BAE Chapter 49

Barbara gets to her feet.

“Don’t overdo it,” she tells Lucius. “Don’t put her on a prison cot, but let’s not make Vicki’s job too easy for her.”

“Agreed. Mr. Wayne used to be on good terms with Ms. Vale.”

“Well, I’m not. I’m on good terms with Summer Gleeson.”

“I always liked her.” Lucius rises and shakes Barbara’s hand. “I’ll get Dr. Isley settled and put her to work. You’d better do some soul-searching about this plan of yours. And try to give some thought to how it’ll play in the media.”

Barbara gives him a mock salute and leaves the office, dialing Alfred.

“How may I be of assistance, Ms. Gordon?”

“Send a few more flowers to Summer,” Barbara says.

“And the card?”

“Have it say that I was thinking of her.”

“Very good, Ms. Gordon.”

The door behind her opens and she looks back to see Lucius leaning out.

“Aki’s on the twelfth floor.”

“HR?”

“Logistics. Be careful with her, Ms. Gordon.”

Barbara raises an eyebrow. “Is she dangerous?”

“Everyone in that boardroom is dangerous, Barbara. Aki… well, Aki’s a little odd. Glass houses and so forth. All the same, tread lightly.”

“Naturally,” Barbara says.

“And you should wear heels with that suit. Save the boots for your other one.”

“Save your fashion advice for your guy friends,” Barbara replies, heading for the elevator.

She has a voicemail from Kate. Warily, she listens as she waits.

“Babs, sorry to bother you, I just wanted to let you know that, you know, I was hoping to get some action. Before I die of old age,” Kate says.

A little dramatic, but Kate’s handled herself well so far. She’s still sharp, and Alfred’s reported that her training is solid. It’s probably safe to let her out of the cave under supervision.

Barbara rides to the twelfth floor and presents herself to the receptionist, who stands up and takes her to Aki Aramaki’s huge corner office. Aki is a Senior Vice President with her division. It’s not quite as lofty as being Gotham’s DA, but it does pay better. Barbara silently tells herself not to think about how she watched Aki’s wife getting passionately ravished by a personal trainer. Maybe they have an open marriage. Or maybe it’s not Aki’s jealousy that you’re worried about. Summer Gleeson isn’t the only redhead in your daydreams. Riley Beaumont’s athletic strength, confidence, and charm are unforgettable. So is what she did to you in your training session, and the sight of her thrusting powerfully into Viti Saxena. That is burned into your brain.

On the bright side, you’re getting comfortable with your anatomy and with thoughts about kissing women. Confident, even. Would it be too soon to ask Summer about… having another drink at her place?

You focus as you enter Aki’s office. She’s by the window with a cup of tea, but she hurries over, dismissing the receptionist with a nod.

“Thank you for coming down,” she says in her soft, enigmatic voice.

“My pleasure,” Barbara replies. “I was just meeting with Lucius about Dr. Isley. You understand.”

“Of course. I’d like to meet with you as well.”

“Are we not meeting?”

“Not here. Not like this,” Aki says, looking past Barbara. The walls of her office are glass. She could close the blinds, but she hasn’t. “That would give the appearance of scheming.”

“Is scheming what you have in mind?”

“What are you doing for dinner?” she asks, ignoring the question.

Barbara stays on her toes. “Are you offering me a dinner with Gotham’s DA?”

Aki’s smile grows. “Not at all. It’s a weeknight. I’ll be lucky if my wife is home by eleven. We’ll have plenty of time alone together.”

“For scheming,” Barbara says.

Aki takes a sip of tea. Seems straightforward enough. Aki has ambitions and Barbara is a new piece on the board. Aki wants to snap her up before someone else does. But is there a hint of flirtatiousness in her word choice? It’s difficult to be sure. Barbara doesn’t want to be too cocky and assume that every woman in Gotham wants her penis. And Lucius did say that Aki is odd.

There are a lot of things to do, but only one Barbara.

Take Kate on patrol?

Or accept Aki’s invitation?