Notes: I have been inspired at last!
Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans or The Maltese Falcon
That's Not Normal
Ch. 10: The Maltese Titan
"Those were some cool movies, Robin," Beast Boy said.
They had just finished a marathon of old detective films. The Titans took turns on who chose the film each night. This time, it was Robin's turn, and he decided to go for something more classic than his usual picks of action films.
"You can't beat the film noir look," Cyborg said.
"I do enjoy a good mystery," Raven added.
"This was very interesting, Robin," Starfire said, "Forgive me for asking so many questions during the film."
"No trouble at all, Star. After all, you obviously wouldn't get all that old school jargon."
"Is this anything like what you used to do when you worked in Gotham?"
"Well, now that you mention it –"
"Oh please," Cyborg interjected, "Rob couldn't solve a mystery if his life depended on it."
Raven stifled a snicker, while Beast Boy made no efforts to hide his chuckle.
"I solved plenty of mysteries in my time!"
"Helping out a guy who actually knows what they're doing doesn't count," Cy retorted.
Beast Boy was now laughing very loudly. Robin got up and left the living room while muttering under his breath.
"That was not very nice," Star said.
"Come on, Star," Cy replied, "He knows we're kidding. He'd do the same to us."
"I think it's funny," BB added, "But I know Robin can figure things out quicker than I can."
"Most people can do that, Beast Boy. That's not much of an achievement," Raven remarked.
"HEY!"
Now Cyborg was the one laughing his head off, and Starfire started to giggle as well.
"But still," Star continued, "Do you think Robin will be okay?"
"Just give him some alone time," Raven replied.
"Yeah," Cy said, "He'll just sleep it off and be back to relative normality."
Meanwhile in Robin's room, he was grumbling about how he was the butt of those jokes.
"Because normally that's what Beast Boy is for. I'll bet I could solve a case on my own if I had to…I'd show them all."
Rob let out a yawn. He decided to call it a night.
Dick Grayson was sitting in his office reading a book when —
*knock knock*
"Come on in, Ms. Roth."
His secretary was a lovely pale woman with dark hair. She could be a bit snarky, but she got the job done. She was wearing a dark blue dress.
"Yes, Rachel?"
"There's a woman to see you. She looks foreign to me, and she says her name is Fire."
"Is she a client?"
"Well she was asking for a private dick, and since that's your name…"
He gave her a look, "Pretty fresh, Rae. Send her in."
"You can come in, Ms. Fire."
In sauntered a tall tanned woman with long red hair. She wore a form fitting purple dress and a black fur coat, along with a hat with a brim that covered half her face. Rachael went out and closed the door behind her.
"What can I do for you, sister?"
"My name is Star Fire, and I am searching for my missing sister."
She spoke with a silky voice, but slowly, as though English wasn't her first language.
"She came here with a man named Wally West. We are not as close as sisters should be, so when I heard she was coming to this city, I asked her if she would care to have a visit. She replied she did not want to see me. I do not believe she would write that. This man, West, must have put her up to it. He even came to see me at the post office to reiterate her statement."
"Have you heard from her since then?"
"No, and now I am worried that –"
In came another man in a hat and coat. He removed his hat to reveal bright red hair.
"Come on in, Roy. Ms. Fire, meet my partner, Roy Harper."
"Good afternoon," she said.
"Good afternoon to you too," Roy replied, as he eyed her up and down.
"Ms. Fire was just saying her sister has…shall we say run afoul of a man named Wally West, and she thinks he's holding her against her will. Is that it?"
She nodded, "He said he would meet me at the hotel I am staying in to talk things over."
"The easiest thing to do is shadow the guy," Dick said.
"I'll take care of that," Roy said.
"You must be careful," Star replied, "He is a dangerous man. I fear for my sister."
"You leave that to us," Dick replied, "Now what does he look like?"
"He is a tall lanky man with red hair. He always talks in a very arrogant, sometimes angry, tone. I do not know what he does. When I last saw him, he was wearing a yellow trench coat. He said he would meet me after 8:00pm in the lobby at the Jump City grand hotel where we are both staying."
"That's fine. And now if you'll just…"
"Oh, yes."
She reached into her purse and gave the duo $200.
"We'll be in touch," Dick said, "What's the room number?"
"Room 5:26. Thank you both."
When she left, Roy seemed to snap out of a trance.
"These bills are real, and she's got more in her bag. Isn't she beautiful?"
Dick simply shook his head. Roy was always fawning over women.
Later
*BANG*
Later still
That night, Dick received a phone call.
"Dick Grayson. What? Roy Harper's been shot? I'll be there soon as I can."
But before he left, he made his own phone call.
"Hello, Rachel? It's me. Roy was shot. Yeah, he's dead. I need you to break the news to his wife. Please keep her away from me. You're an angel."
Dick rushed to the scene of the crime.
"Sorry, sir," a policeman started to say.
"Dick Grayson, I was sent for."
"Oh, sorry, I didn't recognize you. Go right ahead."
As he looked over the scene, a detective came up to him.
"Hello, Detective Kent."
"Evening, Grayson," the detective replied, holding out a gun for him to see, "Care to go down and see him?"
"No thanks. Is this what he was he shot with? Hmm, a .38 eight-shot, they don't make these anymore. So he was standing up here when he got hit?"
"Right, and his gun wasn't fired. What was he doing out here, Dick?"
"He was on a job tailing a man named West."
"What for?"
"Just to find out where he lived. I can't tell you anymore, you know that. I'm off to break the news to his wife."
"It's too bad about Roy, huh, Dick?"
"…I guess so."
Soon after, Dick called the hotel Star was staying in.
"Can I please speak to a Ms. Fire? Checked out when? Any forwarding address? Thanks."
Later, as Dick was trying to relax in his apartment.
*BUZZ*
"Detective Kent and Lt. Wayne, what a surprise. Come in and sit down. Care for some refreshment?"
"No thanks," Det. Kent replied, "Did you break the news to his wife?"
"Well, you know how women can be —"
Lt. Wayne interrupted, "You keep any guns in here?"
"No, but there are some at the office. You can look around though, if you have a warrant."
We don't want any trouble, Dick," Kent started to say.
"I don't like this. Why are you guys here wasting my time?"
"You can't treat us like that. It's not right, and we've got work to do."
"Why were you tailing West?" questioned Wayne.
"I wasn't, Roy was, because we obviously had a client."
"Who?"
"Sorry, I can't tell you that."
"Be reasonable, Dick," Kent said, "How can we turn up anything if you won't help?"
"Kent here says you didn't bother to look at your dead partner, and you didn't go see his wife. We called your office and the girl said you asked her to do it. Ten minutes to call the girl, ten minutes to get to West's place."
"What are you talking about?"
Wayne continued, "West was shot in front of his hotel half an hour after you left. What time did you get home?"
"A few minutes before you. I was walking around thinking things over, and no, no witnesses. Glad to know where we stand. Did that West guy die?"
"Yes," Kent replied.
"How did I kill him?"
"He was shot in the back four times with a 44. or .45 from across the street and there were no witnesses."
"Does the hotel know anything?"
"Only that he was there a week, alone."
"Did you find out who he was?"
"We thought you could tell us," Wayne replied.
"I've never seen him, dead or alive."
"Well, you know me. I'll give you a fair shake. I can't say I blame you since he killed your partner, but that won't stop me from nailing you."
"Fair enough. I'm sure we'll see each other again soon?"
That morning, when Dick went to the office…
"She's in there," Rae said.
"I told you to keep her away from me."
"You didn't say how. Don't be cross with me. I've had to put up with her all night."
"Sorry," he apologized, as the door to his office opened.
A rather tall toned woman with dark hair was there, wearing a black dress and veiled hat. She looked like she had been crying a lot.
"Hello, Donna," Dick said, "Did Rachel take care of everything?"
She nodded in response.
As soon he closed the door, she kissed him and asked, "Did you kill him?"
"Who gave you that bright idea?"
"You once said if it wasn't for Roy…Be kind to me, Dick."
"Ha! You killed him, Dick. Be kind to me," he replied, mockingly.
She began to sob.
