Chapter Ten
The sound of the compressed air came across the com-unit clearly, as did the Black Canary's hacking cough.
"Dinah!" Barbara said. "Listen to my voice. Tune Crane out. Whatever he says, ignore it. Just listen to me." Barbara hoped she was getting through to her. Dinah sounded like she was coughing up a lung. "Come on, Dinah. Give me some sign that you're hearing me."
Barbara yelled for Alfred and turned her attention back to the communication station. Mentally she tried to remember how long the sound of gas being released had lasted and tried to calculate how much gas Canary had been hit with.
"Come on, Dinah," she pleaded. "Let me know something."
Alfred came up behind her and she turned to look at him.
"We need to get the car ready. Dinah found Crane at the Aparo Suites Inn, but he ambushed her. If we hurry, we might be able-"
"I'm afraid, Miss Barbara," Alfred said, cutting her off, "That we have a bit of a problem to contend with ourselves."
Barbara turned and followed his eyes to the first story landing, where Helena stood in front of the open elevator door. Her shoulders were arched forward and her hands were out by her side in an obvious attack stance. Although she couldn't see them, from the look on the girl's face, Barbara was sure the deadly talons were unsheathed.
"Not now," Barbara said under her breath.
Helena flexed her hands and spat up at them, "Who the hell are you people?"