Hello my dear readers. I hope everyone is doing alright. I got some writing done, so a new chapter for you.

pbow: Rogue Villain's Gallery becomes tougher when they are your friends. Jade and Freddie investigating… isn't that suppose to be Freddie and Carly's job?

Agent-M-0167: Trina doesn't seem to be anywhere does she? Others' futures? You'll just have to read.

From my other stories, you know I'm obsessed with time to the point where I give the day and exact date, but this… I'm leaving it timeless as Burton did in his first two films, Batman: The Animated Series and this chapter will continue to feed into the Anachronism of the time period.

Mkpunk: Thanks. I'm not sure how clearer I can get with the identities at this point without coming out and saying it. You'll just have to keep reading to figure out the answers, but I've left plenty of clues.

Fanfic-Reader-88: Cops don't like vigilantes, especially ones doing a better job than them plus there is a little sexism in this world. It's part of the mixture of the times.

Jade jealous and feeling threatened by Tori? When has that ever happened? Oh wait…

Challenge King: I think it is their friendships that will define this story differently than other interpretations of Batman. To Batman, they would just be criminals to take down and send to Arkham, but what if they were his or in this case, her friends? Black and white morality blurs.

Okay, on with the story. I don't recall any updates from others since then to plug.

Rating: T Language

Chapter 7

West Manor

A few minutes short of a half hour after her friends had left after lunch, Jade returned from her master (mistress) bedroom and bath to meet up with Freddie, but he wasn't waiting for her in the living room. She was curious about his absence, but she only needed a moment or two to search the first floor to find the reporter and Sikowitz standing side by side at the kitchen sink washing the plates from lunch. She called out in mild shock, "Mister Benson, why are you washing dishes?"

The young reporter chuckled before turning then called out while turning to face her, but not seeing the millionaire yet as he spoke, "I'm actually rinsing and drying ma'am…" He trailed off as he looked at the lovely business woman, still letting her arm rest in a sling.

She wore a white dress shirt with a few buttons undone from the top that allowed just a hint of her cleavage to show, a woman's black blazer jacket and a matching back skirt that didn't quite reach halfway down her pale thighs. On another woman it may have looked to provocative, but on her, she wore it with style and grace and a certain level of elegance on such a practical outfit.

He cleared his throat at seeing how attractive she looked in such attire and hoped he didn't look like a high schooler gawking at the new girl coming to the school. The seconds ticked by until he realized his appearance and quickly grabbed one of the hand towels to dry his hands then started rolling down one of his sleeves to button up his cuffs.

The butler explained, "He was helping me with the dishes Madam Jade."

Freddie awkwardly shrugged as he started on the other sleeve. "I'm not used to not washing my dish unless I'm at a restaurant and I thought I'd help Mister Sikowitz as I didn't see any of the other staff around."

Jade gave a tiny nod to the explanation then answered, "That was very considerate of you Mister Benson since the staff is off on Sundays…" She turned to look at Sikowitz and finished remarking, "…isn't it Erwin?"

The butler put on a tight smile, trying to cover some of his embarrassment of trying to brush Mister Benson away while the reporter was considerate in helping him. He acknowledged, "Yes ma'am it is."

The dark haired brunette continued, "Well if you're ready to go, we can head down to the garage."

Sikowitz quickly spoke up as he pulled his hands out of the dish water, "Let me get my jacket Madam Jade—"

Jade raised her left hand. "You don't have to drive. I'm sure Mister Benson is quite capable of driving one of my cars."

The butler looked a little appalled that the young woman would entrust the reporter to drive one of her vehicles, especially with her in said vehicle. "Are you sure? It would only take me a mome—"

She innocently answered with an easy going smile, "It's fine Erwin. Besides, you have all these dishes to take care of after our added guests to lunch."

Sikowitz's mouth threatened to form into a frown, clearly getting the message that him staying was partially out of some minor payback for trying to brush Freddie away for the day while surprising her at the last minute with her friends visiting. He grinned instead and answered, "Yes ma'am. Everything will be tidy and back in place by the time you return."

Jade wrinkled her nose as she flashed him a bright smile. "Thank you Erwin."

She turned and headed for the garage. "This way to the garage Mister Benson."

