Gotham woke that morning to headlines blazing with last night's heist and the presence of a new Rogue. The GCN, the Gotham Herald, the Gotham Times, and the Tattler were all in a flurry trying to get interviews with the victims of the heist and with people Elizabeth knew. Of course, GCN had the inside scoop due to the presence of Jack Ryder at the ball, however, his dramatic personality led to the story being told as though Elizabeth was a complete monster.
"…and she was pointing the gun at everyone threating to kill us all!" He told the colleague interviewing him. "I don't know what would have happened if the Riddler would not of been there! And then when Batgirl showed up she was no match for Wolf's psychotic strength and Batgirl was left near dying!"
Lacking an inside source the Gotham Times became inventive and decided to interview and attack Dr. Grout for not noticing her spiral into madness.
"It is my belief that whatever caused Miss Howard's current state happened within the last two to three weeks. She missed her last two sessions with me, I'm sure whatever caused her changed happened then as she was completely normal the last time I saw her. Whatever has happened though, I'm sure she can work through it with help. Miss Howard is strong and if she gets help she will get better."
Trying to get a different source the Gotham Herald went around to Elizabeth's old employers. The Gotham City Licensing Division had no comment on her career and personality during her time as a building inspector, however, the owner of Dӓs Mӓdchen had plenty to say.
"F***** B****! She attacked me! She's crazy I'm telling you! She even admitted it! She says to me, she says "I'm just a little bit crazy." And then the B**** knocks me out! I come to hours later with a giant bump on my head! Felt woozy for two days I did!"
The Tattler, as tabloids often do, went a little too far in their investigation and when they discovered that the Rogue's sister had been at the ball they just couldn't resist.
"Leave me alone. I don't want to talk to you about it. No! I said leave me alone! Fine! You want a statement then listen up! That woman is not my sister! She was never my sister! If she was my sister she wouldn't of left when I was a kid and never came back! And now I never want to see her again!"
It was the Tattler's story that hurt Elizabeth the most.
Alyssa awoke slowly to the steady stream of light pouring into her bedroom through the window. Stretching, she automatically looked down at her phone and saw she had several messages. The texts were nothing special but then she noticed she had a voicemail. Odd. Alyssa rarely got any calls worth leaving a voicemail over. She checked the number, she didn't recognize it. Her finger hovered over the erase button but then curiosity got the better of her. Setting the phone to speaker she took a sip of water from the glass she kept by her bed as the phone dialed out to the voicemail.
"Alyssa…" The voice on the machine said. Alyssa froze and the glass slipped from her hand. 'What is wrong with Elizabeth?' She though frantically. Alyssa listened intently as the message continued but her brain could not process what she was hearing. She had to listen to it three times to hear every part.
Numbly Alyssa flicked on the TV and turned the channel to the GCN cable channel. Conveniently the news segment on Elizabeth was just starting. Lie after lie poured from the mouths of the broadcasters. Surely they didn't think this was the truth? When the segment ended Alyssa didn't move. Her head was reeling trying to figure out what was true and what was not. She didn't move for an hour. Finally she turned the television off and picked up the phone.
"Hi, this is Alyssa. I'm sick today I think I ate something off last night. I can't come into work today. Tell George I'll turn in the project online." Alyssa hung up and flipped open her laptop. She sent the project to George first but then started looking at flights online. Alyssa needed to get to Gotham as soon as possible.
Deep within the bowels of the Narrows there was one man who was revealing in the fall of Elizabeth. Cuvier sat in his office laughing with every newspaper article he could get ahold of. It had been the most beautiful morning. He had awoken to Daniel calling for him telling him he had to see the news. And there she was his wonderful experiment even from the shaky photo he could see her wild eyes, treacherous and murderous. Finally she had fully accepted the gift he had given her.
"So you're finally free. But are you still looking for me like I search for you? Oh come back to me sweet Elizabeth."
Daniel watched his employer coo over the photographs and news clippings and sighed. Over the past two months he had watched Cuvier's mind slowly deteriorate as he became obsessed over Elizabeth Howard. His experiments had fallen to the wayside though it wasn't as though he had enough money to pay for the chemicals anyways. Cuvier didn't even have enough money to pay the men he was running on credit and promises: promises of a new sponsor. The problem was that the sponsor wanted evidence of what the formula would do.
When Daniel realized his boss would not stop with his glee anytime soon and start giving orders he took things into his own hands. Turning from the room he roused the men from their breakfast.