"Take it easy, Donna Troy. You've had a long night. You should be at home."
"You'll come over soon?"
"Soon as I can."
Draping the veil over her face again, she left without another word. As he sat there, Dick looked over at Roy's now empty desk. Rachel then came in.
"What happened with you and the widow?"
"She thinks I shot Roy and that I'm gonna marry her."
"Are you going to marry her?"
"I wish I'd never laid eyes on her. On top of that, Wally West, the guy Roy was tailing for that Fire dame, turned up dead, and the police think I shot him. Who do you think I shot?"
"I think maybe Donna shot Roy. She claimed she was home the whole time, but looking around her room, it was easy to tell she was lying and that she had just barely arrived there."
Dick shook his head, "You're a detective, Rae, but she didn't do it."
"Whatever…so the police really think you shot this what's-his-name? You worry me with the way you act like you always know what you're doing."
*ring ring*
"Grayson and Harper…it's that foreign lady for you."
"Yes? Oh, hello, sweetheart. Jump City apartments, room 7:19. What's the name? Ms. Walch? I'll be right over."
He hung up the phone and started to leave.
"Get rid of Roy's desk, and names on the doors and windows changed to just Dick Grayson."
Rachel sighed; it was going to be a long day.
Later…
*Buzz*
"Come in, Mr. Grayson, thank you for coming. Please sit down," she sat down on the sofa.
She was wearing a robe this time, "I have a confession to make. That story I told you was a lie."
"We kinda figured that already. We didn't believe your story. We believed your money. You paid way more than if you were telling the truth. Are you even using your real name?"
"My name is really Kory Anders. Am I to blame for last night?"
"Not at all. You warned us West was dangerous, even if the sister thing was a lie."
"I am sorry to hear about Mr. Harper. Yesterday he was so full of life. So –"
"Stop it. He knew what he was doing. Those are the chances we take."
"Was he married?"
"$10,000 insurance, no children, and a wife who didn't like him. That's how it was, but no time for that. Out there a flock of policemen and D. A.s are running around."
"Do they know about me?"
"No."
"Can you not do something so I am not questioned?"
"Maybe, but you have to tell me everything."
"I cannot right now. You have to trust me. I am so afraid," she looked at him with her big green eyes, "Be generous, Mr. Grayson. You are so brave. You can spare me some of that bravery, surely. I have no right to ask you, but please, help me."
Dick smirked, "You don't need any help. You're very good. Particularly your eyes, and that throb you get in your voice when you say things like, "Be generous, Mr. Grayson"."
"I deserve that, but the lie was in the way I said it. Not in what I said. It is my own fault that you do not believe me now."
"Now you are dangerous," Dick now sat beside her on the sofa, "But I can't help you unless I know what it's all about. For instance, tell me about Wally West."
"I met him in the Orient. We came here last week from Hong Kong, and he promised to help me. However, he took advantage of my dependence on him and betrayed me."
"Betrayed? Why did you want him shadowed?"
"I wanted to know how far he had gone and with whom he was meeting."
"Did this Wally West kill Roy Harper?"
"Most assuredly."
"But he had a Luger in his holster, and that's not what shot Harper."
She turned her wet eyes to him, "You do not think I had something to do with the death of Mr. Harper?"
"Well, did you?"
"No."
"Good."
"Mr. West carried a revolver in his pocket."
"Why all the guns?"
"That was how he lived. The story is he came to the Orient as a bodyguard, but his client disappeared. He was a very cautious man. He always slept with crumpled newspaper on the floor."
"Sounds like a pleasant fella."
"He was the type of man who could help me, if he had remained loyal."
"So how bad a spot are you really in?"
"As bad as could be. There is nothing worse than death. Will you help me?"
"Who killed West, your enemies or his?"
"I am afraid I do not know. His, I suppose."
Dick left the sofa in a huff, "This is hopeless. I don't know what you want. I don't think you even know what you want!"
"You will not go to the police?"
"All I have to do is stand still and they'll be all over me, and I'll tell them everything, and you'll have to take your chances."
"I suppose it is useless. I think you for what you have done. I will have to take my chances."
Dick looked at her, as if struggling inside over what to do next.
He let out a sigh, "How much money have you got?"
"About $500 left."
"Give it to me."
She went into the bedroom. While she was gone, Dick looked over her hat and coat, and both were from Hong Kong. She came back with the money.
"This is only $400."
"I had to keep some to live on."
"Can't you get more?"
"No."
"Haven't you got anything to raise some money on?"
"Just some furs and a little jewelry."
"You'll have to hock them."
She pulled the last of her cash from her robe. Dick gave her back a small amount.
"I'll be back as soon as I can with the best news I can manage," he held up a room key, "And I'll let myself in."
As he left, Ms. Anders was speechless.
Back at his office, Dick addressed Rachel.
"Get my attorney on the phone, darling."
"There's always something," she muttered to herself.
Dick had just sat down at his desk when his lawyer called.
"Hello? Can I use the whole sanctity of my client and all that like before? Lt. Wayne is getting rambunctious. How much will it cost? It's worth it. Thanks."
Rachel came in holding a business card. Dick looked at it, and then noticed a faint smell coming from it. He looked at her, and she motioned outside.
"Quick, Rae, in with him."
"Come on in, Mr. Logan."
He swaggered into the room.
He looked at Rachel and said with a wink, "You can call me Garfield, gorgeous."
She rolled her eyes and left the office. Garfield Logan was a man of average height. He had short blonde hair and wore a black and purple suit with a bowtie. He had a white glove on his left hand, and he carried a top hat and umbrella.
"Won't you sit down, Mr. Logan?" Dick said.
"Thank you, sir. Let me offer my condolences on the unfortunate death of your partner."
"Thanks…now what can I do for you?"
"Is it true what the papers say, that there's a connection between the aforementioned murder and the later murder of the man Wally West?"
Dick merely stared at him.
"More than curiosity prompted my question. I'm trying to find…an ornament that's been…mislaid. Can you help me? The ornament is a statuette. It's a figure of a black bird. If you recover it for me so that I may return the bird to its rightful owner, I will gladly pay $5000."
"$5000 is a lot of money," Dick replied.
"Pardon me," Rachel interrupted, sticking her head in, "Need anything else, boss?"
"Just lock up when you leave, angel. Good night."
They could hear the door open and close. Dick then turned back to Garfield.
"As I was saying –"
Garfield Logan quickly stood up and drew out a pistol from his coat.
"Clasp your hands behind your head. I intend to search your offices. Try to prevent me and I'll shoot."
"Go ahead and search."
"Come to the center of the room so I can frisk you."
Dick did so.
"Turn around please."
Dick turned, only to whirl around, knock the gun from his's hand, and give him a good punch in the face, knocking him out. Dick placed Garfield in a chair while he searched though his pockets. He found some cash, several fake passports, and a ticket to the theater. Garfield came too after a few minutes. Garfield went straight to the mirror.
Garfield looked annoyed, "Look what you did to my shirt."
"Sorry, but imagine my embarrassment finding out that $5000 was fake."
"My offer is genuine, Mr. Grayson. I really am prepared to pay that much. Do you have the bird?"
"Nope."
"Then why did you do all that?"
"You think I'm just going to let some stranger poke around my offices?"
"It's only natural I'd try to save the owner's money, if possible."
"And who is he?"
Garfield gave him a look, "As if I'd answer that question."
"It'd be better if we put all our cards on the table."
"I disagree, because if you know more than me, then we both profit from your knowledge."
"I didn't see enough money that you're promising."
"How about a retainer…let's say $100?
"No, let's say $200," he grabbed the cash and continued, "Your first guess was I had the bird. I don't, so what's your next guess?"
"That you either know where it is, or where you can get it."
"You don't mean any murder or burglaries, but to get it back lawfully, right?"
"If possible, and of course discreetly. I'm staying at the Jump City grand hotel, room 4:11. Oh, and can I have my gun back?"
"Oh, sure, I almost forgot. I see it's a .25 caliber."
As soon as he handed it back to Garfield, the man turned it on Dick again.
"Clasp your hands behind your head. I'm going to search your offices."
