"I'd Kill 4 a Redhead"
By: The Angelic Temptress
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone from the Batman Universe, though I'd like to have either Bruce Wayne or Dick Grayson with a bow for my birthday. It's November 14th, in case you wanted to surprise me. ;)
The idea is my own. The characters that I've created belong to me, so don't take them. ;)
Rating: R for violence, language, sexual situations, and rape.
A/N: Thanks Missy.
RRR
The Teaser:
The wind blew, stirring the wet orange and brown leaves on the pavement.
"Autumn is a bitch when someone forgets her scarf." Her neck was always cold. Tanya figured it served her right for chopping off all her hair last week.
It had been raining for six days now; half of the campus was joking about an upcoming apocalypse. With all of the recent earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis plaguing the Earth, even Tanya was considering it as a probable cause.
She quickened her pace and readjusted the strap of her purse on her shoulder as she tried to balance her umbrella. Tony was picking her up, like he always did, in the parking lot of GSU, but tonight was a little different. After retrieving her black dress and his tuxedo jacket from the drycleaners, Tony was taking Tanya to her first showcase.
She'd been a photographer since she was fifteen. GSU gave her a four year scholarship for their art program when she was accepted last summer. Tonight, her photographs were being presented for others to view. If they were impressive, Tanya could end up a few dollars richer or with several job offers.
When she got to Tony's usual parking spot, she let out a breath of annoyance. Tanya figured he'd be late and checked her watch.
She was wrong; she was early.
"Excuse me," said a guy wearing a dark brown jacket and denim pants as he climbed out of his truck. He had to be in his twenties and wore glasses that fit his face nicely. His dark hair was slicked back, and he had dark brown eyes.
He was crazy for getting out into the rain without an umbrella.
"Yes?"
"I'm a little lost here on campus. I'm actually a transfer student and was wondering where the art building is. I have an appointment with Professor Grant about photography."
"Really? Is that going to be your major?"
"Minor."
Tanya smiled and turned her body back toward the campus. With her finger pointed in the direction of the building, she started explaining which path to take. She heard the man move to her side as she spoke.
Suddenly, he shoved a syringe into her shoulder, and she reacted by hitting him with her heavy bag.
As she ripped the needle from her skin, she screamed, "What the hell did you put in me?" Her sight was going, and the world was spinning. She tried to keep her balance, but her body felt so heavy. She dropped the umbrella and her purse.
"It's my own concoction." He laughed when the syringe missed him after she threw it. "You'll experience dizziness, a lack of motor skills, fatigue… Don't fight it, Tanya. It'll only make it worse."
She fell to her knees. "How do you know my name?"
RRR
Chapter 1:
"Daddy? What are you doing here?"
Jim Gordon forced a smile and immediately pulled his daughter into a trembling embrace. Her small frame went rigid against his when she heard him swallow a sob.
"What happened?" she asked and took a step backward. "You're soaked to the bone."
Jim released a weary breath and moved to sit in the small living room once Barbara closed the apartment door. He didn't bother pulling off his trenchcoat. His shoulders slumped, and he loosened his tie. When his Barbara took a seat, he explained.
"We found another body." Before she could begin her questioning, he added, "We've got a serial killer on our hands, and he's got an obsession for redheaded women."
"How do you know?"
He took off his glasses and tossed them onto the coffee table. "I don't want to get into specifics, Barbara. These girls were all about your age…" Jim rubbed his tired eyes and sighed. "I just want you to be careful."
RRR
"Fourth body in three months."
"He's getting cocky?"
Batman disagreed. "We're finding the women faster. The autopsy revealed that Jillian Webber, the graduate student the three boys found in the park, was dead for five hours. She was reported missing eight days earlier."
"He keeps them for a week before he murders them. Then he gets rid of the bodies." Batgirl crossed her arms over the yellow bat on her chest. "He kidnaps them, drugs them, rapes them, sodomises them, strangles them, and dumps them."
"He does his homework as well." Batman typed something and watched as four web windows popped onto the screen. "He broke into Betsy Murphy's apartment the only night of the week her girlfriend worked the late shift."
Batgirl nodded. "He also has an age preference. Twenty-one, twenty-seven, and twenty-five and twenty-four."
"Red hair."
"That's what Dad said. He wants me to be careful."
"Good advice."
"The way I see it, we've got nothing to go on but my looks."
Batman stopped typing to glance at her.
"I could be a target. Maybe. I could find out what he looks like, see where he lives… Anything before he strikes again."
The computer buzzed, and another window appeared.
Batman read it. "A student was abducted today from Gotham State University: five foot five, red hair, green eyes, and nineteen."
"All the more reason for me to reel him in now. We've got a week before this girl turns up dead."
"Maybe someone else should be on the case," he suggested coolly.
