The Valentine Part One:
There’s Nothing To Fear
Chapter One – This City
Why do I bother with this city? Another criminal of the street each night, another one replaces it the next. Catch twenty two - its a no win situation But its not about winning its not about losing; what is it about. Over the years, I've come to have lost cite about what's its actually about. I don't remember. I don't know if I wont to remember. Of course, I know of my promise of my vow: but that was then, this is now.
He stood majestic above the city he protects. His eyes never moving detail observing. Nothing passed his gaze. The darkness of the night concealed him in his guise, for he was the night. The dark night
In the darkness of the night, he had time to reason. He was truly alone from all the distractions that rested on his shoulders in his daytime life as the millionaire Bruce Wayne. But it was at times like this he wondered whether Batman was Wayne or if Wayne was Batman. He fired a grappling hook across to the opposite building and swooped, cape flying lose casting the shadow of the bat across the road below, across to the next building. Upon the roof he turned around. It was almost like a sixth sense; he felt eyes watching him. But the Bat saw nothing. Instead he turned his time to reasoning.
He felt a comfort in the night most people do. Tonight was a full moon; full moons do funny things to the mind. Tonight was quite maybe one more patrol then home. Home. Gotham. Gotham City was home; maybe that’s why he did it. Or was it because he wanted the satisfaction of knowing no child would go through what he went through. If it was the later, his reasoning told him he'd failed. Dick had lost his parents to criminals and so many others had lost their families, friends and loved ones. Does that make me a failure? Have I failed my parents?
His reasoning was finished with the sound of gunfire. He quickly with agility alien to the ordinary man, pounced from his viewpoint. He viewed his surroundings with hawk like glances and realised Gotham Museum.
***
"Look lady, drop the cat and we'll go easy on you." Announced the masked mugger
"Easy? Oh, please!" Replied Catwoman. With catlike speed she launched her Cat-O-Nine tails knocking the gun from the muggers hand. "How bout you go and I'll take easy on you." The Catwoman had little time to add anything else to hair sentence as a dark shadow fell from the open skylight.
"The Bat!" Cried the muggers.
"Running late these days. The fired over five minuets ago." Smiled Catwoman.
"Freeze, all of you." Came the voice of Batman. Authoritative and strong.
"My exit cue." Announced the feline fatale. She immediately launched herself into a magnificent cartwheel and leaped onto a giant display case hold Aztec artefact. Then leaping up to a suspended dinosaur and then firing her whip to a ceiling pipe. In less then a minute Batman just saw the black vinyl suite vanishing out onto the roof. For a brief minute he couldn’t remove his eyes from that skylight. What was she? Was she really his enemy, his friend, a distracted partner in his quest or simply the woman he loved? He never could decide when it came to her. He never really would be able too, he thought.
***
Well, that was fun! Selina grinned to herself. She had wanted to look back, see if he was watching. But there wasn’t time. Never is time. Not in this business anyway. She knew if she wanted anything to happen between her and him, she would have to give up this life style. But she knew something kept her from doing so. She didn’t no what kept her, but something did. She wouldn’t want to become the woman waiting home alone for him, but would she have to. Maybe she was scared of what was behind the bat, the man behind the batman. The “man” in “Batman”. Or was she scared of the “Woman” in “Catwoman”. He wanted something out of her, he wanted something she’d got, and not the loot she’d stolen. Maybe she was trying to simplify it. And her life, like any life wasn’t simply. It wasn’t simple from the start… but she didn’t want to remember the start. She become Catwoman to get away from Selina, but you can’t run away from your-self. She knew that. She’d leant that, over the years… She knew it actually back in the orphanage.
“What are you running from, Batman…?” She asked the night. She leapt to the next building. Her agility was second, if not better, to Batman’s himself. She knew that two… She wanted to see Batman. But she couldn’t go back. She knew she’d be arrested; the one thing between them was that thin line, what he represented, the law.
She looked at the diamond cat and purred.