Dick did so, but he also started to laugh, and he said, "Go ahead. I won't stop you."
That evening, Dick was walking down the street when he felt as though he was being followed. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a tall man with dark hair and a dark blue coat and hat clearly trying to seem inconspicuous. Dick walked even faster, and then ducked into an apartment building. While he circled around to exit from the back, the mystery man was looking at the list of names on the building. With that small crisis averted, Dick headed off to see Ms. Anders.
*Buzz*
Dick unlocked the door and sat down in a chair.
"Mr. Grayson, did you fix things?" she asked, as she fixed her dress.
He gave her a look, "You're not really the type of person you say you are, are you?"
"What do you mean?"
"The schoolgirl manner with the blushing and stammering."
She frowned, "I have not lived a good life. I have been bad…worse than you could know."
"That's good, because if you were that innocent, we'd never get anywhere. By the way, I saw Garfield Logan tonight."
She seemed to freeze up, "You did? Do you know him?"
"Only slightly."
She got up, straightened little things around the room, and poked at the fire, while Dick chuckled to himself.
"What did he say?" she asked.
"About what?"
"About me."
"Nothing…you're not gonna walk around the room again, are you?"
She smiled, "No…what did you talk about?"
"He offered me $5000 for the black bird."
"What did you say?"
"I said $5000 is a lot of money."
"It is…much more than I can pay if I have to bid for your loyalty."
Dick angrily got up to stare straight at her, "That's rich coming from you. What have you given me besides money? Have you given me any confidence or the truth? Haven't you tried to buy my loyalty with nothing but money?"
"What else can I give you?"
He pulled her in for a rather forceful kiss.
"I don't care what your secrets are, but you've got to be straight with me. I've got to know that you know what's going on, and you're not just hoping things will turn out alright."
"Can you not trust me a little longer?"
"How much longer? What are you waiting for?"
"I have to speak to Garfield Logan."
"You can see him tonight. He's at the theater, but it'll be out soon. I'll leave a message at his hotel," he said, as he started to dial.
"But he cannot come here. I cannot let him know where I am."
"We'll meet at my place, then. Hello? I want to leave a message for Garfield Logan."
Soon, Dick and Kory were exiting a cab outside his apartment. As they went inside, he thought he saw Donna Troy in a car out of the corner of his eye, but he ignored the idea.
"You know I would not be in this position if I did not trust you completely," Kory said.
Dick opened the door and replied, "You don't have to trust me, so long as you can convince me to trust you. Get your business with Garfield Logan taken care of, and then we'll see how we stand."
Dick walked over to the window and noticed someone across the street looking straight at the window to his apartment.
"You will let me handle this in my own way, yes?"
"Sure."
"You are a godsend."
"Don't overdo it," he replied with a smile.
*Buzz*
"Mr. Grayson," Garfield said, "There's a man outside watching your apartment."
"I know, I spotted him."
Kory looked nervous, "What? A man?"
"He's been trailing me all day, but don't worry, angel, I slipped past him before we met up. He doesn't know you're here. Come in, Mr. Logan."
"I'm delighted to see you again, madam," Garfield said.
"I was sure you would be," Kory replied, "Mr. Grayson told me about your offer for the Falcon. How soon can you have the money ready?"
"It is ready, and yes, in cash, but I don't have it with me. I can get it quick though during banking hours. Shall we say half past 10am?"
"But I do not have the Falcon," Kory said, "I should in another week."
"Where is it?" Garfield sounded annoyed.
"Where Wally hid it. Perhaps it does not have to be a whole week to wait."
"Why are you so willing to sell it to me?"
"After what happened to Wally, I am afraid to touch it, unless it is to turn it over to someone else."
"What exactly did happen to Wally?"
"The fat man."
Garfield looked shocked, "Is he here?"
"I suppose so, but what difference does it make?"
"It might make a world of difference," he replied, as he stood up, "That man outside…"
"I am sure you can talk your way out of things again," Kory said as she also stood up, "Just like back in Istanbul."
He glared at her, "Why you –"
She slapped him before he could finish. He was about to retaliate with his gun, but Dick leapt up and disarmed him.
"This is the second time you've laid hands on me!" Garfield growled.
"When you're slapped," Dick shot back, "You'll take it and like it."
*Knock knock knock*
Kory whirled around, "Who is that?"
"I dunno," Dick replied, "Keep quiet."
Dick opened the door, positioning himself so no one could enter.
"Bruce and Clark, you sure pick the best times to visit. What is it this time?"
"We want to talk to you, Grayson," Lt. Wayne replied.
"Well, go ahead."
"We don't have to stand in the hall, do we, Dick?" asked Det. Kent.
"You can't come in."
"Be reasonable, Dick."
"You got away with a few things here and there," Wayne said, "But you can't keep it up."
"Stop me when you can."
"I intend to do so. There's talk going around about you and Roy Harper's wife. Is there anything to it?"
"Not a thing."
"Apparently, she tried to divorce him and move in with you, but he refused."
"It's all untrue. Now look, Wayne, your first idea that I killed Wally West because he killed Roy Harper falls apart if you think I killed Roy as well."
"I never said you killed anybody. You're the one bringing it up."
"Don't you have anything better to do than coming here in the morning and asking stupid questions?"
"And getting a lot of lying answers. If you say there's nothing between you and Donna Troy you're a liar."
"Is that the hot tip that brought you here at this ungodly hour?"
"That's one…now let us in."
Dick slowly shook his head. Dick and the lieutenant glared at each other for a few seconds when from within the room…
"Help!" cried Garfield.
"I guess we're going in," Wayne said.
"I guess you are," Dick shot back.
Kory and Garfield were scuffling with each other.
Lt. Wayne grabbed Garfield, "What's going on here?"
Garfield pointed at a cut on his forehead, "Look what she did, officer!"
Wayne turned to Kory, "Did you do that?"
"I had to," she explained, "I was alone with him and he tried to attack me, but I could not bring myself to shoot him."
"You dirty liar!" Garfield shrieked, "It isn't true! I came up here in good faith and they attacked me. While he was talking to you, she had a pistol with her, and she said as soon as the police leave, she and Grayson would kill me, so I called for help. Then she struck me with the pistol."
"Make him tell the truth," Kory cried, as she kicked Garfield in the shin.
"Knock it off, that's no way to act," Kent said, forcing her into a chair, "Well, Bruce, I think we should run them all in."
"Calm down, boys, I'll explain everything," Dick said, "Ms. Anders, may I present Lt. Wayne and Det. Sgt. Kent? Ms. Anders is an operative in my employ since yesterday."
"He's lying," Garfield hissed.
"That's Mr. Garfield Logan, an acquaintance of Wally West who came to my office late this afternoon to help him find something West was supposed to have on him when he was bumped off. Something about it seemed off, so I refused. He pulled a gun on me, but it was no big deal unless we all decide to press charges."
Kory was trying not to smile as a defeated Garfield sat down on the nearby sofa.
"Ms. Anders and I decided to find out exactly how much Mr. Logan knew about the two killings, so we asked him up here. Maybe we were a bit rough with him, though, but not enough that he should call for help."
"What have you got to say?" Wayne asked Garfield.
"I don't know what to say."
"Try telling the facts. Come now, quit stalling. Just swear out a complaint and I'll throw them in the can."
"Go ahead, Logan, he'll do it," Dick taunted, "Then we swear out a complaint against you and he'll have all of us."
"Get your hats," Wayne ordered.
Dick laughed, "Well, it worked. Don't you know when someone's kidding? When we heard the buzzer, I told these two that one of them should scream so we can see how far we can fool the cops."
"Then how'd he get that cut on his head?" questioned Wayne.
"Ask him," Dick replied, "Maybe he cut himself shaving."
"What, this cut?" Garfield explained, "When we were struggling for the gun, I fell over on the table. That's all."
"Bring him in for the gun," Wayne said.
"That gun was a plant," Dick added, standing right in front of Lt. Wayne, "It was one of mine. Too bad it was only a .25, or you could prove it was the same gun that shot Harper and West."
Wayne gave him a light punch to the face. Kory let out a gasp.
