Chapter Know Your Rats
"The Jeweled Rat of Maquitchu, isn't that the artifact Rupert Thorne has loaned to the museum?" Alfred asked Batman, as they stood looking at the computer screen in the early hours of the following morning. "I'm sure I read that there is some dispute about it's ownership?" Alfred picked the evening newspaper up off the tray he'd brought Bruce's refreshments down on. "Yes, I thought so, here it is, 'The famed Jeweled Rat of Maquitchu, on show at Gotham Museum, is at the centre of an ownership battle. Rupert Thorne and the Government of Maquitchu await Monday's verdict from the Supreme Court. Government officals from Maquitchu claim the rat was stolen from an exhibition in Paris and smuggled to Gotham. Mr. Thorne maintains it was bought fairly and squarely and that he's the rightful owner.'
"Nothing linked to Rupert Thorne is fair or square!" Bruce muttered.
"So you think Catwoman is intending robbing the exhibition?"
"Mmm yes."
"But I thought Ms Kyle had turned over a new leaf, Catwoman hasn't been involved in any robberies for at least six months. And a rat! I mean, if it had been a jeweled Cat, then it would have been more likely."
"I don't think she's stealing this one for personal pleasure. I think she's stealing to order."
"For whom do you think she's working?" Alfred asked.
"Well, there more than one rat connected to this exhibition." Bruce muttered as the image of Rupert Thorne appeared on the screen.
"So you think Mr. Thorne is behind this for some reason?"
"Yes, and I think the robbery will happen before the Courts verdict on Monday."
"I see," Alfred exclaimed, "so you think this may be Mr. Thorne's way to keep possession of the Rat!"
"That and clime the insurance for it as well if I know Rupert Thorne!" Batman stated.
"But Miss Kyle wouldn't work for Mr. Thorne, not with his track record on animal testing. And she's exposed his crooked plans so often in the past that Mr. Thorne would risk hiring Catwoman!"
"I didn't say Catwoman was working with Rupert Thorne knowingly!"
"Oh dear that doesn't sound good." Alfred muttered.
"And if I'm right when he's got what he wants, he'll throw Catwoman to the wolves!"
