Hello readers. It's been about two months since I've updated/published anything, but I've been hard at work on some pieces. One of those pieces is a long overdue update to this story and I hope you will enjoy it.
Agent-M-0167: Heath was fantastic in that part and hope I've been and will continue to give a unique spin to this Joker.
Fanfic-Reader-88: Beck hasn't even begun. Killing a few henchmen isn't what he cares about, it's the one on top. That's assuming of course someone else doesn't get to her first.
Challenge King: Glad you enjoyed it.
mkpunk: I actually love the Batmobile from the Burton movies and in all honesty, it would probably have fit better in the world I created for this story, but I needed something that could take a beating and have a lot of power to it.
I have no intention of killing off Robbie that quickly… in the future, spoiler. I thought adding Two-Face for the Dark Knight was an unneeded slap on for a fantastic movie since he wasn't going to be around for a third movie.
The Joker's humanity/motivations is one of the mysteries that I hope to clear up in fairly short order in the next couple of chapters.
Since my last update with 'iHunt the Animal', PD31 has updated 'When Something Better Comes Along', Fanfic-Reader-88 has published 'The Woman With The Golden Touch', a Freddie/Trina piece.
Rating: T Language, Violence
Chapter 10: The Sweetest Taste Can be Poison
Gotham Community
General Gotham City, NJ
Monday, June 24
Superman stood out like a sore thumb with his colorful clothing and red cape, but he ignored the odd looks and perhaps fearful expressions. He glanced over to the waiting area where Cat was near comatose with grief with Tori sitting on the girl's left and holding her close, rocking with her. He stared on feeling as helpless as he did just before he left Smallville after graduation.
Tori looked up to the Man of Steel, giving him a curious and mildly sympathetic gaze.
Superman returned the look, looking almost embarrassed, but she cracked a soft, thankful smile that brought a little of the weight of what he felt off his shoulders. A few yards away, Jade dressed in a woman's suit blazer, white button up shirt and short black skirt was adamantly talking with André and easily overheard by anyone, "I don't care if you have to turn the entire medical R&D on its head. Robbie's case is their number one priority. I want you there personally to make sure that it happens."
André nodded his head in agreement, as if there could be some doubt that he was going to agree with her. "Right, I'm on it. You just make sure they send me up-to-date medical reports so we know what we're dealing with."
"Okay. I'll make sure they send it. I got to get a hold of Robbie's parents to get them to release medical records or I'll get legal to get a court order. Never mind, go ahead and get legal on it and have them race it to the courthouse. Throw all the money you have to at whoever you have to."
The trusted executive nodded his head and replied, "Okay, but you'll call and keep me up-to-date? I just don't want to find out stuff as his medical records coming through the computer."
Jade nodded her head and patted one of his shoulders. "I will. Now get going."
André dashed on his way towards an elevator and Jade gaze followed his departure. In the corner of her eye, she saw Superman idly standing, pacing a little bit at times. She wasn't sure if she should approach him, unsure what to say to him. The problem of having to approach him and try to make conversation was postponed when she spotted Detective Vega and his partner making their way out of the second elevator and down the hallway to cautiously approach the powerful vigilante.
The detectives apparently had been informed of Superman's presence at the hospital as there was no reason for them to visit as there were no known witnesses to the events waiting on news on Robbie.
Superman noticed their approach and turned to face them with a cautious gaze.
Detective Vega cleared his throat and asked, "Mister Superman, would you mind telling us what exactly happened out there?"
"Of course detective, any help I can be. I heard the news about Mister Shapiro's kidnapping and began my search for him. As I was… flying about, I heard the car chase and headed for it. When I arrived, the vehicle the D.A. was inside was on fire. I put it out then got Mister Shapiro out of it to fly him here as quickly as possible."
"That's it?"
"I can only tell you what I saw."
Gary followed up with in a tone that was nearly accusatory, "What about 'The Bat'? The eyewitnesses are saying whoever he was arrived in something like a tank and was there with that madman dressed like a clown in a gun fight with the kidnappers."
"I saw them there and it appeared to me that they were trying to rescue Mister Shapiro from his kidnappers. I was more concerned with getting him help than making any sort of citizen's arrest of individual dressed as a clown and his associates."
"What about 'The Bat'?"
"What about her?"
"'Her'?"
Superman bit his tongue, feeling stupid for letting that bit of information slip when they assumed if such person existed, it must be a man. He rallied himself and answered, "As I said, they were attempting to rescue Mister Shapiro. I'm not one to judge on the choice of attire when trying to defend one's community, but that's exactly what it appeared to me what they were doing—trying to save Mister Shapiro."
The detectives looked to one another, silently exchanging glances about how they noticed that he wouldn't confirm his remark of identifying 'The Bat' as female. They couldn't exactly intimidate him in trying to get more information out of him on that subject, so they had to accept his answer.
Gary on the other hand pressed on a separate avenue of questioning, "What about what your visit to Mister Thronesmith? He told us that you threatened him."
"I was just paying your local mob boss a visit to see if he had any information on the kidnapping of Mister Shapiro."
The graying haired detective looked offended with the accusation towards one of Gotham's leading citizens. He pointed out in a mildly condescending tone, "You threatened Mister Thronesmith's life and accused him of being behind D.A. Shapiro's kidnapping."
Superman looked directly into Gary's eyes and stated with a firm voice, "He's the Mob boss of Gotham, so it was a reasonable assumption since Mister Shapiro is going after them that they would want to eliminate him since he couldn't be bought off. I also know he was the last person to see Steven before he committed 'suicide', so he's not afraid to eliminate people that threaten him. If you believe otherwise, it means you are either delusional or you're on his payroll."
'The Man of Tomorrow' could hear Gary's heartbeat increase, clearly surprised that he could know such a thing. Vega remained quiet as he happened to agree, especially with all the evidence of shady dealings that Thornesmith was up to his eyes.
The graying haired detective stuttered, "And how could you possible know that?"
"I have my sources that show that Mister Mason was the last one to see Mister Carson and someone attempted to destroy the evidence showing it."
Gary dismissively questioned, "Your sources? What are you, a journalist now?"
The blue eyed visitor held back his surprise, believing that he may have gone too far and may have let it slip about his identity. "No, but I keep tabs on some that are investigating what happened… and nothing better happen to them either or…" He let the threat hanging in the air.
Detective Vega couldn't help but agree with the sentiment with wanting to protect people, but there were laws governing how to deal with such occurrences. "You can't just take the law into your own hands."
"What else can a man do when the people we put into positions of authority refuse to enforce the law? Live under tyrants or let the world fall into anarchy?"
The Kryptonian stared back at Gary and softly challenged, "If you care to arrest me for holding such a belief or stopping me for giving Miss Valentine and the people justice… well, try to arrest me."
