Of Shadows and Justice
Part 1
Late dinner
Reverend Justice was waiting on a roof top near Gotham City’s downtown core. This patrol shift was dragging on, with no action, whatsoever. The Gotham Police was keeping the few squabbles that were occurring well under control.
Hawkgirl was having a poker night with Wonder Woman, Black Canary, Vixen, Oracle, Lois Lane Kent and Linda Park West.
He understood being on the Justice League rotation meant couples sometimes had to spend time apart: Superman was on Sentry duty, Flash was busy Patrolling Central City, Green Lantern was off-planet on a mission with the Green Lantern Corps, Batman had personal business to attend (never question the Bat) and thus had delegated Gotham City patrols to Reverend Justice, Green Arrow and Batgirl, Robin being sick at home with the flu.
"Batgirl to Reverend Justice, how you holding up Joey?" she asked.
"Bored out of my skull Cass; I mean, good on Jim Gordon’s men: they have the City well in hand, but I could use some action right now!" The Reverend said.
"I know what you mean Joey," Green Arrow chimed in, "I’m actually hoping for a robbery or something!" he grinned.
"Hey, how you guys think I feel? Stupid rotation had me on different shift as Hawkgirl and gang; I’m missing out on poker night!" Batgirl said.
Reverend Justice chuckled "Why Cassandra, I hadn’t had you pegged as a gambler!"
"I’m willing to learn!" she replied in an innocent tone of voice.
"Look guys, it’s getting late and I’m getting hungry, things are pretty quiet now. How about we pause for some chow?" Green Arrow said.
"Good idea Ollie, I wouldn’t mind some grub myself. How’re you feeling Cass?" Reverend Justice asked.
"Like a big slice of Pizza with all trimmings and a bottle of Grape Gatorade!" Batgirl said.
Reverend Justice and Green Arrow couldn’t repress a chuckle. "What?" Batgirl said, sounding aggravated.
"Don’t take it wrong Cass, but I think you’re the only girl I know who enjoys Pizza with Gatorade! Sounds like a plan. Dinner’s on me guys, why don’t we meet at the Security Trust building? There’s Di Angelo’s Pizzeria nearby. Do you have any preferences for drinks Ollie?" The Reverend asked.
"I’ll take whatever comes with the combo Joey. Thanks, dinner’s my treat next time!" Green Arrow said.
"Yes Joey, thanks for dinner! Sorry I was snappish…" Batgirl said.
"Don’t worry about it Cass," The Reverend said. "It was our fault for teasing! Meet you both at the Security Trust building!"
He looked both ways, making sure no-one was looking. "You’re 20 floors up dummy, like anyone’s gonna see you!" he thought.
The progressive vision adjusted in his mask as he looked down. No-one in sight at street level either. That was perfect. With a wide grin, he jumped off the top of the building, activating his n’th metal belt.
He floated gently towards the ground, decelerating progressively, stopping about a foot from the sidewalk. He deactivated his belt, and his feet touched the ground. "That was a mega rush! " He thought with a smile, taking care not to blurt it out through his communicator.
He took his keys from one of the trench coat pockets, staring at the darkest corner of the alley and uncloaked the Chariot. His smiled widened looking at that beauty.
He got in and drove off towards the Security Trust Building, keeping his ride in stealth mode. Since they were all on active Comm. Link, Reverend Justice asked:
"Reverend Justice to Batgirl and Green Arrow, do you copy? Either one of you need a lift to the Security Trust building? I have your current whereabouts on my onboard computer." He said.
"I’m on Bat-Cycle on my way there, thanks for offer though!" Batgirl said.
"I’m using my own Motorcycle Rev. I’m curious, what does your ride look like?" Green Arrow asked.
"Don’t worry Green Arrow; you’ll recognise it when you see it!" Reverend Justice said with a grin. He deactivated the stealth mode and engaged the last switch in the hidden compartment on the dash board. The holographic flames engulfed the Chariot.
"Flee wrong doers! I am Justice riding a Chariot of Fire!" He thought with satisfaction.
"Okay, way to draw attention to yourself Reverend!" He thought as on-lookers watched in fear. He deactivated the flames hologram and went to Stealth mode again. A woman fainted as this flaming car seemed to disappear into thin air.