Det. Kent quickly grabbed a hold of Dick, "Don't do it, Dick!"
"Well then get him out of here, and tell him to leave the gun."
"Get their names and address," Wayne said.
"Garfield Logan, Jump City grand hotel."
"Before Kory could speak, Dick piped up, "Ms. Anders' address is my office."
"Take it easy," Kent said, "Is that all, Lt. Wayne?"
Wayne nodded.
"I think I'll be going now," Garfield said, as he headed for the door.
"What's the hurry, Logan?" asked Dick.
"Nothing really, but it's getting late."
Lt. Wayne headed for the door as well.
Before Det. Kent joined him, he looked back at Dick, "I hope you know what you're doing."
As soon as the door closed, Dick let out a chuckle.
"You are a most unpredictable man," Kory said, "Do you always act in this manner?"
"You had your talk with Logan, and now you can talk with me…I'm listening."
She started fidgeting, "Look at the time. I must be going."
"Not until you've told me everything."
"Am I a prisoner?"
"Maybe that guy watching the apartment hasn't left yet."
"Come on, let's have it."
"You are most insistent."
"Not to mention wild and unpredictable. What's this Falcon everybody's worked up about?"
"Suppose I did not tell you anything at all? Would you do something wild and unpredictable?"
"I might."
"It is a black figure, smooth and shiny, of a bird, 11.5 inches."
Dick went into the kitchen to make some coffee.
"Why is it so important?" he continued.
"They would not tell me. I was offered £500 to help them get it away from the man who had it."
"This was in Istanbul?"
"Marmara…and that is all. I helped them. Then we found out that Garfield Logan deserted us, leaving Wally West and me nothing. Then we did the same, but I was no better off than before because Wally had no intention of sharing equally."
"What's the bird made of?"
"Porcelain or black stone…I do not know. I only saw it once for a few minutes."
Dick smirked, "You're lying again."
Kory frowned, "I have always been a liar."
"Don't brag about it," he joked, "Was there any truth in that yarn?"
"Some, but not very much."
"Well, we've got all night, and the coffee will be ready soon."
Kory draped herself across the sofa, "I am so tired of lying, and not knowing what truth is."
Dick looked intently at her, and then he leaned over to kiss her. Meanwhile across the street, the mystery man was in fact still watching the apartment.
Morning
Dick arrived at the Jump City Grand Hotel.
"I'd like to leave a message for Garfield Logan," Dick said into the phone, "He's not? Thanks."
He was about to leave when he saw a familiar face trying to hide behind a newspaper. It was the same mystery man who had been following him yesterday. He sat down in a chair facing the opposite direction. He also thought he smelled fish.
"Where is he?" Dick asked.
"Who?" the man asked back.
"Garfield Logan.
"What are you doing, kidding me?"
"I'll tell you when I am. You're from New York, aren't you?"
"Shove off."
"Either you or someone you work with is going to have to talk to me, and you can tell the fat man I said so."
"Keep asking for it, and you'll get plenty. I told you to shove off."
"People lose teeth talking like that, pal," Dick replied, as he got up and motioned for someone.
It was the hotel detective. Dick held out his hand.
"Isaiah Crockett."
"Dick Grayson…that was too bad about Roy."
"Yeah, but I wanna show you something."
Dick led him to the mystery man.
"Why do let hoodlums like this hang around the lobby when they've obviously got a gun in their clothes?"
Crockett looked at the mystery man with a burning gaze, "What do you want here?"
The mystery man said nothing, but got up from his chair.
"If you don't want anything, then beat it and don't come back."
"I won't forget you," the man said to Dick, and then he slunk out the door.
"Who was that?" asked Crockett.
"I dunno, I just spotted him."
"But what about Roy?"
Right then, Garfield Logan walked up to the reception desk.
"I'll see ya, Isaiah."
Dick walked up to Garfield, "Good morning."
"Morning," Garfield grumbled back.
"Let's have a talk, shall we."
"After what happened the last time we talked? No thanks."
"You mean last night? I had to throw in with her. I don't know where the bird is, and neither do you, but she does. How can I get it if I don't play along with her?"
Garfield looked cross, "You always have an explanation, don't you."
"What do you want me to do? Learn to stutter? How long were you at the station?"
"Until a while ago, and I didn't tell them anything apart from that ridiculous story you invented…even if I felt stupid repeating it."
"Don't worry about how dumb it sounded. If it sounded more plausible, we'd all be locked up. You should get some sleep. See you later."
At the office, Rachel was on the phone.
"No, he's still not here. Yes, I'll tell him," she hung up and said, "That's the third time Donna's called. Ms. Anders is in your office. The D. A. called, he wants to see you. And a Mr. Stone called and said, "Tell him I received his message, I'll phone again"."
Dick was thinking the massage over as he walked into his office.
Kory ran up to him, "Darling, someone was in my apartment. Everything was turned inside out. I packed my things and came here as fast as I could. Perhaps it was that mystery man?"
"I told you, I shook him off before I saw you. Maybe it was Logan. He said he was being grilled by the police all night, but I wonder…"
"You spoke to Garfield? What for?"
"Because, my one true love, I've got to keep tabs on everyone involved in this dizzying affair. Now we need to find you a place to stay."
"I will not go back to that apartment."
Dick gave her a light kiss, "I've got an idea. Wait a minute."
He walked up to Rachel, "What does your women's intuition tell you about her?"
"She's alright, I guess, although obviously in over her head."
"Can she stay with you for a few days?"
"Is she in danger, Dick?"
"I think she is."
"Of course she is…alright then."
"Kory," Dick called, "Rachel here is going to put you up for a few days."
"You are very kind."
"You better start now. Go out the back. There's usually a cab parked by the alley. Make sure you're not followed. You better change cabs a few times."
As soon as they left, Dick went to his office to make a phone call.
"Hello, this is Dick Grayson. My secretary told me Mr. Gordon wants to see me. Ask him what time's most convenient. All right, 2:30, thanks."
Just then, Donna Troy rushed into the office.
"Please forgive me, Dick," she said, sobbing, "I sent those police to your place last night. I told them if they went they might learn something about Roy's murder."
"What made you think of doing that?"
"I was crazy with jealousy. I wanted to hurt you. I —"
"Did you tell them who you were?"
"No, dearest!"
"Where'd you phone from?"
"The drugstore across from your place."
"You better hurry home and think of something to tell the police, because you'll be hearing form them. And by the way, where were the night Roy was murdered?"
She hesitated, "Home."
Dick shook his head.
"I was."
"No…but if that's your story, it's all right with me. Now you run along."
She left the office with a downcast look on her face. As soon as she left, the phone rang.
"Hello? Yes, Mr. Stone, I've been waiting to hear from you. The sooner, the better. Say, 15 minutes? Room 10C."
In no time at all, Dick was at the hotel where this Mr. Stone was staying. The man clearly had money, for these were the suites.
*BUZZ*
The one to answer the door was the mystery man who had been tailing Dick. Behind him, a tall black man got up and walked towards the door. It was clear the "fat man" was a misnomer. He was rather broad, but it was clear it was all muscle.
"Ah, Mr. Grayson. I am Victor Stone. I trust you've met my bodyguard, Mr. Garth Tempest? That will be all, Garth."
Garth went into the next room and shut the door.
"May I offer you a drink?" he lifted his glass, "Here's to plain speaking and clear understanding. Please, sit down. Are you a close-mouthed man?"
"No, I like to talk."
"Very good, sir. I distrust a close-mouth man. He generally picks the wrong time to talk and says the wrong things. We'll talk if you like, and I'll tell right out. I'm a man who likes talking to a man who likes to talk."
"Will we talk about the black bird?"
Stone sat in the biggest chair in the room, "No beating about the bush, eh? Let's talk about the black bird, by all means, but first a question. Are you here to represent Ms. Anders?
"It depends."
"Depends on? Maybe on Garfield Logan?"
"Maybe"
"Then which do you represent?"
"I didn't say."
"Well who else is there?"
"There's me."
Stone chuckled, "Wonderful, sir. I like a man who tells you right out he's looking out for himself. Don't we all? I don't trust a man who says he's not."