Gary swallowed down fear bubbling up from his stomach that the costumed do-gooder would carry out his threat.
Detective Vega politely smiled, hoping to turn down tensions and stated, "Thank you for your time."
Superman replied with a doubtful tone, "I hope you are actually able to link the one responsible for this to the crime."
Vega nodded then walked over to his daughter and Cat, hoping to give his condolences and make promises of finding those ultimately responsible. Gary on the other hand turned away and pulled out his cellphone to place a call.
Jade had overheard the conversation. She didn't think it was verbally smooth with how he handled mentioning him monitoring those that were investigating Steven's death, but it apparently satisfied the detectives.
The millionaire's attention was drawn back to her distraught redheaded friend with bloodshot red eyes after Vega departed with a sobbing whisper, "She's going to get away with it, isn't she? She's rich and powerful and no one is going to testify against her… no D.A. is going to bring charges against her because they'll be afraid that they'll end up like…" She cupped her hand over her mouth and let out another cry. Jade blinked and tried to keep herself from crying as she felt the first watery stings behind her eyes. She took a seat on the opposite side of her to Tori and wrapped her arms around her too, pulling her into a hug, brushing her hand up and down the redhead's back. She wanted to say that it was okay, that all those that did this to Robbie would pay and that he would be alright, but she didn't know. Her belief that anyone would face justice wavered and that shook her to her core.
Superman quietly approached whispered, "They won't get away with it, I promise."
Cat dropped her mouth away from her hand and looked at him a new found fiery. She shouted, "Really? They get away with everything! What are you going to do about it?! Huh? You're the 'Man of Steel' You're 'The Superman'! You can leap over tall buildings in a single bound! You're faster than a speeding bullet… why couldn't you save him?"
Superman looked to her with a look of shame and whispered, "I can't save everyone. I may be a superman. I… I might even be a god, but not God. I couldn't… I couldn't even save my own father when he died of a heart attack. I only can do what I can, the same as you… I still have my limits."
Jade blinked as she looked onto the strange visitor from another planet at hearing those words and it triggering a recent memory, confirming what she had realized last night on top of Ace Chemicals and his allusion to them investigating together. She couldn't deny who she was seeing, but… this wasn't the time or the place to confront him with the truth.
His confession gave Cat pause and looked to him sympathetically. She asked in a quiet voice, just above a whisper, "Your father died?"
Superman knelt down in front of her and looked on with a sad expression. "Yes. He died around the time I was graduating high school. I had just come home from football practice… I was the water and towel boy—I'd always have an unfair advantage on the field, so I never played—and when I got home, I kind of goaded him to race me back to the house, but then…"
He paused, looking past the redhead and lost in his own thoughts of the memory that would set him on his path. "I wasn't fast enough to get him help. I hope I was fast enough to save your… your love. I can be just as powerless as the rest of you at times."
Cat bowed her, allowing a heavy silence to fall on them. The time ticked for several seconds before she sniffled again then uttered, "I need to go check to see if there is any news on Robbie."
Superman stood up and offered his hand. She pulled from Tori and Jade's embraces and graciously took it and stood up. She bowed her head and whispered, "Thank you for trying. I'm sorry for snapping at you." She turned and started down the corridor.
Superman, Jade and Tori watched the redhead slowly walk to the reception area to talk to a nurse. His heart broke for her and what made it worse is that he didn't know what he could really do to make sure whoever ordered the hit on Robbie didn't get away with it other than… that was a place he didn't want to go, but if all else failed…
His thoughts were interrupted with a soft hand on his left bicep and a soft, comforting whisper from Jade's, "She means it. She's sorry and it's not your fault. I know—she knows you tried your best."
The blue eyed stranger from another world returned with a weak smile and tired voice, "As kind as your words are Miss West, they don't resolve me of not saving him."
"You can't blame yourself for all of it. We all could have done more. I could have hired private security for him and this wouldn't have happened."
He was quick to reassure her, "This isn't your fault Miss West."
She cracked a smile and parroted, "As kind as your words are Mister Superman, they don't resolve me either."
Tori interrupted with clipped tone, drawing the pair's attention to her, "No, you can't start blaming yourselves. The only person's fault is the one that had Robbie kidnapped. We got to focus on Robbie recovering and putting that person in jail. That's what's important."
The arguing duo looked to the lovely actress. He snorted out a weak breath and answered, "You're right Miss Vega. I know Miss West here is going to make sure that Mister Shapiro gets the proper care and I promise I'll find a way to prove that the Mob was behind and they'll face justice."
Jade softly nodded along and asked, "Where do we start? All the kidnappers are dead, so we're not going to get any confession from them. We have to find some way to link Mrs. Lee to this."
"We start?" He shook his head and sharply pointed out, "This is far too dangerous for you Miss West."
"Look, I've already been investigating with Mister Benson, the one you've obviously been keeping tabs on to know that we are the ones that uncovered that Mason was the one that saw Steven just before his 'suicide'."
Superman licked his lips and tightened a smile before answering, "Yes I have. I know Mister Benson and once I heard of the incident at your home, I knew he would start to investigate what happened. I am concerned about his safety."
Tori looked astonished, certainly surprised with the revelation, "You have? You have proof he was there?"
Jade looked to her old friend and answered, "Yes, we have video of Mason leaving Steven's room just before they found him. It looks like he could have easily tossed him out the window then walked out before they came to the room."
The actress demanded with a lace of anger, "Why don't the cops have that? My dad could use it to finally get Mason."
"It's not enough for Robbie to prosecute with. It only shows that he was there, not that he threw him out of the window. Someone actively tried to cover that up and now they tried to kill Robbie. We don't have enough, but we were getting close enough for them to try this."
Tori wasn't aware if Jade or Superman knew about Mason's stolen documents linking him to various front companies, but the mobster certainly did know. Her stomach sank that perhaps she could have been partially responsible for what happened to Robbie as that was Mason's move to prevent her friend from starting his prosecutions.
Her feelings must have shown on her face because Jade asked, "Tori? Are you okay?"
The brunette looked to Jade's worried expression. She cleared her throat and answered, "I'm fine. You should listen to ah… Mister Superman. If Mason finds out that you know that, he could target you."
Jade thankfully smiled for the concern her former rival had for her safety, but pointed out, "I'll be fine. I'm far too high profile."
Tori interrupted with a fierce counter, "Like Robbie? You're the one that just said that you should have hired him security. Shouldn't you do the same for yourself?"
"I can't exactly investigate if I'm being surrounded by bodyguards."
The lighter haired brunette implored, "Then stay here with Robbie and I'll go investigate. I'll blend right in and wouldn't think I was doing anything."