He pulled his jacket off the back of a chair and his fedora off the table before dropping a step behind her.

The trip through the large mason was surprisingly short before Jade opened a door and stepped inside. She immediately turned to her right and reached for one of the hanging keys then turned to head further into the garage.

Freddie stopped when he saw the expansive garage with a number of different vehicles, including a motorcycle or two. There was one thing that stood out for all of them: they were various shades of black. Her clicking heels across the polished floor as she made her way down one of the rows of vehicles snapped him out of his mild stupor. He tried to quickly catch up with her in a dignified manner.

She stopped in front of a sleek black car, a Murciélago LP640, and ran a fingertip across the side of the passenger door before grabbing the handle to open the horizontally hinged door.

He uttered in mild shock, "You have one of those space age cars." He of course was referring to the radical departure in car design inspired by the rapid technology advancements, particularly those coming out of Metropolis, and away from the bulky linear block type of vehicles as say the Buicks Century, Cadillac V-16 and Mercedes-Benz W31, that the average public and upper echelon of society used.

She softly laughed, "Several actually."

"And all in black…"

She smiled to him in return and teased in a sultry voice, "I like black and I like speed."

"I thought you looked lovely in blue."

She stopped before slipping into her seat to meet his innocent gaze. She answered in a guarded tone, "Thank you." She dropped in her seat and turned in such a way to keep her modesty in the skirt then pulled the door down closed to shield her face from what would been an easily seen blush on her pale cheeks.

He cleared his throat and needlessly adjusted his glasses on his face, somewhat embarrassed from being so forward with the young woman. He didn't understand where all this bravery was originating to be able to say what he was thinking as he was never able to do so with Carly. A passing thought was perhaps it was because he'd only be around her for a few days and he wouldn't have to maintain the bumbling façade.

He brushed those thoughts aside and walked around to driver's side door and opened it, just avoiding it popping him in the face. He took off his hat and awkwardly leaned around the odd door then slipped into the driver's seat and dropped his hat in his lap. He pulled the door down shut then immediately looked around in the interior, particularly the instrument panel while Jade pulled her seatbelt over her shoulder and across her chest. He felt like a fighter pilot strapped into an experimental airplane or one of those developing space planes.

She smiled at the almost childlike wonder of the young reporter as he tried to take in the futuristic car. "Not something you would see on a farm is it?"

He chuckled, "No. More and more of them are on the streets of Metropolis, but I've never been behind the wheel of one except when I had to cover a car show at the end of last year."

"Well it's just like any other car." She lifted up the keys to dangle them in front of him to take and finished, "You put your seatbelt on and turn the ignition."

He laughed like a child, "Right. Seatbelt then ignition, safety first." He pulled the seatbelt over his chest to lock it then took the keys from her dainty fingers and stuck the key into the ignition.

She kindly offered, "I can hold your hat."

He softly laughed, "Oh, ah thank you ma'am."

He handed her his hat and she rested it in her cross-legged lap. He quickly adverted his eyes from looking at the side of her thighs as her skirt rode up a little from sitting and crossing her legs.

She teased, "You can drive a stick shift? Right?"

"No different than a tracker back home."

"She certainly doesn't drive like one, I assure you."

He felt a little liberated and returning a small smile at her statement then easily pressed on the accelerator and the vehicle slowly pulled out of the parking spot.

Gotham City Police Department Headquarters

Jade and Freddie stood side by side as they patiently waited outside a locker-room on the first floor the police headquarters for two particular officers. The drive was particularly pleasant and Freddie had managed to drive it from the township back to the city and to police headquarters without wrecking the vehicle. On the back roads between the manor and the city, he actually got to try out the speed and it was a somewhat thrilling experience. He found he whether enjoyed driving the high performance vehicle and the lovely lady sitting to his right was quite a nice addition to the ride.

A few officers exiting the locker-room to go on their respective shifts gave the pair a curious expression of why they were allowed to wait this far into the station, well they looked to Freddie in curiosity while checking out Jade even if some of them were old enough to be her father. However, no one bothered to ask the pair as they noticed each was wearing visitor passes.