"Oh boy, Batman will chew my head off for that one!" He thought with a wince.
He arrived at the intersection near Di Angelo’s and Security Trust Building. He parked in a nearby side street, putting the car back into cloak mode. He entered Di Angelo’s and went to the counter.
The owner, Nick Di Angelo recognised him immediately "Hey! You’re that new guy, the Reverend Justice, Batman & Robin’s new pal! What can I do you for?"
"I’ll have the extra large Pizza combo with everything on it, Cola for drinks and potato wedges. Oh yes, and a bottle of grape Gatorade!" He smiled, thinking of Cassandra’s tastes in food and drink.
"Give me 15 minutes I’ll have everything ready. No, no, put your money away! You help keep the streets safe, keeping you guys fed is the least I can do!" Nick said.
"You’re the one working hard day and night Mr. Di Angelo. You deserve to be compensated for your hard work! Now tell me how much I owe you!" The Reverend said.
He never got to answer; a man armed with a shot-gun entered the restaurant. "Fine time to see action" The Reverend thought. Knowing he was in constant communication with Batgirl and Green Arrow, he turned to face the thief.
"Everybody keep your hands where I can see them and nobody gets hurt. The contents of the cash register, now!" he shouted.
"Now then little brother, I ask you: is that a way to treat your fellow man?" Reverend Justice said putting himself between the gunman and Mr. Di Angelo.
The gunman sneered, "Shut up freak! Get out of the way or I’ll..."
"Or else you’ll do what, little brother, shoot me? Shoot this nice man? Add murder to the charges?" Reverend Justice moved his eyes to the shotgun. In a very conversational tone of voice, he said. "Remington pump action shotgun, with sawed-off barrel. Tsk, tsk, tsk. I truly despise those."
In his ear, he heard Batgirl’s voice from the communicator "Keep him talking Rev, almost there."
"Me too" Green Arrow chimed in.
The gunman was becoming flustered "I said, move away from the counter freak!"
"Freak? Never heard of him. I’m Reverend Justice." He carried on in the same conversational tone of voice. The Reverend’s face became illuminated by a smile.
"It seems to me you have a major choice to make right now little brother. No crime has been committed here, yet. Squeeze that trigger, and he’ll have that gun knocked out of your hands with one of his stun arrows, and then she will beat the living buh-geezus out of your carcass. And by the way: I can’t be killed." He added with a wicked grin.
The gunman turned around. He saw Green Arrow and Batgirl standing in the doorway, Batgirl with her arms crossed, an angry look on her face, and Green Arrow aiming one of his stun arrows at him.
The gunman looked nervously left and right, seeing he was surrounded.
"You have a choice little brother. Put the gun down, and walk away. Like I said, no crime’s been committed yet. Squeeze that trigger, and you’ll be in a heap of trouble." The Reverend said.
Panting nervously, the gunman slowly put the shotgun to the floor and stood up.
"Now pay close attention. You heard my sermon, now do something about it. We’re giving you a chance tonight; so don’t blow it. If we catch you again, or if Batman or Robin catches you, you won’t be so lucky. Get a life, get a job, and stay out of trouble. We’ll be watching. "
The gunman ran out.
"Can’t be killed huh?" Green Arrow said with a chuckle, "Are you sure letting him go was such a good idea Rev?" he added, putting the arrow back in its quiver, and slinging his bow across his shoulder.
"We all deserve second chance. I got mine." Batgirl said. Green Arrow put a hand on her shoulder, nodding.
"And I like to play mind games with them. With the Kevlar suit, the worst he could have done is knocking the wind out of me." Reverend Justice said.
Nick Di Angelo clapped his hands excitedly: "That was amazing my friends! You saved my business! Dinner’s on me! I insist!"
They all sat down at a table awaiting the food. "You might want to have the Police pick up that shotgun Mr. Di Angelo. It’s a hazard sitting there in the middle of the floor." Green Arrow said.
Nick Di Angelo got on the phone to call the Police. He then brought the pizza and potato wedges to the table. As they ate, the Reverend turned his attention to Batgirl.
In a low voice, he said, "I know it’s none of my business, and if I’m intruding just tell me so; but your speech has really improved!"