"Alright men, no more sitting around waiting for the girl to come to us. The boss wants you to start hitting the streets and sniffing around. We know she has allied herself with the Riddler so anything you find on him will lead us to her as well. Try hideouts and liars and check the bars for any alcohol loosened lips. Come on! The sooner we find her the sooner we get paid! Tell people anything you have to! Tell them there's a reward for information! Go!"
With the hope of being paid it took only three hours for information to start coming in. Most of it useless places she'd been seen ages ago but then a pinch of hope. Two men returned with a homeless man who'd refused to share his information until he'd seen the reward. Daniel showed him a handful of badly done counterfeit bills they had attempted to make to alleviate the money problems.
"The Riddler had a hideout in the old warehouse district I saw her last night. She called someone and then beat up the phone box. She gave me the change from the box. She seemed sad though."
"And just where is the Riddler's warehouse?" The homeless man gave the address and Daniel gave him the wad of false cash.
"Hey these are f—" The man was unable to complete the sentence as Daniel shot him in the head.
"Alright. Greg. John. I want the two of you to come with me to the warehouse," Daniel said holstering the gun. "The rest of you keep searching for anything else in case this doesn't pan out."
Today was turning out to be a good day, Daniel concluded as he patrolled around the Riddler's warehouse. They had been watching the warehouse for several hours now observing the thugs go in and out. No sign of anything useful though, that was until a large man walked past him nursing his head and bemoaning "that silver haired bitch".
"You mean Wolf?" Daniel said.
"What's it to ya'?"
"I just share you sentiments and I know a way for you one-up her."
"Oh really? That bitch thinks she's better than me. Ya' say ya' know a way to get back at her?"
"Yes, and it's quite simple, why don't we go to my car and talk?"
"Are you coming Elizabeth?" Edward called from the top of the steps. Ever since she had seen the Tattler's article she had been downstairs in her lab. It had all been fine until he'd shown her that blasted article. Usually the Tattler had the most ridiculous coverage of the Rogue's crimes ranging conspiracy theories to out-right fabrications not since they had released the story about Crane's Grandmother had they sunk so low. They should have learned their lessons after that, Crane had made sure the entire research team needed to be admitted after the article was released. In some ways, though, Edward felt as if this was all her sister's fault. The brat couldn't keep her mouth shut and she was one to talk dating one of the Costa boys not to mention the one that was heir to the Maroni Family. "Elizabeth, come on. You'll want to be there for the sale gives you a very complete feeling after a heist."
Edward heard the door downstairs creek open and Elizabeth stuck her head out of the doorway. "Well?" Edward asked impatiently.
"I'll come just give me a second to grab my gun." Elizabeth's head disappeared again and a few second later she was coming up the steps.
"Excellent. So what were you doing down there all this time?" Edward asked as they left the lair and got into the car.
"Thinking…about what I'm going to do with Cuvier. I'm sure he's seen the news by now and is planning something. I need to get to him first though and stop him."
"Will you kill him?" Edward asked curiously as they drove down the main street.
"I don't think so; if I kill him then it's over right? He won't be punished but he lives he goes to jail but then anything I inflict on him will remain the rest of his life."
"I wouldn't recommend that."
"What? Why not?"
"Because if he's still able to walk around or give orders then he can come after you again and this time he'll be the vengeful one."
"Good point, I guess I'll just see what happens then but first I need to find him…" Elizabeth's eyes drifted over to Edward hintingly.
"You want me to help you."
"Well you did offer before and, I mean, you are the information broker of Gotham." Elizabeth trailed her fingers up Edward's leg and she could feel the muscle tense underneath, "You can find out anything if you want to. With your big genius brain and amazing skills."
"Stop that I'm driving. You don't have to convince me; I never said I wouldn't help you."
"Really? Oh you are wonderful…what's the catch?"
Edward looked at her his green eyes sparkling with mischief. "What makes you think there's a catch?"
"Because I don't think you'd do anything for free."
He chuckled and turned the wheel bringing them to a stop in a side alley by his warehouse. "I'll tell you later." Edward winked and Elizabeth smirked. So it was that kind of payment.
The two Rogues made their way into the warehouse. It was dark inside. None of the thugs were there. Edward raised an eyebrow in surprise and Elizabeth sniffed the air.
"I told them that one should always be here. Idiots." Elizabeth followed Edward keeping her ears pricked for any stray movements. They made it to the safe and back out to the car without any trouble. Edward drove off with Elizabeth guarding their haul in her lap. They were talking but if they had been paying attention to more than their conversation then they might have noticed another black car pull out a start to follow them.
"That's far too low, Cobblepot, all of the diamonds are over 7 karats. Two-fifty."
"Two-twenty-five and I'm not going any higher."
