Batman Return of the Dark Nights
Written by: Panthera
Disclaimer: The characters within this story belong to DC Comics and Warner Brothers I have just borrowed them for a while. No harm is meant I will return them unharmed when I'm finished the only character contained within that is not DC is that of Zanah she is an original character created by me and my friend. Now, on with the story.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Across Town…
Jim Gordon sat at his desk listening to the report of Catwoman's arrest; when he felt a cool night breeze stir through the room. When he looked up he was faced with Batman.
"What's going on? First she saves me and now she's arrested for breaking and entering. Is she friend or foe?" The Commissioner asked confused.
"She was looking for evidence… Daggett is the one behind all the chaos in Gotham, I just can prove it yet."
"You sent her?" Gordon asked stunned.
"No, she went on her own. I told her not to, but she's never been one to listen."
"He's pressing charges."
"When she gets here make sure you talk to her. I'm sure what she has to say will be very interesting… The money for the bail will be posted as soon as possible because if she found anything he'll find someway to get rid of her."
"I'll make sure she's kept safe," Gordon assured him.
"Good, she maybe the only one who can stop him."
"Who is she?"
"I'll leave that for her to answer."
"Do you think we can save Gotham?"
"I think its possible Jim," Batman said before slipping out the window,
"Commissioner we have Catwoman in custody."
"Send her in."
"Sir?"
"You heard me."
"Understood." The young cop walked out of the office and a moment later Catwoman was issued in. Her hands cuffed behind her back. The young cop closed the door behind him as he left.
"Commissioner Gordon, I bet you never expected to see me again," Catwoman said.
"You're right… First I want to assure you, your bail has been paid as soon as it was set. Second no one will get in to see you without my authorization, and finally I want to thank you for saving me."
"No need. I take it he's been here already."
"Come and gone. So, what can you tell me about Roland Daggett?"
"Do you want to know what I can prove only, or what I suspect as well?"
"Everything."
"I'll start with the facts, then go from there. This is going to take a while."
"I've got all night."
"Well then, I'll start from the beginning. The day after I came back to Gotham I overheard two men in a diner. One was paying the other to have you and Mr. Wayne eliminated. I tried to warn both of you, but with everything else going on no one would listen. So, I took it upon myself to play bodyguard. After the failed attempt at the charity ball I knew there would be a contingency plan so I went to see the hitters and after learning the next move I showed up at your office. Where I was taken."
"What happened after you saved me?" Gordon asked
"When I came to the second time I was about to be ground up into cat food. I wasn't happy, so I went into Daggett's employ as his new secretary. After some digging I found a small paper trail that only hints at his activities."
"What did you find evidence of?"
"Drug running, gun smuggling, mob connections, pay offs, money laundering you name it I'm sure he's into it. I was forced to leave before I could finish because Clay Face made his first appearance. I had to leave. Soon after that he tried to kill Batman and me. Unfortunately from the experience earlier he learned I was Catwoman, and it's been fun ever since."
"Did you find anything while you were there tonight?"
"Ni, that wasn't the goal of this evening."
"What was the goal?"
"To gain access only."
"Tell me what has happened since he learned your identity," Gordon instructed.
"Can I get these things removed?" Catwoman asked shaking her hands.
"Yes." The Commissioner rose from his chair and unlocked her cuffs. Catwoman moved her hands returning the blood flow.
"Thank you."
"Please continue."
"I moved to a safe house and the moment I stepped out I was grabbed by his goons and taken to him. He gave me an ultimatum, kill Batman or be exposed. When I broke in to steal the proof he had of my identity he drugged me and would have killed me. Not long after that I figured out why Wayne Enterprises changed hands."
"Why?"
"Tetch. I believe he had Tetch broken out of Arkum and some how gained control of the stockholders. When I started investigating his goons again tried to kill me as well as the stockholder. Beyond that there's not much more to tell."
"Why didn't you come to the police?"
"Most of what I know is either my word against his or speculation. What I can actually prove is so little he'd be out of jail to quickly. I need proof."
"Why risk getting caught? He could have killed you."
"Either way I win, and he's finished."
"How do you figure?"
"I left a note to whom it may concern in the event of my death or disappearance, with instructions to give it to the police."
"Who are you?" Gordon asked.
"Is this off the record?" She questioned.
"Yes."
"Selina Kyle."
"Why tell me?"
"Daggett will try to expose me eventually, its better if I beat him to it."
"What is it you want Miss Kyle?"
"I want to bury him."
"So do I."
"Good, because to do so I'm going to need your help."
"What do you need?"
"Time mainly, beyond that I'll let you know when I'm ready and my plans are in order."
"You want to set a trap," Gordon said with understanding.
"Yes. With me as the bait."
"How?"
"By revealing my identity."
"I don't understand."
"Catwoman is going to be caught red handed."
"You're going to take a fall?" The commissioner asked amazed at her willingness to surrender herself to stop Daggett.
"Yes."
"When? How?"
"I'll contact you with the details. When it happens don't contact Batman."
"You want to keep him out of the loop."
"Yes."
"Why?"
"If he knows what I'm up to he'll try and stop me."
"Why do you have to be caught?"
"I need Daggett to think I'm desperate enough to work for him."
"And you need Batman to believe your actions." Jim said with understanding.
"Yes, for the sake of Gotham and Batman, Catwoman must fall."
"You love him."
"Yes."
"You're partners, don't keep him in the dark."
"Not partners, only temporary allies. Its time to switch now."
"Why me?"
"You were a target for one and that makes you safe. For two Batman trusts you."
"Miss Kyle…" The commissioner began.
"I've made up my mind. For this to work he can't know. I may destroy what trust exists between us, but it's a small price to pay. I'll be in touch."
"What makes you think he'll take the bait?"
"He's obsessed with me."
"So you want to put him away."
"I want to put him away so far and for so long he can't ever hurt anyone or anything I care about ever again."
"Lets see about getting you processed and out of here. Good luck to you."
"Thank you, I'm going to need it."
Gordon replaced the handcuffs on her wrists and said, "I misjudged you."
"No, you didn't. I'm a thief plain and simple."
"Then why?"
"He's trying to get inside of my head. No one is allowed there. Besides, he tried to kill me and for that he has to pay," Selina hissed before he led her out of his office and began processing her paper work personally to insure no one else learned her true identity before she was ready. A few moments after she was processed bail was set and paid and Selina Kyle walked out of the Gotham Police department she was met by Alfred outside and driven back to Wayne Manor where she set to the task of plotting out her own fall.
