The Grand Plaza Hotel was alive with activity as the campaign gala took place in the open courtyard. Helena was dazzled by the bright colours of the festivity, impressed with what was on show. The gala was funded by Wayne Enterprises and she was there as part of the VIP guest list, much like Emmerich, the board members and the mayoral candidates. John was positioned on the rooftop of a nearby building with a pair of night-vision binoculars, allowing him to overlook the entire proceedings and report to Helena via her earpiece, while the Huntress costume in the back of his car in case something happened. It was an unlikely possibility, given that the police had spent the day making further arrests with the Mob, but both John and Helena were working on worst case scenario based on years of experience and foresight. Also, Helena wanted to 'interview' Senator Hendricks about his involvement with the Mob and who was the girl with him and she felt the best way to do that was as the Huntress.
Wearing a long midnight purple dress with short, loose sleeves, Helena had put waves through her thick hair, allowing it to cascade over her shoulders and she looked quite the sight. There wasn't a single man in the Plaza who hadn't given her a look over, even those who had their wives with them and while Helena enjoyed some of the gazes (repulsed by the leers she received from a few politicians and she shot them death glares in return), she mostly ignored them as she chatted amongst the guests.
"Miss. Bertinelli, glad you could join us," Emmerich greeted, "I know you're new to the city, so allow me to introduce to some of the potential mayors."
"I would like that," Helena said, "Personally; I wish to meet Senator Hendricks. I know I haven't been in Gotham for very long, but I feel he'll be the perfect mayor."
"If you believe so. Now, where is – ah, there he is."
Emmerich steered Helena through the crowd, reaching Senator Hendricks as he finished talking to another VIP, his eyes immediately falling upon Helena.
"Senator Hendricks, a pleasure to meet you again," Emmerich greeted, shaking his hand.
"Likewise. So, who is this lovely lady?" Senator Hendricks asked.
"Helena Bertinelli," Helena said, "I've been following your campaign and I'm just wondering about your sudden 180 in regards to the Joker. Surely a madman must be kept locked up; given the chaos he put Gotham through, even if he is an old man."
"It's like I said the other day after my near death experience that every man should be given the chance to live their lives to the end surrounded by those who care about them. For us to have him die alone would be quite inhumane, I believe."
"That may be, but over the years, no one has come forward to claim him as one of their own. Even after all these years, we still don't even know his true identity."
"I'm getting this feeling that I won't be having your vote, Miss. Bertinelli," Senator Hendricks said, "Is there any other way I could change your mind?"
"Sorry, I probably won't be around for the voting," Helena replied.
Senator Hendricks opened his mouth to ask a question, but a young red-haired woman was whispering in his ear and Helena studied the woman, realizing that it was the same woman who confronted Alberto Falcone at the warehouse. This time around, she was wearing a white shirt and a short black skirt, looking much like a secretary.
"It appears that I'm being called away," Senator Hendricks said, "It was a pleasure to meet you, Helena."
He left with his 'secretary', as Emmerich went to mingle with the other board members and Helena spotted a familiar face over by the drinks table, smiling as she joined him, positioning herself so that she could keep an eye on Senator Hendricks and his assistant.
"I wasn't expecting to see you here," she said, "But you're already a highlight."
"Thanks for the kind words," Jesse said, "I'm just mainly here as security detail."
"And yet you still got all dressed up for the occasion. I'm impressed," Helena said, as Senator Hendricks started to move out of her line of sight, mixing in with the crowd, "So, would you care to join me for a dance?"
"Usually it should be the guy asking the girl, but I'd be delighted," Jesse smiled.
Hand in hand, the pair moved amongst the other dancers, as the song changed to that of a slower note, while Helena kept an eye on Hendricks and his assistant, leading the dance as she swivelled Jesse amongst the other dancers and he found himself even more impressed with her.
"Not many girls I know can lead a dance," Jesse said, "Honestly, I'm thankful for it."
"Just one of the many skills I learnt while growing up," Helena smiled.
"A woman of many talents."
"My mother taught me well. So, I hear you caught Alberto Falcone. Congratulations."
"To be honest, we had some outside help. I suppose you haven't heard about that one?"
"No. Do tell. Has the Batman returned?"
