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Batman The Long Halloween: The Roman
BATMAN
The Long Halloween
Part I
The Roman
Based off the Comic Book miniseries The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale
Gotham City
June
It was a hot day, one of the hottest on record, not the best choice for a wedding party but The Roman was adamant that the day not be moved because of a little heat. His Beloved God Daughter had married his Sister's son. The Roman was the nick name of Gotham City's leading gangster Carmine Falcone and Gotham's richest and most powerful had come out to congratulate Carmine on the blessed day. For Bruce Wayne it was just like a scene in the film his father always used to watch, The Godfather. Through the blinds he watched as the party went on the happy couple walking through the crowds of well wishers. At his Desk Carmine was carrying on about his import business getting backing by the Gotham City Bank which Bruce happened to be a member of the board of directors.
"Well Mr. Wayne," Carmine asked after giving his marketing push. "Will you vote yes?"
"Mr. Falcone, we both know how you get your money and I will not use my vote or my influence to get the board of directors to approve going into business with Falcone Imports." Bruce turned from the window and looked at The Roman and his right hand man Milos. "I'm only here out of respect for your family's history with mine."
"Your Father was more then just a friend to my father and to me Mr. Wayne," Carmine took a sniff from the rose that rested in the lapel of his suit jacket.
"That was a long time ago," Bruce replied as he thought back to the night Carmine's father brought the seriously wounded Carmine to Thomas Wayne's front door and saved his life.
"Very well Mr. Wayne, enjoy the rest of the party," Carmine sighed and watched as Bruce turned and walked out of the office.
"Perhaps I could encourage him as I did the others," Milos cracked his knuckles slightly.
"That won't be needed, his vote would have sent us over the top but we have enough Votes to get the banks approval." Carmine replied as Bruce listened through the closed door. "Besides I don't have to do what he wants this isn't the Godfather."
"Mr. Wayne," A high pitched voice came in from behind him.
"Oh I'm sorry I must have gotten lost," Bruce turned to see Carmine's youngest son Alberto Falcone a recent graduate of Harvard and Oxford, The Roman had made sure to keep him far from the family business. "This is a great penthouse."
Bruce walked by Alberto who watched him closely and exited the building out onto the roof top garden that hosted the party. Weaving his way through the crowds he was planning to leave the party and come back as Batman. While he was talking to Carmine he saw the safe that sat behind the desk, while it wouldn't be right for Bruce Wayne to have a look there was nothing that would stop Batman from looking.
"Hello Bruce," a sultry voice mewed from behind him. "Hot isn't it. Years from now when people talk about the weather, they'll say Its Hot but not as hot as the night Johnny Viti got married."
"Hello Selena," Bruce looked her over cataloging everything he might need to know. Wearing a Black skin tight dress that highlighted her figure's pluses, she wore expensive jewelry which should have been too much for her to afford. Her hair was down and flowed to her shoulders and framed her facial features.
"Would you like to dance?" Selena asked as she stepped forward to take his hands into hers.
"Why not," Bruce let himself be taken out onto the dance floor where the two of them shared one of several dances. He knew that he should be leaving it was time to get to work but for some reason he couldn't make himself leave.
Carmine Falcone was looking out the window out at the dance floor as Bruce and Selena danced, paying no mind to his youngest son Alberto as he entered the room. His pride and joy he kept him far from the business, he saw great things for his son, not all the blessed with good looks like his oldest son Mario he was truly the brains of the family. He was hoping he would go to Law School and become a lawyer maybe go into politics. But Alberto kept sticking his nose in the business, more now that Mario was expelled from the county.
"Take a look at my sister out there," Carmine shoved his hands into his pockets. "Smiling like the cat about to eat a canary, if anything ever happened to me Alberto, you don't need to look any further then your Aunt Carla in Chicago."
