Summer Camp

Part 9: How to Drown a Robin

"Well, well such a handsome boy," Thorton said, as he gazed into the comatose form of Dick Grayson. He looked at the boy thoughtfully, then examined him further and noticed the well-muscled arms and legs. 'Probably has some well-developed abs under that shirt due to his acrobatics, no doubt.'

Mr. Thorton couldn't resist lifting Dick's shirt to get a peek at the boy's well-developed body and his blew a whistle. 'This boy's body looks more like a 20 year old. What does he do, body building? This kid could probably take on some of my own men. I bet he has the strength to match,' he thought. "Put him in a chair and tie his arms and legs, then get some photos taken. I want them delivered personally to Mr. Wayne, along with the ransom note."

Turning back toward Dick, he realized he would have to treat this one differently. "Thompson, how many of your boys did it take to retrieve this one?"

"The Jamison Brothers said it took all six of them to subdue him. It was as if he knew they were coming and he put up a fight."

"Well, looks like I was right in having him tied. We'll see what happens when he comes out of it."

"You're not taking him back to camp? That could bring the police."

"Thompson, what do I care about the police. They can't implicate me. I'm the camp's benefactor. As for this boy, take a clear look at him. This boy is more dangerous than any of the boys we've taken since we started this little operation. Wayne will pay dearly to get him back, alive or dead it doesn't matter. Prepare this boy for a dunking. That will take the fight out of him, then he'll be easier to manage."

"Why not just keep him sedated?" Thompson asked.

"Because I want the boy to know who's in control. Get him ready, chair and all."

Jimmy Olsen headed back to the cabin after working on the latest newspaper. He was also getting discouraged. He and Dick hadn't found any hard evidence to bust this case they found themselves working on, and he also hadn't heard from Dick this evening. He usually came by the newspaper office to tell him what he found. It wasn't like him at all.

Jimmy approached the darken cabin and entered as quietly as he could. There was very little light, which was odd since the moon often shined inside, unless there was very little moon. Also something felt out of place. The cabin was nearly pitch black, until he realized the canvas flaps that protect from rain had been pulled down over the screen windows. Jimmy was going to have to risk turning on a light since he did not have his flashlight with him. As he turned on the light and his eyes adjusted to the sudden glare, his eyes became wide at the sight that greeted him. The place had been ransacked. It looked like there had been a huge struggle. Jimmy's cot has been smashed, along with Dick's. Dick Grayson was gone.

Jimmy was about to run from the cabin when he saw the Jamison Brothers approach. 'What were they doing out here?' he thought. He quickly turned out the light and went into the shower room to hide his presence. He then overheard the two brothers talking.

"Olsen will be back from the newspaper office, we need to get this place looking okay so he doesn't suspect."

"I don't think that's going to be easy. Grayson smashed two cots while we were trying to grab him."

"We could always pretend that we don't know anything about it."

"Boy that Grayson kid really put up a fight. How did he know we were coming?"

"I don't know, but I'm glad I thought about bringing the extra guys. Next time we see Thompson, I'm telling him we need extra for this job. That kid was no pushover."

"You know, it might be better if we high tail it to Mr. Thorton's."

"Why?"

"Think brother. After this little caper, someone's bound to find out, including that Olsen kid. Let's pack our bags and get the hell out."

"What about the rest of the gang?"

"I don't care about them. We've got enough money now to start our own little racket elsewhere. Good thing I thought about saving it instead of spending it."

"Look, I heard that Grayson kid is worth a lot of money. We could get more."

"So, we'll tell Mr. Thorton personally, since we did all the dirty work. And maybe I'm tired of this racket, pretending to be a kid. I'm 21 years old. I'd rather high tail it back to Gotham and see what else we can get involved in, maybe even start our own gang. "

"No, not Gotham. You know who's there. I don't want to run into him."

"All right, we'll go to Thorton, get our money, and get the hell out."

Jimmy heard everything. As he and Dick suspected, the Jamison Brothers and their little gang were the muscle behind all the kidnappings. Not only that, he just learned they weren't even kids. Camp counselor Thompson and Mr. Thorton, the benefactor of this little camp was also behind everything, but now Dick Grayson was the one in trouble. Jimmy waited until he heard the door of the cabin slam shut and he exited the shower room. He went into his trunk and found his extra camera and a roll of film. He glanced out of the window to make sure the two brothers were out of sight of the cabin. Turning on the light, he then took photos of the ransacked cabin, showing different angles. This was going on his front page and he didn't care who saw it. It was then that he saw Dick's small address book that he used to write down friends' names, addresses, and phone numbers to keep in touch after camp. It was sticking out from under the broken cot.

Jimmy's name along with a few others was inside. On the inside cover was Dick's address and phone number just in case the book was lost. Jimmy put the address book in his pocket, and with his camera in hand he raced back to the newspaper office. He was going to make up a special edition.

As Jimmy passed the lake, he noticed two of the boats were gone. The boys and counselor Thompson each must have taken one. 'At least they don't know about me,' Jimmy thought. He reached the newspaper office and entered. He picked up the phone and dialed the number on Dick's address book.

The phone kept ringing. Someone just had to answer. Finally a male voice spoke on the other line.

"Hello, Mr. Wayne's residence."

"Mr. Wayne?" Jimmy asked.

"No, this is the butler, Mr. Wayne is not available and it is late. Please call back at a reasonable hour."

"I can't," Jimmy said, in a panicked voice. "My name's Jimmy Olsen. I'm a friend of Dick Grayson's."

"Master Richard? Is there something wrong?"

"I'll say there is, Dick's been kidnapped. I need to talk to Mr. Wayne."

"What did you say? Kidnapped. Are you certain?"

"Dick had gone back to the cabin after dinner. He usually comes and talks to me at the camp newspaper office. I'm the editor and reporter. He didn't show. I know it's late. I went back to our cabin and the place was ransacked. Something's happened to him, I know it."

"Please, don't panic young man, I'll contact Mr. Wayne."

"I better call the police, but they won't be able to get in, the camp gates are locked."

"Don't bother with the police," Alfred said. "He knows someone who can help."

Jimmy hung up the phone, pleased to know that he at least was doing something to help his friend. While he was at it, he took the film into the dark room to develop it and begin the process of creating his special edition. Then he thought of someone else who might be able to help Dick, but he had no way of contacting Dick's other friend, the kid known as Robin.

Alfred hung up the phone and headed to the batcave. This was going to take some emergency measures. Bruce was in the city, but he knew Bruce was never without his special wristwatch. Alfred entered the bat cave and moved over to the emergency bat transmitter and threw the switch. It shouldn't be long before he would be hearing from Bruce.

Continues with Part 10: The Cavalry