Another minute or so, two plain dressed officers that matched the description of the officers that the pair was patiently waiting to see exited the locker room. Freddie politely asked one of the older officers, "Excuse me, are you Officer Carl?"

The older bald gentleman stopped and gave a light scowl to the young reporter, clearly annoyed with having to be bothered before getting off his extended shift, "Yes, I'm Officer Carl."

The younger man, but not by much with a full head of dark hair, smirked and introduced himself, "And I'm Officer Kelvin… Miss West?" He paused and asked as he recognized the very lovely woman standing next to the reporter.

Officer Carl straightened up and put on a friendlier and more welcoming disposition. He was smart enough of show respect for power and money plus there was the little appreciation for her efforts in raising money for officers' families.

She directed a sweet smile at the officer. "Yes I am."

Kelvin nearly fell over himself as he extended his hand then withdrew it to off his left hand and spoke, "It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am."

She graciously took the hand for a soft handshake

Carl asked, "Are you alright ma'am?"

She looked to her shoulder and remarked, "I just overextended my arm while introducing my fist to one of Steven's thugs."

Officer Kelvin chuckled, "I heard about. You really laid him out. Whoever taught you how to do that, please let me have his number? I have a daughter that's going away for college in a few years and I know it would make me feel better if she knew a few moves."

She politely laughed, "I'll have one of my people pass his name along."

He nodded his thanks and assuming the reason for their visit continued, "Thank you and we'll recover the money from the fundraiser. I can rest assure you ma'am."

The older officer grumbled out, "You can certainly count on it ma'am. Some two-bit punks are not going to rob us blind and get away with it."

Freddie suppressed a slight smirk, hearing the disgust of the officer and wondering how far it would take the officer's actions given a moment of opportunity. Whoever still had the money, the remnants of Carson's guys or the Joker's gang, there could be some question if they would be brought in a paddy wagon or an ambulance.

Jade remarked, "I have every confidence that you'll recover the money, but that isn't why we're here."

Kelvin knotted his brow and glanced to his partner with a curious gaze before looking back at the millionaire and asking, "It isn't?"

"No, Mister Benson here is a reporter from the Daily Planet and wanted to know what you saw last night at the hospital with Steven Carson if it's alright? I wanted to make sure the public heard about your dedication as officers and reassure them that you're doing everything you can to keep the public safe."

The officers glanced to one another, quite weary of speaking with the press.

Jade teased, "If he doesn't, I'll fire him and make sure he never works for another newspaper again."

The quartet shared a laugh, even the gruff Office Carl probably due to the police officers could tell that she was telling the truth. However, the veteran officer pointed out, "Since officially it is an ongoing investigation even though it's pretty open and shut for a suicide, we really can't discuss it with the press."

Freddie offered, "How about off the record until after the official conclusion is released?"

Kelvin pointed out, "It wouldn't be much of a story then after the fact."

"The public enjoys first hand juicy details, not dry clinical reports. They always leave out something."

The officers still looked weary as they had a healthy skepticism about the truthfulness of reporters.

The Metropolis reporter quickly followed up, "I can assure you that he will not print a word until the official report is released. I'll list you as unnamed sources and I take my journalistic ethics quite seriously in protecting my sources. If I revealed sources, no one would ever talk to me again and my career would be over. I have far more to lose than you if your names got out."

Carl asked in a stern voice, "Off the record for now?"

"Off the record for now."

The younger officer began, "There's not really much to tell. We were the ones on guard duty that night. It beat going out in the humid rain that night. I took a restroom break and a coffee run—"

Carl picked up, as if he was reading from a script, but most likely because he had retold the same story several times to other investigating officers, "While I was reading a magazine just outside the room. I heard a scream from inside Mister Carson's room. Naturally I rushed inside, but I was too late. He had already leapt to his death."

The crew cut haired officer continued, feeling that he had to defend himself from any accusations of dereliction of duty, "We were assigned to guard him, not be a suicide watch. There was no indication he was suicidal, not after hearing that he was cutting a sweetheart deal with the D.A."

Kelvin laughed, "Yeah, and besides, who would have thought a guy with a busted knee like that could have hobbled out of bed and threw himself out a window?"

Freddie casually continued, "So you were outside when it happened? So no one could have slipped into the room and perhaps pushed him out of the window?"

