Chapter 32: Arrows And Crossroads
Roy stood before the men and women of the Justice League and had to hide the fear he felt. He'd left Ollie and Dinah and travelled across the country. He'd seen a lot happening. From people celebrating to people crying to people angry at everything that was happening. He'd spoken with some of them and heard their stories and was convinced that he was doing the right thing, and now he was here.
"So, what brought you here?" Superman asked.
"I wanted to do the right thing." Roy replied. "I've seen what's been happening around the world, and I've seen the changes you've brought and I want to help."
"And where are Ollie and Dinah?" Superman asked.
Roy hesitated, he didn't want to tell the truth but he also didn't want to lie to the man who stood before him. "They are in Star City." Roy replied, it wasn't quite a lie, he hoped. Especially if they'd done as he'd asked.
"And they didn't come with you because?" Superman asked.
Roy didn't know what to say to that, if he told the truth, he'd put them in danger, if he told a lie, he was a dead man. "I don't know, they said they would come when they were ready."
Superman seemed happy with that. "So, have you come to join our side or?" Came the question from Wonder Woman.
Roy shifted. How did he explain the true purpose for why he was here without ever putting Ollie and Dinah in danger? He shifted again and he could tell by reading the room that the people before him were becoming impatient.
Before he could speak though, a message came through on the computers. He remembered Ollie saying to him once that because he'd been responsible for installing the computers in the Hall of Justice, he could track the movements of every single League member who used the computers. That completely contradicted the image that the man put out about being a lover of liberty, but then again Roy supposed everyone was a hypocrite in some form or fashion. He watched as Batman walked to the computers and began hammering away. Eventually, the man turned around and said. "We've gotten sent coordinates of a person of interest."
"Who?" Superman asked turning around to look at the computer.
"Harley Quinn." Batman responded.
Roy felt his heart begin to hammer in his chest, if Ollie and Dinah had gone ahead with his suggestion then him being here was unnecessary, but if they hadn't this was about to get very messy. He wanted to ask where the woman was, but that would give the game away and so he waited.
Eventually, Superman asked. "Where?" There was a distinct edge to his voice, a sign of barely contained anger.
"In the old mills off of 23rd and 4th in Midway." Batman replied.
"Well we'd best be after her then before she disappears again." Superman said, moving to leave.
Now's your best shot. Roy thought to himself. "Wait!" He said then, Superman stopped and turned around to look at him.
"That's why I came here." Roy said. "Those coordinates you've got are ones of where Harley Quinn was before. I know where she is now." He took a deep breath and prayed that he held his nerve.
"What do you mean, where she is now?" Wonder Woman demanded coming up to stand right before him.
"I mean that she will have moved." Roy said, as he did so he prayed fervently that they'd placed her in the spot he'd asked them to.
"To where?" Superman asked.
"To the glens, just a few miles down. I know this because I was tracking her before I came here. I wanted to make sure she didn't escape justice for what she's done." Roy said, and as he did so he remembered Donna's screams.
"How long were you following her?" Superman asked.
"About a month." Roy lied, it had been longer, thankfully Superman didn't seem to have picked up on the lie. "I wanted to make sure that I had everything done before I came."
"And Oliver and Dinah knew this?" Wonder Woman demanded.
Only half of it. Roy thought to himself, but aloud he only said. "Yes."
Superman nodded and made to leave again, but before he did, Roy added. "I want you to promise me something."
"You would dare ask something of Superman?" Wonder Woman asked sounding incredulous as she moved closer to him.
Superman put a hand on Wonder Woman's arm and said. "It's alright, Diana." The man then looked at him. "What is it you want me to promise, Roy?"
"When You find her, don't kill her. Bring her in, and make sure she stands trial. Then when you've done that and she's been found guilty, do what you want. But she has to stand trial." Roy said looking right at Superman.
The man didn't say anything for a long moment, and Roy feared he'd laugh and dismiss this plea, instead he sighed. "Of course, you have my word."
"Thank you." Roy said.
Superman nodded and then walked passed him. "Come on Diana, Hal, Barry you're with me. Bruce you're alright to keep an eye on the Hall?"
"Of course." Batman replied.
With that the heroes chosen departed, leaving Roy alone with Batman. The man didn't say anything for a long time, he merely looked at the computer screens, Roy shifted slightly unsure of what to do, he was about to ask when the Batman spoke. "Ollie and Dinah were always going to do it you know."
"Do what?" Roy asked.
"Do what you asked. They love you too much to let anyone, especially Harley Quinn get in the way." The Batman replied.
"I….how did you know?" Roy asked.
The Batman turned around and looked at him, really looked at him. "Because it's the same thing I would for my own kids." With that the man turned around and didn't speak again for a long time.
