chapter 10
I was able to call a cab to take me back to my apartment. I wasn't about to ask Sean to take me back home. Since J had stolen my keys, I had to get my landlord to unlock it for me, and they didn't seem very thrilled with being taken away from their television show. Once I was inside, I dropped all my things on the couch and collapsed on my bed, staring at the ceiling. The knowledge of not having a car again reminded me of being sixteen, unable to drive anywhere, and being captive in my own house. I didn't know where I'd go even if I did have my car. Safe in the knowledge that I wouldn't be driving, though, I got out a bottle of cheap wine from my refrigerator and a glass and sat myself down with my laptop on the couch. The TV was in the background, muted, and the it was the only light in the room except for the faint evening sunlight coming in through the blinds. I scavenged hopelessly on Yahoo! News and other news sites, but to no avail.
Joker hadn't revealed himself yet.
I was surprised somewhat, that he was being so patient with his return. Maybe he was working on some grand scheme, a "Welcome Home" to himself. My fingers mindlessly clicked on the keyboard, not knowing what to do. What did I do with my free time before J came around?
Even though it had only been around two weeks, it seemed like that was forever ago. Nothing on TV seemed entertaining, and I had nothing new to read. I decided to practice some of my gymnastics, thinking it could be a good distraction. By the time I got into bed, my muscles were a comforting kind of sore and my tension headache had faded some. I was out like a light.
Days passed in which there was no news. Thanksgiving came and went. Lawrence wouldn't permit me back into work, and I spent the days practicing in my living room on mats. I was starting to get back into the routine and I was able to work out more than an hour without pulling something, which was a good sign. I started to wonder why I'd let myself slip out of it so much. On the third day of solitude, my cell phone started to ring, and when I didn't pick up, they called again. I groaned as I lifted myself from my backbend and jogged over to my cell phone, looking at the caller ID. I didn't recognize the phone number. "Hello?" I asked, putting the phone between my ear and shoulder as I filled my glass up with more water and took a long pull.
"Doctor," Cobblepot's voice said over the line. I wasn't expecting to hear from him and in my surprise, I choked a little on the water.
"Mr. Cobblepot, what can I do for you?" I asked. I didn't know why Oswald would be calling me, let alone at eight p.m on a Wednesday.
"Do you have any arrangements, tonight?" He asked.
I didn't even bother to think about it - I knew the answer off the top of my head. Of course not. "I'm absolutely free."
"Good. I need you to come down to the Iceberg Lounge. It's important."
I frowned, rubbing at the crease between my eyebrows where my headaches had been focusing lately. "I'll have to call a cab, but sure. Is an hour good for you?"
He replied immediately. "Don't worry about a cab. I'll send a car for you, Dr. Quinzel. And yes, an hour is fine. My driver will be there for you at 9 p.m."
He hung up then, and I realized he'd never asked for my address. I gnawed on the inside of my cheek. Of course Cobblepot would know. He has eyes and ears all over the city. I busied myself with taking a shower, getting dressed and grabbing my things and by nine I was outside and waiting. A sleek black car pulled up right in front of me. I raised an eyebrow, but didn't question it too much and ran out into the rain and opened the back door. "Ms. Quinzel?" The man in the front asked as I closed the door.
"Doctor," I replied, and then cursed at myself internally. I really needed to stop doing that. "Um… Do you have any idea what the Penguin wants me to come to the Lounge for?"
"Mr. Cobblepot only hires me to drive, ma'am," He said while not taking his eyes off the road. I watched him in the rearview mirror. He wore a classic three piece suit, but I could see the tattoos creeping up his neck, and the holes in his eyebrows where piercings used to be. I wondered silently where Penguin found the men he hired. While we drove, I looked out the window and watched the rain falling against the glass. I liked Gotham at this time of year. I loved rain, and I loved gray skies, and there was never a shortage here, especially because December was right around the corner. Glancing at my cell phone screen, I realized that December first was in fact, tomorrow.
When we pulled up to the Iceberg Lounge, the driver hopped out quickly and opened my door by the time I'd reached the handle. Flustered, I smiled, and thanked him before walking towards the doors. The host recognized me right away and his eyes widened. "Dr. Quinzel!" He said, hurriedly. "Mr. Cobblepot is expecting you. Please, show yourself upstairs."
"Thank you," I said with a smile. I couldn't help but feel apprehensive as I entered the elevator. As expected, a man in a suit with a headpiece was waiting and slid his keycard before pressing the button for the penthouse. The quiet gave me time to think. Obviously whatever was happening was very important. Why else would Cobblepot send someone to pick me up to bring me here? I couldn't help but think this was about J. He was the only common tie me and the Penguin had. When the elevator doors opened, I looked up and stepped back in shock.
A pistol was pointed straight in between my eyes. I squeaked in panic. What the hell? He asked me to come! "Doctor Harleen Quinzel," Cobblepot's voice said from somewhere I couldn't see. The man in the elevator behind me apparently had his own gun, as it found it's home right on my spine. He pushed me forward and I stumbled out into the penthouse, eyes wide and heart beating frantically. Looking around the room, I saw one other gun pointed at me, as well as Penguin's umbrella. I didn't want to think about what the umbrella could do to me.
"What the hell, Cobblepot?" I demanded.
"Ah, ah, ah. I wouldn't do that if I was you. You don't get to ask the questions. You've got four guns on you. So for now, shut up and listen." He walked towards me and the other man stepped out of the way, letting Cobblepot take the stage. I gritted my teeth as I struggled to keep my mouth shut. "The Joker failed to be kept captive for long, as I'm sure you're very aware of, and he's already managed to get his hands on a little something that now belongs to me."
"What -" I started, but his umbrella swung out and the tip of it was pushing against my throat, right under my jaw and angling my head up. I glared down at him and he clicked his tongue like he was disciplining a child.
"So listen up, girly. If the clown is doing what I think he's doing with this item, the entirety of Gotham is going to shit, and while I don't particularly care about the lives of the civilians, this is still my city, and I intend to be the only one to turn it on it's head. Alright? Here's the deal…" He turned around, dropping the umbrella from my throat, and I lifted a palm to rub the skin. I could already feel a bruise forming where it had dug into the muscle. I watched him cautiously as he walked towards the bar. The thugs had lowered their guns by now, and the one in the elevator had disappeared to another floor altogether. I didn't even understand why they had guns on me. What did they think I was going to do? Diagnose them to death? "You're gonna be my bargaining chip."
"Excuse me?" I asked, my eyebrows raising in disbelief. What did he think that would accomplish? "You seriously think he'd give up this… Important thing… For me?"
As he poured himself a drink he waved a hand at me. "He obviously has some sort of attachment with you. That much is obvious. And we have nothing left to lose, so we're using our last resort. You." I glared at him, anger boiling in me, coupled by disbelief. The Joker didn't care about me, obviously. He just wanted to have a little fun during his stay in the asylum, and I provided that for him. "We'll see where it gets us." He waved his fingers in a 'come here' motion at the man behind me and with a nod, footsteps started to approach me. Before I could turn around, the butt of the man's gun was smacking me in the back of the head.
Dammit, Cobblepot. Why you gotta go and ruin everything? Here I was starting to like you! Sorry that this chapter was a bit short, guys, but the next one definitely makes up for it in excitement. Please review, let me know your thoughts and feelings. Everything counts!