"Don't talk like that Pops, Ain't nothing going to happen to you," Alberto's high pitched voice betrayed none of the fear he was feeling. You should know, I saw Bruce Wayne snooping around out…"
"Alberto, Alberto, Alberto," Carmine turned around and placed his right hand on Alberto's cheek giving it a light slap. "A good looking boy like you should be chasing after some pretty little girl in the wedding, not worried about matters that don't concern you."
"But I want to help," Alberto sighed.
"Don't worry about it," Carmine put his arm around his son's shoulders and began to lead him to the door.
"Mr. Falcone," Falcone's Bodyguard Milos Grapa caught Carmine's attention. "You might want to see this."
"What is it," Carmine walked over to one of the video screens to see a tall figure writing in a small notepad. "Dent!"
"Yes, sir," Milos replied. "Garage level B."
*****
In the Basement garage District Attorney Harvey Dent wrote another license plate number down. It had been along day, watching the wedding from a van across the street from the church to taking down plate numbers in a roasting underground garage.
"You know Harvey," he said out loud to himself. "If you had any sense at all, which you don't, you'd be at home with the AC on and a cold beer. But nope you've got to spend the hottest night of the year in a parking garage taking down license plate for all the low life's this cesspool of a…"
Harvey never finished his thought; he felt a sharp pain at the back of his head just before his world went white. He could faintly feel the kicks and hear the threats directed to him and his wife. When he came back around he saw the faces of Bruce Wayne and Selena Kyle looking down at him. By the time his head cleared he was able to hear Wayne asking if he was ok talking about how they were just leaving when they heard him get attacked."
"I hope I didn't ruin your evening." Dent brushed off the dust before picking up the notepad and pen.
"I guess that's the same as 'Thanks for making sure I was ok,'" Selena placed her hands on her hips as Harvey collected his things.
"No really," Harvey slipped the pad into his pants pocket. "You Society types go ahead and do what ever it is, you um do when you're doing it. The Rest of us will take care of what needs to be done."
"And, what needs to be done, Mr. Dent," Bruce watched as Harvey began to leave.
"You wouldn't understand, Wayne," Harvey turned back to face the couple. "Good Night Miss Kyle. And, um, thanks for making sure I was ok."
"Friend of yours?" Selena watched as Harvey left.
"I gave money to his campaign for District Attorney," Bruce turned back to face Selena. "I believe in Harvey Dent."
"That's a lot coming from you," Selena smiled. "So Bruce you have any plans tonight."
"Actually," Bruce looked at his watch. "I should be heading home; it's late, even for me."
"Your Loss," Selena replied as she turned and headed to her car leaving Bruce alone in the lot. It wasn't really that late, but he wanted to get back here and take a look at that safe and couldn't do it with Selena hanging around.
James Gordon sat in the commissioner's office finishing up the days paperwork, he was thankful Barbra was old enough to take care of herself. There were days he would go a couple days with out seeing her, between his job and her schooling. The times they did get together were spent with the typical father daughter bonding stuff. He was really happy that Barbra was spending the summer with her Grandparents in Metropolis which helped due to the longer hours of the summer. Putting away the last of his files he nearly jumped at the sound of the knock at his door. Looking over at the opening door he was shocked to find a bloody Harvey Dent walking in.
"Harvey, you look like you've been hit by a truck." Gordon replied.
"Got anything to drink Jimbo," Harvey staggered in to the office. "I could really use one."
"What happened, Harvey?" James reached into his desk and pulled out the bottle of scotch he kept on hand.
"I, um, went over to the Falcone wedding, guess I wasn't on the guest list," Harvey took the glass and drank it down.
"We talked about this Harvey," James poured another glass. "Dam it man, we've talked about taking needless chances."
"And Falcone has us outgunned, outclassed." Harvey finished off the 2nd glass. "How're we ever going to bring him down?"
"I have a friend," James set the bottle down on the desk. "Who wants to help us out."
*****
As the Falcone family lined up for pictures, Batman glided across the gap from the roof he had been waiting at to the Falcone's balcony. Anyone looking might thing they were seeing a giant bat flying through the air. It would be simple, all he'd have to do was enter Falcone's office, get into the safe pull out what ever info would be needed and leave before anyone knew what happened. When he reached the balcony he found the window wide open, entering the darkened room he saw the dark shape of a smaller figure, likely a woman. It didn't take much thinking to know that it was Catwoman, a cat burglar who seemed to have motives behind everything she did.
