Chapter Six: Lending a Helping Hand
Sorry I haven't been on in awhile. I was dealing with some personal stuff and entered a little bit of a funk and don't get me started on writers block. Anyway I hope you enjoy this next chapter. As always please leave a review, I love to hear from you guys and hear what your thoughts are. Thank you.
Several Years Ago-The Glades Gymnasium and Defense Center-Starling City-Several years ago
The smell of sweat filled Selina's nostrils and she could taste a little blood from her cut lip. The overhead lights were blinding her, but the voice in her head was telling Selina to shut up and keep her guard up. She was currently squaring off against Laurel Lance in the center ring of Grant's gym. Bruce was in Selina's corner and Ted in Laurel's. Both of the ladies were sporting their own fair share of bruises and broken lips from their little duel. But neither of them were giving the other any quarter. Selina had to give it to Laurel, though. She was quick. Definitely knew how to throw a punch. But above all else, Laurel was relentless. She never gave up in any fight Selina ever saw her in. It's what made the two of them bond during all this time in Starling. Their training session was a blur of punches and dodges, but alas after one solid right hook Selina toppled to the ground and it was Laurel who was the victor.
"Damn, girl. I think this is longest anyone's held there own in a ring with me for this long," Laurel chuckled. She stood over Selina and offered her hand to help her up. Selina herself couldn't help, but laugh as well. "Well at least I know how to guard my ribs, jerk. "
"Yeah I think you punched me in the boob a couple of times by mistake, though," Laurel laughed, rubbing her slightly bruised chest. "Right.. by mistake," Selina's sarcastically spouted. Ted looked at the clock on the wall. It was near closing time for the old gym and everyone was ready to head out. When Selina and Laurel were changing into their street clothes in the locker room, Selina couldn't help notice a ornament shaped like a bird pinned to Laurel's vintage leather jacket. "What's all that about?" Selina nodded her head, gazing at metal bird. Laurel looked down and saw what she was referring to. "It's a canary. It was my mother's good luck charm. My father gave this to her while they were dating. My dad told me that she had a beautiful singing voice. So he gave her this pendant for his "Songbird"," Laurel said with a bittersweet tone, not towards Selina, but towards the fact that her mother was gone. "I'm sorry," Selina said. "Don't be, Cat." Selina knew in her time training with Laurel that the subject of Laurel's mother, Dinah, was a sensitive subject. Laurel told her that her mother was at one time Starlings Assistant District Attorney and a rising star in the justice system. She went after organized crime and civil rights crimes, most notably abuse towards women. When Laurel was about twelve years old it had been reported that her mother was caught in the crossfire between two rival gangs. But as Laurel got older and herself pursuing a degree in criminal law, she did her research into the case there were some things didn't make sense. It soon began to seem like her mother was the intended target in the whole event. "If anybody is going to be sorry it'll be those responsible for what happened to my mother," Laurel's voice was filled with a venomous hatred.
Selina looked into Laurels eyes and saw that same smoldering hatred she saw in Bruce all those years ago when he asked her to get the gun that he intended to use to exact revenge upon Matches Malone. "Laurel, be careful with what you're doing. I'm not saying the creeps don't deserve what they get in the end, but it won't bring you peace." Laurel eyes flashed with anger, "My mother was taken away from me, Selina! I will get justice for what happened to her," Laurel then stormed out of the locker room even though she knew deep down inside that Selina was just trying to help and that she was right. What neither girl had noticed was that their little conversation was being eavesdropped on.
Present Day-Sheldon Park-Gotham City
Bruce looked over the area of the park from a nearby building. He tried to figure out how to go about his next move. He knew that even as the Batman he couldn't just go after Judge Addison for information on Sionis even if he was involved, which was what he suspected. He wanted the people to trust the Batman and not make himself public enemy number one by interrogating a public official. What Bruce needed was a solid lead that was linked to Janus Corp. AND someone not so high up that it would draw attention to himself. Turns out that night was a lucky night for Bruce, but not so lucky for the body he noticed laying in a group of shrubs not far from his position. He glided down from the roof to the area where he noticed the decaying corpse.
