A Handful of Dust, part 3.

Disclaimer: Still don't own anything except Jimmy.

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Scarecrow strode confidently into Sharkey's Bar in full costume. Conversations stopped as the bar patrons noticed him but costumed Rogues were a common enough sight here and after a moment, the various thugs, lowlifes, and floozies went back to their own business. Crane had donned his costume just outside the place. He had needed to elude notice on his way here but once at his destination, it was much better to be noticed.

Sharkey's was one of many dives in the seedier sections of Gotham where the Rogues often went to find their hapless helpers but Crane didn't need muscle right now. He needed information. He approached the bar to talk to the bartender who avoided meeting his gaze. Crane deliberately leaned closer just to watch the larger man shrink back from him.

"I'm looking for Jimmy Sneed. Have you seen him?" Crane fully expected a negative as he'd been to three bars looking for his former henchman but to his surprise, the man nodded and jerked a finger towards the back room.

Scarecrow walked down the hallway to the small back room where several men were standing around one of the two pool tables watching a short, stout man with a thick mustache, shoot. They were so intent on the game that many didn't notice Scarecrow but when they did they all went silent. Sneed looked up at the silence and went a little pale when he saw Scarecrow standing there with his arms folded. Still, the man took his shot hitting the last of the balls into the pocket and then accepting the wads of money handed to him by the other men before they made a hasty retreat. In a matter of minutes, only Scarecrow and Jimmy were still in the room.

"Nice to see you again, boss. I heard they let you out of Arkham. Got a job in mind?" Sneed was trying to sound casual but there was a certain queasy look in his eyes. A few months ago, Sneed had been one of Scarecrow's henchman in a scheme to rob several jewel stores using his fear gas. When Batman had shown up and fought the men, Sneed had been inadvertently fear-gassed after losing his gas mask.

He'd spent the next week in a hospital recovering from the effects of his previously latent achluophobia(a/n). The fear-gas had made him go blind, trapping him in unceasing darkness for days until the effects had worn off. But that wasn't any concern of Crane's. He was here because Sneed had a love of gossip and was a good source of what was going on in the criminal underworld. The man collected rumors the way Crane collected books.

"No, I'm taking care of personal business right now. I'm trying to find the whereabouts of Lock-Up as well as what his plans are. I want to hear whatever you know about the situation." Sneed looked both relieved and puzzled.

"I don't know much boss but why are you going after that Bolton guy? Isn't he one of your kind?" Sneed only meant that Lock-Up was a costumed criminal like Scarecrow but at Crane's sudden, snarling reaction he realized his mistake and backed away.

"That bastard is nothing like me! He's a bullying, mindless, monster who lives only to push around those smaller than him. I am a scientist! My experiments in fear cannot be compared to that cretin's blind hatred of authority." Crane's hands were balled into fists so tight that they hurt. With an effort, he calmed himself down and glared at Sneed who looked like he was trying to melt through the back wall. "All I want is information. Where is he? What is he planning? How soon will he be moving? Give me answers and I'll be on my way."

"I don't know where he is exactly but I hear he's been spotted over in the Riverview area by Harrison's store. He's got that reporter and he's holding her for ransom. He wants twenty million dollars and he wants the mayor, Commissioner Gordon, and the head guy at Arkham to resign. He gave a deadline of noon tomorrow but I don't know whether he'll do anything before that. That's all I know, I swear." Jimmy's face was covered in a thin sheen of sweat as Crane had come near enough to almost touch him.

"I believe you, James. You've been very helpful. Here's a little something for your trouble." Crane tossed a fifty-dollar bill on the table and went to leave. As Sneed laid a hand on it, Crane stopped without looking back. "And just remember Jimmy, if Bolton learns that I'm looking for him, you'll think of that week in the hospital as a pleasant vacation compared to what I'll do to you." Crane walked out then leaving a shaken Sneed to stare at the fifty with a look of fear.

Scarecrow changed back into civilian clothes and hailed a cab. The ride to Riverview didn't take long. It was not a slum but the small section of Gotham known as Riverview had seen better days. The area was full of shabby apartment buildings and small, dingy store fronts. One of these stores was Harrison's Hunting & Fishing which Crane was standing in front of when he emerged from the cab.

He paid the cabby and then went in. Harrison himself was behind the counter. He was a trim, average-sized man with a military bearing although he had never been in the military. With a nod of recognition, he motioned Crane to follow him into his office.

"Hello, Mr. Harrison. Good day to you, sir."

"Spit it out Crane. I haven't got all day. Are you looking for weapons or something else?" Crane disliked having to be polite but he knew the man wouldn't be intimidated simply by his presence and he needed Harrison to be cooperative rather than belligerent so he bit back his initial irritated reply.

"Something else. I'm trying to locate the whereabouts of Lyle Bolton. I was told he's been seen in this area?"

"Yeah, he came in here yesterday. I could tell you more but it's going to cost you." Crane had expected that this would happen. Harrison ran a legitimate business on the surface but under the table, he was willing to sell just about anything for the right price. That was another reason Scarecrow had to be polite. The man was part of the network of lower criminals who were considered a help by the Rogues and therefore were off-limits. Only Joker was crazy enough to take out one of the few people willing to accommodate the supervillians needs.

"How much do you want? Name your price."

"10,000." It was about what he'd expected and after a brief discussion, he went on Harrison's computer and wired the money from one of his hidden bank accounts to the crook's.

"All right. Bolton's holed up in the old police station two blocks from here. You know the one. He's got some hired thugs as guards, about ten of them or so." This was wonderful news. The former precinct had been part of a community policing effort that had eventually fallen through. The building was secure but Crane had been brought there once while it was still active and knew the general layout.

Bolton wouldn't know what hit him. As he left Harrison's store, he touched the hidden vial reflexively and then headed towards the old building. Soon, he would have his revenge...

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A/N: Achluophobiafear of the dark.