"You investigate? Playing that computer hacker one time on television doesn't make you an investigative expert and you would stand out, you're a movie star."
The brunette frowned, crossing her arms under her chest and answered with nearly a pout, "Hey, I'll have you know that I extensively studied for the role and learned a lot of things on both sides of the justice system in crime and how to investigate them and did you forget that I'm a cop's daughter?"
Superman spoke up, his disbelief lacing his voice, "Are you listening to yourselves? You want to continue to investigate the Mob after they tried to murder your friend. You've seen how dangerous these people are and it's no place for a woman."
Tori challenged, feeling a sliver of offense, "And it's alright because you're a man?"
The handsome people's champion returned with a lazy gaze and answered in a nearly flippant tone, "Because I'm bullet proof. I don't know of any way I can be harmed while you…"
He trailed off, splitting his gaze between the lovely pair.
Jade cautiously questioned, seeing the struggle in his blue eyes, "While we're what?"
"Very fragile and precious," he answered in a tired and praising voice of them.
Tori's sourness abided and bashfully smiled, taking it as a bit of flattery while Jade gave him a contemplative gaze.
The millionaire tight lipped grin and commented, "Well, it's my choice to make and I'm going to find a way to nail them. I'm going to call my partner in this, Mister Benson, and we're going to continue to get evidence against them. If you want to argue with someone, you can argue with him."
Superman squared his jaw, looking as if he wanted to argue with her, but couldn't voice the words.
Jade fought back a smirk, feeling a bit empowered that she was able to put the strongest person on the planet under her thumb.
Tori noticed the unspoken exchange, sensing that there was something more between the pair than first glance. She studied their expressions, trying to ferret out what that something. Jade's was easy to read with all the years they knew each other, seeing that she had the edge in the conversation for some unknown reason. Superman's expression was a little more difficult as this was the first time she met him, however, the more she studied Superman's face, the more he looked familiar, but just couldn't place his face while he struggled to regain the initiative.
However, as she watched them, she noticed two things. One, Jade's mind was very much made up and it would be near impossible to convince her otherwise, but the second, and perhaps the more important thing—more of a feeling—was that she was intruding on something and started feeling uncomfortable as when she was dragged into Jade and Beck's fights when they were in high school. She had to be misreading it though as this was the first time Jade and 'The Superman' had met and there couldn't have been anything going on between them.
Tori licked her lips then informed Jade, "Fine, if you're going to do that—be that stubborn about this, I'm going to stay with Cat, but you better have someone keep an eye out on you." She made it a point to focus on Superman as she wrapped up her statement then quickly darted her eyes between the pair and finished, "And you two clearly have things to talk about."
The actress turned and started on her way to Robbie's room to join the couple.
As soon as Jade was confident Tori was out of earshot, she took a step towards him, closing the distance so hopefully no one else would hear her softly snapped at him, "Oh cut the chizz Freddie… it's just a pair of glasses and…" Her voice dropped even further and sympathetically remarked, "I can see past the 'S'."
Freddie swallowed, visibly startled that she so easily recognized him, though if he was honest with himself, he shouldn't have been surprised.
Jade continued on, not wanting to dwell on the significance of what she had said, "You are not cutting me out of getting Mason for Steven's murder and now what they did to Robbie. This is personal."
He took a soft breath while he tried to gather his wits then answered in just as a quiet voice, "And I can see past the mask… but that doesn't mean it isn't any less dangerous for you now. They tried to kill a sitting D.A. If they realize you're investigating and think you're close to something, they could put you in their crosshairs and try to murder you."
The millionaire crossed her arms under her chest and raised an eyebrow. "As you just gave away to the police?"
Superman knotted his brow, lost for a moment as to what she meant.
"You just told them that you know of evidence linking Mason to Steven's death and if either one of them is on Mason's payroll—Gary most likely—they're going to tell him that someone is looking deeper into it. It's not going to be that hard for them to figure out that it's been us investigating. You just warned them not to mess with 'us'."
Superman opened his mouth and was about to retort until he realize that she had him dead to rights with her point.
Jade raised an eyebrow and let a confident smirk play on her face. "I'm going to have to stick close to you now just to stay safe if they're willing to come after me—as you just said."
Freddie closed his eyes, sighing and shaking his head at seeing that she had him in a verbal vice. He opened his eyes and smiled, thinking he had an effective counter, "And you wouldn't be safer in your mansion or West Tower surrounded by an army of security guards?"
The city's golden girl glanced down and to her right, thinking on his point then answered with another devious smile. "I don't know how much a student of history you are, but how many people have been assassinated by their guards after being paid off by their enemies?"
Superman sighed and shook his head, knowing full well the numbers of time it had happened in human history. She was not only stubborn, but made quite the valid and logical points. "Fine, okay, we stick together, but if there is any danger then you let me handle it since I am the 'Man of Steel' and… you wouldn't be dressed for the occasion."
Jade slightly tilted her head to the side and tightened her arms around her abdomen. He was compromising, so she figured she would too, so she answered, "Okay, deal."
"Right."
The pair fell into an awkward silence, unsure what each should say or do next.
Jade took a breath, gathering her thoughts on the situation and remembering when thy realized the other then gently uttered, "Sorry for hitting you… back at Ace Chemicals."
"It's okay…" He broke into a gentle smile. "…I didn't really feel it."
"I certainly did," Jade muttered in mild disgust. She clenched and opened her right hand, recalling how hitting him was like hitting a brick wall.
Freddie took her hand in his palm and lifted it between them. He took a quick glance over her hand and confidently stated, "There's no broken bones, but just a little muscle inflammation."
"So it's true you can look through things—X-ray vision."
"Yes, but it's not really X-rays… no radiation."
She half smirked, keeping her eyes on him delicately holding her hand. "At least you're not looking through my clothes and seeing what color underwear I'm wearing."
Freddie straightened his posture and firmly stated, "I wouldn't do that."
Jade cocked her formally pierced eyebrow and licked her lips, deviously teasing, "You've never done that before? Take a peek of a girl you liked?"
Freddie looked and fought a blush that wanted to form on his face. He struggled to answer, "There was an accident in high school when I was first developing the power. I ah… never mind, it's not important."
The millionaire saw that he was genuinely embarrassed about whatever story he was remembering, so she decided to let up, "I'm just teasing."
Freddie let go of her hand and politely answered, "Thank you."
A silence fell between them, one that was bound to happen several more times now that the truth was out between them.
Jade couldn't stand it, so she followed up her original comment, wanting to distract from the silence with a bit more teasing, "They're black by the way."
"What?"
"My underwear, they're black… just for the record."
