SEL Chapter 31

Barbara gazes at Lena. “Ms. Luthor, as moved as I am by your condescension and the way that you assume that I would **** mayoral power with respect to the police department, I’m just not convinced. I’ll be sure to think your offer over. You can go now.” She points at the door.

Lena’s smile is stiff.

“I see.” She puts her hands on the arms of her chair and gets to her feet. “Thank you for hearing me out.”

“Anytime.”

Barbara watches her go.

SEL

It’s another cold night in Gotham. The yellow moon shines through tattered clouds that hang in the reddish sky. Car horns and music echo faintly through the damp streets while GCPD airships drift ominously, their searchlights sweeping the rooftops.

Helena has never been one for rooftops like Bruce and his people. She leans against her bike in an alley, arms folded.

Steph emerges dramatically from the curtain of steam rising from a manhole.

Helena is not impressed. “I heard you come down.” The grapple guns make an obvious noise.

“We have a brand, Sis. Try to keep up.”

Both women are in full costume. Steph looks Helena up and down.

“Purple supremacy,” she says.

“Sure, kid. What do you want?”

“Just touching base. We’re coworkers.”

Helena snorts. “Vicki’s safe, if that’s what you’re wondering. She’s weird. But she’ll survive.”

“What do you mean, weird?”

“She looks at me like 13-year-old boys do. I know she has a rep, but I didn’t think it was with women.”

“Seed.” Steph shakes her head. “It will do that. It’s not Vicki’s fault. Don’t judge her. I used to date Robin. Now, after Seed, I’m…”

“What?”

“I do stuff that I probably would not have expected myself to do.” Steph’s face is a little red.

Helena sighs. “It’s fine. What are you up to?”

“I’m thinking I’ll go after the Spider.”

“Will no one think of the rich guys and their portfolios?”

“History has shown us that we can’t ignore the flamboyant ones, Helena.”

“I don’t care.”

“Any ideas?”

Helena shrugs and toys with a lock of dark, curly hair. “You could set up an elaborate honeypot with some priceless jewels and attend some big, super-rich function as bait. Or use a guy to do it. Most of the victims have been men. Bruce Wayne would’ve been perfect.”

“Maybe I could get Ted to come to Gotham.”

“I guess that would work. Or you could just not be a dumbass and do the obvious, effortless thing.”

Steph is a little affronted, but she’s not going to let her pride get in the way here. “Which would be?”

Helena snorts. “Spider’s a burglar who steals from the rich. Just ask Catwoman. You think anyone’s taking big ticket items in Gotham that Catwoman doesn’t know about?”

Steph is annoyed. “I knew that. That’s what I was gonna do.” She tosses her hair. “I was testing you.”

“Uh-huh.”

“And what are you doing?”

“You said you wanted me on the street.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t make it weird.”

Steph sticks out one purple-gloved hand.

Helena rolls her eyes and shakes.

SEL

Pretty blondes in skimpy, shimmery uniforms move among crowded tables in the Iceberg Lounge. Business is better than it’s ever been.

Oswald Cobblepot watches from his office.

He is experiencing unprecedented prosperity. Without the Batman on the streets, Oswald’s revenue streams are flowing well. As long as there isn’t too much ****, he’s not drawing the attention of the GCPD under the new interim Commissioner.

There is, for the time being, peace between Cobblepot, Falcone, Maroni, the Hasigawas, Sionis, and a few other outfits. Everyone is making money.

But there’s only so much to be made with the city divided between so many. Limits on money mean limits on power. Oswald has no desire for war, but his influence can still grow through legitimate business. So much of Gotham is in need of gentrification. Oswald never set out to be a gangster; his goal is merely to be on top, where he belongs. He can achieve that as a developer, but a developer is only as good as his contacts in City Hall. Without the mayor snugly in his pocket, Oswald’s dream is dead.

Aki Aramaki’s control over her wife is near absolute, but Oswald’s control of Aki is less certain. Meanwhile, Barbara Gordon has not only rejected Oswald’s overtures, but sources in her office tell Oswald that she’s taking a firm stance on integrity even with less controversial influence-seekers. That means there’s no chance of getting Gordon without some powerful leverage, and Oswald is not confident he can get that. She didn’t blink at a sex tape, and she’s the daughter of the former police commissioner. It seems unlikely that there’s much more dirt to dig up.

Even if Oswald didn’t set out to be a gangster, but that is what he is. The Batman isn’t the only one who can wield fear. It’s time to remind these two flightless birds and the rest of Gotham of the pecking order.

Cobblepot lifts his phone. Cheshire was a disappointment. He needs better talent this time. That won’t come cheap, but one must spend money to make money.

“Yes, boss?”

“I need that man who doesn’t miss,” Oswald says darkly.

There is a pause.

“Which one, boss?”

“Excuse me?”

“Which one?”

“Deathshot,” Oswald says, annoyed at having to say it aloud. It’s a silly name.

“Deadshot,” his assistant corrects him. “Don’t feel bad, boss.”

“Why would I feel bad?” Oswald snaps.

“I get them confused, too. See, there’s Deadshot and Deathstroke. Two different guys. Very confusing.”

Controlling his temper, Oswald sees a banner flash on the TV in the corner of his office: the upcoming debate.

“Get them both,” he orders.

We can follow Steph’s night or Helena’s.