Carl's mouth became a thin line as he narrowed his gaze on the young reporter, obviously taking a little offence that he could have been derelict in his duty, "The only ones in and out of his room after the Commissioner and D.A. left were random nurses going in to check on him. He was alone in the room when he jumped unless a ghost picked him up and tossed him out of the window."

Jade nodded along as she pointed out, "I can see why it would be open and shut case for suicide: Mister Carson was alone in his room with a dedicated veteran officer outside guarding the only way in or out. Thank you for your time. I'm sure both of you want to get home after a very long night and day, so we'll be going. Have a nice day."

She looped her left arm around Freddie's right arm and slightly pulled on him to turn away from the officers. She was surprised for a moment that she couldn't even get him to budge by her leverage alone, but he quickly turned and walked with her.

Kelvin raised a hand as he called out behind her, "You have a nice day too ma'am."

As the pair was making their way towards the main entrance of the police station, Freddie softly complained, "I had a few more questions for him—"

"Which wasn't going to do you any good. I could see the stubbornness in his eyes. He'd just answer any follow up questions with repeating his story. There are not details to tease out the simple story to catch him in an inconstancy: he's sitting outside when he heard Steven's scream."

He curiously asked the pale young woman, "So you think it was suicide?"

"Do you?"

"No, I think Kelvin is being honest, but Carl is hiding something. I think he either stepped away or looked the other way to let someone inside."

She readily agreed, but pointed the problem, "So do I, but we don't have any leverage for him to change his story or catch him in a lie."

Freddie pushed open the door for her to exit and she took the lead, but held onto his arm to pull him out with her. Once they were outside, he replied, "Right, so right now we may think it was murder and we have conjecture for the same reason Officer Carl gave: Carson was desperate to stay alive in running then willing to cut a deal with Shapiro. I can't print that unless I get some proof."

She rested her right hand over her left wrist as the pair started down the sidewalk arm-in-arm towards her vehicle and stated, "So our next move is to get some proof, perhaps find a way to disprove Carl's story."

He glanced to her in mild disbelief and asked, "Our next move?"

She teasingly smiled to him in return and stated in a playful manner, "Yes, our next move." She tilted her head ever so slightly down and to her right as she continued, "We just got started and you are driving my car and… I still want to know the truth."

He was still a little surprised that she wanted to tag along in the investigation which naturally started causing him to start questioning her motives. A number of ideas quickly crossed his mind: Was 'The Bat' inspiring her to make a difference? Or was there a more nefarious reason for her support? Was she just as corrupt as the other rich and powerful and just putting up an act and just trying to come along with him and sweep up any missed pieces of evidence that could link one of her own to the murder? Was Carson telling the truth and her friend really the Joker and she was trying to cover up for him?

He hated to be suspicious of the kind woman's motivations, but he wouldn't be much of a reporter if he just blindly accepted someone's word. However, in the meantime… he casually answered when it occurred to him how they could get some potential evidence, "He said the only ones in or out after the Commissioner and your friend left were the nurses randomly checking on him, right?"

"Right, so…"

"We track them down from last night and see if there are any discrepancies in their stories that will give us clues to what really happened or leverage on one of them to tell the truth."

"And for that… we have to head for the hospital to see if they'll give us any of the names of the nurses on duty then track down where they live." She blew out a sigh and remarked in a resigned manner, "This will probably be a long afternoon." She glanced to him and remarked, "I'm glad I have good company."

He slightly blushed at the compliment as he couldn't remember Carly ever really being that supportive of his presence.

Mason Thornesmith Penthouse

Robbie knocked on the front of the door penthouse, accompanied by Detective Vega on his right. A few moments later, a gentleman opened the door and cautiously looked at the pair. He locked eyes with Detective Vega, assuming a possible threat from the well built man.

The D.A. spoke up to diffuse any potential problem, "I'm Robert Shapiro, District Attorney and I'd like to see Mister Thronesmith if he's available."

The obvious bodyguard looked over his shoulder to perhaps another gentleman standing behind him, but being blocked by the door. He whispered something to him then a few seconds later, Mason's voice could be heard calling out, "Let them inside."

The guard opened the door and the pair quickly entered.