"Uh huh…now, let's talk about the black bird."
"Let's…do you have any idea how much it's worth? If told you half of what it's worth, you'd call me a liar."
"Just tell me what it is, and I'll figure out the profit."
Stone looked curious, "You mean you don't know what the bird is?"
"I know what it's supposed to look like, and I know the value of human life you people put on it."
"Ms. Anders didn't tell you what it is?"
"No."
"Logan didn't either?"
"Nope, but he offered me $10,000 for it."
Stone scoffed, "$10,000…and in dollars, not pounds. Do they know what it is?"
"Logan didn't say he did or didn't, and Anders said she didn't, but I figured she was lying."
Stone looked smug, "Well, if they don't know, then I'm the only one in this sweet wide world who does."
"Swell, when you've told me, that'll make two of us."
"Mathematically correct, sir, but I'm not certain that I'm going to tell you."
"Come on, Stone, you know what it is, I know where it is."
"Well, sir, where is it? You see, I must tell you what I know, but you won't tell me what you know. That's hardly equitable, sir. I don't think we can do business that way."
Dick sprang to his feet, "Well think again, Stone! What're you wasting my time for? I don't need you!"
Stone looked bored by Dick's outburst, "I must say, sir, you have a most violent temper."
Garth emerged from the next room. Dick started to walk towards the door to the hallway.
"And another thing," Dick continued, "Keep your so-called bodyguard away from me, or I'll kill him! I suggest you think things over. You've got until 5:00!"
Dick slammed the door behind him. He smiled to himself, proud of his performance. As he entered one elevator, he didn't see Garfield Logan exit from another.
Later, Dick payed his visit to the district attorney's office...
"Who killed Wally West?" questioned D. A. Gordon.
"I don't know," replied Dick.
"Perhaps you don't know, but you could make an excellent guess."
"My guess could be excellent or crummy, but my mother didn't raise any children dumb enough to make guesses in front of a district attorney, an assistant district attorney, and a stenographer."
"Why shouldn't you if you've nothing to conceal?"
"Everybody has something to conceal."
"I'm a sworn officer of the law 24 hours a day, and nothing justifies you withholding evidence of crime from me, except, of course, on constitutional grounds."
Dick leapt up from his chair, "You and the police have accused me of being involved with these affairs. I've had trouble with you before, and the only way I can see to get you off my back is to bring in the murderers all tied up. And the only way I can bring them in is by staying as far away from you and the police as possible."
He glanced at the stenographer, "You getting all this?"
The stenographer nodded. Dick turned back to Gordon.
"If you wanna go to the board, tell them I'm obstructing justice and revoke my license, go ahead. You tried it once before, and all it got you was a good laugh. Now, I'm tired of these informal hearings. If you wanna subpoena me, then I'll get my lawyer. See you at the inquest."
With that, Dick took off. As he was walking down the street, Garth came up from behind him.
"Come on, he wants to see you."
Dick smirked, "Oh, good. I hope I haven't kept you waiting."
Garth scowled, "Keep cracking jokes and they'll be picking iron out of your liver."
Dick snickered, "The cheaper the crook, the gaudier the patter. Let's go."
They were soon at the hotel. As they walked down the hall to Mr. Stone's room, Dick snuck behind Garth and snagged his guns from his pockets. Garth was somewhere between rage and shock.
"Come on, I'll bet your boss will love this."
*Buzz*
"Come in, Mr. Grayson."
Dick handed Stone the two guns, "You shouldn't let him go around with these. He might hurt himself."
Stone chuckled, "Well, well, what's this?"
"A crippled newsie took them from him, but I made him give them back."
Stone laughed and handed the guns back to Garth, who took them and slunk into the back room.
"By gad, sir, you're a chap worth knowing," Stone said, "An amazing character. Sit down, sir. Care for a drink? I owe you an apology, sir."
"Never mind that. Let's talk about the black bird."
"Let's…this will be quite the story, even though I'm sure a man such as yourself must have known some astounding things in his time. I'm sure you've heard plenty of stories about the Crusades? In 1539, a certain group of these knights persuaded Emperor Charles V to give them the island of Malta. He made but one condition: that each year they pay him tribute of a falcon in acknowledgement that Malta was still under Spain. Have you any conception the immeasurable wealth this Order of Knights had?"
"I imagine they must've been pretty well off."
"That's putting mildly. For years they'd taken from the East spoils of gems, precious metals, silks, and ivory. These Knights were so grateful to Emperor Charles, they hit upon the idea to give him, not a live falcon, but one of gold, crusted head to foot in jewels. What do you think, sir? These are historical facts. They sent the statue on a galley for Spain, but it never reached there. Buccaneers took the galley and the bird. In 1713, it turned up in Sicily. In 1840, it appeared in Paris, and by that time it had acquired a coat of black enamel. While there, it was kicked around Paris for three score years by private owners too stupid to know what it really was. In 1923, a dealer named Joseph Wilson found it in an obscure shop. The enamel couldn't hide the statue's true value from him. He re-enameled the bird to keep it safe while he worked, but I got wind of his find. If only I'd known sooner, but I was in London when I heard. On my way there, I read the paper and saw that his establishment had been burglarized and him murdered. Sure enough, when I arrived, the bird was gone. That was 17 years ago. It took me that long to find it again, but I'm not a man easily discouraged. I traced to the home of a Russian general, one Leonid Konstantinovitch Kovar, in an Istanbul suburb. He didn't know anything about it. It was just a black enamel figure to him, but his natural contrariness kept him from selling it to me. So I sent him some agents to get it. Well, sir, they got it, and I haven't got it, but I'm going to get it. Care for a refill?"
"So the bird actually belongs to this General Kovar?" Dick finally spoke.
Stone smirked, "You may as well say it belongs to the King of Spain. How can anyone else hold a claim to it except by right of possession? Now before we talk prices, how soon can you get the bird?"
"A couple of days."
"Satisfactory…now here's to a fair bargain," Stone said, raising his glass.
"What's your idea of a fair bargain?"
"I'll give you $25,000 when you deliver the Falcon to me, and another $25,000 later on. Or I'll give you one quarter on what I realize on the Falcon, which will be a much greater sum."
"How much greater?"
"Who knows? Shall we say $100,000? What if I said the minimum would be a quarter of a million?"
"You really think it's worth a million? That's a lot of dough," Dick replied, starting to feel drowsy, "What's the maximum?"
"The maximum, I refuse to guess. There's no telling how high it could go."
Dick got up from the sofa, but fell to the ground. It was clear that Mr. Stone had drugged his drink.
"Garth!" Stone called.
Garth came in to deliver a swift kick to Dick's face, knocking him out. Stone grabbed his bowler hat and headed for the door, followed by Garfield Logan and Garth. Garth paused to glace back at Dick, and then turned off the lights.
Dick awoke later, not knowing how much time had passed. He went to the bathroom to splash water in his face. He then went to the phone to call Rachel.
"Rachel, where's Ms. Anders? Not there? She never even arrived? Listen, you get back to the office and wait until I come or you hear from me."
Dick then started to look all around the apartment for any clues as to where the terrible trio had run off to. That's when he noticed the newspaper. Something had been circled. It was the arrival on a ship called the La Paloma from Hong Kong at 5:35 P.M. Dick rushed over to the shipping yard as fast as he could. When he arrived, the ship was on fire. He went up to the man who looked like he was in charge.
"Someone I know came aboard this afternoon and I haven't seen her since. I'm worried."
"Don't worry, mister, everyone got off all right. Only the harbor watch was aboard when the fire started."
Dick thanked him and went back to the office. As soon as he got there, she started to fill in Rachel on the situation.
"Now you know about as much as I do, Rae. Maybe they went down with the ship, and maybe they didn't."
"The part about the bird is interesting at least."
Just then, a man stumbled into the room, carrying a bundle with him. He looked as though he'd been shot. He only managed to get out a few words.
"You know…Falcon…"
He dropped the bundle on the floor, and then collapsed into the nearest chair.
"Lock the door!" Dick ordered.