"I was wondering who left the window open," Batman said suddenly causing Catwoman to jump. It wasn't the first time Batman had found her in the office; he couldn't help but think there was some kind of connection between the Catwoman and The Roman.
"I don't have time for this," Catwoman spun around dropping the jewels she had in her hands and dove at Batman feet first.
"My business here doesn't involve you," Batman blocked her kick and pushing her back at the safe.
"Funny" Catwoman crouched down low to the floor looking ready to pounce as soon as she saw an opening. "I don't believe you."
"You should," Batman grabbed hold of her wrists as Catwoman jumped at him, her talon like claws aimed at his face.
"Then let go of me," Catwoman struggled to get out of his grasp.
As she fought to get free the doors burst open to reveal a group of men all armed with guns and all pointing them at the two of them. Batman barely heard Catwoman as she dove for cover behind Batman. It was the smart move, Batman knew, he was protected by body armor while Catwoman wasn't. Reaching into his belt he pulled out a smoke bomb and tossed it at the shooters. With the room covered in smoke Batman made quick work of the shooters and escaped following Catwoman out the now broken window.
"In my own Home," Carmine Falcone entered the room as the smoke slowly dissipated. "Where my children sleep, on my nephew's wedding day. Milos, my most trusted friend, surely you have an explanation."
"It was Catwoman, and the Batman boss," Milos grabbed at his bleeding arm that had been hit by a bat shaped throwing star.
"You know, there was a time when this would never have happened." Salvatore Maroni laughed from the door way. The Boss as he's known in the underworld was Carmine's top rival for control of Gotham City. "You're not getting old are you?"
"Spread the Word Milos," Carmine glared at Maroni. "Ten million dollars for each of them, The Bat and the Cat."
*****
In the skies over Gotham City, Batman followed Catwoman as she leaped from roof top to roof top, taking advantage of her cat like reflexes. Always a step in front of Batman, she would avoid his grasp at the last second. Swinging over an ally way he watched as she landed on her feet and continued getting further way.
"For someone who said they had no business with me, you certainly are going out of your way, to have business with me," Catwoman paused quick as she wrapped her whip around a flag pole and swung across a large gap between two buildings.
"Catwoman, what were you doing at Falcone's," Batman fired another grapple around the same flagpole and followed Catwoman across the gap.
"That would be telling," Catwoman ran across the roof of the building racing towards the other end. "The last thing I want to do for you is make it easy, you're the detective."
"Catwoman," Batman stopped at the ledge expecting to find Catwoman in a pile on the ground but saw nothing. She was gone; he couldn't help but wonder if it was true what they say about Cats having nine lives. Cause after tonight she would need all of them. He wouldn't get to look for Catwoman anymore tonight though, as Batman was looking down in the ally for any signs a familiar light started to shine in the night sky. Looking up he found the Bat symbol blazing in the clear night. James Gordon was calling him, pulling out another grapple he made his way to Police central.
*****
Harvey Dent was getting antsy; he had been standing on the roof of Police Central for nearly a half hour in the warm humid air, making it seem like it had been longer. The shirt he was wearing was nearly soaked with sweat, he was sure there would be visible sweat stains on his suit coat. After looking at his watch for what must have been the 15th time in just five minutes he asked the question anyone would have asked.
"As long as it takes," Gordon answered the question he must get when ever someone new is up here.
"I see," Harvey looked down at his watch again. "Must be hell on a Marriage."
"It was," James didn't move from his position near the edge of the roof. "But Barbra understood, it wasn't what broke us apart. You and Gilda having problems?"
"It's nothing I can't handle, once Falcone is out of the picture," Harvey shook his head even though Gordon couldn't see him.
"Gentlemen," a voice called out from behind him causing both him and Gordon to spin around.
