BAE Chapter 46

Barbara has gotten this far without throwing a punch. Why start now?

“There’s a deal going on downstairs,” she tells Penguin bluntly. “An associate of Falcone’s. I know you wouldn’t want something like that going on in your upstanding establishment, Mr. Cobblepot. Do you want to put a stop to it? Or should I?”

Penguin’s face darkens, and he chews his cigar a little more irritably. Grumbling, he picks up his umbrella and gets to his feet.

“Of course I’ll keep order in my own business,” he snaps. Then he grins around his cigar, chuckling to himself. “I’ll show you, Batgirl. Come along.”

“I believe the probability that he is walking you into a trap is more than zero,” Alfred notes in Barbara’s ear.

The thought crossed Barbara’s mind. But if Penguin wants trouble, he can have it. Barbara already has a flash bomb in the palm of her right hand.

“After you,” Barbara says, stepping aside.

It is a little surreal to simply walk through the Penguin’s club by his side. A couple of the goons trail along, but they don’t make any moves to surround Barbara that she’s able to see. The music in the club makes situational awareness difficult, but it’s not as though the Penguin had time to plan anything.

The scolding that he gives to the men doing the deal is obviously performative; Barbara would be very much surprised if Penguin isn’t encouraging these types of deals on his premises and taking a cut.

“Of course, Mr. Penguin, Sir,” the dealer says, catching on. “We’ll take our business outside.”

“You’ll leave it on the table,” Barbara says, pointing meaningfully.

The man hesitates, looking uncertainly at the Penguin.

“You heard her,” the Penguin tells him.

The man places his duffel bag on the table and backs away.

“Have a good night,” Barbara tells him, walking over to the table as he leaves, looking deeply confused. Penguin watches her open the bag. Barbara flicks out a Batarang and slits open the bags of **** inside, then takes a bottle of vodka from a passing waitress. She pours it liberally into the bag, then plucks the cigar from the Penguin’s mouth. “I believe you, Mr. Cobblepot. Your cooperation has made it abundantly clear that this is a wholesome, upstanding business.” She tosses the lit cigar into the bag, which goes up in flames.

The goons rush to get fire extinguishers. Without a cigar to chew on, Penguin can only grind his teeth.

“I don’t see anything,” Alfred reports.

This is a bust. Barbara isn’t about to go search the place.

“Thank you, Mr. Cobblepot. I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon,” she says.

He grumbles something in reply that Barbara doesn’t catch, but she’s already walking away.

BAE

In the Batcave, Kate trains diligently. She runs the course, fights the drones, and works out as ordered. Barbara watches from a platform above, wrapped in her black bathrobe after showering.

Alfred appears beside her with a glass of orange juice on a tray. Barbara takes it and drinks.

“Something on your mind?” she asks, watching Kate cartwheel through spiked traps.

“An early night. No injuries.” Alfred sighs quietly. “I wonder if I’m dreaming.”

“Lucky night, that’s all.”

“I’m not so sure.”

“I love you too, Alfred. How’s she doing?”

“Ms. Kane can handle herself. There’s no question of that. It’s not a matter of athletics, Ms. Gordon. It’s a matter of judgment. Trust.”

“Bruce trusted her,” Barbara notes. “At least enough to let her wear the costume.”

“Master Wayne did not approve of Ms. Kane’s activities. He was waiting for her to make a mistake large enough to justify intervention.”

Barbara is taken aback. She hadn’t realized that, but it makes sense. It’s a point in Bruce’s favor.

“Any sign of Talia?” she asks.

“None.”

“Beaumont?”

“She returned home only ten minutes ago.”

Barbara frowns. “Alone?”

“Quite.”

“Interesting.”

“Indeed. At least you’ll be well-rested for your meeting tomorrow.”

Right. Barbara needs to meet with the legal department. She made Ivy a promise about taking on Daggett, and it’s time for Barbara Gordon to make good on it.

Kate finishes a set and looks up at the platform. “You’re back,” she says.

“Looks like you’re doing well,” Barbara calls down.

“Anything good out there?”

“Penguin and Harley.”

Kate looks impressed. “You OK?”

Barbara shrugs and takes a sip of orange juice. “All’s well that ends well,” she says.

“Have I told you how attractive I find you?”

“Go home, Kate. It’s late.”

“What? No fair. Why?”

“Professionalism,” Barbara says.

Kate snorts and makes a rude gesture, then strolls off toward the shower.

Barbara sighs and turns away. Alfred does the same.

“Your morning is spoken for,” he reminds her. “How shall I schedule your afternoon?”

Right. Lucius wants Barbara’s input on the plans to move Ivy, which are being fast-tracked in the hopes of getting work started on the vaccine. On the other hand, Barbara struck out on the matter of Riley Beaumont tonight. She could believably schedule another appointment at the gym with a certain trainer.

Should Barbara work with Lucius on Ivy’s accommodations?

Or attempt another session to investigate Riley Beaumont?