The sight of was a grizzly one as Bruce stood over the battered corpse of Mikey. The body had recently been dumped into the near a heavily wooded area in Sheldon Park. The stench of the corpse was ghastly, especially after the recent rain shower less than half an hour ago. Although his face was disfigured from the beating it received, Bruce was still able to recognize him. "This was the man Selina and I interrogated at the docks. Less than a week later I find him dead. Looks like Black Mask is catching on we're closing in on him. He's getting nervous. The level of brutality that this man received before dying was immense. This goes far beyond torture. Bastard truly enjoys his work." Bruce continued to inspect the body, but there was nothing on him that could tell where he had recently. However Bruce did notice that beside the body in there were footprints indented into the mud. They were fresh, too. No more then half an hour ago the body was dragged dumped here. "Now we're getting somewhere," Bruce thought to himself. Bruce followed the trail of footprints to an old dirt road near the park. Where the footprints stopped is where a pair of tire tracks begin. Luckily the old road led to a renovated neighborhood in the Robbinsville District. Bruce touched the right temple of his cowl and said, "Activate HUD scanner." The white cowl lenses slid into place from behind the cowl and scanned the depressions and groves in the dirt and compiled the data and brought up the data the type of tires used. Bruce activated the built-in earpiece in his cowl to contact Alfred back at the cave.
"Caretaker, come in."
"Caretaker, Master B?" Alfred questioned with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Well would you rather I use your real name while I'm out in the field?" Bruce retorted humorously.
"That would be rather unwise indeed. Very well, Caretaker reading you loud and clear, Master B."
"There was a body dumped in Sheldon Park. I was able to identify him as the man Cat and I questioned at the docks. I followed a trail where I believe who ever is involved drove from. I'm sending you the location of where I found the body and the data on the tire trail. Bring up traffic cam footage that shows any vehicles coming from this vicinity with these tires."
"Right away, sir." After a few moments, Alfred responded. "There was one vehicle that came from that direction within the past twenty minutes with the tires matching the tread patterns you scanned. The license plate on the car registers that it belongs to a Samuel Murtough. Records state that he lives in a small neighborhood in Cape Carmine. Also I managed to hack into his back account information and it turns out that he recieves frequent payments from the same Janus Corp. shell company you've been investigating."
"So he's linked to all of this. Perhaps he'll be more willing to talk about his employer. It looks like me and this Mr. Murtough are going to have a little chat."
An hour later at the residence of Samuel Murtough, the thug finished taking a shower and he was trying to unwind especially after the long night he had ditching the corpse. Tending to his personal care in front of the bathroom mirror, Samuel lifted an arm and took a sniff, "Phew! I smell like death. Damn rotting sack of shit's scent is still all over me." Just then the lights went out and it infuriated Samuel even more so. When he turned to look in the mirror, he found that right behind was the Batman. Samuel turned around swinging a fist at Batman, but alas he caught the goons arm and threw him which led to the bathroom door being broken down and Samuel flying into the next room. Struggling to get up, Samuel was kicked over onto his stomach and Batman forced his foot onto Samuel's chest.
"Samuel Murtough. Did really think you could escape me?" Bruce said with an ominous element in his voice. Batman continued to press down on the Samuels chest.
"AURRGH! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!"
"A number of things, but first and foremost is information. I already have my reason to believe Black Mask killed that man from the docks. You're just a lackey who got stuck with dumping the garbage. So you're receiving very little of my wrath... for now. The rest is up to you. Now tell me who is Black Mask?"
"Screw you, freak! I won't squeal!"
"Oh, Samuel. I can be very convincing," with that being said Bruce forced down harder on Samuel's chest feeling like two of his ribs were about to break.
