Midnight Dancer
Disclaimer: Birds of Prey, its characters, and concepts are the property of Warner Brothers, Tollin-Robbins Productions & DC Comics.
Chapter One
"Thank you for coming," said Mrs. Babington. Flora Babington and her husband, Tom, stood with Barbara, Helena, and Dinah at the entrance of the stables. Flora Babington was a rotund woman in her early sixties with curly gray hair, dark beady eyes, and a double chin. Tom Babington was a tall, barrel-chested man in his mid-sixties with a gray crew cut and a bulldog face. A panting Belgian Malinois sat on a leash at his side.
"Our pleasure," said Barbara.
"Bruce … Bruce Wayne … recommended you," said Mrs. Babington. "He told me you're one of the best."
Barbara blushed. "He flatters me," she said. Composing herself, she said, "You told me on the phone that someone had bludgeoned 'Midnight Dancer'." Barbara looked around the stable. "I presume Midnight Dancer … was a HORSE?"
Mrs. Babington nodded. "Yes."
"Thoroughbred," added Mr. Babington. "Shattered his knee." Mr. Babington paused. "Had to put em down," he said quietly. At that moment, the Belgian Malinois jumped up and put his front paws on Barbara's knees. "TURBO, HEEL!" barked Mr. Babington. Turbo quickly backed away from Barbara and came to heel next to Mr. Babington. "Sorry about that, Miss."
"That's quite all right," said Barbara.
"Nice dog," said Dinah. "What kind is he?"
"A Belgian Malinois," replied Mrs. Babington.
"Is he … purebred?" inquired Barbara.
"Oh, yes," said Mrs. Babington. "We wouldn't have it any other way." Mrs. Babington paused. "Those mixes are SO unpredictable."
"Cost me a fortune," grumbled Mr. Babington.
"Getting back to Midnight Dancer," said Barbara. "What exactly happened?" Barbara paused. "How did you discover his injury?"
"The morning after … it happened … Tom went to his stall to take him out to be walked. When he got there, Midnight Dancer was lying on the floor in pain. We called the vet … and he was put down that afternoon." Mrs. Babington paused. "The police haven't been able to find anyone."
"So … this happened during the night?"
Mrs. Babington nodded. "Yes."
"Did the dog … bark at all?"
"No," she said. "Tom, did you hear anything?" she asked her husband.
"I didn't hear anything," Mr. Babington replied.
Interesting, Barbara thought. "Do you have any idea who did this?"
"My neighbor, Dan Chase," said Mr. Babington. "My daughter broke up with his son." Mr. Babington paused. "Guess he decided to take it out on Midnight Dancer."
"I would appreciate your co-operation," said Barbara. "This isn't normally my area of expertise." Barbara paused. "I'll see what I can do."