Freddie was blushing at this point, drawing a soft laugh past Jade's lips. What embarrassment he was feeling was brushed away at hearing the sound of her laughter. It was soothing and stirred a spark of happiness in his heart, something he though only one girl's laugh brought to him. He spoke without realizing, "It's good to hear you laugh."
She raised the back of her hand to her mouth and admonished herself, "I shouldn't be laughing at a time like this."
The reporter playing hero was about to disagree, but were interrupted with the approach of Beck and Sam stand at the end of the hallway, dressed in casual attire.
Superman's easygoing expression turned on a dime and a flare of angry rose at the sight of the gangsters. He walked to the pair and stopped just in front of Beck. He glared at the mob captain and demanded, "Your friend was nearly burned to death because of your mob buddies and you have the nerve to show up here?"
Beck returned the glare and hissed out, "I tried to save him."
The 'Man of Tomorrow' challenged, the anger filling his voice as he countered, "Save him? You're a mobster just like the rest of them. Your boss had to order him dead."
Beck met Superman's penetrating gaze and held his ground as he had no intention of being bullied or lectured when it came to his concern for his friend.
"My 'boss' set me up to die last night—which you actually saved me by the way—and it was us and the Bat that were trying to save Robbie. You're the one that showed up late."
Superman clenched his jaw tighter, unable to counter Beck's point for the moment.
Sam didn't like the standoff forming between her love and Superman, so she slowly reached to her right into the lining of her leather jacket.
Superman caught her moment from the corner of his eye and passed a look to her to curtly warn her, "You really think shooting me is going to work?"
The long haired gangster looked to Sam, the eye contact being enough to dissuade her from doing anything stupid. He turned his attention back to the costumed do-gooder and hissed in return, "Mason wouldn't order any such thing. Trying to kill a D.A. is simply insane and he wouldn't dare target law enforcement. It had to be Mrs. Lee because she thought the only way to get the heat off was to kill him and send a message to everyone in the D.A.'s office not to mess with them, but I will deal with Mrs. Lee. I will make her pay for this."
The refugee from another planet snorted dismissively, "He could have easily just looked away. Why should I believe you? And even if I did, why should I let you try instead of flying you right to the police station? You're still a mobster who is probably responsible with any number of crimes. They were looking to arrest you last night."
Jade slipped up behind Superman without the others noticing being so caught up in the conversation and quietly asked, "Don't."
The muscular alien looked to Jade, hesitant in responding but his facial expression suggested that he was struggling with the consideration.
Beck's eyes darted back and forth, quite surprised at seeing that Superman was actually being gotten to by Jade. She was a beautiful and enticing woman, something he knew intimately, but to think she could have such an immediate effect on the blue Boy Scout was a surprise even to him. Sam had the same thought as her instincts picked up something perhaps more than two strangers conversing.
The handsome mobster set his concerns aside for the moment and attempted to take advantage of the unexpected support. He looked to his ex and stated with a tone of finality while ignoring Superman, "Look, no A.D.A is going to get her in front of a jury and get a conviction. I'm going to end this by putting her in her grave. You know it and I know it."
Jade studied his first love, debating his words—the same words that she thought while she attempted to comfort Cat. She softly whispered, "Let him go."
The long haired young man as well as the kryptonian looked to her with a confused expression.
"Please… F—Superman, just let him go." She looked to Beck and used the same tone, "Just give us a little time Beck to be able to prove Mrs. Lee is behind this. If none of the local prosecutors won't touch it then we'll get the Feds involved. I can throw my weight around. I have the money. You're not going to have to kill her."
Beck looked dubious and shared the sentiment with Superman. The red and blue dressed hero incredulously replied, "You can't expect me to just let him go when I know he's planning to murder someone."
"You were suggesting to Detective Vega that you were going to do the same thing to Mason."
Superman reacted with a surprise raised brow.
Jade shrugged a shoulder. "I did overhear your conversation with Tori's dad and his partner." She continued, sounding as if she swearing a vow, "He's not going to murder anyone because we're going to get the proof we need to put her in prison."
Superman stared at her, wanting to have that faith in her and in a way, faith in himself that he could bring the person responsible to justice. He debated for several seconds whether to take that leap then reluctantly nodded. He looked to Beck and bluntly stated, "Miss West wants her chance and you're going to give it to her. If you don't, I will find you and I will personally hand you to the police commissioner."
Beck held his stare, refusing to be intimidated by the vastly stronger man. After several seconds where he was satisfied that he had stood his ground, Beck looked to his ex and answered, "Twenty-four hours for you Jade but after that, I'm going to put a bullet into that bitch's head for Robbie and Cat's sake."
Sam added with a colder tone, "Or I will."
Jade forced a smile and answered, "Okay. Thank you."
Superman sighed, clearly not liking the idea of setting an artificial time in trying to bring someone to justice or someone would die. He decided to remain silent, but he certainly wasn't going to agree to such a thing.
Beck nodded then asked, "How is Robbie?"
Jade wrapped her arms over her stomach and answered with deep regret, "He's still in the burn center, but what little we know is that he was several burned on one side of his face and on his left hand."
Beck palmed his forehead and turned to pace a few steps away from them.
The brisk demeanor that Sam wore vanished like a puff of smoke with her face fell in sorrow and questioned, "How's Cat?"
"She's barely holding it together, but we're here for her. Tori is with her right now."
Beck turned back to look at them and spat in disgust, "All the more reason to put that bitch down now."
The blonde looked to her companion, agreeing with his opinion but decided to the ironic and literal voice of calm, "Beck…"
The long hair gangster sighed, keeping his back to them to hide his frustrated expression.
Jade looked over her shoulder towards the burn ward then suggested in order to prevent another argument and her genuine concern, "You better get going before the cops they have guarding Robbie spot you."
Beck spun to face them, wearing a cold expression, but his eyes shined his gratefulness of his ex watching out for him. "Keep an eye on him." Seeing that there was nothing else to discuss, he turned and headed back to the elevator.
Sam waited for a second and rested a gentle hand under Jade's elbow and asked in a bashful tone, "Tell Cat we stopped by?"
The posturing between positions and morality were forgotten and just the compassion for friends rose to the surface.
"Tell her I'm…" She looked over her shoulder to Beck waiting for her at the elevator. Her eyes returned to Jade and finished, not caring that she and Beck had simply admitted they were the clown criminals, "…I'm sorry we couldn't have done more for them."
"I will."
The friends shared a hug then the blonde pulled away and headed to catch up with Beck.
Superman looked to Jade and was about to question further why she had pushed for such a race in bringing Mrs. Lee to justice, but she cut off any kind of argument with a brisk tone, "Come on, we got to link Mrs. Lee to this before Beck does something will all regret."
The millionaire made her way to the nurses' station to inform her that she was leaving and to contact her the moment there was news… or she would have to answer to the hospital board.