"AWWW! Stop!"
"I'll stop when I get a name."
"He'll kill me if I talk!"
"There are far worse things than death," Bruce then took his foot off of him and gripped him by the neck. He carried Samuel to ledge of the fire escape outside of the thugs bedroom window and dangled him over the three story drop below. "Take not being able to use your legs for the rest of your life. Black Mask can give you grizzly death for sure. But I'll see to it personally that you're life is a living hell. So who scares you more?"
"Alright! I'll talk! His name's Roman Sionis!"
"Jackpot." Bruce thought to himself.
"Is there anyone helping Sionis? Even with his resources he must have friends in his corner."
"All I've heard was that there was some broad helping out. She's a cutthroat bitch from how Sionis describes her. She always prefers to operate in the shadows. No one knows her name and seen her face." The wheels in Bruce's head began to turn as to who this mystery woman is, but for now he decided to keep his eyes on Sionis.
"Now you listen to me, Sammy. You're going to go and find Commissioner James Gordon and Captain Harvey Bullock and tell them everything you know about Sionis and his operation."
"But, Sionis will.."
"Sionis isn't dumb enough to knock you off when you're in Gordon's custody. You're too valuable an asset right now, and right now that's all that's saving you from me," Bruce then threw Samuel back inside. "I'll be watching you, Samuel. Don't cross me." Bruce then drew his grapple gun and was flung upward to the roofs above. Bruce glided over the buildings for a few blocks before grappling downward in an abandoned alley where he parked the Batmobile. Just as he was approaching the car Alfred spoke over the com unit.
"Master B, I didn't want to interrupt you're interrogation, but a situation has developed that may require investigating."
"What happened?"
"It appears there was a robbery at government owned warehouse this evening, sir. Federal agents have locked down the scene and no details of what was stolen has been issued. Undoubtedly to avoid any mass panic or any mistake made on their end."
"From what has been detailed about the robbery, is there any connection relating to Black Mask?"
"None that I can see, Master B."
"Keep me updated." The gears in Bruce's head were no turning non-stop. Questions such as who was involved and what was stolen were circulating through his head. Part of him hoped this was related to Black Mask, because if it wasn't that only meant another game of unknowns was taking place in his city.
The Narrows-Gotham City
A 13 year old street girl is walking down an alley way in the portion of the Narrows run by the Chessmen. She knows that she shouldn't be in that area, but it was unavoidable. The young woman needed to meet with a fence late that night to trade a broch with small rubies embedded into it. Just as she thought she was home free until..
"Look what we got here boys. Little miss here thought she could just wander through our turf without the proper payment toll." Three Chessmen approached her from the shadows. She knew this was going to be trouble.
"Hey, it's late. Can't we just forget about this and I'll pay double the next time I come through here?" The young girl pleaded her case.
"Don't think so, baby doll. What kind of example would that be? So if you're not gonna pay us. Guess we got no other choice to make an example out of you... get her."
The three men charged her. She had nowhere to run. She was petrified and thought it was the end. Two of the goons grabbed her by both her arms. The third was lifting his hand for a backhanded slap across her face, but his hand got caught by a bullwhip. He looked over to see Catwoman glaring at him.
"Now is that anyway to treat a young lady minding her own business?"Catwoman said with a small smirk across her face.
Catwoman pulled on the whip pulling the thug to the ground. The other two let go of the girl and began circling Selina. She stood her ground, poised and relaxed, eyeing the two men. One of the two rushed her, but Cat jumped in the air and the thug ended up tackling his friend. The thug who Selina pulled to the ground got back up ran up to her throwing a punch. But Selina caught his fist, kneed him in the gut, and roundhouse kicked him. Catwoman took in the sight of her handiwork and a wide smirk spread across her face. She dug in the pockets of each of the Chessmen and took all their cash. She walked over to the young girl handing her the money.