Batgirl was taking a sip of Gatorade. She put the bottle down and smiled "Why thank you Rev! Oracle deserves most of credit. She never gave up on me, training me. I still have hard time with some, uh… figures of speech!" she smiled "But her efforts really helped me."
"Don’t sell yourself short kid," Green Arrow said, "The Reverend hasn’t known you in the early days when Oracle first recruited you. At the risk of sounding cliché you’ve come a long way kid!"
Batgirl blushed "Why thanks guys! Treated to dinner with two handsome men, compliments all around, I’m lucky girl!"
Reverend Justice and Green Arrow smiled. Their communicators beeped.
"Superman to Gotham City task force, do you copy?" Superman said.
"Task force, Batgirl here." Batgirl said.
At first the Reverend had felt a bit odd having a girl old enough to be his daughter leading the team, but he understood she was far more experienced than him. Green Arrow didn’t seem to mind either.
Superman continued: "Arkham Asylum is secure, no emergencies on the Police frequency bands, the only potentially serious situation was defused by you three, I’d say you can call it a night, go home, get some z’s!"
Batgirl smiled "Thanks Superman, it’s appreciated! We finish dinner and call it a night!"
"Enjoy! Watchtower out!" Superman said.
Reverend Justice and Green Arrow attacked their second slices of Pizza while Batgirl was still working on her first one.
The Game
Joey drove to his loft apartment. Even though he had quarters at the Watchtower, he preferred sleeping in his own bed. Shayera knew where to find him, also preferring the privacy she had at Joey’s apartment. Besides, he needed to park the Chariot. His old car was in storage in a lot owned by Wayne Enterprises.
His parking spot had an electrical outlet where he could keep the cells fully energised. Another perk linked with living in a building owned by Bruce Wayne. He engaged the hologram that made the Chariot look like his old car. He did a scan of the parking lot using the Chariot’s onboard computer: no-one in sight.
"Short transport Chariot to Lucas Loft One" Joey said in his communicator. Being caught in the elevator in full Reverend Justice Suit was a risk he wasn’t willing to take.
He materialised in his apartment…to a crowd of poker-playing women.
"Hi Joey!" they said in near unison. Shayera had told him they were having a poker night…she never specified she’d hold it at his place. His shoulders slumped. So much for catching z’s.
He felt like making a harsh remark but thought better of it. He removed his hat and mask and said "’evening ladies, late game huh?" a resigned smile on his face.
He walked to the master bedroom. Wonder Woman turned to Hawkgirl. "You forgot to tell him we were having the game in his apartment didn’t you?"
She blushed "It may have slipped my mind." She said; an embarrassed smile on her face.
"Well don’t just sit there," Black Canary said, "Go talk to him!"
"Yeah!" the other women at the table said.
Hawkgirl got up, and went after Joey. Vixen said "Oh I wish I were a fly on the wall in that bedroom!"
She walked into the master bedroom. Joey was sitting on the edge of the bed, hat and mask at his feet, staring blankly at the bedroom’s TV set which was still switched off.
"Joey, I’m sorry!" Shayera said "You knew I was having a girls’ poker night…I just forgot to tell you where I’d have it."
He looked up at her, a tired, empty expression on his face. Feeling bad, she continued "Okay, I know, I should have asked you if it was okay to use your apartment, I apologize…"
A tired smile caressed his lips. "Kiss me." He said.
"What?" She said, surprised by his reaction.
His smile broadened. "Park your rump right here and kiss me!" He said, patting the bed on his right side. She smiled, and sat down. They kissed. She put her arms around him and held him tight.
"Don’t worry about it Angel. He said, his forehead touching hers. "I’ll catch some z’s in my Watchtower quarters, you finish the game."
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Positive. Just remember to ask me first next time?" he said, smiling at her.
"You’re the best Joey! I’ll make it up to you, I promise!" she said, kissing him again.
They heard the sound of someone clearing her throat. They turned to look at the bedroom door. Wonder Woman, dressed in blue jeans and a red sweater was standing there. Black Canary and Vixen stood right behind her. "Actually, the girls agree: it’s 3 in the morning, Oracle is beating the panties off of us and Lois and Linda have early days tomorrow."