Nozu Japanese Restaurant
Gotham City, NJ
Detective Vega pulled his vehicle in one of the front parking spots of the restaurant as the lunch had passed and it was several hours away from the after school lunch crowd, there were just a handful of cars in the parking lot.
As he put the vehicle in park and turned off the ignition, Gary from the passenger seat sighed, "I think this is a waste of time. It's not as if she's simply going to confess and if it is any of her people, she'll deny all involvement."
"You're probably right, but we have to get a statement anyway. It's her people and it's her vehicle; we'd be neglectful or worst accused of a cover up if we didn't question her."
The graying partner nodded his head in acknowledgement before they stepped out of the vehicle then headed for the entrance. They entered the high class oriental restaurant and took a cursory glance around for any potential dangers, a good habit to have as a police officer in any city. They saw a handful of patrons at the circular bar at the center of the restaurant with a number of others scattered at the various tables.
The tailored-suit wearing young man approached the detectives and greeted them with a warm welcome, "Afternoon gentlemen, we can seat you right away."
Vega pulled out his wallet, showing the young man his badge and politely answered with a smile, "We're not here to eat. I'm Detective Vega and this is my partner, Detective Mitchell. We would like to speak to Mrs. Lee. It's of the utmost importance."
The manager kept on his pleasant smile and answered, "I'm sorry, but Mrs. Lee isn't here at the moment."
Gary asked, "Where can we find her?"
"I believe she's at a meeting with Mister Thornesmith. If you can give your information, I'll be sure to inform her as soon as she's available."
Vega gave a near amusing expression as he slipped his identification back into his blazer pocket then asked, "Well perhaps you could answer a few of questi—"
"I'm sorry, I don't wish to speak with you without her presence… and her attorney."
The detectives shared tightening smiles at him immediately invoking his right to remain silent and wanting a lawyer. Vega maintained his cordial demeanor and asked, "Could we speak with some of the other employees? Perhaps they may know something of inconsequential that could help us in solving the who's and why's of what happened.
"I'm sorry, but we're quite busy and I would suggest they do the same as I about waiting for Mrs. Lee's return."
Vega added a little edge to his voice, hinting that he was losing patience, but still wanting to keep the visible tension down, "You do realize that this is a kidnapping and attempted murder investigation that involves a number of her employees and delivery truck to this business."
The gentleman smiled, showing complete at ease around the detectives despite the seriousness of the situation while facing shared potential culpability with Mrs. Lee and his co-workers on Robbie's life, and answered, "All the more reason why I or anybody else here shouldn't talk to you without the presence of legal counsel. In the zeal to bring justice for what happened to the D.A., innocent people could be caught up and unfairly prosecuted simply for being coworkers. The city may want blood and not care who they get it from… a government approved lynch mob?"
Detective Vega tightened his smile, frustrated with the lack of the cooperation with at least the unwillingness to scapegoat someone to avoid taking a harder look at his possible involvement. The code of silence for the outfit was in effect, so he would have to come up with something to break it.
Gary spoke up with a civil tone and a nod of his head, "Well, we won't keep you from your paying customers."
Vega glanced to his partner to question such a move, but Gary slightly shrugged his shoulders, believing there wasn't anything they were going to get out of the young man with him lawyering up.
The young attendant returned a professional smile and answered, "I hope you gentleman will have a pleasant afternoon and good luck in finding the real culprits behind Mister Shapiro's kidnapping."
Vega tightened the muscles in his jaw just a little more at the dig, but he reminded himself that he would enjoy the look on the young man's face after busting him and the rest of them for Robbie's kidnapping.
The detectives turned and quietly made their way out of the restaurant.
The host's friendly smile disappeared in an instant the detectives' backs were turned and he turned to head for the office area of the restaurant in order to call Mrs. Lee and inform her of the situation.
As the detective walked back to Vega's car, Gary nearly snickered as he began, "I told you—"
"If you finish that statement, I'm leaving you out here."
He shook his head and slipped into the passenger seat before Vega decided to really leave him.
Gotham Community Hospital
Gotham, NJ
Cat sat beside Robbie's bed, gently holding his right hand while the soft beeps of the monitors filled the room. Robbie was quite under with the amount of drugs pumping through his system and fortunately, he was in stable condition for the time being. The left side of his face and left arm was covered with white bandages while the rest of him was dressed in a standard hospital nightgown.
Tori quietly waited at the entrance to the room, partially hiding behind the door and feeling as if she was intruding in the private moment. Several seconds passed before she quietly cleared her throat and entered the room, closing the door behind her, and whispered to the Cat, "How is he?"
Cat wouldn't take her eyes off her love and answered, "His face is really burned… third degree burns—perhaps fourth. He may have lost the eye. They're talking about skin grafts and worried about infections. The next twenty-four hours will be touch and go and… I don't know what to do if…"
Tori knelt down beside her and cupped Cat's cheeks in her hands to turn her head to meet her eyes. She answered with a voice filled with confidence, "He's going to be fine. He's going to be alright. Everyone is doing everything they can to help him. Jade's got the whole medical department coming up with everything they can to help."
The redhead didn't look convinced, slipping more into despair.
The brunette actress sighed and dropped her hands from the smaller young woman's face. She forced a smile and stated, "You could take a break. I'll stay with him."
Cat shook her head, showing on her face that was the last thing she wanted to do and a bit of anger for Tori even suggesting such a thing. "No, I want him to know I'm here with him. I'm not going to abandon him."
"You're not abandoning him. You just need a bit of rest. He would understand that. You can't look after him if you can't take care of yourself."
The redhead remained silent, looking with strained patience as even she could see that Tori was just trying to distract her away from her pain.
Tori eyes darted back and forth and hummed and hawed for a second, desperately trying to think of something else she could suggested so that Cat wouldn't spiral herself into further guilt and exhaustion.
"Hey, aren't some of your plants used for skin conditions? Burns? Maybe you have something in your lab that they can use to help Robbie?"
Cat cocked her head to the side and looked incredulous at her friend, almost insulted by the suggestion. "It's third degree burns. I don't have anything that could regenerate skin like that. I need a miracle."
"Try anyway. Make your miracle. You've come up with all kind of treatments with plants. Even if you can't do something like that, you could have something that can battle any kind of infection he could pick up. That's what they're worried about."
The botanist thought on Tori's point, one that made more and more sense as her mind turned over the suggestion. She had developed a number of treatments while at West Medical in the field of infections.
Cat nodded her head and then opened up her arms.
Tori opened her arms and pulled her dear friend into a hug, hoping that the simple gesture could bring a little comfort to her long time friend.
The redhead pulled away enough to meet Tori's eyes and asked, "If he wakes up, you tell him where I am and call me, okay?"