" Here, kid. They should really reimburse you for acting so rude."
"I don't take handouts."
"Then think of it as payback."
The young woman eyed Selina up and down, and thought what the hell. She took the cash and put in her pocket.
"Thanks. You're that cat lady aren't you? The papers are talking all about you and your friend."
"So what if I am?"
"I was just gonna say if you needed any info on what goes on down here with creeps like these guys, let me know. I got the connections about what goes on."
It was Selina's turn to eye the young girl up and down. She curious as to what her stake in this was. "Why would you help me?"
" I've read about the kind of punks you and the Bat go after. I wasn't always a street kid. I had a family. They loved me and I loved them. They owned a nice little trinket shop, but the Mob wanted them to pay protection money. My folks refused so the Mob torched the place with my parents still inside. I was just five years old, and I was in pre-school at the time. The Mob took everything from me and I ended up in shitty foster homes. I ran and learned to survive on the streets. I want to hurt these guys like they hurt me."
Selina felt sympathy for this kid. This is why she did what she did with Bruce. Maybe this kid could be some help. Maybe Selina can also help her get justice for what happened to this girls family. "What's your name, kid?"
"Holly. Holly Robinson"
" Ok, Holly. If you got any information, go to a woman named Selina Kyle. You can find her at the Sirens Club. Talk to her and she'll tell me." Catwoman began to walk away , but before Selina disappear she called over her shoulder, "Oh, and Holly?" Holly looked back behind her to see Selina dangling the broch Holly had lifted earlier. "When you steal something, be sure to guard it as if you were guarding your own heart. Just a tip for ya," Selina winked at Holly and leapt onto a nearby fire escape and in no time at all made her way to the roof and disappear into the night. Holly was awe-struck with the speed and agility with how Catwoman moved, but pissed at the fact that her score was stolen from a so called hero. She then looked down at the thick wad of cash and shrugged figuring it was a fair trade.
After jumping across over a dozen rooftops, Selina finally stopped to admire the view of the city she missed for all these years. "Oh how I've missed you, Gotham, old friend," Selina thought to herself. She then heard the soft fluttering of what one might think to be giant wings. Selina smirked knowing who was behind her.
"I knew you were watching me, B. Enjoy the show back there?"
"I could hardly say that the beating you put on those punks was hardly a warm-up to a proper exercise," Bruce said smoothly. He took the liberty of deactivating his voice modulator considering there wasn't anyone around to recognize him. Selina turned around to behold Bruce in his nocturnal persona. It still gives her goosebumps seeing Bruce in suited up as the Bat. Ever since they started their crusade throughout Gotham, she gave off the impression she was used to it by now, but inside she was longing for her Dark Knight to claim her.
"So how has your night been? Alfred contacted me and he mentioned that you had a little "discussion" between you and Black Masks errand boy."
"Tonight has been highly productive. By tomorrow the G.C.P.D. will have everything they need to start searching for Black Mask. I even have his name. Roman Sionis."
"Sionis? Like Richard Sionis? Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree in terms of homicidal behavior."
"It doesn't just stop with Sionis though. Apparently he has a partner working with him. No one was able to give a name or physical description, but it's a woman based on what Murtough said."
"Great," Selina said sarcastically, "another crazy bitch we have to deal with."
"Unfortunately, yes. But I wouldn't worry, Cat. Anyone who's smart knows that Catwoman is Gotham's true femme fatale," Bruce said with a smirk.
Selina sauntered over to Bruce, swaying her hips. She wrapped her arms around Bruce's neck, and brought her face so close they were barely touching
"And don't you forget that fact, Bat." Bruce and Selina's lips locked in a feverish embrace while basking in the light of the moon and stars. Bruce then remembered the item he was carrying with him. He didn't let that ring out of his sight since he retrieved it. He wanted the moment to propose to be special. Bruce became lost in his thoughts in this matter and with his distraction became less engaged in the kiss he was sharing with Selina. Cat saw this and withdrew from the kiss wondering what was on her man's mind.