"Fine." Cobblepot's clerk marked the price down on his chart as Elizabeth breathed over his shoulder. Edward and Oswald moved onto the next piece of jewelry. They'd been at this for two hours and were just getting to the end of the pile. The two men had argued over every little piece of jewelry. Elizabeth had just expected Cobblepot to give them a lump sum for the jewels and be done with it but no it they had to haggle every little piece. She didn't know if it was better this way or not, they seemed to have made a lot of money, a quick add up told Elizabeth they had over 8,000 dollars already. It took about 20 minutes to complete the rest of the pile but eventually Edward and Cobblepot were shaking hands having agreed on prices for all the jewels.
"Excellent. Elizabeth why don't you go fetch the car?" Edward tossed her the keys which she caught easily.
"Very well. It was nice seeing you again Mr. Cobblepot."
"And you as well my dear, keep out of trouble now, we wouldn't want Batman to ruin the pretty face of yours." Elizabeth smiled awkwardly and as soon as she was out the door shivered in disgust. Penguin was such a pervert. When Edward and her had entered the Iceberg's backroom he'd commented on how "delectable" she looked. That man was as gross as hell. Other than Cobblepot's comments Elizabeth had found the night thrilling. Edward had been in full command of the room though it wasn't as titillating as watching Edward give orders to his men Elizabeth had still felt those little shivers whenever he stared Penguin down.
Elizabeth was pulled from her thoughts by the clang of a metal trash lid hitting the ground. Placing a hand on her gun she turned towards the source of the noise.
"You—Bones, isn't it? What are you doing here?"
"Came to get payback bitch."
"Really? I knocked you out with one move last time what makes you think you can take me on now?"
"Because…"
"He's not alone." Elizabeth spun at the introduction of a new voice. Two very large men were now blocking the alley way behind her.
"The Brawn Brothers, would you look at that, have you forgotten that I beat both of you too?"
"We've come prepared this time; you won't get the better of us."
"This time you're going down you silver-haired bitch!"
"My hair is not silver its steel! There's a difference!" Elizabeth was starting to get riled up as the men approached her, the anticipation of the fight beginning to get the better of her.
"Whatever bitch, you're dead meat."
"Come at me then!" The Brawn brothers charged forward pulling back their fists in unison at the same time Bones rushed towards her a knife in his hand. Elizabeth dodged the fists and the blade deflected off her outfit. She grunted in pain although the knife didn't piece her armour she still felt the full force behind it. Grabbing Bones' arm she spun him in front of her stopping the Brawn Brothers from getting any closer and giving her an exit.
Bones rushed her again yelling Elizabeth ducked beneath his blow and hit him in the gut making him release the knife. As soon as the knife clattered to the ground Elizabeth kicked it into the gutter. The Brawn brothers pushed Bones out of the way and charged forward. The uglier of the two swung at her repeatedly too busy trying not to get hit by the punches Elizabeth was backed into his brother. Thick arms wrapped around her arms and chest squeezing her tightly and lifting her off the ground. Elizabeth's head twisted to the side violently as a fist made contact with her jaw. Blood trickled down her lips and chin as he hit her again.
The brother hitting her stopped to catch his breath and Elizabeth took advantage of his tiredness. Biting down on the arm of her captor Elizabeth was released immediately and she shot off ramming into the other man. Elizabeth hit into him sending both of them to ground where Elizabeth quickly wrapped her hands around his throat. The bitten brother tried wrenching her off to no avail Elizabeth was not letting go of his brother even when she punched in the back of her head. A soft click behind Elizabeth made her slightly loosen her grip however.
"Release him Miss Howard or I will shoot." Elizabeth didn't know whose voice this was but as the gun pressed against the back of her head Elizabeth slowly removed her hands from the man's throat.
"Good now stand up slowly." Elizabeth did so.
"So you used these lugs as a distraction to get behind me, who are you?"
"You may turn around and see." Stepping over the body of the gasping thug Elizabeth turned around.
"I see you're Cuvier's man."
"Yes, we've been looking a long time for you Miss Howard. After you escaped our setup we were afraid we'd never see you again."
"Well I'm here now, now what?"
"Now you come with me, without resistance, or I will shoot you." Daniel pressed the gun into Elizabeth's stomach.
"You can shoot me because I'm not coming with you."
"Don't be an idiot," Daniel said grabbing her forearm. "Ow! What the fuck?!" He pulled his hand away and took a few steps back as blood welled from several cuts on his palm. Using his pain to her advantage Elizabeth rushed forward but he wasn't as off guard as she thought. Surprised by her sudden movement he fired the gun and Elizabeth collapsed to the ground.