The brunette return with a genuine smile and answered, "The moment he wakes up, I'll tell him then I'll give you a call."
Cat forced the smile she didn't feel then pulled away to head out and hopefully do something productive.
Conference Room #3
Ellsworth Building
Gotham City, NJ
Mason stood at the end of the hardwood meeting table with his hands resting on the well-polished surface. His nostrils flared as he tried to remain calm, but the look in his eyes and clenched jaw showed that there was a burning inferno ready to go off.
Shawn Quincy remained impassive as he sat on one side of the table in his usual seat, but he was wise enough to be cautious around the usually calm and reasonable gangster.
Mrs. Lee instead of sitting in her usual spot on the other side of the table to Quincy, she was sitting on the opposite end of the table to the mob boss. It was on obvious confrontational seating arrangement where Mason was going to call her out on the carpet, especially since none of their assistants or bodyguards were in the room.
Mason slowly hissed out, staring daggers at the female mob boss, "Do you have any idea what you have done?"
Mrs. Lee met his stare and confidently answered, believing wholeheartedly that she had done the right thing, "A favor for all of us. I did what was necessary—something you weren't willing to do."
"Necessary? You kidnapped and tried to murder the District Attorney in broad daylight!"
She thought she would be cute and point out, "He's not dead, but he might as well be and it sends the same message: do not mess with us. No one will be willing investigating or trying to prosecute us for anything." She dismissively laughed, "You're the one that said it was alright for me to take care of it."
Mason answered with a near growl, his temper slipping as he spoke, "Yes, as I assumed you would handle it quietly as if it was a plausible accident and no connection to us, not where there's a car chase, an open gunfight in the middle of the city and Superman flying about! You have lost your mind!"
The deadly crime boss didn't appreciate the insult and returned with an equally challenging glare.
Thornesmith continued with his anger ready to boil completely over, "Do you realize how badly you screwed this up? The city will have to come down hard on us. They are going to shine such a spotlight on us that you'll think we're in a performance."
"You know the mayor—"
The mob boss snapped in interruption, "He will have to bring the whole police force down on you—Dickers can't cover for us—and we'll get caught in the crossfire. He will not be made of as a fool and that's what it will look like unless he brings someone to be held accountable. He is not going to become a lame duck or face a recall."
Mrs. Lee snorted out a breath, still unconvinced anything would happen to her. "The ones that kidnapped him are dead—"
"Are your people using your van! They'll have to investigate you and turn a hard eye on the rest of us with our connections. The cops are already probably after you and—" He raised a finger to point to her. "—if they ask me where you are, I'll tell them exactly where if I know. I'm not going down with you and I bloody well know Quincy won't either."
The other mob boss remained quiet, happy that the two were going at each other's throats, but he couldn't agree more with Mason in his assessment, especially the part about going down for any of them.
Lee got up from her seat and shouted, "You traitorous son-of-a-bitch!"
Mason was about to snap back, but Quincy verbally jumped into the conversation, seeing the opportunity for an 'I told you so' and perhaps strengthen his own hand. "Could we save the name calling and focus on the problem at hand—and not forget 'The Bat' and now Superman are involved—openly involved."
Thornesmith stood up straight and clenched his jaw so tight he threatened to crack some molars. He hissed out, "Yes, 'The Superman'… that's another thing your damn stunt has done other than letting the world see him get involve with the troubles of Gotham: while they were searching for Shapiro, he stopped by for a visit, believing I had something to do with the kidnapping and now he's on a mission to bring me down. You've put me and this entire organization in his crosshairs."
Quincy stared in stunned silence at hearing that his worst fears had come to pass.
Mrs. Lee flushed with anger and embarrassment. She attempted to deflect, "What about Beck? I would have dealt with Shapiro and this wouldn't have happened if he hadn't interfered. He had to make a damn spectacular mess out of a simple disappearance. You were supposed to deal with him in the first place. Hell, maybe he was working for you all along and the whole thing at the chemical plant was an act."
Mason turned his deadly gaze back to Mrs. Lee and spat out, "If I was behind him doing the whole 'Joker' bit and I knew you would screw this up so bad, I would have told him to get Shapiro back anyway and to put a bullet into your damn head for our troubles… he's done one out of two so far. Maybe I should let him slide with everything just to deal with you."
Mrs. Lee looked as if she was about to jump on the table and charge at him with the furious gaze.
The elder mob boss held his judgmental gaze and let the tension simmer for a second, reminding them all that he controlled the room then continued, "Beck, the Joker, whatever is the least of my worries right now. I have Superman and 'The Bat' coming after us, assuming they have joined together and have to figure out a way to deal with them."
Mrs. Lee suggested what she thought was obvious, "Then we deal with it like we deal with all our problems: buy them off or we kill 'The Bat' and 'The Superman'."
Quincy interrupted, his patience for her stupidity approaching their limits, "How do you suppose we do that? Assuming the Bat really just a person in a costume and really isn't some supernatural creature, we might be able to kill her, but Superman is damn bulletproof—hell, maybe even tank-proof. I don't know how we would kill him."
She spat out in disgust, "Use enough explosives and you'll kill anything."
The fellow mob boss rolled his eyes, unable to deal with her naïve answer. "And how do you propose we do that? Blow up part of the city and hope it actually kills him?"
Lee starred darkly at him, read to lash out at him too, but Thornesmith took his turn to interrupt, "Right now, 'The Bat' and 'The Superman' is not your worry."
"Oh? Why not? You said they were after all of us now."
"You'll be too busy being gone."
Mrs. Lee whispered in a slow, dark tone, "What do you mean 'gone'?"
"I mean you need to get out of town as quickly and as quietly as possible, somewhere where you won't draw a lot of attention. A vacation down in Havana would be a good choice."
The idea that he was threatening her life was one thing, but to suggest she run away was just insulting towards her. She practically growled, "I'm not running away from the cops or some freak in a bat costume or overgrown circus performer."
"Then you are on your own with all of them."
She laughed, outright laughed for a moment then responded, "I just made sure no D.A. will prosecute us. I don't have anything to fear from the cops. I'll personally shoot that bat freak and Superman… even gods can die."
Mason dismissively snorted out, "Well if you have a sure fire method of killing a god, good luck to you since I doubt the Good Lord will answer our prayers in dealing with him."
Mrs. Lee's temper was to the breaking point with his judgment and mocking of her. She was about to let out a verbal tongue lashing at him, but the doors behind Mason and the one behind her opened up and several suited men in clown masks came pouring inside armed with Tommy Guns and shotguns.
The mob bosses turned in the direction of the men fanning out around the room. They instinctively reached for the weapons they carried on their persons, but since tensions were so high, all agreed to enter the room unarmed with the reassurance that their respective bodyguards remained outside.