"Hey, I don’t want to spoil your party!" Joey said.
Wonder Woman smiled: "We’ve just spent the last 4 hours playing poker and pigging out on snack foods, you’re hardly spoiling the party! Besides, Bruce should be back by now!" she added, her smile turning to a grin.
Shayera kissed Joey again. "Wait for me here, get changed, I’ll go tidy up! We made the mess we’ll clean it!" She said.
"We’ll help" Wonder Woman, Vixen and Black Canary chimed in. Joey smiled. He removed his boots.
"Thank God the master bedroom has its own washroom, I’m not exactly comfortable parading to the main washroom in my underwear in front of all the ladies!" he thought with a smirk.
Joey removed the rest of his suit, putting it away in the closet. He walked in the washroom, got the shower started, to get the water temperature where he liked it. He faced the mirror above the sink, grabbing his toothbrush. He brushed his teeth, and then lathered up to shave.
He debated for a second whether or not that was a good idea: a hot shower after the shave usually gave him razor burns.
He then shrugged and shaved anyway. The way the rotation worked, he wouldn’t be on call with the League for another 48 hours or so, barring an emergency call.
"So who cares about a few razor burns anyway? Shayera sure doesn’t!" He thought with a smirk. He shaved, and then splashed a bit of Skin Bracer on.
"Am I tired or what? The water from the shower will wash most of it off!" he thought, shaking his head as he stepped in the shower. He let the hot water massage his scalp, feeling the water washing over his bare skin. Relaxing.
He jumped as he heard the bathroom door open. He smiled as he recognised Shayera walking in, in the buff. She joined him in the shower, kissing him.
"You girls were quick!" He said.
"There was a bunch of us cleaning up, and there wasn’t much of a mess to begin with." She said with a wink. "Besides, the girls know you and I have a little shower ritual!"
He held her, kissing her, the hot water washing over their bodies. He reached for the bar of soap. The shower ritual had begun. "And this time, I’m giving you the soothing massage after the shower!" she said in that husky voice that drove him wild, looking passionately in his eyes.
They made their way to the bedroom. As promised, she massaged him: shoulders, back, buttocks, legs and feet. "Angel, you have magic hands!" he said, turning his head. "Your turn now!"
She smiled, lying on her stomach next to him. He kissed her and sat up, grabbing the talcum powder box. They used to use hot massage oil, but found that talcum powder was cleaner, especially after showering.
He smoothed the powder on her back, shoulders, arms, buttocks, legs and feet. He then proceeded massaging her. She turned her head, eyes closed, smiling blissfully. "I’m not the only one with magic hands, preacher!" she said.
He bent forward to kiss her. She put an arm around his shoulders bringing him on his stomach, next to her. He chuckled. Turning on her side to face him, she rolled him on his back, moving on top of him. Smiling, she reached for the top drawer of the night table and grabbed her molecular belt, putting it around her waist.
"Wings in!" she said, and leaned on him, bringing her face closer to his, both of them smiling.
"Needless to ask you what’s on your mind!" he said.
"Shut up!" she replied in her husky voice, kissing him. They made love.
Wayne Manor
In Wayne Manor’s Master bedroom, Bruce Wayne was staring at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep. His under cover mission had revealed upsetting information. Ultra G cigarettes had hit the streets.
From the small operations of Boss Gamache who now served a life sentence in prison for illegal drug trade, weapons trade and prostitution, the chemical formula had fallen into the hands of bigger, more powerful people.
He had already placed a request with Superman for a Founding members Meeting, later that day.
Thank goodness he’d learned the value of delegating tasks…thank God she had taught him, he thought, looking lovingly at Diana.
He did not want to worry her yet. She slept besides him, a tiny cat’s smile on her lips; electing to sleep by his side rather than at the Themysciran Embassy or in her Watchtower quarters.
Soon enough, a new Themysciran Ambassador would be chosen, and she would be able to spend more time with the Justice League… and with Bruce. He looked forward to that.
He looked at her, with a sense of wonder. They had come so far since the day they met: from team mates to friends; from friends to secret lovers; and from secret lovers to life mates. He smiled at his good fortune, admiring her as she slept.