Rachel did so, while Dick checked the man out. He was rugged and blonde, and looked like he'd been through a lot. He checked his wallet to see who he was. He then noticed Rachel had frozen up.
"Don't pass out on me, Rae."
She shook her head, "I'm all right."
They both turned their eyes to the bundle.
"Do you think…?" Rachel asked.
Dick untied it to take a glace.
"We've got it, angel," Dick said.
The phone rang.
"Hello…yes, he's here. Meet you where?"
Suddenly, there was a scream over the phone.
"Hello? Hello! Dick, that was Kory. It sounds like she's in trouble. You better go help her. Obviously, this guy here was helping her and they killed him. Here's the address she gave me."
"I'm already gone. Call the police, but don't use any names. I got the phone call, not you, but I didn't say where I was going. Tell them everything, but leave out the bundle."
Dick grabbed the bundle and made way for the door.
"Lock this door, and don't open it until the police arrive."
She looked over at the dead man, "Do you know who he is?"
"Yeah, he's Brion Markov, captain of the La Paloma. You're a good man, sister."
Dick stopped by the bus terminal to drop off the bundle. He then sealed the ticket in an envelope and placed it in a P.O. Box. With that done, he hailed a cab.
"Do you know this address?" Dick asked.
"Nope, but if it's there, we'll find it."
"Thanks, and please make it fast."
In no time at all, they arrived at the address, but it was an empty lot.
"Keep your motor running," Dick said.
He looked around. There was no sign of Ms. Anders.
"Bum steer, Mr. Grayson?"
"Looks that way. Let's get to a phone booth."
He called up Rachel at her place.
"How'd it go, Rae? Good…me? No, it was a bum steer. Are you sure that was her voice? All right, you better hit the hay. No, save that for tomorrow. I'm going home."
The cab had soon taken him back to his place. He thanked and paid the man. Just as Dick was walking up the steps, Kory Anders came running towards him.
"I have been hiding in a doorway up the street," she panted.
He helped her inside.
"Can you make it, or should I carry you?"
"I will be all right. I just need to sit down."
They got in the elevator, and then went into Dick's apartment. They didn't see Garth lurking behind the door. Dick turned on the lights. There, sitting in a chair before him, was Victor Stone, with Garfield Logan standing beside him.
"Well, sir," Stone said, "It looks like we're all here. Sit down, be comfortable, and then we'll talk."
Garth brandished his gun and tried to frisk Dick.
"Keep your paws off me," Dick growled.
"Stand still and shut up."
"I said don't touch me, or I'll make you use that gun. I doubt your boss wants me shot up before we talk."
"Never mind, Garth," Stone said, "Please, Mr. Grayson, be seated."
"Oh, so you're ready to make the first payment and take the Falcon off my hands?"
"Well, sir, as to that…"
Stone reached into his coat to retrieve an envelope, and then handed it to Dick.
"$10,000?" Dick said, upon looking inside, "We were talking about a lot more money than this."
"But this is genuine coin of the realm, sir. Plus there's more of us to be taken care of."
"Maybe, but I've got the Falcon."
"You may have the Falcon, Mr. Grayson," Garfield said, "But we certainly have you."
"I'm trying not to let that worry me, but we'll get back to the money. There's something else…we've got to have a fall guy. The police need someone to pin those three murders on."
"You mean two," Garfield said, "Because Wally West clearly killed your partner."
"What difference does it make? We've got to –"
"Come, come, Mr. Grayson," Stone interrupted, "Surely at this late date you're not afraid of the police, or —"
"I'm in this up to my neck, Stone. I need a victim, or I'll be it."
Dick paused to take a glance around the room, and then he said, "Let's give 'em Tempest. He actually did shoot West and Markov, didn't he? He's made to order."
Stone burst out laughing, "By gad, sir, you are a character. There's never any knowing what you'll say or do next, except that it'll be astonishing."
"It's our best bet. With him on their hands, the police –"
"Come now, sir, if I even thought of doing such a thing, it's ridiculous. I feel towards Garth here as though he were my own son. But if I thought of doing it, what in the world would keep Garth from telling the police every last detail?"
"Let him talk his head off. I guarantee you, no one would do anything about it."
Stone laughed again, "What do you think about this, Garth? Very funny."
"Yeah, funny," Garth replied, through clenched teeth.
Dick stepped over to where Kory was sitting.
"Feeling better, precious?"
"I am fine, but I am afraid."
"Don't be, because nothing's going to happen."
"Be careful, Dick," Kory whispered.
Dick walked back over to Stone, "Well, what about it?"
"In common politeness, how could you fix it so Garth could do us no harm?"
"I'll just show Jim Gordon, our district attorney, that if he goes around trying to collect everybody, he's gonna have a tangled case, but if he sticks to Garth here, he can get a conviction standing on his head."
Garth was squeezing his gun very tightly. He walked over to Dick, his face burning with rage.
"Get up on your feet," he demanded, softly, but firmly, "I've taken all I'm gonna take from you. We'll shoot it out."
"What do you think this is? The Wild West?" Dick looked at Stone, "You better tell him shooting me before you get the Falcon is bad for business."
"Now, Garth," Stone said, "You mustn't attach such importance to these things."
"Well, tell him to lay off me then."
Stone pointed to the back of his chair, and Garth moved away.
"Your plan isn't satisfactory, sir," Stone said.
"Alright, I've got another suggestion. It's not as good as the first, but do you wanna hear it?"
"Most assuredly."
Dick leaned in towards Mr. Stone, "Give them Logan."
Stone chuckled, "By gad, sir."
"And suppose we give them you and Ms. Anders? How about that?" Garfield snapped.
"You want the Falcon. I've got it," Dick retorted, "The fall guy's part of the price I'm asking. As for Ms. Anders, if you think she can be rigged for the part, I'm perfectly willing to discuss it with you."
"You forget you're not in a position to insist upon anything at all," Garfield shot back.
"Come now, gentlemen," Stone said, "Let's keep this conversation on a friendly basis. There is something in what Mr. Logan says."
"If you kill me," Dick said. "How are you gonna get the bird? And if I know you can't afford to kill me, how are you gonna scare me into giving it to you?"
"Well, sir," Stone replied, "There are other methods of persuasion besides killing or threatening to kill."
"True, but none of them are any good without the threat of death behind them. If you start something, I'll make you have to kill me or call it off."
"That's an attitude, sir," Stone said, "That calls for delicate judgement on both sides. Because, as you know, in the heat of action, men are likely to forget where their best interests lie and let their emotions carry them away."
"Then I have to make my play strong enough to tie you up, but not mad enough to bump me off."
Stone smiled, "By gad, sir, you are a character."
Garfield leaned in close to whisper something to Mr. Stone. Garth looked kind of nervous.
"How much you wanna bet they're selling you out, pal? By the way, Mr. Stone, I hope you're not letting yourself be influenced by the guns these jerks are waving around, because I've practiced taking guns from them before. Garth here is —"
"All right," Garth snarled, as he moved towards Dick.
"Garth," Stone called, "Garth!"
Stone grabbed on of Garth's arms, while Garfield grabbed the other. His arms restrained, Dick knocked him out with a punch.
"That's our fall guy," Dick said, as he helped Garfield move Garth to the sofa, "So either you say yes now or I'll turn the Falcon and all on you in."
"Don't like that, sir," Stone replied.
"You won't like it. Well?"
Mr. Stone took another look at Garth, then sighed, "You can have him."
Dick nodded, "I won't be able to get the Falcon until daylight or later."
"It strikes me as best for all concerned that we not get out of each other's sight until our business has been transacted. You have the envelope?"
"Ms. Anders has it. Go ahead and hold onto it. We don't need to leave each other's sight. The statue will be brought here."
"Excellent, sir, and in exchange for $10,000 and Garth, you'll give us the Falcon and an hour or two of grace."
"Let's get the details right first. Why did he shoot Wally West, and why, where, and how did he shoot Capt. Markov? I've got to be sure so the parts that don't fit are covered up."
"I shall be candid with you, sir. Mr. West was Ms. Anders' ally. We believed that disposing him in the manner we did would cause Ms. Anders to think that, perhaps, it would be best to patch up her differences with us regarding the Falcon."