"What's wrong, B?" Bruce was snapped out of it by this question. Not wanting to spoil anything, he tried to play it off cool.
"Nothings wrong, Cat. Just thinking about the case." Selina knew Bruce. She knew when he was lying. She was the one who taught him the art of deception for crying out loud! But for right now she wanted to believe him. She would press him on this matter later. Right now, it was to perfect of a night for either of them to start fighting.
"Please, Bruce...please don't shut me out. Not now. Not after all these years," Selina thought to herself.
Earlier the Next Morning-GCPD HQ- Upper West Side-Gotham City
Jim Gordon was on the upper balcony of the police station talking with Harper and Bullock. Late last night there was a number of unknown assailants robbing a federal government warehouse. What was stored there was kept confidential from law enforcement out of fear of causing panic and to protect the governments assets.
"Well this perfect. Not only do we have this weapon smuggling operation going on, but now a government warehouse is robbed and we have no leads because the feds are keeping us out of the loop," Jim said with a heavy sigh. "At least tell me we have something on that vic the uni's found?"
"Get this, it turns out the corpse was the head honcho at the docks that was able to get released. Thank God for that anonymous tip," Harvey said.
"Why would this Black Mask kill him, though? He didn't tell us anything," Harper asked.
"This Michael Gonzales, didn't tell US anything, but he did seem pretty spooked by this Batman and Catwoman," Jim pointed out.
"Right, how else was were they supposed to find that book keeping joint they busted into? How did that little chat with big and spooky go anyways?" Harvey chimed in.
"I trust him. He told me that he'd find what he get dig up, but right now we're exhausting all avenues. It still doesn't get us any closer to Black Mask, though. We still need eyewitness accounts to even get Sionis in our cross heirs," Harper pointed out. Once again Jim head drooped down. "One step forward. Two steps back," Jim thought to himself.
"Excuse me?" Jim, Harvey, and Harper turned their heads towards the entrance to see a man drawing the attention of every cop in the G.C.P.D. "My name's Samuel Murtough and I'm looking for Commissioner Gordon and Captain Bullock? I have information on Black Mask that I need to talk to them about."
"Or not," Jim refuted his earlier thought.
Jim, Harvey, and Harper looked at each other with surprised and satisfied looks on their faces. "Alvarez, take him to the interview room," Harvey called out. The tide was turning in their favor... for now at least.
Private safehouse of Roman Sionis-Coventry District-Gotham City
Out of all the things Sionis expected to see on the TV today, the news reel he was watching certainly wasn't it. "This is Vicky Vale, reporting live from in front of the G.C.P.D. where earlier today, an eyewitness by the name of Samuel Murtough came forward with incriminating evidence towards Gotham's newest crime lord, Black Mask. Thanks to his testimony, it can now be confirmed that Gotham's new gun runner is none other than Roman Sionis, son of late businessman and murderer Richard Sionis..." The television screen immediately cracked as shot the tv repeatedly. Roman was seething. Everything he worked towards was crumbling around him and he only had two people to blame. "The Bat and the Cat are dead," Sionis thought to himself. Just then his cell phone began to ring. He knew who it was. He picked it up to here Silver's calm, but bitter tone.
"Hello, Roman. Catch the morning news?" Silver asked. "They know your name now Roman. It's not looking good."
"They won't touch me. Anyone who comes after is gonna be blown away."
"Well, I wouldn't be to sure about that, Sionis. As far as I can see it you're nothing, but a loose end to me now. I can't have loose ends."
"You wouldn't dare come after me you bitch. You make with war with me and it will be the last mistake you ever make!"
"The only mistake I made was partnering with someone so volatile and unsuited for such a venture. Your daddy would be quite disappointed." With that Silver hung up and left Roman seething with rage.
"ARRRGHH!"