After dealing with a clock tower full of Scarecrow's militia and saving what was left of our data, I was all set to return to the precinct. That is, until I noticed Nightwing wandering around Chinatown. I swooped down from my rooftop perch and landed a few paces behind him. The older vigilante was crouched in front of a body, most likely one of Gotham's delinquent goons.
"Nightwing," I called, approaching him. I was curious as to whether he had succeeded in locating Jason.
Dick stood up and faced me, expression grim. "Robin," he greeted with a curt nod. "Did you and Oracle make it to the GCPD OK?"
"Yeah," I replied, scanning the small plaza around us. To my surprise, more thugs lay limp in the shadows. "Um...I see you've been keeping busy." I shot him a questioning look.
"This wasn't me." Dick shook his head, returning to the man he'd been examining. He turned the thug on his back with his boot. Lightning struck, illuminating the bullet holes in his dark jacket. The man's lifeless eyes stared up from his pale face into the stormy sky above.
I blanched, looking about the plaza once more. Pools of blood surrounded many of the bodies, staining the cold concrete. Nightwing had stumbled upon the scene of a massacre.
A terrible thought occurred to me. "Dick...who did this?"
Nightwing looked at me with pained eyes before casting them to the ground. "What happened to you, Jaybird?" he mumbled sadly.
"Now, now, boys," a silky voice crooned, causing us to jump into fighting stances. "There's no need to cry over spilled milk. Unless you're a starving kitten, of course."
"Show yourself," I commanded, not in the mood for games.
A petite figure strolled out of the darkness behind Nightwing, her high-heeled boots clicking against the bloody pavement. We both tensed as her face appeared in the moonlight.
"What do you want, Selina?" Nightwing grumbled, twirling one of his escrima sticks warningly.
Catwoman pouted mockingly. "Oh, Dickie-bird, is that any way to greet an old friend?" She asked, pacing around the man. Her eyes raked his body shamelessly. "It's been so long since I've seen either of you boys. Bruce sure knows how to raise them right," she grinned with a wink.
I kept my mouth shut, knowing I would just blurt out something ridiculous. Catwoman sure had a way with certain men.
Dick sighed, relaxing and sheathing his weapon. "I thought you'd hightailed it out of here when everything hit the fan," he said, crossing his arms.
"I might've," the thief shrugged, coming to stand before us casually. "If I wasn't being held against my will by a certain Eddie Nigma. What a poor man, always trying to prove how clever he thinks he is."
"The Riddler?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "How'd you get away?"
"I was getting to that, Timmy," she replied sharply, somewhat irked by my presence. "Tall, brooding, and handsome had to solve all of these ridiculous puzzles to free me, but I knew he wouldn't fail," she smirked, "He hasn't so far."
"That's all really nice," Nightwing interjected, now irritated. "But I'm in the middle of looking for someone, so if you won't help-"
"Would this someone happen to be a dashing young man who looks like Tom Cruise?" Catwoman wondered out loud. "He had some sort of tattoo right here." she tapped her face right below her left eye. "He seemed so distraught while he brutally murdered everyone in his sight. It's a shame I couldn't give him a little comfort."
"Wait, I...what?" Dick stammered, eyes wide. "You saw him? Can you tell me where he went?"
"Oh, was he someone you knew?" she replied with a sly grin. "Why, Dickie, I never thought you'd-"
"Selina!" he snarled, cutting the thief off.
I silently maintained my distance, never having seen Nightwing lose his temper. The last thing I wanted was to be caught in the middle of their squabble.
"Someone's being touchy," Catwoman muttered, placing a hand on her hip. "Fine, if you insist," she sniffed, beginning her tale. "After Bruce freed me from the Riddler, I came here looking for any little treasures I could claim. Chinatown is popular with the tourists, and I figured someone could have dropped something valuable while they were fleeing for their lives."
"What about Ja-that man?" I asked, noticing Dick fuming beside me.
"I was inside one of the stores over there when I heard shouting, gunfire," she motioned over to the far side of the plaza. "I snuck out to take a peek, and that's when I saw him." She closed her eyes, as if relishing the memory. "A big gang of thugs surrounded him. He was hopelessly outnumbered, but he charged. He was like a lion, tearing his enemies apart with a rage that, frankly, left me a little breathless."
I frowned. Catwoman sounded like she had enjoyed watching Jason a little more than what was necessary.
"These poor guys never stood a chance," she continued, looking over at one of the bodies. "I can still hear his furious roars echoing in my ears, their screams as they begged for mercy, only to be shot like dogs."
"Get on with it," Nightwing growled, glaring at the thief's overdramatics.
"You boys," Selina hissed, voice rising dangerously. "Need to learn some manners." The hand resting on her whip tightened.
"Good going, Nightwing," I muttered, reaching for my staff. Something told me that Catwoman wouldn't let us off the hook so easily.
The vigilante sighed, rolling his eyes. "Sorry, Selina. Please continue with your captivating story."
"I suppose your...punishment can wait," she replied, unclenching her jaw. "I know you two have places to go, people to see, so I'll make this fast." She pointed a clawed hand towards a darkened hotel. "He stormed off into that hotel, probably to get some rest. I haven't seen him since," she concluded.
Nightwing's eyes traveled up the building, searching for any indication of Jason's presence. I followed his gaze, catching sight of a few glowing windows.
"Alright," Dick nodded, satisfied, "I suppose I should thank you, Selina."
"No problem," she replied, walking past the vigilante. Her fingers trailed gently along his shoulder blades as she passed. "I'll leave you and Timmy to it then. Say 'hi' to Bruce for me." With that, she strutted away, no doubt on the hunt for more loot.
"OK, what's the plan?" I asked, looking between the hotel and Nightwing.
The older man bit his lip in concentration. "I think I-EEP!" he squeaked suddenly as the crack of a whip reverberated through the air. I spun around just in time to see Catwoman's silhouette flip to the top of a nearby building and vanish from sight.
"Stupid catty lady," Nightwing grumbled, rubbing his backside sheepishly.
"You better watch out, Dick," I grinned amusedly. "I don't think she was kidding when she mentioned your 'punishment'."
"Shut the hell up," he retorted, face red. Without saying another word, he strode towards the hotel.
After a moment of thought, I followed him. Something in my mind urged me to meet face-to-face with Jason once more. My reasons became clear as we approached the ominous building.