"Then you didn't try to make a deal with him before giving him the works?"
"We did, sir. We most certainly did. I talked to him myself that very night, but could do nothing with him. He was quite determinedly loyal to Ms. Anders. So Garth followed him back to his hotel and did what he did."
"That sounds all right," Dick commented, "Now for Markov."
"Capt. Markov's death was entirely Ms. Anders' fault," Stone said, getting up to walk about the room, "I'm sure you surmised that Mr. Logan contacted me once he was released from the police yesterday. He recognized the mutual advantage of pooling forces. He's a man of sound judgement."
Garfield couldn't help but smile.
"The Paloma was his idea since he saw the notice of its arrival in the paper. Then he remembered hearing in Hong Kong that Markov and Ms. Anders were seen together."
Garth let out a groan, but remained unconscious.
"Well, sir," Stone continued, "Putting two and two together, Garfield guessed that she had given the bird to Markov to bring to her here."
"So you decided to slip me a Mickey?"
"There was no place for you in our plan, sir. So we decided to spare ourselves and possible embarrassment. Mr. Logan and Garth and I went to call on Capt. Markov. We were lucky enough to arrive when Ms. Anders was there. The conference was difficult, but we eventually persuaded her to come to terms, or so we thought. We then left the boat and set out for my hotel, where I was to pay Ms. Anders and receive the bird. We mere men should've known better. En route, Ms. Anders, Capt. Markov, and the Falcon slipped through our fingers. It was neatly done, sir."
"You touched off the boat before you left?" Dick asked.
"Not intentionally, but I daresay, we, or Garth at least, were responsible for the fire. While the rest of us were talking in the cabin, Garth went about the boat trying to find the Falcon. No doubt, he was careless with matches."
"How about the shooting?"
"We caught up with Ms. Anders and Markov at her apartment. Garth covered the fire escape while we went to the door. Sure enough, we she was asking us who we were, Markov went out the window. Garth shot Markov more than once as he climbed down the fire escape, but Markov was too tough to fall or drop the Falcon. He climbed down the rest of the way, knocked over Garth, and ran off. We…persuaded, that's the word, Ms. Anders to tell us where she told Capt. Markov to take the Falcon. We then persuaded her to phone your office in an attempt to draw you away before Markov got there, but, unfortunately for us, it took us too long to persuade her. You had the Falcon before we could reach you."
Just then, Garth awoke from his knockout. He looked panicked as he noticed everyone staring at him.
"Well, Garth," Stone said, "I'm sorry indeed to lose you, but I want you to know you've always been like a son to me…but if you lose a son, it's possible to get another. There's only one Maltese Falcon."
Garth sat there in a stupor as Garfield patted him on the back. Garth buried his head in his hands.
"How about some coffee?" Dick asked, "Put the pot on, angel. I don't like to leave our guests."
"Surely."
As she started for the kitchen…
"Just a moment, my dear," Stone said, "Hadn't you better leave the envelope here?"
She handed it to him, "Sit on it, if you are afraid to lose it."
"It's not that at all, but business should be taken care of in a businesslike manner. For instance, there are only nine bills here, but I handed you ten."
Dick got up to confront Kory, "Well?"
She shook her head. He then went to Victor Stone.
"You palmed it. You want to confess, or shall I strip search you?"
Stone chuckled, "I palmed it. It was only a joke. This money will soon be yours, so you might as well take it."
"I oughta have more than $10,000."
"Of course, sir, but you understand this is the first payment."
"Yes, and later you'll give me millions. How's about $15,000 now?"
"Frankly and candidly, upon my word of honor as a gentleman, $10,000 is all the money I can raise."
"But you didn't say positively."
Stone smiled, "Positively."
As he handed the envelope of money to Dick he leaned towards him.
"I'd like to give you a word of advice," Stone whispered.
"Go ahead," Dick replied.
Stone motioned for him to lean in closer, as he quickly glanced over in the direction of Kory Anders.
"I daresay you're going to give her some money, but if you don't give her as much as she thinks she ought to have, my word of advice is "be careful"."
Dick looked in her direction, and then back to Stone, "Dangerous?"
Stone chuckled, "Very."
Dick looked thoughtful for a minute, but then said, "How's the coffee coming, angel?"
"In a few minutes."
"It's almost daylight, Mr. Grayson," Stone said, "Can you start getting it now?"
"I guess so," Dick replied, as he went to the phone.
"Good morning, Rae, sorry to wake you up so early. Here's the plot. In the P.O. Box there's an envelope with my scrawl on it. Inside, there's a check for the bundle we got yesterday. Get that bundle and bring it here, PDQ. Thanks, good bye."
Time went by. Garth and Garfield were passed out on the sofa and a chair respectively. Victor was reading a book. Kory was laying on the loveseat, unable to sleep. As the sun came up, Dick and Victor turned off the lights. Dick then sat in a chair next to Kory and held her hand.
*BUZZ*
Garfield sprung up from his chair. Garth still lay on his sofa, looking miserable. Victor and Kory also got up from where they were sitting. Dick answered the door, and there was Rachel in a dark blue hat and coat holding the bundle.
"Thanks, lady," Dick said as he took the bundle, "Sorry to disturb your day of rest."
"Wouldn't be the first time, Dick," Rachel snarked, "Anything else?"
"No, that's all, Thank you."
She looked at the colorful characters in the room, then simply shrugged, "Bye then."
Garfield was waving at her, but she rolled her eyes and shut the door behind her. Victor and Garfield cleared a space on the nearby table, and then Dick set the bundle down.
"There you are."
Victor tore away at the many wrappings.
"Now," he said, "After 17 years…"
And there it was, a black statue of a bird: The Maltese Falcon. They all gathered around to stare at it. Victor then produced a small knife.
"We must make sure," he said, as he began to scrape at the statue.
He scraped gently at first, but as he did so more and more, he became more erratic. Nothing was happening to the statue.
"Fake," Victor said, "It's a phony! It's lead! It's a fake!"
Dick glared at Kory, "You've had your little joke, now tell us about it."
"No, Dick! No!" Kory cried, "That is the one I got from Gen. Kovar. I swear it!"
"You," Garfield hissed at Victor, "It's you who bungled it. You and your stupid attempt to buy it! Kovar found out how valuable it was! No wonder we had such an easy time stealing it! You imbecile! You bloated idiot! You stupid fathead, you!"
Garfield broke down crying as he plopped down into the nearby chair. Victor stood there in shock for a minute, until slowly but surely, a smile broke out across his face. He looked at the fake Falcon and started to laugh.
"Yes, it's the Russian's hand. No doubt about it," Victor then turned to Garfield, "Well, sir, what do you suggest? We stand here and shed tears and call each other names, or shall we go to Istanbul?"
Garfield sniffed, "Are you going?"
"Seventeen years I've wanted that little item and I've been trying to get it. If we must spend another year on the quest, well, sir, it will be well worth it, I think."
Garfield now looked excited, "I'm going with you."
That's when Victor noticed that Garth was now gone. He checked the kitchen. He checked the bathroom. He then stopped in front of Dick.
"Garth."
Dick pointed at the door, "A swell lot of thieves, you guys are."
"We've little to boast about, sir, but the world hasn't come to an end just because of one little setback. I must ask you for that envelope."
"I held up my end. You got your trinket. It's your hard luck, not mine, it's not what you wanted."
"Now, sir, we've all failed and there's no reason for expecting any of us to bear the whole brunt," Victor pulled out a gun, "In short, sir, I must ask you for my $10,000."
Dick pulled out one of the bills as he held out the envelope, "This should pay for my time and expenses."
Victor shrugged as he took the envelope, "Now, sir, we'll say goodbye to you, unless you care to undertake the Istanbul expedition with us?"
Dick slowly shook his head.
"No? Frankly, sir, I'd have liked to have you along. You are a man of nice judgement and many resources. Now that there's no alternative, I daresay you'll manage the police without a fall guy?"
"I'll make out all right."
"Well, sir, the shortest farewells are best. Adieu."