Mason got up from his seat, smiled and greeted the young man as he got up from his seat, "Mister Shapiro, Detective Vega, a pleasure to see you."

Robbie smiled and passed a quick glance to see the police commissioner getting up from the couch as apparently watching something on the television and enjoying an afternoon brandy. The D.A. nodded his appreciation and started his somewhat of an apology, "I'm sorry to disturb you on a Sunday afternoon, but I wanted to update you on the investigation of your stolen documents."

The secret mob boss cocked an eyebrow and asked somewhat flabbergasted, "Update me? I didn't realize that you were even apprised of the situation least long involved with it with everything going on with the robbery and Carson's suicide."

Dickers mumbled, "I didn't either." He gave a sharp glance towards Vega and asked, "Why wasn't I informed of this?"

Robbie answered for the detective, "With everything going on with the robbery and Carson's death, it just slipped my mind about it and I have my doubts about the authenticity of it actually being your property. Reason enough not to give you false hope."

Mason asked with a hint of concern, "Authenticity? You found my documents?"

"I found 'documents' that have your name on them."

The graying haired gentleman's confusion deepened as he asked, "I don't understand. You found documents? How did you find them? Who do you have in custody?"

"We don't have anyone in custody."

Mason glanced to the commissioner, the pair sharing in being confused. He patiently looked back to Robbie and asked, "Then how did you recover my property?"

"Someone broke into my apartment late last night or early this morning before I got back from the hospital and they left it on my bed."

Mason gave him an incredulous expression and asked, "They left you my documents after breaking into your home?"

"Yes."

"So you've seen it?

"Yes and that's why it gives me doubts that they belong to you."

The Englishman felt slight relief at the apparent disbelief of Robbie and carried on as if he was in the dark about the whole matter, which wasn't far from the truth. "May I ask why?"

"You said some valuable legal documents were stolen?"

"Yes. Will, birth certificate, all my personal documentation for being a legal permanent resident of the United States and other equally valuable documents."

"But what was left in my home looked like odd forgeries of deeds and proof of owning shares in various businesses in the city that I know you don't have any involvement. I'm just guessing, but it looks like to me someone is trying to frame you for securities fraud and tax evasion."

Mason put on a grim face and whispered out darkly, thinking quickly to bolster Robbie's line of thinking, "It must have been one of Steven's fellows. He tries to have me kidnapped and probably murdered and if that didn't work out he was planning to have me sent to prison."

"That's what I was thinking. You have a criminal conspiracy against you to either see you dead or in prison."

He put on a thankful smile and his little bit of an act thanks to his studying of theater when he was a younger man. "I'm just grateful that we have such an intelligent and keen D.A. in office. The city is quite fortunate to have you to be one of our guardians of justice. May I ask what you'll be doing with the forgeries?"

"For the time being I want to hold them as evidence in any case I can bring against any in Steven's crew for obstruction of justice. It might be leverage in trying to recover your real documents, but I just need to figure out how to link them to the forgeries."

Dickers spoke up and looked to Detective Vega. "Take anyone you need to shake down every professional forger in the city, especially ones with any experience with legal documents. Hell check any person linked to Carson that had any legal experience down to a paralegal. We'll nab them all in one giant conspiracy and deliver them to Mister Shapiro with a nice bow.

Vega nodded his head with a tight smile, annoyed that he was sent on a wild goose chase but had to maintain appearances. "Yes sir. I'll get right on it." He turned to head out of the penthouse.

Robbie spoke up, "I think I'll give Detective Vega a hand. My girlfriend may not like missing that afternoon with her, but the faster we can nab them all the faster we have a chance to really eradicate any attempt for organized crime. Gentlemen, have a nice afternoon."

He turned to follow the police detective out just as Mason called out, "You do the same and thank you for your dedication."

As soon as the pair walked out of the penthouse, Dickers turned to Mason and muttered, "He can't be that stupid."

"Maybe he is, maybe he isn't, but I'm not waiting around to find out." He quickly headed for his private office in his penthouse with Dickers falling in step behind him. The businessman picked up his phone and pressed one of the buttons to the side of the keypad. He only had to wait of few moments for the other person to pick up and started, "Chelsea, emergency business meeting with everyone, and I mean everyone, in an hour."