She shook her head. "Who? Hawkgirl? Did you forget that she has wings?"
He didn't respond.
"I live here, Bruce. He's probably already seen me if he's sticking around. I walk the streets of Gotham every day going to work and to the supermarket."
RRR
"I don't know. She's not the kind of person who would skip out on her own showcase. Her photography means the world to her." Anthony Caramagna wiped away a worried tear and ran a hand through his thick black hair.
Gordon could see him trembling from his side of the mirror. Tony was no fool. Even he knew his girlfriend was abducted by Gotham's newest psychotic.
Jim lit his pipe and started smoking. "I'm going to my office. He doesn't know anything. Tell Montoya to send him home."
"But Commish –"
"You heard me, Bullock. Send him home and tell him to pray." Jim glanced at Tony and focused on the crucifix hanging from his neck and the Rosary tattoo on his wrist. "He's Catholic."
Gordon walked out of the room and passed his secretary without a word. He'd apologize to her later. She usually understood. He slammed the door behind him and collapsed in his chair. Jim was exhausted. He didn't tell Barbara how many hours he was working these days, in fear of worrying her.
He didn't need to worry Barbara. She would be fine without knowing all the details of his life and the case. She already had enough on her mind since her latest split with Grayson.
"Rough day?" his voice asked from the shadows nearly causing Jim to jump out of his skin.
With a small glare, he asked, "How did this guy evade our radars? How did he slip by?"
Batman, solemn as ever, remained quiet. With his eyes locked on the commissioner, he dropped a manila folder onto the desk.
Jim sat up in his chair and opened the file. He scanned through the names on the page.
"Those are the names of the redheaded women between the ages of 18 and 35 who drive in Gotham."
"DMV files."
"You may want to keep your eyes open."
Jim shook his head. "And keep tabs on all these women? I'm short staffed as it is. With Dent's disappearance last month and Ivy's escape two weeks ago…" He took a puff of his pipe and sighed. "You may want to give a call to Nightwing or Black Canary."
"Black Canary is relocating. Nightwing is out of the question."
"What about Huntress? I may not like the woman's callous tactics, but she's still interested in what's best for Gotham."
"I'll think about it."
"You may want to warn Batgirl as well. If this guy is as crazy as we think he is, he may try to go after her." Jim continued reading the list but stopped when he recognized his daughter's name. "We need to stop him before someone else –"
A knock sounded at the door. Before Jim could even get out of his chair, his old friend had already disappeared.
"Commissioner, we just received this package." Detective Montoya handed Jim the small box and waited for an order.
"I'll get back to you."
"Maybe we should have it inspected by –"
"It's fine."
Renee studied the open window long and hard before closing the door. As soon as she left, Batman reentered the office.
"There isn't a return address."
Batman lifted a device to his eyes and looked over the box. "It's not a bomb. Go ahead and open it."
Jim slipped on a pair of gloves and pulled a box cutter from his desk. After he sliced it open, he carefully lifted the flaps. A piece of paper and an article of clothing lay inside.
After unfolding the note, Jim read it.
"GCPD:
"I want to inform you that I will not be going away so quickly. It took you long enough to figure out that the four women discovered within the last few months were connected, and this leads me to believe that it will take you even longer to learn who their murderer is.
"So please, I dare you to find me. Tanya is alive and well, but I'm sure you know she won't be for long. Remember to warn the mothers and fathers of Gotham whose daughters are in danger.
"Ever truly yours,
"Red Skeleton
Goodnight and God Bless."
Jim shook his head and watched as Batman lifted the shirt from the box.
"You may want to get this identified by the girl's boyfriend," Batman suggested, "before he leaves your interrogation room."
"I was thinking the same." Jim scratched his chin. "How does he know that we made the connection? We haven't released any information about the markings to the press yet."
"A leak?"
"In this station, I don't doubt it." Jim skimmed through the letter once more. "Red Skeleton… The man isn't even original. He stole his name from Red Skelton, the comedian." When Batman gave Jim a look, he continued, "At the end of his show, he'd always say 'Goodnight and God Bless,' but I figure that was before your time." He shook his head and looked at the letter again. "God, I'm old."
"You're only as old as you feel."
"Easy for you to –" Jim began but stopped when he realized he was alone in the room.
RRR
Tanya opened her heavy eyelids to see florescent light fixtures glowing brightly. Her face was burning, probably from tears, and she couldn't move her arms or her legs. Her hands were bound above her head, and her feet to each bedpost. Her entire body was damp and sticky.
The mattress she lay on was hard. The potent aromas of sex and death were rancid in the air. She wanted to vomit but couldn't.
"You're awake."
Her head snapped to the right when he spoke. The transfer student…
"Oh Princess, don't you look beautiful? Your hair is rumpled, your makeup smudged, and your legs divided. It's rather provocative; I feel as if you are trying to seduce me."