Diana had returned from her girl’s poker night a few moments before he came back from his under cover mission. By the time he had showered and joined her in bed, she had already fallen asleep. She stirred in her sleep reaching for his hand. Smiling, he took her hand and made himself comfortable on his side, facing her. He finally fell asleep.
St.- François, morning
Sadie Stevens was driving towards that familiar place, her ex-boyfriend Marc Lucas’ house. She was now at the helm of a new Night Club, Sinful Sadie’s. The place was fully stocked, and staffed, she’d even hired specialised security to keep drug dealers out. There was only one thing missing: a house band.
They did have a DJ for the dance numbers, but the live band nights at the old Zone Neutre were also big draws with the public. Sadie liked that formula and wanted it for her new club.
She parked her car in the driveway, grabbing a box of croissants and a tray of coffees from the passenger seat. She had a business proposal for her ex…and it was an excuse for her to clear the air.
She rang the door bell and heard Babette – Marc’s dog, - yelping excitedly behind the door. She smiled. Babette still had a soft spot for her. Marc opened the door. He looked at her with an annoyed look on his face "Still upset with me I see" she thought.
"Look at what the cat dragged in Babette."
He said."Good morning to you too Marc, at least she’s happy to see me. I brought you breakfast, will you let me in?"
Sadie asked.Marc rolled his eyes and sighed. "Come in."
He looked at Babette and with a smirk said "Traitor!" He looked at Sadie as she put the box of croissants and the tray of coffee on the kitchen counter. "Oh yeah, she still looks great…and she knows I can’t say no to her." He thought with a hint of a smile, old feelings resurfacing.
She put one knee down to pet Babette who began licking her face. "Yes, that’s my good girl! You got so big! Did you miss mommy? Mommy missed you!" Sadie said.
"Mommy? She sure has a lot of nerve!"
Marc thought, rolling his eyes.Sadie opened the box and handed Marc his coffee. "Thanks," Marc said, "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"
Sadie frowned, "Always so charming. I have a business proposal…" she sighed. "Scratch that. I do have a business proposal for you, but that was an excuse to see you."
She sat down. Marc was now looking at her with an expression of curiosity on his face. He sat in front of her. She took a sip of coffee and gave Marc a resigned smile.
"Truth is I’ve been meaning to see you and talk things over for a while now. But then you had that fling with Steph and I thought it was over between us for good. Then the Zone shut down, and I heard of the death threats you’d received and I knew I still had feelings for you." She gave Marc a concerned glance.
He looked back at her, that mane of blonde hair, those green eyes. "We argued, we fought, we got on each other’s nerves … but I could never stop thinking about her, not even when I was getting the death threats, or when the Justice League was in town to bail me out. Looks like I was very much on her mind too" Marc thought, in genuine amazement.
"The fling with Stephanie only happened because I was on the rebound from you Sadie." Marc said.
Sadie rolled her eyes, taking a bite of croissant. "Marc, if you recall we had an argument about my performing at a private party. You forbade me to go! You made me feel like your property rather than like your girlfriend! "She said. "And by the way, I didn’t go anyway!" She added; her cheeks flushed from frustration over her obtuse ex.
Marc looked down, feeling guilty. After a bite of croissant and a sip of coffee, he looked at her and said "I guess dating a stripper made me jealous, over protective and possessive. You have no idea how much I’d worry about you Sadie: I was afraid you’d get raped or killed, or both. I admit that forbidding you was the wrong thing to say, I apologise for that. But I won’t apologise for worrying about your safety".
Sadie closed her eyes. "If we’d had this conversation before, we would have stayed together, Marc & Steph wouldn’t have had sex in the stock room and Steph would still be alive today. God have mercy…" She thought, tears coursing down her cheeks.
"Sadie? Are you okay?"
Marc asked.She shook her head. "We’ve been fools Marc. I need to know, did you love Stephanie?"
He took a long sip of coffee and sighed. "No. Like I said, I was on the rebound. I mean I liked her, and I was attracted to her, but did I love her the same way I loved you? No. Not even close." News of Stephanie’s death had also shaken him.