"More like a female version who calls herself the Huntress. The commissioner has issued an arrest warrant for her," Jesse said, "But I'm not so sure. We never had a problem with Batman, so I don't see why we should have one with the Huntress."
"Well, I hope it all works out in the end," Helena said as the song came to an end, "It's a shame that this has come to a close. I hope we can do this again another day."
"I would like that. Unfortunately, I have to get back to security. Nice seeing you again."
Helena watched him go with a slight smile, then looked around for a secluded spot.
"The girl from the warehouse is here tonight with Senator Hendricks," she reported, "Looks like they're going inside the hotel. Want me to follow them?"
"Tail them, but don't make it look too obvious," John said, "Things are looking okay here for now. Let me know when you want to go all Huntress on the senator."
"Looking forward to it."
Weaving through the crowd, Helena followed Senator Hendricks and Duela inside the Plaza, making sure she kept a good distance to avoid suspicion, as the pair made their way to the elevator and Helena waited to see which floor they would end up on. Thankfully, they only went to the fourth floor and she took the second elevator up after them, only just seeing them disappear into one of the rooms. After making sure the coast was clear, Helena went to the door and leaned against it, listening in on the conversation.
"Helena, something's going on," came John's voice, "Two vans have pulled up out the front and I see armed men piling out. I think it's time for the Huntress."
"Don't worry, I'm on my way," Helena said, heading for the fourth floor window.
Armed men suddenly burst out of the room along with Senator Hendricks and Duela, the former within the grasp of the latter as she held a revolver to his head, while two men spotted Helena by the window and immediately converged on her.
"Hold it," said one of them, "Step away from the window, lady."
Helena sighed in an annoyed huff and turned around, noticing that the two men were nothing more than low-level Mob lackeys. By now, they were the only ones left on the floor, as the first lackey reached for Helena, but she grabbed his gun arm, twisting it so that he shot his comrade in the leg. Her fist slammed into his jaw, her elbow shooting back into his face and rendering him out cold, as she then booted the second lackey in the face, putting him out of his misery. Satisfied at her work, Helena then resumed her escape.
Meanwhile, Duela and her men entered the courtyard, as she fired a gunshot to get everyone's attention, her lackeys going straight for the police officers, as the guests all cowered the second they heard the gunshot. Jesse went to his knees, his hands behind his head, a sawn-off shotgun aimed at his face, as Duela grinned wildly at the crowd. She had changed out of her secretary outfit into the one she wore at the warehouse, while several unarmed lackeys went around the crowd, demanding jewellery and cash.
"Good evening everyone. It's such a lovely night that I thought I might crash the party, liven things up a bit. I mean, it is a party for a bunch of snooty socialites and stuffy politicians, all concerned about elevating their statues amongst the commonfolk. Doesn't sound like a fun proceeding, but don't worry, I'm here now. It's all going to be quite fun now."
She smiled and shoved Senator Hendricks forth so that he fell to his hands and knees and she cocked her revolver at the back of his head.
"Now, if the mayor would so kindly step forward and present himself, otherwise I'll blow Senator Hendricks' head apart like rotten fruit. He may have survived a plane crash, but I doubt he'll survive this. Mayor, you've got seven seconds. Normally it would be ten seconds, but it's three seconds too long and I don't exactly have all night."
"Who are you?" the Mayor asked, coming forth, "What do you want from us?"
Duela smirked as she aimed her revolver at him, "Duela Dent, daughter of Harvey, at your service. Now that you're out front, let's play a game. Pin the bullet on the mayor. You're a bit of an obstacle, so I'm removing you. But hey, don't be too hung up about it. After all, I'm doing you a favour, saving you from having to run this whole city on your own. Best leave that kind of job to me."
Just before she could pull the trigger, several of the armed gangers suddenly dropped, falling one by one to the ground unconscious thanks to the sedative-tipped batarangs, leaving behind mostly the unarmed robbers and Duela frowned for a moment, but she smiled when someone spoke from behind her.
"If you find the Mayor an obstacle, I'd love to know what you'd think of me."
Duela whirled around, but the Huntress caught her gun arm with one hand, her other curled into a fist and smashing against Duela's jawbone.
-X-