"What the hell is the matter with you?" she demanded and instantly regretted speaking. She knew she was supposed to stay quiet. Tanya had watched those A&E biographies about Ted Bundy and Jeffery Dahmer.
"Now Princess, is that any way to talk to your rescuer?"
"Listen, I'll do anything you want if you just let me go afterward. I won't tell anyone. I swear to God."
"God?" The man leaned over her until his face was only an inch from her own. "God stopped caring after the disciples croaked."
His breath smelled of alcohol and cigarettes. She tried to turn her head away from his, but he forced it back into place. "Now, you have to promise that you'll be a good girl."
"Why are you doing this to me? Why did you pick me?"
The man gently pushed some of Tanya's hair from her face and smiled. "Because you are a beautiful redheaded princess, that's why. You see, I've always had a thing for redheads. There was Lucille Ball, Daphne of the Scooby Gang, Rita Hayworth, Mary-Jane Watson, Ginger Spice, the lesbian on Buffy…" He chuckled. "There's just something about a girl with beautiful red hair…"
"I'm not really a redhead. I dye my hair."
He shook his head and grinned. "I'm afraid you are missing the point, but it'll be quite all right. Don't you dare worry."
RRR
"Serial killer, huh? And he's after girls who look like you?" Huntress placed a hand on her hip. "What is this town coming to?"
Batgirl handed her a small disk. "That's all the forensic information on the case. Four women. No DNA. No evidence." She sighed. "Another woman was abducted from GSU this afternoon. I'm actually headed over there to inspect the scene."
"Any good evidence would have been washed away by now."
"Maybe, but I have to try."
Huntress nodded with her dark hair sticking to her face. She was being civil tonight, and that caught Batgirl by surprise.
Batgirl then added, "It would be great if you could keep your eyes open for anything."
"Have you tried the security tapes of the university parking lot?"
"There weren't any in that section."
"He is good." Huntress shifted her weight from one leg to the other. "This guy isn't insane. He's disturbed, and he's being careful. We have a sick bastard on our hands."
"I'm planning on doing a whole lot more with my social life. Maybe he'll target me next."
"Just be sure to keep a tracer on you at all times."
Batgirl raised a surprised eyebrow. "Is that care I hear in your voice?"
"I just know what it would do to Nightwing if anything happened." Huntress started walking away. "I'll have Q take a look at the disk, and I'll request that he stay in Gotham for a few nights. He may be able to help."
RRR
T.J. glanced down at Tanya's shaking body and couldn't help picturing himself over her, forcing himself inside of her. She'd cry out with pain and a hint of pleasure, and he'd only smile more.
He always did.
Her little skirt had ridden up her thighs. T.J. found himself staring at the spot where fabric met cold, clean skin and swallowed hard.
Tanya had red hair highlighted with pretty blonde streaks to compliment her green eyes.
Her deep lipstick had been smeared.
He needed to wait. Neither he nor she was ready for this tonight. It was too soon to touch her. Though T.J.'s pants started to feel smaller and the room seemed to be growing warmer, he didn't act on his desires.
He was a romantic at heart. T.J. knew what it took to make something like this so much better… what it'd take to make more special.
And after all, it was only their first night together.
He'd wait. He wouldn't even run into his room to jerk off. It'd be better if he waited.
RRR
She continued searching the area with her night goggles. Although on her hands and knees, Batgirl saw nothing on the wet cement.
The deserted campus wouldn't have anyone walking around in the pouring rain, so she knew she wouldn't be disturbed.
Then her eyes fell upon a syringe sitting in the dirt.
RRR
Two months earlier:
Jim scratched his chin and shifted his stance. The morgue had always made him uncomfortable.
This night was no exception.
"So, what have you got for me?"
"Well," Dr. Lindsay Donovan, the local pathologist, said, "it looks as if the two women have a few things in common." Donovan quickly uncovered one woman so her neck would be exposed. The body of Courtney Griffith lay on her stomach, and her hair had already been pushed to one side.
Jim's eyes were immediately drawn to a wound on the back of her white neck.
"He's leaving a mark to distinguish his victims from those who may belong to others." The doctor flipped her blonde hair to one side before she bent over the body.
For a second, Gordon forgot all about the case.
"I'm not sure what it looks like, but if I had to guess, I'd say it was a flower." She raised her hazel eyes to meet Jim's gaze. "What do you think, Commissioner?"
RRR
"Is Jillian part of the same club or not, Doctor?" Gordon asked after she took a seat in his office.
"Same club, I'm afraid. Rape, sodomy, strangulation…" She tucked some of her shoulder-length hair behind her ear. "And she's sporting a pretty little flower carving on the back of her neck." Lindsay shook her head. "Are you sure this has nothing to do with Poison Ivy?"