***
I should be back in Bludhaven. I know that, the Jokers back in Arkham but something’s keeping me here. I don’t know what it is. I could tell myself it’s the Scarecrow but Batman could handle him alone. He has done it, before alone. Maybe I’m worrying over Tim. But again, I know that’s not it.
Dick, Nightwing, stood high above the city, staring at the Clocktower. He was mesmerised by it. Something was holding his gaze. Yet he didn’t know what. Should I explore, he asked? Explore what? You know what’s in there: Barbara Gordon, Babs.
What should I do? Should I leave? Should I stay? Why does life have to be so complicated! Why do I run? Am I a hero? Some hero! I fight criminals I’ve done so since my early days as Robin, yet the real problems, the demons in my mind, I run from. I run from what I cant rid myself from. I run from myself. Maybe that’s why I wear the mask. To escape Dick Grayson and all the baggage that comes along with him. The ghosts and the memories… the ghosts.
He looked back at the clock then the sky. It’s a full moon. A full moon does things to you, he told himself. Also it’s quite romantic. Romance and the hero’s life don’t tend to go together. It’s never really worked out before. Not for anybody, it’s never worked for Bruce. But maybe Bruce never wanted it to work. I want it to work. I want her. I've always wanted her. I've never had the courage to tell her, and I told myself I did now. I said as I came back to Gotham that I'd tell Barbara that I loved her, but I bowed out. I never even went to see her.
“You corn dog!” Nightwing said aloud to himself.
***
The Joker’s back in Arkham, you should be happy. He can’t do it to someone else, while he’s in his padded cell. Yeah, a padded cell living a life more comfortable than I do: he still has his legs. I have a chrome chair. Some justice! And so much for karma! I shouldn’t feel bitter. I shouldn’t wish these things on anyone, not even him…
“Oracle… Come in Oracle… Come in…” Came the crackled voice.
Barbara Gordon, the woman who was once Batgirl, placed her headset on. “Oracle here.” She wasn’t Batgirl anymore. She was Oracle. Information hotline for the costume vigilantes; that’s how she felt. So she thought. “Oracle here.”
“Hi Barbara its Tim”
“Howdy Tim. What can I do for ya?”
“I need some information on a Nigel Henrickson.”
“Henrickson, Nigel.” Barbara said as she typed it into her tool, the computer.
“And if he has any previous connections to Jonathan Crane.”
“Crane…?”
“Henrickson was arrested by Bruce earlier at Gotham Museum. He and another guy was in a small squabble over a cat with Catwoman.”
“The Eye of Baset?” Barbara said in a rhetorical fashion. “I thought our resident feline thief might attempt to get her claws on that. She’d never have been able to resist. But it doesn’t sound like something Scarecrow would go after… normally. ” She sighed. “Is this gonna be one of those unusual cases?”
“Are any crimes in Gotham straight forward?”
“Advice kid. When that cat’s involved its not straightforward. She loves mind games.”
“She’s a cat ain’t she?”
“No. She’s a thief. A thief with a gimmick.”
“Bruce likes her.”
Oracle fell silent. The responded, sharply. “No previous connections to Crane. Oracle over and out.”
***
“Phew…” Tim said aloud.
“Something wrong Master Tim?” Asked Alfred.
“Nah. I just found out Barbara don’t like Catwoman.”
“Should she sir? Should she?”
“No. Not really.”
Chapter Two – Egyptian Curses
Selina Kyle’s rooftop penthouse, October, a week later
The lavishly decorated penthouse in Gotham’s most trendy area glowed with the beauty of its owner. Selina Kyle stepped out of her bathroom with a small purple kimono on. Greeted by her cats, all fifteen of them.
“Hungry?” The cats meowed. “Well you know where your food is fluffy kitties.” She said walking away towards the direction of her bedroom. An important date tonight.
In her bedroom Selina sat at her vanity unit. She wasn’t that vain. But she enjoyed dressing up. One of the perks of her profession was that she could afford the newest fashions, as long as she kept the money rolling in. A ginger cat jumped on the vanity unit. Selina looked around all fifteen cats had followed her. “You never came to me when I was younger when I wanted you.” She said to them. “If Gotham could see you now, they’d continue the myth that me and you lot have a mystical link.” She giggled. Gotham really was a hellhole full of dark superstitions, but it was home. Always had been, home.