Sadie smiled in spite of the tears. "I finally did get my degree in business management and I’m managing a new night Club. I’m no longer stripping." She said. Marc couldn’t repress a relieved smile.
"Marc, I know I played tough and independent but truth is I miss you, badly. Had we been more mature we never would have broken up in the first place. If there was a chance for us at all I …"
Before she could finish her sentence, he had walked around the table to her. He put his arms around her, and before they knew it they were kissing passionately. Just like that, their relationship was reborn.
She might not have her house band yet, but she didn’t care: she and the man she loved were back together.
"You said you had a business proposal?"
Marc asked, smiling."Care to get the band back together?"
She replied, returning his smile.
Justice League Meeting
Reverend Justice was accompanying Hawkgirl to the board room.
"I don’t get it Shy, I’m not a founding member, why am I being asked to attend this meeting?" he asked.
"Batman insisted the members of the St-François task force be present as the information pertains to all of us who were there. The only member of the task force who won’t be in attendance is Captain Marvel who isn’t an official Justice League member yet." She replied.
The Reverend smiled. "My Mother e-mailed me, saying that he had kept in touch with my parents – you see, as Billy Badson he grew up in an Orphanage, he never knew his parents. As Captain Marvel he kind of grew attached to my parents!"
Hawkgirl returned his smile. "Your brother did tell him he’d be honoured to call him ‘brother’!" She said.
"So would I!" The Reverend nodded, still smiling. Captain Marvel had a boyish charm that was quite endearing.
They sat down. They were soon joined by Flash, Green Lantern, Vixen, Wonder Woman, Superman, Martian Manhunter and Batman.
A grave expression on his face, Batman spoke up.
"I have some disturbing news. My under cover mission revealed that a new designer drug has hit the streets of Gotham City, with shipments on their way to Metropolis and Central City. My informant described the drug as undistinguishable from cigarettes in appearance and in smell …"
Reverend Justice winced and interjected "Ultra G!"
Batman looked at him with a nod and continued.
"It would seem that Boss Réjean Gamahe’s multi-million deal wasn’t only in dealing well camouflaged genetically engineered cannabis, but in selling the chemical formula to the highest bidder. A consortium of investors purchased the formula and payment was made in a deposit in a Swiss Bank account. Boss Gamache would have been on his way to Switzerland ‘to retire’ once a few loose ends would have been tied up." He said, looking at the Reverend.
"My brother and parents" The Reverend said.
Again, Batman nodded.
Green Lantern said "Sweet Mother of Mercy!" giving Vixen a sideways glance. He and Vixen had stepped in just in time, saving Marc Lucas’ life.
Batman continued:
"As you know, our task force intervened, and Boss Gamache was sent to prison before he could collect. Somehow, the consortium still ended up with the Ultra-G formula and has set up an underground greenhouse operation in Gotham City. My informant claims there is a rumour that an underground processing plant is about to open up in Metropolis, and that Central City isn’t too far behind in the hierarchy, supposedly to handle distribution."
Superman and Flash looked glum.
"We lucked out big time putting boss Gamache behind bars, thanks to the footage Reverend Justice shot and thanks to Gamache’s bodyguard Serge Dumas’ testimony."
Batman took a sip of water and continued.
"This consortium operates under the corporate name "Hypnos" and its chief administrators have turned out to be fictitious names, its head office is an old abandoned arena near Gotham Harbour – I checked the place top to bottom, it’s empty. Typical Dummy Corporation put together using fictitious information and hefty payolas to the right people.
Boss Gamache was equally careful in his dealings with the consortium: telephone conversations were encrypted in case of Police surveillance and no written records were kept. All contracts were verbal and the number of the Swiss Bank account was committed to memory – make no mistake about it, that man is highly intelligent. And of course he is not volunteering any information as far as who his contacts were within the consortium or who the investors themselves were." Batman concluded.
"Figuring out the identity of the main investors of that Consortium won’t be a walk in the park; ditto with finding out who is pulling the strings." Vixen said.
"That’s as may be, but we can still cripple their operations by locating the greenhouses and processing plants, and shutting them down." Superman said, a stern look on his face.
"The $200 000.00 question is: where do we start looking?" Flash said.