The officer and lawyer stepped into the elevator and Vega angrily tapped the button to close the doors then the one to the bottom floor. He looked to his daughter's high school friend and pointed out with an annoyed filled voice, "If you're saying they're fakes then you can't use that as evidence to get a warrant for those companies' documents."

Robbie confidently smirked as he pointed out, "What I tell them and what I tell a judge are two different things."

"You don't know if the judge you're going to isn't on his payroll."

Robbie shook his head and pointed out, "He can't have bought off every single judge, but I'm not going to one of ours. I'm going to a state judge for a warrant under the state's RICO laws."

"That might piss off the state attorney general in stepping on his toes."

"Well that's tough chizz isn't it?"

The detective chuckled and shook his head. The young man had come a long way from being some goofball with a puppet in high school.

Conference Room #3
Ellsworth Building
Sunday, June 25

Mason sat in his usual spot at the end of the table as the other two families and top associates from all the families sat around the rest of the table. No one was happy at the table with a few sparing some glances with wary eyes towards Beck sitting at the other end of the table with his constant blonde haired companion standing beside him. She was dressed far more casually than her usual sexy dresses in these meetings in a black leather jacket (which her right hand was stuffed inside), a form fitting shirt and a pair of blue jeans.

The Mob boss ignored their apprehension about their reaction to the rumors of Beck being 'The Joker' and started the meeting with what he saw as the most pressing of matters. "Ladies, gentlemen, thank you for attending this meeting at such short notice. As you may know, we face a serious prob—"

Quincy snapped his interruption while pointing to Beck, "Why is he here?"

Beck was quick to respond with a dark expression, "Why wouldn't I be here?"

"Because you're the Joker."

Sam gave the crime boss a dark look while Beck responded with a laugh, "And why do you believe that chizz? The self serving words of a traitor who didn't like me and who was chirping as a stoolpigeon to the D.A. before he jumped out of a window? He was just trying to implicate everyone he can to either cut a better deal or take down his enemies in the process."

Quincy barked back, "A D.A. that is your friend and who's about to come down on all of us now from what Steven told them and what he has from whoever burglarized Mason's place."

Mason held his tongue of his annoyance that his meeting had been hijacked, especially since the recovered document news had been leaked before he could mention it, but it was better to openly hear out the others' concerns instead of letting them fester and later bite him at the most inconvenient time. The combination of smarts and strength was what got him to the top and it was those attributes that was going to keep him on top.

Mrs. Lee spoke up, "You should kill the curly haired mop top boy right now before he can do anything. After that, no one in his office would dare move against us." She looked to Mason and softly mocked, "We'll do it for you if you don't have the courage to make the decision." Her large, heavyset bodyguard Kawkoo standing behind her eagerly smiled before cracking his knuckles.

Mason wanted to smack her taunting smirk off of her face, but the former inspiring actor sharply retorted before he could say a word, "You're not touching Robbie."

"Why not? We're not afraid of the cops. No one would dare touch us if we show them strength."

"It's not the cops you'd have to worry about, it's me."

Mrs. Lee frowned and challenged, "Oh? And what would you do that I'd have to worry about so much?"

Beck whispered in such a soft and cold voice that it seemed to cause the room to drop a degree or two in the room, "I'll put a bullet through your face."

The oriental crime boss (she was intentionally vague about whether she was Chinese or Japanese) glared at Beck as she quickly realized that he was quite serious. She looked to Mason and attempted to scold him, "Are you going to let him talk to me that way?"

Mason had honed his own acting skills over the years and looked genuinely surprised by her question then mockingly returned to ask, "Oh? You want me to do something? I thought you were the strong one."

Mrs. Lee gritted her teeth and almost literally fumed as she stared at the Englishman.

Mason continued in an almost lazy voice, "If you decide to touch Shapiro, I'm not interfering with whatever Beck decides to do, but I agree that Shapiro is off limits to touch. You'd turn him into a martyr and then everyone would scrutinize us."

"You're willing to let him start a war?"

"There wouldn't be a war because you'd be dead and anyone who would want to avenge your death would quickly be disposed of. There's a reason why he's my number one."