She stood up and removed the kimono, letting it drop to the floor. Revealing her toned naked body. Otto, the ginger cat, leaped from the vanity unit to the chest at the far end of the room. Scratching, and purring.
“Nah, I don’t think Bruce would like me to where that to dinner. Although I will be putting it on tonight when I drop in at Wayne Industries.” Selina smiled. She should feel guilty. Going out to dinner with Bruce then breaking into one of his building to steal a folder on a new invention. But she’d taken on the job and money is money. And she is a thief. Although I might drop hints that a rival business might be going to extreme lengths to get their hands on certain blue prints. She smiled again.
***
Barbara Gordon’s apartment, The Wayne clock tower
“I still haven’t been able to find any connections between Henrickson and Crane. Nor, have I heard about anyone trying to sell an Egyptian Cat.” Barbara told Bruce.
“Maybe, Catwoman stole it for herself. But I’m wondering about why Crane wanted it more. Why?” Bruce said.
“If she has kept it for herself, you could look for it while you’re at Kyle’s apartment.” Barbara frowned. “That is who your going out with tonight.”
“She wouldn’t keep it there.”
“Why don’t you just arrest her.”
“She’s clever. Always keeps one-step ahead of the law. There’s no proof linking her to Catwoman or to any items she’s stolen.”
“You know I could give you proof. With evidence supplied by me, Bruce, she’d never be able to get of those charges.”
“But the issue is not Selina, its Crane, Barbara.”
“Dodging the issue aren’t we Bruce.”
“Is something the matter Barbara?”
“No, I just feel that Catwoman shouldn’t receive special treatment from other criminals. She’s a thief Bruce, a criminal. Just like the Joker.”
“No she’s not. She doesn’t kill.”
“You think she doesn’t kill. You don’t know, for sure.”
“But she is a criminal.”
“I won’t argue Barbara.”
“I'm not asking you to Bruce. I’m asking you, to see, sense. She won’t give up her life Bruce. Have you ever wondered if Catwoman is Selina or if Selina is Catwoman?” She paused. “She won’t come and live the life of a tamed wife Bruce. You’re wasting your time. Wasting your life on someone. It’s not worth it.”
Bruce left Barbara without saying anything. Not out of anger. But more because he agreed and he couldn’t believe it. Barbara was right. Selina wouldn’t give up Catwoman. She’d be more likely to give up Selina.
After Bruce disappeared, Barbara moved away from the computer and looked ahead at nothingness. That’s what she saws her life as, still. “Life’s to short for waiting. To short to wait for anyone.”
***
The Rose Café, two hours later
“Well, Bruce you’ve surpassed yourself again. But really, you ought to let me pay for half.” Came Selina’s soft, feminine yet strong voice. It bore no resemblance to the low, sultry Marlene Dietrich voice of Catwoman.
“Don’t be stupid Selina. It’s my pleasure.” Bruce replied.
“Please Bruce. Don’t flatter me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to be sorry. Its just I'm not used to being treated like the local housewife. Wined and dined. And it’s not me. I can’t play a damsel, never could.” Selina replied solemnly.
“No; I can’t even picture you as one.”
“Good, I’d have to kill you if you did.” Selina’s green eyes glowed. Glowed like the Catwoman’s.
“So Selina, what are you up to tonight?”
“Nothing, why do you ask Bruce. Are you turning into a dark detective?”
“No, you know me. To comfortable with the rich lifestyle.”
“Aren’t we all… aren’t we all.”
“What are we going to do with you?”
“Nothing. There’s nothing any man can do to or for me. I rely only on myself Bruce. Only on myself.”
Selina’s comment had brought their evening to an end. She’d confirmed that there was no possibility that this cat could be tamed.