Victor headed for the door, but he turned back around, "And to you, Ms. Anders, I leave the rara avis on the table there as a little memento."
He chuckled to himself as he went out the door, with Garfield hurrying to keep up. As soon as they were out of sight, Dick rushed to the telephone.
"Hello, is Sgt. Kent there? I need to speak to him. Clark? I've got something for you. Wally West and Capt. Markov were killed by a man named Garth Tempest. I'd say late 20s, blue overcoat, faint smell of fish. He's working for a man named Victor Stone. You can't miss Stone, he's a really big and tall guy. That fella Garfield Logan is in with them, too. They just left here to the Jump City Grand Hotel, but you'll have to move fast. They're blowing town. Be especially careful around Tempest. Yeah, a real hothead."
He hung up the phone and looked at Kory.
"When they're nailed, they'll talk about us. We're sitting on dynamite. We better straighten everything for the police. When you came to my office, why did you want Wally West shadowed?"
"I told you," Kory said, "I thought he was betraying me and I wanted to find out."
"That's a lie! You had him hooked and you knew it, but you wanted to get rid of him before Markov came with the loot so you didn't have to split it with him. Isn't that right? What was your scheme?"
Her eyes were shifting, "I thought if he knew someone was tailing him, he would be frightened into going away."
"Roy wasn't clumsy enough to be spotted the first night. You told West he was being followed."
"I told him, but I would not have told him if I thought Wally would kill him."
"If you thought he wouldn't kill Roy, you were right, angel. Roy wasn't very smart, but he had too many years of experience as a detective to be caught like that by a man he was shadowing up a blind alley with his gun on his hip and his overcoat buttoned. But he'd have gone up there with you, angel."
Dick was backing Kory into a corner.
"He was just dumb enough for that. He'd have looked you up and down, licked his lips, and gone, grinning from ear to ear. And you could've stood as close to him as you liked in the dark and put a hole in him from a gun you got from West that evening."
"Stop it, Dick!" Kory sobbed, "Do not say that!"
"Stop it! The police will be here any minute! Now talk!"
"Why do you accuse me…?"
"This isn't the time for your schoolgirl act! We're both sitting under the gallows. Now why did you shoot Roy Harper?"
Kory started to tear up, "I did not mean to at first. I really did not…but when I found out Wally could not be frightened…I cannot look at you and tell you this, Dick!"
"You though West would tackle Roy and one or the other would go down. If Wally was killed, you'd be rid of him. If it was Roy, you'd see West was caught and set up for it. Isn't that right?"
"Something like that," Kory replied, through her tears.
"When you found that West wasn't going to tackle him, you borrowed his gun and did it yourself, right? And when you heard West was killed, you knew Stone was in town. You needed another protector to fill West's shoes, so you came back to me."
"Yes," Kory cried, "Sweetheart, it was not only that. I would have come back to you, sooner or later. From the very first instance I saw you, I knew."
She hugged him, but he didn't move.
"Well," Dick said, "If you get a good break, you'll be out of prison in 20 years, and you can come back to me then. I hope they don't hang you, precious, by that sweet neck."
Her look of sorrow turned to shock, "You are not –"
"Yes, angel, I'm sending you over. Chances are you'll get life. That means, if you're a good girl, you'll be out in 20 years. I'll be waiting for you. If they hang you, I'll always remember you."
She looked at him. He had a stoic, but undeniably sad look on his face.
She smiled, "Do not say that, Dick. Not even in fun. I was frightened for a minute…I really thought…you do such wild and unpredictable things."
Dick's expression turned cold, "Don't be silly. You're taking the fall."
She pushed him away, "You have been playing with me, just pretending to care, to trap me like this. You did not care at all! You do not love me!"
"I won't play the sap for you!"
"You know it is not like that. You cannot say that."
"You never played square with me since I've known you."
Kory grabbed him, "You know deep down in your heart that in spite of anything I have done, I love you."
"I don't care who loves who! I won't play the sap for you! I won't walk in West's and I don't know how many others' footsteps! You killed Roy, and you're going over for it."
She sat down on the couch, "How can you do this to me, Dick? Surely, Mr. Harper did not mean that much to you."
She started to cry again. Dick sat in the nearby chair.
"Listen, this won't do any good. You'll never understand me, but I'll try it once, then give it up. When a man's partner is killed, he's supposed to do something about it. It doesn't make any difference what you thought of him. He was your partner, and you're supposed to do something about it, and it so happens we're in the detective business. When a member of your organization gets killed, it's bad business to let the killer get away with it, bad all around, bad for every detective everywhere."
"You do not expect me to think these things you are saying are sufficient reason for sending me —"
"Wait until I'm through, and then you can talk. I've no earthly reason to think I can trust you, and if I do this and get away with it, you'll have something on me that you can use whenever you want to. Since I've got something on you, I couldn't be sure you wouldn't put a hole in me someday. All those are on one side. Maybe some of them are unimportant. I won't argue about that. But look at the number of them. And what've we got on the other side? All we've got is that maybe you love me and maybe I love you."
Kory sat up, "You know whether you love me or not."
Dick gave her a sad look, "Maybe I do. I'll have some rotten nights after I've sent you over, but that'll pass."
Dick stood up, grabbing Kory by the arms.
"If all I've said doesn't mean anything to you, then forget it and we'll make it just this…I won't because all of me wants to regardless of consequences, and because you've counted on that with me, the same way you counted on that with all the others."
Kory looked at Dick through teary eyes, "Would you have done this to me if the Falcon had been real and you had got your money?"
"Don't be too sure I'm as crooked as I'm supposed to be. That sort of reputation might be good business, bringing in high-priced jobs and making it easier to deal with the enemy, but a lot more money would've been one more item on your side of the scales."
"I you had loved me, you would not have needed more on that side."
They shared one last passionate kiss, but Dick ended it quickly.
*BUZZ*
"Come in."
It was Det. Kent and Lt. Wayne.
"Hello, Clark. Did you get them?"
"Got them all."
"Swell," Dick dragged Kory over to them by her arm, "Here's another one for you. She killed Roy. I've got some exhibits: Tempest's guns, Logan's gun, a $1000 bill I was supposed to be bribed with, and this black statuette that all the fuss was about."
Dick looked over at Lt. Wayne, who had a frustrated look on his face.
"What's the matter with your playmate? He looks brokenhearted. I bet when he heard Stone's story, he thought he had me."
"Stop it, Dick," Kent said, trying not to smile.
Dick looked at Kory again, and his joking turned to a serious face.
"Shall we be getting down to the hall?" Dick said, as he grabbed a coat for Kory.
Lt. Wayne place the fur coat on her back and escorted her out. Det. Kent picked up the statuette.
"It's heavy. What is it?"
Dick looked pensively at the fake Falcon, then at Kory as she walked out, "It's the stuff that dreams are made of."
"Huh?"
The two followed suite as everyone left the apartment. Dick walked into the hall to see Kory standing in the elevator, with a sad look on her face, like she was unaware of her surroundings.
"Robin."
"Huh?"
"Robin, wake up."
"Starfire?"
Robin was in bed.
"You have been asleep far longer than you normally would be. You are even still wearing your uniform."
"Yeah, man," Cyborg said, sticking his head in the door, "You're usually the first one up."
"Beast Boy is the one who's supposed to be getting up last," Raven said.
"She right you know," BB said.
"Of course I am. I always am."
"I was having a crazy dream."
"Before you say anything else, Rob," Cy said, "I'm sorry about last night. You know I was kidding. You're a great detective."
"You learned from the best," BB added.
"And we've learned from you," Raven said.
"I overreacted, guys. Let's get some lunch, and then I'll tell you about my dream."
"Sounds good to me!" Cy exclaimed, "Especially the lunch part."
"I'll make you a salad, mama."
"Don't call me that in front of everyone, Garfield."
"Oh, come on! That's nowhere near as bad as using my real name!"
Before Starfire left, Robin gave her a long kiss.
"My goodness! What was that for?"
"I'm just glad we're on the same team, Star. I don't say it very often, but I love you."
"I love you, too, Robin."
They kissed again.
"Now come on, Star, and I'll tell you everything."