They had no time for self-condemnation as the men took up positions around them and the leader slowly walked inside from the entrance behind Mason's seat.
The head mob boss turned to his captain in the clown makeup and held a guarded expression at seeing the purple dressed young man.
Joker grinned, appearing quite delighted in being there and greeted his hostages, "Why hello lady and gentlemen, it's very nice to see you."
They cautiously observed him for several seconds, debating the reason for his appearance—presumably to kill them after Mason had double-cross him.
Mason cautiously returned the greeting, "Hello Beck."
"Beck? Beck you say?" He looked over to his blonde companion dressed in her red and black leather that had followed behind him and walked to the other side of the table, quite comfortable holding her Tommy Gun and questioned, "My dear, have you heard of this 'Beck' fellow?"
The grotesque Harlequin devilishly smiled, a bit of madness glinting in her eyes as she answered, "I'm sorry Mister J; I've never heard of the fellow."
Joker brushed some hair out of his face with his purple gloved hand and dismissively remarked, "Well, if he was that important, he'd be worth remembering."
Quincy looked at the young man in disgust and spat out, "Cut the chizz Beck; we all know it's you. The makeup is good, but not that good."
Joker walked to Quincy and grabbed him by the collar and pulled him to his feet, shoving the barrel of his .45 under the mob boss's chin. "Is that so? You think the makeup isn't enough?"
Quincy stared Joker straight in the eyes and saw something he quite couldn't place, anger, perhaps a little madness. He looked to Mason and demanded, "Call your boy off."
Mason motioned a hand toward Joker and near flippantly answered, "You heard him. He's the 'Joker'. I'm not his boss."
The native mob boss gave Mason a deathly stare, one promising that he would end him if he survived the Joker.
The green haired clown continued, "He's right. He's not my boss…" Joker looked to Mason and grinned. "I'm just a free agent… a free agent here to collect on a debt."
Quincy laughed, taking refuge in audacity instead of cowering in fear with the .45 stuffed under his chin, "Debt? You're worried about some debt? Your life isn't going to be worth spit when my boys get a hold of you. You think you'll get out of this building alive?"
Joker licked his red painted lips and chuckled, "Oh, I'm getting out of here alive, don't you fret. If me, my girl and my boys don't get out of here alive…"
He monetarily re-holstered his weapon then reached into a vest pocket and pulled out what looked like a little remote control. "…then none of us will leave this building alive."
Mason cautiously asked, "What do you mean?"
"Oh, I have a van filled with explosives parked in the underground parking lot right next at one of the corners of the building." He flipped open the safety latch over a switch and finished, "And if I flip this little switch… it goes boom, taking out the corner then…" He whistled at a high pitch, softly lowering it as to the sound of something falling. "Timber…"
The white painted face gangster started softly laughing that quickly turned into something almost manic.
The three gangsters took a second to process what he had told them then shared horrified looks.
The purple dressed criminal's laugh died off then mockingly pointed out, "So… I have the floor."
He closed the safety latch and stuffed it back into his pocket then he shoved Quincy back in his seat then walked around the back of the chair to head for the end of the table. He took a seat on the left hand corner to Mrs. Lee and gently smiled, studying the woman and giving her a leering expression.
The mobster eyed him back without a sliver of fear having regained her composure.
Joker chuckled, barely kept his anger in check, "Mrs. Lee… you and I have some business to attend."
"I have nothing to say to you—freak."
Joker smiled, not fazed at all by the insult then leaned forward to invade her personal space to answer, "Then listen. You can do that… you will do that." He sat back up and continued, "My debt I'm here to collect. A life for a life. You tried to kill my friend and at the moment, he's in the hospital in not so good condition. He may not survive the day."
"So you want my life in payment over the sniveling mop-head?"
"Simply yes. It is personal for us and… you broke the rules. This organization thrives with order and you going off on your own for a hit… one on a public servant no less… it doesn't work that way."
"Rules? You're lecturing me on rules… you… you agent of chaos. That's what you've brought us with hitting our places then making a spectacle with one little job to get rid of Shapiro."
Joker slightly raised his chin, contemplating the woman's words for several seconds then burst out laughing, "'An Agent of Chaos'? That seems so… pretentious." He calmed his laughing and continued, finding her line of thinking amusing, "The universe runs on rules… to deny such a thing is… insane."
He gently chuckled, finding the humor that they believed he was insane yet lecturing them about sanity. "We emulate the universe with establishing our own rules or it would be sheer anarchy. That can be fun for a while, but… I don't know about you… but I enjoy air conditioning, heat… indoor plumbing…"
Lee countered, glaring at who she saw was an insignificant little worm, "Yes, there are and the most important is the strong rule over the weak and crush all that oppose them."
Joker held his grin and readily agreed, "That is the most primal rule isn't it? Let's just hope the Superman doesn't hold the same view or we're all janked… but, we do have other rules and you broke one when you went after Robbie: you targeted a public servant for a hit."
Mrs. Lee smiled, looking past Joker and towards Quincy and Mason. "We voted and it was approved."
Joker paused, processing the news, weighing whether or not she was telling the truth. He looked over his shoulder to meet Mason and Quincy's eyes to confirm her assertion which caused him to grin nearly manically. "A vote? You all approved? Well then, that changes everything."
Quincy cautiously asked, "It does?"
The green haired criminal lazily answered, "Yes, it means I'll have to kill you all in the end."
Quincy stiffened, but wore a defiant expression while Mason responded with a guarded, almost lazy expression.
Mrs. Lee took her turn to laugh, "You're going to kill us all? You want to balance the scales? You already killed a number of my people; isn't that enough?"
"Those unfortunate dumb souls were simply the ones that got in my way, you… you're the one behind it all and Mason and Quincy are now culpable. You began it, you'll end it… the scales will be balanced."
"You want justice?"
"I want vengeance and I'll have it…"
"Then go ahead and try, but my people—my family will hunt you down and no one escapes our vengeance."
Joker nodded his head back and forth as if a soft song started playing in his head, showing that her threats didn't hold any meaning to him. He turned a manic grin towards Mrs. Lee and softly chuckled, "Perhaps… but I'm not going to kill you right now."
Mrs. Lee partially squinted, studying who she couldn't decide was a madman or not. "And why is that? Lose your nerve that easily?"
"Well, you see…"
Joker got up from his seat and walked behind her, partially stooping down to rest his chin on her right shoulder. "I made a deal with Superman. He has twenty-four hours to prove you were behind kidnapping and attempting to murder Shapiro and if he can't…"
He stood up and walked back in front of her and drew a second pistol from under his long purple coat, a long barrel revolver, then pointed it at her face. "…I'll kill you… now that I think about it, why should I wait?"