***
Selina Kyle’s rooftop penthouse, thirty minutes later
Selina walked into her penthouse, dropping the black shawl onto the floor and then unzipping the back of the black Versace dress. Otto quickly ran forward to his mistress.
“Otto, Otto…” Selina giggled. “What now?” She said heading back to her bedroom. She walked straight to the chest, stopping picking up a key from under a bust of a tiger, and opening it. She removed from it a skin tight purple cat suite and mask, knee length boots gloves and whips. Her second skin.
She put on the cat suite, hugging her toned body. She sat at her vanity unit and used hair clips to hold her long black hair up. Then she pulled up her gloves, each finger tipped with a gleaming claw. Then her boots climbed her legs. She tucked her whip down the right book and then pulled her mask over her face.
“Do I look okay kitties?” Came the sultry low voice of Catwoman.
***
Later
“Meow” Came Catwoman’s voice as she pulled out the file. She opened the file and skimmed through it, checking all the blue prints were there.
“…Catwoman…” Came a whisper from the shadows. Catwoman quickly shut the folder and got ready to pull the whip from her right boot.
“…Catwoman… Catwoman…” Came the whisper again, causing Catwoman to spin round launching her whip with cat like speed. From the shadows emerged a figure Catwoman new. Tall and thin dressed in tattered clothes revealing slight traces of straw. This was Jonathan Crane, The Scarecrow.
“Crane?!” Came the shocked voice of Catwoman. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you. Looking for you.” Came his eerie, whispering voice.
“Should I be flattered?”
“No. Scared.”
“Should have guessed. Get out of my way.”
“I want my cat. I want the cat you’ve got.”
“Arrh, so the papers were right. Those goons were working for you…”
“I need that cat.”
“Tuff.”
“You don’t understand you fool. I want my cat.”
“Its not yours. It’s mine. You should have got to the museum earlier.”
“No need. You’ll be giving it to me. Anyway.”
“I don’t think so. That cat’s gonna line my bank account quite nicely.”
“No. Its going to give me the money I need for my research – now where is it?”
“Not really any concern of yours. And I’m getting quite bored now. So get out of my way. Now!” Catwoman hissed.
***
Barbara Gordon sat at her monitor watching the events at Wayne Industries. She hit a button, which dialled, straight to the Batcave.
***
Bruce stood directly in front of the Batcomputer and hit the intercom button straight away.
“Bruce here.”
“Bruce this is Barbara. There’s a break in at Wayne industries.”
“On my way. Anyone we know?”
“Two actually. Scarecrow and – Catwoman.”
“O.K, over and out.”
***
Catwoman thrashed her whip in Crane’s directions, causing him to dart back. “So I don’t think you’re here on your own. Where’s the goons.”
“Outside. I hoped we could settle this amicably.”
“We can. The cats mine end of story.”
“Tut, tut, still the cat does not understand.” Crane giggled. “You WILL give me that cat, Catwoman.”
She sent the whip flying again. And leapt towards a window, stopped by the sound of gunfire.
“A gun!” She shouted.
“Yes, kitty. Now I didn’t want it to be this way…”
“…I’m gonna scratch your eyes out Crane.”
Just as Catwoman finished her sentence from outside they heard a window smash.
“My exit cue.” Catwoman said, as she leapt towards Crane. Knocking him to the floor. From a window, in the room she could see Batman in the next room fighting Scarecrows goons. “But before I go Dr. Crane…” Catwoman flashed her claws at Scarecrow, then slashed the right side of his face. “Never – never, shoot at me again!”
Then in less then a minute she darted to the window and disappeared.
***
She was taking a great risk, coming back to the scene of the crime. She could also lose her money if she was wrong and Batman took the file back. Never mind. She had to be sure. She’d heard a gun fire as she was leaving the building roof. She’d seen Scarecrow and his goons leave Wayne Industries. She hadn’t seen the Batman. It was likely he’d been shot, and God she hoped, she wasn’t right.
She slipped in through the window, her usual method. Batman fell back into a table. The sounds of sirens could be heard nearby. The police had been alerted.