"If she found out who the murderer was, there wouldn't be enough pieces of him to make an ID."
"Right." After an awkward silence, she stood. "Red Skeleton? Creepy."
He nodded.
"Commissioner?"
"Yes?"
Her mouth opened and closed a few times before she said, "I'll let you know if I find anything else."
RRR
"You talked to Huntress?"
"Yup, I did." Batgirl swerved around an Impala that was moving too slow and caught up to the Batmobile. "Aren't you proud of me?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he sped up.
She imitated his speed. "I figured we could use another pair of eyes, since we don't have Robin right now." Batgirl flinched as soon as the sentence left her big mouth. Way to go, Babs. Why not twist the blade a little more?
"Did you think about calling Nightwing?"
"No. Huntress said Question would be in town." She forced a laugh. "Who knew the adjustment during Canary's move to Seattle would be so tricky?"
"She's doing what she thinks she needs to do."
"You mean she's being stupid by following Arrow," she interpreted.
Again he didn't answer.
It took ten more minutes of a one-sided conversation before they were both parked in the Cave. After hopping off her motorcycle, she pulled off her helmet. Batgirl watched Batman climb out of the Batmobile and noticed the slight suggestion of color on his lips.
Selina.
She handed him the syringe she found on GSU's campus and stated, "You know, I think I'm going to head home."
Batman stared at Batgirl for a moment before walking past her.
"How's the cat burglar? Up to any of her old tricks?" She wondered if he knew she noticed his change of pace.
"I told her to keep an eye on the East side of town."
She already does keep an eye on that side of town. It's her home. "Thief, reformed criminal, and vigilante all wrapped up in yarn. How nice it is to have Catwoman on our side."
Batman didn't bother to look her way.
RRR
"Afternoon," T.J. greeted and tipped his hat.
"Hi, T.J.," Jackie said and buzzed him into Arkham. After he walked through the booth, she smiled at him. After he rubbed his tired eyes, she asked, "Long night?"
He shrugged. "I couldn't really sleep."
"Sorry to hear. You should stop entertaining women so often."
T.J. half laughed. "Nah, you're confusing me with an attractive man."
Jackie chuckled. "No, I'm not."
She had pretty brown eyes and short chocolate hair. Her bangs were angled to one side, and she wore barely any makeup. He'd never seen her wearing anything other than her security uniform, though he realized that he'd like to.
"Are you working tomorrow?" she asked suddenly.
"I'm not, actually. Why?"
Again, Jackie laughed. "I was just wondering if you'd like to get a few drinks. There's this bar I know… and it wouldn't be in the Narrows."
T.J. took a moment to think. He liked Jackie. She was always kind to him, and she deserved a positive answer. "Sure," he said.
"Good." She stood from her chair and handed him a slip of paper. "Call me."
He grinned and continued inside the asylum. T.J. nodded as he passed two more security guards, Chris and Mark. Once he finally made it to the far wing, he clocked in and was allowed through the steel door.
Inside, some of Gotham's most notorious criminals resided.
"Mr. Nygma. Did the medicine help Tuesday's upset stomach?" T.J. checked Nygma off on his list of present inmates.
"Sir, you are insulting my intelligence. You don't really care."
T.J. shook his head. "Now, you know that's not true." He kept moving down the hallway. "Dr. Crane, how are you feeling today?" He asked and stopped at Crane's cell. "Any problems?"
"None today."
"That's good. I heard you somehow snuck in a bag of your fear toxin the other night. That's not the Jonathan Crane who works well with others, now is it?"
"Don't patronize me."
"What were you planning to do with that?"
"I'm afraid you'll never know."
"Fine then."
The Joker laughed sadistically from behind the security guard. "Good afternoon, Mr. Macaw. You're looking well."
T.J. left Crane and stopped at the empty cell that hadn't been occupied in months and whispered, "Afternoon, Jack. How was lunch today?"
"Eh. Same old, same old. Tomato soup and grilled cheese. You know how that leaves me only wanting more."
"Soup's good for you, but maybe dinner will be better."
"So, did you find another?" Joker cackled. "Wee. You did. Is she as pretty as the last one? Is she a screamer? A crier? Does she like when you climb on top of her and give her what she deserves? How do you feel afterward?"
"I don't think I should be talking about it with you because you wouldn't understand. I'm nothing like you."
The Joker snickered, "Perhaps we are more alike that you care to admit. That hurts me, Mr. Macaw…deeply…I thought we were friends."
After brushing off the questions, T.J. continued on his check and passed the sleeping Killer Croc. He walked to the cells that had belonged to Pamela Isley and Harvey Dent only weeks ago.
T.J. paused at Ivy's cell to look inside. Her plant sat alone on the table. With his card, he swiped open the bulletproof door and stepped inside to water the single red rose.