He pulled the trigger.
Mrs. Lee jerked back, but the round she expected to go into her face never fired. Instead, there was a loud pop and flag unfurling with the message: 'POP!'
Joker started laughing, louder and louder as he walked around and behind Mrs. Lee, leaving the woman startled and taking several deep breaths to try to calm his nerves. He threw the toy gun on the table, continuing to laugh as he passed his gaze over the rest of the room's occupants.
They others looked nervous, wondering if he had really gone mad by slipping into his persona.
The white face painted mob soldier abruptly stopped laughing and turned to face Mrs. Lee, drawing out his .45 again and pressing the barrel to her left cheek just under her eye. He softly hissed, "Or maybe I should say to hell with it and really blow your brains out?"
The pair's eyes bore into one another, seeing who would figuratively blink first.
The contest was interrupted when Mason gently brought up, "Be—Joker, if you do this, you'll really start a war with us. It's one thing to knock off a few speakeasies and gambling halls, it's another to actually kill one of the bosses… or attempt to kill the rest of us."
The unofficial leader retook his seat and continued, acting as if the was still in charge of the situation, "All our seconds—my third—will come after you in vengeance and to eliminate you, your girlfriend and your gang. You'll have all of organized crime of Gotham after you."
If the members of the Joker's crew were getting nervous with the observation, they didn't show any signs of it from behind their masks.
Joker pulled his gun from Lee's face and hopped on the table, sitting cross-legged with a goofy grin on his face.
"Perhaps, perhaps, but… you've all made it a point to keep your top underlines morons that can't wipe their own asses without instructions from you. If anything, it would be a feeding frenzy as they try to cannibalize one another to try to claw their way to the top. You think they'll hold this little organization together? If you're lucky, the New York outfits would take over."
The three mob bosses passed looks to one another, unable to disagree with their hostage taker's points. All three had children that could potentially take their places, but it was questionable whether they would have the support of their respective groups to take over or have the ruthlessness to maintain their position.
However, what was the most infuriating was the idea that the Five Families in New York would butt their noses into taking over their territory if something happened to them. They had worked hard not to be some vassal families to Lucky Luciano such as Capone with his crew in Chicago and families in Philadelphia. They were not about to start now to answer to them.
Joker could see he had cut deep with the suggestion and wanted the wound to fester, so he demanded, "Get out, all of you. Mason and I need a little talk."
Quincy and Lee shared looks, wondering if this was their chance to make their escape.
Mason's patience was wearing thin Beck, especially when he presumed to give orders in his building. However, the war veteran was a patient man which kept him alive in the trenches during the Great War. He pleasantly smiled and answered, "It's alright. I'd like to have a nice sit down with him."
Joker smiled, eager for the private chat with the boss. He dismissively nodded his head towards the door behind him and instructed the other two mob bosses, "You heard your boss."
Quincy wanted nothing more than either put a bullet in the clown's head or strangle him with his bare hands from the insult.
Joker called out over his shoulder, "Don't go too far Mrs. Lee. You'll just be tired when I catch up with you… unless you want to save Superman the trouble in proving you were behind it and turn yourself into the police and admit everything."
Mrs. Lee looked to him with a perplexed expression.
Joker half smirked and answered in a low tone, "I'm a man of my word."
The clown criminal's faithful companion rightfully asked with blatant concern, "Joker?"
Joker for the first time displayed a genuine, reassuring smile and answered, "It's alright Harley my dear. I'm the one with the gun and you can always come back in here and blow his head off."
Harley turned a dark glare to Mason, a warning not to lay a hand on her love's green hair or she would do such that.
Quincy didn't like being dismissed, but he thought it was better to simple get out of there before the clown went ahead and just started shooting them. He and the woman with borrowed time got up from their seats and headed for the door behind Mrs. Lee's original seat.
Joker playfully waved them goodbye as they left the office. Harley reluctantly walked backwards as the other members of the gang started filing out the back door.
Outside of the office, the mobsters looked out to see that their bodyguards were lying unconscious on the floor and a light whiff of smoke at about ankle level.
The muscular mobster uttered, "He gassed them; that's how they got passed our bodyguards."
"Let's get out of here before he can gas us."
Quincy and Mrs. Lee dashed to the elevator and he rapidly pressed the call button.
The elevator doors opened, and the pair slipped inside. Quincy slammed his palm against the button to the first floor. The doors closed and each discreetly let out a sigh of relief.
The muscular gangster looked to his fellow mob boss and suggested, "I suggest you get out of town before he gets his chance to finish the job."
Lee turned and glared at the boss of the inner city. She spat out, "I'm not running. You wouldn't run."
"In normal circumstances I wouldn't, but if he's packing vans filled with explosives to take down skyscrapers, holding up in my place isn't a viable solution. A nice vacation in another time zone would be a fine solution until this all blew over and I could get someone to kill him."
Mrs. Lee turned her attention back to the elevator doors and thought on that tidbit of advice. A van crashing through the front door of her restaurant or home then blowing up in a giant fireball was a particularly horrifying image.
The elevator reached the bottom floor and the mobsters were eager to get out of the building and as far away from it as possible in case the building did come down like a cut tree.
Once they were outside of the building, one of Quincy's assistants approached him from the car waiting out front for him. He began before Quincy could demand that they leave, "Sir, he's arrived at the airport about twenty minutes ago."
Quincy paused with the news then grinned, quite happy with the news, especially after the near death experience in the conference room.
Mrs. Lee demanded, not liking being out of the loop when she could tell was their mutual business, "What is he talking about?"
"Someone I hired to take care of the Bat and if we can play it right… we just might be able to get Superman to do our dirty work with the Joker and Mason."
Mrs. Lee deviously smirked, eager to want in on the plan.
Botany Lab
West Enterprises' Headquarters
Gotham City, NJ
Cat rushed inside her lab, switching on the specially made sun lamps made to give the room as much 'natural' light as possible, and grabbing her green lap coat to slip on before reaching her computer.
Cat eagerly typed away at her computer, looking up every bit of research about any medicinal uses of plants that could help Robbie recover. During her work at West Enterprises, she had found breakthroughs with dealing with infections and minor wounds and scarring, but what they knew so far with the severity of his burns and expected scarring, her research would be of little use. The more she search and the more she found wanting, her heart began to ache more. She glanced away from the screen in frustration and spotted the collection of poisonous plants, particularly poison ivy, which they used to synthesis treatments from exposure and digestion of such plants. The more she looked to the plant, the more her mind began to form a very dark thought.
Author's Note: A lot of things happened here for our cast of characters, secrets revealed and plans being made by everyone. I hope to get back on this on a regular basis. Thanks for reading, OneHorseShay