“Batman!” She yelped. Catwoman rushed, jumping over another table. Falling down on her knees, leaning over Batman. She placed her hand on his chest: no blood? Running the vinyl, claw tipped gloves over his chest deduced one possibility: bullet-proof shirt.
“Urrrh…” Came a noise from the Batman.
“So you are ‘practical’, Batman.” Catwoman purred. “I thought you’d been shot.”
“…I have. Bruised. That’s all.”
“Anyone would think you’ve got the nine lives, not me.” She said following Batman’s lead standing up.
“Mind if I ask you what you’re doing her tonight.” Batman said, rubbing his chest.
“Mind if I ask you what you’re doing her tonight?” She paused waiting for a reply. “Fair enough I won’t answer either. I’ll just be going…”
Batman grabbed her wrist. “I don’t think so.”
“Whuh?” Catwoman said shocked. She gathered herself together. “Nah, I don’t think so…” She acting quickly, tripping Batman up. He landed back on the table. And she was gone, and he watched doing nothing, for now.
***
Selina Kyle’s rooftop penthouse, later
Selina walked into her bedroom, and froze. She stood in the doorway and stared at her bed. Instead of the Wayne Industries File she’d left the bed was a sheet of paper. Selina walked over and picked it up. It read:
“Watch yourself. He’s dangerous.”
It was signed with a bat insignia. She smiled.
“I’ve got nothing to fear.”
Chapter Three – Dangerous Liaisons
“I wondered when you were going to visit?” Barbara said without looking from the computer monitor.
“Whuh?” Dick said, climbing into the clock tower apartment.
Barbara turned round. “I’d recognise that creeping in anywhere, Dick.” Barbara smiled: “Your not near as silent as your mentor. I’d didn’t even have to look at my cameras. Tim makes less nose that you do.”
“Thanks. I’m glad to see you to.”
“Don’t like it when you’re on the other end of the sarcasm stick then? And how can I help you anyway. I’d of thought you you'd been back in Bludhaven.”
“I’ve got business to attend to here” Dick replied. He removed the domino mask.
“What business?”
“I need your help.”
“On what. Tell me.”
“Back in Bludhaven, the night before The Joker escaped from Arkham, a man was killed. Shot for times, a giant grin across his face – a Joker playing card next to his body.”
“A Joker style crime… and you say this murder took place the night before he got out?”
“Like I said.”
“But I don’t remember any newspaper articles – anything on a murder like this.”
“I… I… know. I reported the body – when the police got there it was gone…”
“That ring a bell. No clues or something.”
“That’s right. Nothing – it was like something out of this world. When I heard he was out of Arkham I came back to Gotham in an attempt to figure this out. Obviously – he knew nothing.”
“How come you haven’t told Bruce any of this.”
“It’s my case.” Dick snapped.
“Bruce could help. And if it’s your case why do you need me.”
“Because I trust you.”
“And you don’t trust him?”
“Its not as clear cut as all that Barbara. You know that.”
“Is this to do with…”
“Barbara I'm just asking for your goddamn help!”
“Dick…”
“Barbara will you help me?”
“Of course – but…”
“Yes I’d rather he not know. It’s my case!”
“I thought so, but you do know he will find out. This is his city and he knows it far better that anyone else. Anyone.”
Dick placed the domino mask back on saying: “But Bludhaven is where this killer is. And Bludhaven isn't Gotham.” Dick then left silently. Without saying a single word.
“Huh.” Barbara sighed. “Why do you pick ‘em like that Barbara. Always the admirer and never the admired.”
***
“Is that the best you can do!” Selina said thrashing her whip.
“Your gonna regret that lady.” Davie said wiping the blood from his face.
“I don’t think so, Davie. So are you gonna tell me what you know about the Scarecrow.”
“Yeah, his names Crane.” Davie reaches into his breast pocket, Selina swiftly kicked him across his face. The cracked her whip, wrapping it around his wrist. “Bitch…”
“Your predictable, Davie. Predictable and sloppy, and know where near quick enough. Now: speak!”