"Has anybody ever smelled dead skunk?" The Reverend asked. All faces turned towards him. "Regardless on whether or not that weed is genetically engineered; it still needs to be grown in Greenhouses from seeds that were genetically denatured, using that chemical formula Batman mentioned.
And no matter how good the ventilation and air filtration they use may be, there is still the tell tale sign of ripening Marijuana: the smell of dead skunk.
There was a major drug bust in a Montreal suburb a few years ago. According to the Police press conference, the perpetrator had enough money to rent out several apartments in various neighbourhoods.
The windows were shut with aluminium foil; he had exhaust fans re-circulating the air through filters and Air conditioning to keep the apartments at reasonable temperatures – the lights used to mimic sunlight generate a lot of heat.
In spite of it all, neighbours complained about the smell. At first, the Landlords would send in an exterminator, and sure enough no skunks could be found. The complaints kept piling up, still no skunks to be found.
At a certain point one of the Landlords became suspicious and called the police. They showed up with a search warrant and the first of several clandestine greenhouses was discovered." The Reverend said.
"The other Greenhouses were located using infra-red scanners – those sodium lights generate a lot of heat in spite of Air conditioning, and they draw a lot of power - a few enquiries with the local Hydro company pointed out to which places in the City used well over thousands of kilowatts of power per day.
It boiled down to finding the highest power drawing sites, and out of those check out which ones had above normal heat signatures and smelled like dead skunk." The Reverend concluded.
Green Lantern turned to Batman and said "Bruce, give that man a raise!"
The Reverend grinned.
Batman said "I remember reading about that drug bust, but you seem to have some details that never made it to the papers RJ, what’s your source?"
"I had an acquaintance on that Police Force who confided some of the details to me over beer and shooters!" He said with a smirk.
"At least we know where to start!" Superman said with a smile.
"Locating the already packaged Ultra G may not be that easy," Hawkgirl said, "according to Serge Dumas’ testimony, once processed and mixed with tobacco, the Ultra G becomes undetectable."
"We might want to hold off on shutting down the Greenhouse or Greenhouses right away," Wonder Woman said, "It may be best to observe first, allow one shipment to leave the Greenhouse and track it to the processing plant, observe that and from there track a shipment to the distribution Centres. Then we move in and shut their operations down."
Batman smiled, nodding.
"Bruce, perhaps a call to our friend Oracle would be in order?" Martian Manhunter asked.
Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl and Vixen snickered. "Think she’s in any shape to work girls?" Vixen asked.
Martian Manhunter cast them a quizzical glance.
"Poker night ran kind of late, J’onn." Wonder Woman said, smiling.
Martian Manhunter nodded.
Batman said "Nonetheless a great idea, if anybody can pinpoint the highest power consuming buildings in the Gotham - Blüdhaven area, she definitely can. From there we can set up infra-red surveillance …"
"And keep our noses open." Flash said. All turned to look at him. "What?" He said with a shrug.
"Something’s missing though," Green Lantern said, "You’d think a crook as intelligent and slippery as Gamache would have had a backup plan, a trusted stooge to access the money in the Swiss Account to buy him out of prison."
"Under normal circumstances, yes." Batman said.
"But the video footage the Reverend shot of Gamache trying to shoot his bodyguard Serge Dumas was irrefutable in court, as were the testimonies of Dumas and of the two hit men hired to kill the Reverend’s brother and Parents, no amount of money could have bought his way out of prison. I agree he may have had a trustworthy stooge on the outside, but that stooge may be living the high life on Gamache’s coin." He concluded, with a smirk.
"Which raises the question: could that stooge be one of the Hypnos consortium’s mystery investors? I mean why sell the cash cow when you can own the Dairy Farm?" Reverend Justice said.
Once more, all eyes focused on Reverend Justice, you could have heard a pin drop.
"Green Lantern’s right Bruce, Joey does deserve a raise!" Superman said with a smile.
Hawkgirl, who was sitting next to the Reverend, discreetly grabbed his hand under the table, also smiling. "That’s my Joey" she thought.
Batman said "RJ, how about you and Hawkgirl do some field work in the St-François region and dig some dirt for us? The deputizing agreement still stands."
Hawgirl gave Reverend Justice’s hand a gentle squeeze.
