SEL Chapter 5

The **** of a candidate is a big deal.

Barbara is confident that Ras is behind it. The killing doesn’t have the characteristics of a real A-list assassin, but the shooter got away clean. She can’t rule out this being a mob thing; there are players in Gotham with the money to hire someone like this, but that seems less likely. It’s not her job to worry about it, but she can’t turn it off.

The Rolls Royce idles outside Wayne Tower. Alfred turns around in his seat, looking impeccable in his driving outfit. Barbara knows now that it’s Hugo Boss, and more tailoring went into this one look than most guys’ entire wardrobes.

She turns her phone so that he can see it.

On the screen, Viti Saxena approaches a podium in front of a neutral backdrop.

“Good afternoon, Gotham City.” She looks serious and lovely in her blue pantsuit with a little G pin on her lapel in red, white, and blue. “Today we all share in the shock and grief at Mayor Hill’s ****. I wish there was more time for shock and for grief. GCPD’s Major Crimes Unit is going to be tackling this case with every possible resource, and this shooter will be found. In the meantime, our municipal laws make it clear what comes next in the case of a vacancy during an election cycle. Deputy Mayor Grange has announced that she will serve as interim mayor as expected, but that she will not take Mayor Hill’s place on the Republican ticket. Not long ago I withdrew from the mayoral race following Barbara Gordon’s announcement of her campaign. That was not out of deference to Ms. Gordon or her platform, but rather because my own platform had no clear place in the context of a three-way race. With Mayor Hill no longer running, I feel a moral obligation to step back in as opposition to Ms. Gordon. If the **** of our own mayor isn’t a sign that we need a candidate who will be tough on crime, then I don’t know what is. In the coming days, my campaign will be getting back to work as we move toward this special election. As I said, I wish there was more time to mourn and more time to give propriety its due, but the future of Gotham is at risk with the mayoral frontrunner being an individual with no qualifications running on a platform of dreams and fantasies. Thank you for your support, and I look forward to serving you as your mayor and bringing Mayor Hill’s killer to justice. Thank you.”

Barbara sets the phone aside and takes a deep breath.

“Not bad,” she says finally.

“Surprised?” Alfred asks.

“No. It was a little quick.”

He nods. “Not even twenty-four hours.”

“Good cover though, with the Special Election.”

“Indeed.”

“She didn’t look happy to be there.”

“Nor should she. A man is dead.”

“Yeah.” Barbara takes another deep breath. “Ready to do this?”

Before Alfred can answer, his phone buzzes. He frowns and takes it out.

“It’s Ms. Stephanie,” he says.

“How is she?”

“Doing well. She’s helped quite a few people these past weeks,” Alfred murmurs.

“I’m proud of her.”

Alfred nods and accepts the call.

SEL

Stephanie sits, a little awkwardly and a little pathetically on the edge of her bed in Bruce’s downtown penthouse.

“Alfred?”

“Yes, Ms. Stephanie? How may I be of service?”

“Uh, I had a question about the **** you gave me. The magic healing ****.”

“They are not at all magical. Mr. Stone was the architect of the formula, which relies on a flower that can only be found on Themyscira. Perfectly natural.”

“Uh, perfect. Listen, Alfred. I feel weird. I’m, uh, feeling pretty good.” Stephanie swallows uncomfortably. There’s sweat on her forehead, and she looks down at herself. She’s just woken up and wears only a sturdy pair of gray briefs. For all their sturdiness, her erection has pushed its way out. The underwear is stained with juices, and even now, precum dribbles against her pale tummy. “Lots of energy, Alfred. Lots.”

“That’s delightful to hear.”

Does he not understand? Stephanie rolls her eyes in frustration.

“What I’m asking is… is this normal?”

“Oh, yes. Nothing to worry about.”

“This happens to Bruce? And Babs and everyone else?”

“I’m afraid so. The Amazons are very fond of that ingredient.”

Stephanie fans her face with her free hand. “I’ll bet. Look, how did Bruce uh, cope with this? Because it’s distracting.”

“Exercise, Ms. Stephanie. Some would find it curious that Master Bruce would go out at night and exert himself, and then wake up the next day and lift weights and so forth as though he simply never tired. In fact, coming home bruised and using this recovery agent played a role in those morning habits.”

Lift the frustration away? That sounds like Bruce.

“OK, Alfred. So, I don’t need to go to a hospital?”

“Assuredly not.”

“OK, thanks. Love you.”

“Have a good morning, Ms. Stephanie. I’ll be along to tidy the penthouse later this afternoon.”

Stephanie ends the call. Her penis gives an extra tingly throb that sends feelings through her whole body. It’s like she’s having a hot flash. There’s sweat. If anyone would know how to handle this like a pro, it would be Bruce. A workout seems like a good idea on multiple levels. Stephanie knows that she should strengthen and toughen up. She can’t put on a hundred pounds of muscle like Bruce, but her agility can only take her so far.

She could go work out in the cave, but that is frankly depressing. The gym is more fun. Especially if Riley Beaumont is there, although that might be the arousal talking.

Stephanie has messed up so many times that she’s not going to second-guess Bruce, his ghost, or his butler. She has to lift weights, but the cave is too depressing. And Riley Beaumont is… a murderer.

At the gym where Riley Beaumont works?

Or some other gym?

[ The Halloween Special for 2024 happened if you want to read it. ]