“He’s supposed to be stopping at the Gotham Halloween Costume Factory. Lower Eastside. Ya know?”
“I know of it. He’s almost a cliché as you.”
“He’s got that Otis bloke working for em.”
“Rat-catcher?”
“That the one.”
“Hmmm, you are telling the truth I hope?”
“Yeah. The whole truth.”
“I should hope so. Your nose is big enough as it is. Now, scat!” Catwoman hissed.
“Ok, Ok, I’m a going!”
“Good.”
Davie disappeared. From the shadows a voice came.
“I really ought to have intervened.”
“Then why didn’t you.” Catwoman turned around, to see the Batman emerging from the shadows. “Where’s junior?”
“Outside. I told him to wait.”
“Why did you want to be alone with me?”
“You never know.”
“I should be so lucky. You’re married to the justice system, tall dark and devilishly handsome. I’d have a better chance with Nighty. I might just try it he is in town ain’t he?”
“He is. But I’m telling you know. Keep your claws away from him.”
“OK. Anyway – what you doing here?”
“I know Davie Iago was with Crane that night in the Wayne Building. But what were you doing trying to find out what Crane’s up to?”
“Nothing. I don’t care what he’s planing I want to find him and ship him back to his padded cell. Nobody tries to shoot me.”
“You can go back home. I’ll take him back to Arkham.”
“Like hell I will. I don’t work for you pointy!”
“Go home unless you want to be arrested.”
Catwoman struck a sultry pose. “You gonna frisk me?”
“No games Catwoman. Not now.”
“Ok.” Catwoman walked to Batman and leant foreword, touching his lips with hers. Slowly Batman’s guard backed down. Allowing her tongue to penetrate his mouth, and he responded by putting his tongue in her mouth. “Mmmm. That was worth waiting for. Definitely.” She said pulling away. “Why can’t we ditch the masks?”
Batman didn’t answer so Selina headed for the window and disappeared.
“To be honest Selina, I don’t know.”
***
“So where was she of to?” Robin asked as Batman walked towards him.
“Who?” Batman replied playing the dummy.
“Catwoman?…” Robin replied sarcastically. “You needn’t try to hide it.”
“She was more than likely going the same place as we are. Crane’s hideout.”
“And where’s that?”
“The Gotham Halloween Costume Factory.”
“And you didn’t tell her not to go there?”
“Do you really think she’d listen.”
“You to are made for each other.”
“Robin – keep your nose out of private life.”
“Urrrh, sorry.”
“Don’t let it happen again.”
***
It was raining quite heavy, but it was February. Selina glided down from story to story. Her whiskers glinted in the moonlight. Her tail, wagged like an excited cat. Nightwing smiled. He had some respect for her. She wasn’t really a bad – but no saint either.
But where was she going, he wondered? The lower eastside doesn’t really have much to attract the attention of a cat burglar especially one so fussy. So what was Miss Kitty doing?
Nightwing’s high level of acrobatic skills allowed him to follow the feline fatale without her noticing. In truth kitty wasn’t aware about the Prince of Justice following her. In all truth she didn’t care. Her mind was on Crane and the excitement, she have by dragging him back to his padded cell.
Although her hearing was alerted by the sound of a less than impeccable landing. She without think twice retraced her steps and landed on the lower ledge, to find a frustrated Nightwing.
“Is the birdie having trouble flying?” She asked.
“Nothing that it can’t sought out itself.” He replied.
“Sore point, eh?” She smiled. “Then again it is raining heavily.”
“So what are you doing then? Cats don’t like water.”
“Keeping an appointment – you?”
“Keeping tabs on you.”
“Turned stalker?”
“Why?”
“Well what would your boss say bout you hanging out with me. He’d have a litter of kittens on his hand I’d guess.”
“He’s not my boss!”
Catwoman was taken aback by the anger in the normally impish Nightwing “OK I take it back.”
“So anyway. Where you of to?”
“That’s private birdie. So I’d best love ya and leave ya.”
“I’ll follow you Catwoman. I’m not gonna have you cause trouble.”