Reverend Justice smiled. "I’m up for it if she is!"
"Try and stop me!" she said.
"Good. We can adjourn for now. I will contact Oracle and keep you all posted. The sooner we can go ahead with those infra red scans the better." Batman said.
"Agreed Batman, I’m looking forward to perform those scans myself." Superman said.
They left the Boardroom.
Heart to heart
Joey and Shayera headed for the Javelin Bay. "We might need to make a pass by my loft, and get the Chariot back in the Javelin’s cargo hold." Reverend Justice said.
"There’s a quicker way!" Shayera said, smiling cryptically.
They boarded the Javelin. Shayera sat in the Pilot’s chair, Joey taking the seat next to her. "Batman added a homing device in the Chariot," she said, "I can beam it directly to the Cargo hold as easy as this!" She flipped a switch, giving Joey a wink.
They took off.
"Gotta love Modern Technology!" he said. "I suggest we pay Serge Dumas a visit at the St-Joseph minimum security prison. Gamache won’t talk, but I’m sure Serge will gladly tip us off on Gamache’s inner circle. As his bodyguard he would know of any possible stooge, and even might have a description of the investors – there must have been an actual meeting at some point."
Shayera nodded "Same landing coordinates as last time?" She asked.
"Yes. We can use the Chariot to get to St-Joseph Prison." He gave her a loving look. "I’m glad Batman decided to pair us together again!" he said.
"He knows I’ll break his arm if he doesn’t!" she said, her smile broadening. "And Saint-François may be a small town, but it is growing on me!"
He returned her smile. "I was worried small town life might bore you." He said.
"Not in the least!" she said, looking at him from the corner of her eye, smile turning to grin. "Trouble arises anywhere at any time. And as you well know, I enjoy my privacy. Thanks to the molecular belt you gave me, I treasure a new level of privacy. And in a small town like St-François, I can share that privacy with you, a bit further from the worries of the world."
There was this other thing she wanted to tell him, which made the great Thanagarian Warrior rather anxious. "Test the waters first." She thought.
Turning her attention to piloting, she added: "You also know it’s hard for me to say I love you. I’ve been burned a few times…but then again so have you. The day I pulled you out of that car wreck and you called me your angel with that helpless look in your eyes; it touched me, deeply.
I tried to push it out of my mind, not expecting to ever see you again. A few years later, you show up again in my life, saving me, and perhaps also Wonder Woman and Batman."
Joey felt his heart skip a beat. Shayera was not one to confide her deepest feelings very often, though she did open up to him every once and again. It made him feel privileged.
"You see, until we met I had been going through many periods of self-doubt. While my Justice League friends had forgiven my involvement in the Thanagarian invasion and while I was given a second chance, things were never exactly the same.
I had to exile myself in Dr Fate’s domain. When I returned, I could see that life as I knew it had changed. John had gone on with his life, dating Mari –you know her better as Vixen.
Diana and I patched things up, the rest of the Justice League gradually began trusting me again…but I still felt like an outcast. I was traitor to Thanagar, and loose cannon to Earth. I felt I belonged nowhere.
Joey, you saved more than my life that day. You saved my soul. Call it a premonition, but as soon as I recognised you after you beat up that sniper, I felt that somehow, this was no coincidence.
All of a sudden, Dr. Fate’s teachings finally meant something to me. I knew I wanted you in the recruitment program. I knew I wanted to get to know you better. I’m not sure when exactly I fell in love with you, but I did. I love you Joseph Lucas, make no mistake about it."
She paused and gave him a brief look; saw the loving look on his face, shining through in spite of the mask and hat. She couldn’t bring herself to bring up that topic when he looked at her that way.
"If you weren’t busy piloting I’d be making out with you on the bunks in the back of the Javelin right now." He said, voice hoarse and trembling from the emotion. "I love you too Shayera Hol, and every time you tell me to shut up is like a big ‘I love you’ to me!"
She laughed, heartily at that. He pulled a tissue from of his Trench coat’s pockets and gently wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Here, those tears can’t make piloting easy!" He said, and gently kissed her cheek.
They flew towards the Reverend’s old home town. The topic that made her so anxious would have to wait.
End of part 1