he had been tortured somewhere else, a picture of his family clutched in his cold hand. What must Sal have done to them? That didn't matter to me then. I kept looking through the apartment; the bedroom was empty, so was the kitchen. The last place I checked was the kid's room. I prepared for what was lying beyond, but all the time in the world couldn't have kept me from breaking down in tears. They were all here; strewn amongst the many toys and playthings of their youth, my children. Heather was sprawled out on her bed, supposedly sleeping if it weren't for the stains. The same horrific image on Sullivan's bed with both eyes wide open. Jeannie, too, was lying over Sullivan, almost comforting him before the end. As I approached, I noticed she was still breathing. When she saw me with those life-filled eyes, I could almost hear her inside my head. It only lasted a second or two, the short time we had, and it was over in an instant that lasted forever. I wasn't surprised it took so long for the life to drain from her; she had much of it inside, enough for three. My dreams died along with them; Jeannie, Sullivan, Heather and little Jack, the boy who would never even see the world with his own eyes. At least, he never saw what became of his father...
I hope you have been sufficiently set up for the next chapter; 'The Beginning Of A Fatal Relationship' which shall finish up Gotham's Red Knight. But do not fret, friends. The story shall continue in a third instalment of Joker's Origins.
I believe you all know which comic I was talking about with this one? If not, I'll tell you anyway: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland. I highly recommend it...and every other Batman comic to you. Read them all, people!
I would very much once again love to thank Keywee for allowing the inclusion of her own Joker Origin story, 'The House That Jack Built', within my own. This chapter marks the divergence that separates the two. I did this for two reasons:
a) My story required several modifications and will only work if it is changed.
And b) Because I don't want to spoil everything in her story! Seriously, go read it. It is fantastic. Plus, she goes into much more depth than there is in Red's flashbacks, so there will be much more waiting for you than I've written.
The final chapter will be up soon and this time I will be taking an extended break. If you wish to check out another one of my new Batman stories, just check out my profile page. The story is called 'Batman: Steam-Wise' and is based in a Steampunk version of the Bat-Verse. Thank you all for reading, you are all wonderful people!