“And why should I cause trouble.” Catwoman said, her hand readying to pull her whip from her boot.
“Because it does have a tendency follow you around.”
“Look, I don’t have time to chat. So would ya mind if I quite this conversation?”
“Only if you promise to go home. Ya, see I've got other things to do.”
“Good, so you wouldn’t mind if I was on my way.”
“I don’t…” Nightwing was interrupted by the unmistakable sound of the Batmobile.
“Great! Now look what you’ve done!”
“Me!” Nightwing exclaimed.
Quickly Selina darted back off, her mind set on beating Batman to Halloween Factory.
“Hey wait!” Nightwing said trying to follow Catwoman.
“Look handsome just… go!” She replied.
“No. Where you going?”
“Damn you! To see a man about a dog, that good enough.”
Although, she stopped with sudden startle as an eerie laugh was heard over, the rainy night. Nightwing gasped: “Joker?!”
“Fraid not honey!” Catwoman quickly thrashed her whip out of her boot. And made a stance as Nightwing quickly caught up with her.
Stood just five feet in front of them was a Pierrot clown. A giant, out of proportioned white and black mask, and a rose in one hand and a Tommy gun in the other.
With a distorted, husky voice emerging from the giant grin, he uttered his first word to his guests: “Happy valentine’s day!”
“Few days to early smiley!”
“Your so full of yourself bird. Look creep I suggest you get out of my way!”
“Happy valentine’s day.” He replied.
The Pierrot raised his Tommy Gun, his mask grinning evilly.
“Look smiley! I’ve got an appointment – now move!” Catwoman quickly thrashed her whip. The Tommy Gun fired its round, severing the whip. Nightwing quickly launched an well-aimed silver boomerang, which managed to knock the Tommy Gun from the clown’s grasp.
“Nice one handsome. I’ll leave him to you.” Catwoman said leaping onto the next building. She didn’t look back – she didn’t see Nightwing, fighting the clown. She didn’t see the clown stab Nightwing in the leg. She would have gone back. Wouldn’t she?
***
Selina landed silently on the roof of Scarecrows Hideout. She quickly made sure her costume was all right then walked to the handy skylight. She looked in and saw blackness.
“The bastard had best not lied!” She said alone.
“No he was here.” Came a voice from behind her.
“Batman?!” Catwoman span round. “Robin…”
“Do you have to sound so disappointed?”
“Sorry kid, just your way to young for a gal like me.”
“Understandable.”
“Where’s you boss?”
“Can to answer a call.”
“So where’s straw bags.”
“Obviously got wind that we knew.”
“…davie…” Selina snarled.
“We’ll get him.”
Catwoman quickly began to take of the building. Shouting back to Robin: “Not if I do first, honey!”
“Nah. Not if you do.”
***
Catwoman climbed through the skylight of her apartment and began to remove the costume. Otto ran to his mistress, he looked worried. Selina took no notice. She simply headed for the shower. Pressing the flashing answering machine.
“Selina, its Bruce. I was just wondering if you fancied attending a charity auction on Valentines Day. It’s not going to be anything special. If you could let me know.”
Beep.
“Ha Ha Ha Ha. CATWOMAN PICK UP!”
Selina grabbing her night-dress ran back out to the answering machine. The voice was obviously the clown from on the rooftop. Selina’s eyes darted round the room. She erased the message.
“Ha Ha Ha…” Came the macabre laughter. From out the shadow wielding his Tommy Gun and rose the clown appeared. Selina backed away with fear. She didn’t know what to do. The clown fired his gun the bullets knocked a vase it smithereens.
The clown leaped towards Selina pushing her towards the balcony. With a vicious push Selina fell through the glass. She stirred her back was cut. The clown held her wrist down with his foot. He grabbed her by her hair and pulled her towards the balcony edge and ruthlessly pushed her.
Selina fell to stories before landing on a lower balcony. He body had fell with some force and slightly bounced. She lay motionless. A small trickle of blood came from her head.
From Selina’s balcony the clown grinned before disappearing… dropping a photo on Selina sofa.