Chapter Six
Encrypted Journal Entry -- Barbara Gordon
October 14th
The police picked up Chavez for brawling after the incident at the 9-1-1 Club. As expected, he's stonewalling like crazy about his car and screaming for an attorney. We just may be onto something here.
Astral Dinah: THIS has certainly been an … interesting … development. I can't help but find it somewhat … touching … that even in her current … state … Dinah is concerned about the welfare of her friend and partner, the Huntress.
Ruben Santiago walked into La Croiselle -- one of New Gotham's most expensive French restaurants -- wearing a starched white Panama hat, a white linen suit, a cobalt-blue silk shirt, beige boat shoes, a silver wedding band on his ring finger, dark wraparound sunglasses, and a gold Rolex. He was a tiny, thin man in his late thirties with close-cropped dark hair. The two hulking bodyguards who were flanking him dwarfed him.
Accompanying the trio was Santiago's personal secretary, Pedro. He was a squat, owlish-looking man in his early forties with receding salt-and-pepper hair. Santiago walked alongside Pedro, who was carrying a handheld computer and tapping it with a pen.
The four men greeted the maitre d' -- who was clad in the regulation tuxedo -- and were shown to a table. Santiago's eyes came to rest on the chairs -- which were wood-framed and upholstered in red vinyl.
"Pedro," said Santiago silkily. "You know I do not sit in red chairs."
"Forgive me, Don Santiago," said Pedro. "It slipped my mind when I made the reservation."
Santiago turned to leave. "Come," he said to Pedro and his two bodyguards. "We are going."
"B-b-b-but … Don Santiago," Pedro stammered. "We've had these reservations for over two months!" Pedro paused. "This was NOT an easy table to come by!"
"You know the rules, Pedro."
"Sí, Don Santiago," said Pedro as he followed Santiago and his bodyguards meekly out the door.
