December 12: "I am vengeance. I am the night." (from V Tsuion)

At times, my friend took on cases that could be solved from his armchair at Baker Street, and at times, he took on cases that necessitated travelling great distances. It was the latter sort with which he was currently engaged, and I had decided against my better judgement to accompany my friend to the American city of Gotham. We had been there for some several days, staying with Holmes' colleague Dr. Jonathan Crane, a prominent chemist who had graciously allowed us to stay in a spare bedroom and access much of his chemical equipment.

I did not want to leave my friend's side while he was deeply engrossed in a chemical analysis, but neither did I want to go hungry. I decided to take my luncheon on the other side of the lab. Out of respect for the care needed in my friends work (and the disastrous results that might occur if such care was not taken), I was silent unless spoken to during these analyses. At length, Holmes spoke.

"Watson, what do you know of Bruce Wayne?"

I swallowed a bite of stew. "Prominent millionaire and philanthropist. Grew up here in Gotham, if I'm not much mistaken, and last known to be courting a certain Miss Selena Kyle, an exotic dancer. Caused a bit of a stir, that match."

"Hmm." Holmes did not look up from his work.

Some minutes later, he stood suddenly. "Aha! At last, the most vital clue!"

"Is it enough to take to Sargent Bullock?"" I asked, leaping to my feet in excitement, stew all but forgotten.

"I'm afraid not yet," Holmes replied. "I am convinced that this string of poisonings was perpetrated by Pamela Isley, but do not yet have enough evidence for the police."

"What will you do?"

"I must go after her myself," Holmes replied. "And I have a good idea where to look."

"Is that wise?" I protested. "Holmes, if you're correct, this woman has single-handedly murdered a dozen men. Surely there must be some other way to bring her to justice."

Holmes shook his head. "I will not sit idly by while others die. I must act now."

"Then I shall be by your side." I might not like Holmes' methods, but if there would be danger, I would not allow him to go alone.

My friend flashed a smile. "I knew I could count on you, old fellow."

We told Dr. Crane where we were off to, and hailed a cab to take us to Crime Alley. Once we arrived in that horrid neighborhood, I followed Holmes to a warehouse.

We walked quietly, approaching the door with caution. I heard several male voices speaking inside.

"—carefully with her—"

"—don't disturb the evidence—"

I looked to Holmes, who opened the door and stepped inside.

The massive, dingy room held a half a dozen policemen, two of whom were unhandcuffing a bruised, bloodied, and barely conscious crimson-haired woman and fastening her wrists behind her back. Even more alarming were the monstrously overgrown vines fanning out from her in all directions, climbing crates and support beams, and dotted with bright, deadly flowers.

I recognized Sargent Bullock as he turned to face us with a smile. "Why, Sherlock Holmes! I'm afraid we don't need a detective to tell us what happened here."

"You seem to have beaten us to her," Holmes commented. "And you were not the first."

"No indeed," Bullock replied. "The Batman arrived before we could."

"You are aware she is responsible for the string of poisonings?"

"Yes," Bullock replied. "She was one of my suspects, but I didn't have enough evidence until an anonymous tip led us here. Did you receive it as well?"

"No, I came to the conclusion independently," Holmes replied. "As did the Batman, it would seem."

"So it would," Bullock replied. "At times, he is a nuisance, and at other times, I'm glad we have him watching over Gotham."

"The police of London have had rather the same thing to say about me," replied Holmes, flashing a smile.

A couple notes for folks (like me) who barely know any Batman lore:

- Dr. Jonathan Crane - man who later becomes the Scarecrow, a bad guy

- Selena Kyle - Catwoman

- Sargent Bullock - a police guy nicknamed Bulldog I guess

- Pamela Isley - Poison Ivy, a villain who really pretty and can poison people with her lips and control plants and stuff sometimes

Also, fun fact! My partner informed me that there's a comic (and movie adaptation!) called Gotham by Gaslight based around the idea of Batman living in the 19th century. So we just watched the movie. Was it inspiration or procrastination? Who's to say...