Mrs. Lee's face almost turned red in frustration and anger. She was oh so tempted to tell Kawkoo to go over and rip the Englishman's head off after doing the same to Beck, but she rationally knew such a thing would be impossible with Mason's guards quietly in the background.

"If we're done bickering, we can get to the matter at hand: Steven was a traitor who is doing nothing but trying to divide us when it's clear that he was this 'Joker' all along. That matter is settled and the other matter… his word is meaningless now that we've cleared out all his places where he could have kept his own records and Shapiro may have my personal records that you are all concerned about, but he already believes that they are fabrications."

Quincy interrupted, "However, he now knows which ones are our legitimate businesses and which ones are my front ones—"

Beck confidently smirked as he interrupted, "Which won't be a problem if we go in, trash the offices and make off with the records and say it was industrial espionage. All they have left is the unsustainable word of a dead guy who would rob from dead cops' families and easily made up files. We don't rock any boats by killing a D.A. and we can get back to business as usual—after we reestablish some new front companies."

The crime boss smiled so broadly that it was almost a manic appearance. "I see we had the same idea. That's what I like about you Beck, we're always on the same page and you can anticipate what I'm thinking and… I'd like you to personally take care of this."

"Me?"

"Yes." Mason gave him a fatherly smile and continued in a tone that showed his confidence in the long haired young man.

He glanced around to everyone and politely asked, "Ladies, gentlemen, I'd like to speak with Beck alone please?"

The other two crime bosses glanced to one another along with the other various underlings, before Shawn decides to stand up, signaling for the others to follow his lead. He turned towards the door and started on his way out with the others quickly following suit. Mason called out as they exited, "Thank you gentlemen."

Mrs. Lee and Mister Quincy each looked over their respective shoulders to the head of the three families then exited with the rest then Mason's bodyguards pulled the doors shut.

The crime boss looked to Sam, patiently standing next to Beck. The blonde looked back at him, almost daring him to ask her to leave, but Beck looked up to Sam and politely asked, "Could you give us a few minutes Sam?"

The curly haired blonde looked to her partner in crime with annoyed expression, but relented with a sharp snort then kiss on his cheek. She slowly walked towards the door, passing a quick glance over her shoulder before she opens the door and brushes past one of the bodyguards.

Mason playfully remarked, "She's loyal. A good trait to have in a woman. So, when are you going to finally settle down and marry her?"

"What makes you think we aren't already?"

Mason cocked a surprise eyebrow then chuckled out, "I hope not because I don't have a wedding gift for you."

Beck joined his laughter as the crime boss got up from his seat and walked beside the table until he took a seat on the right corner of the table to Beck. He continued in a fatherly tone, "Beck, you're my number guy and after Steven's betrayal… trust is a commodity in short supply, but I know I have it in you."

"Despite what he said and what everyone else is thinking?"

"The others might be swayed by his… what do you youngsters call it? 'Chizz'? However, I know better and after tonight, they won't have any doubts about your loyalty—doubts I do not share."

Beck stared back at the crime boss and knew he couldn't talk his way out not going, so he did the most logical possible. He stood up and picked up his fedora and wore his charming smile as he eagerly agreed, "Right. Tonight me and the boys will hit Ace Chemicals and the only thing for Robbie will be trashed offices then everything can get back to normal."

Mason smiled as he picked up Beck's deck of cards that rested on the table in front of the young man then dropping them in Beck's fedora. "Don't forget your lucky deck."

The long haired gangster nodded his head then charmingly remarked, "Right?"

As Beck walked to the back exit of the conference room and opened the door to leave, Sam looked over Beck's shoulder to Mason with a weary expression.

The Mob boss smiled politely and raised a hand in farewell. As soon as the door closes, the mob boss turns and walks back to the other end of the table and to a desk in the back of the conference room. He slips into the chair behind the desk and picks up the phone resting near the right edge of the surface. He presses an intercom button as he brings the receiver to his ear and politely asks, "Get me Commissioner Dickers."

Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the next one certainly will be exciting, I hope. Threw in some minor characters in here for those with photographic memory of the shows (or access to the wikias). Can you spot some of the homage from the Batman films in this? When is it alright to invoke the whole stay tuned with the old joke from the '60s series?