"District Attorney Harvey Dent, This is…" Gordon started to give introductions.
"Bats," Harvey said simply
"Dent," Batman's voice was has dark and cool as the night would normally be. Just enough to send a shill up his back.
"Well it's clear to be that you two know each other already," Gordon smiled lightly, "Can't say I'm all that surprised."
"I've come to appreciate our mutual friend," Harvey told Gordon. "And how he crosses a line we can't."
"It's still a line," Gordon countered.
"And people who live in glass houses, Jim," Harvey replied raking his fingers through his hair.
"Given the lateness of the hour and the condition of your clothes Dent, You've both been working "The Roman" case again," Harvey almost jumped when Batman spoke, he had almost forgotten why they were there.
"The Roman? The man's name is Carmine Falcone," Gordon stated flatly. "He's just like any other man; just he puts himself above the law and just like any other man, he isn't above the law."
"Really, then arrest him, get some cops together, go over and arrest him. I've got files of unsolved cases," Harvey was getting angrier mostly over their inability to get Falcone but some in part to the heat. "Robberies, Hijackings, Murders, his name is all over them. His money buys off witnesses, cops, even the Judges. In what way isn't he above the law?"
"We can talk around it, but we know what has to be done," Batman hadn't moved since he arrived.
"I want to be clear here," Gordon's voice brought a sense of calm to the air that was growing tense. "In our zeal to bring Falcone to justice, I'll let you bend the rules but I will not let you break them, got it. Otherwise, How are we different then him."
"Of course," Harvey agreed whole heartedly. "Bats?"
"Batman, I need your word," Gordon asked.
"Agreed," Batman stated before disappearing in the shadows.
"Gone," Harvey shook his head.
"Its annoying isn't it," Gordon simply cleaned his glasses. "There was a moment when I believed you were Batman."
"I'm perfectly happy with who I am," Harvey noticed what appeared to be a book. "Wait was that there before."
"Batman must have left it," Gordon reached over and picked it up.
"It's the Roman's" Harvey was in disbelief, Batman had surprised him in the past but this was major.
"Don't ask," Gordon opened the book. "Harvey, this is a ledger, with dates and Dollar amounts."
"We have him," Harvey looked over Gordon's shoulder to look at the book.
July
It had been weeks since the Wedding and the promise on the roof of Police Central and yet they were no closer at getting Falcone today as they were then. The police were able to make a big dent in a lot of Falcone's dealings which in a small way was a victory. Yet Bruce Wayne was setting in the monthly board meeting of the Gotham City Bank debating whether to do business with Falcone Imports. Bruce couldn't believe it had gotten this far, he knew Falcone had talked with the other board members when he approached him at the wedding of Falcone's nephew and god daughter, he even knew that the bank chief, Richard Daniel was in Falcone's pocket. Proof was in the large mansion he lived in not far from Wayne manor.
"Everyone in this room knows where the Falcone money comes from! Gambling, Racketeering and Drugs," Bruce slammed his fist into the boardroom table. "For us to even consider doing business with them is ridiculous."
"Bruce, you're making some pretty wild accusations about Carmine Falcone. I only know the man to be in the importing and exporting of fine Italian Shoes." It took Bruce every fiber in his body to keep him from knocking Richard Daniel's teeth down his throat. "I've even got a pair of them on right now and I might add that they are extremely comfortable."
"I agree with Richard, Bruce," Michael Stevens, another member of the board who Falcone had paid for. Bruce had seen his name in the ledger before handing it over to Gordon and Dent. "Business is business and this bank could use the billions Falcone Imports wants to bring here."
"Dirty Money, that he wants to launder here," Bruce turned and headed to the doors of the board room. "I will not, cannot allow this to happen."
*****
Board President Richard Daniel lived large, he didn't care who knew it or if anyone wondered how he could afford to live the way he did. He didn't come from money; his grandfather had come to Gotham City from Ireland looking for work over 70 years earlier. His father made a good living but nothing close to the life Richard had wanted. He did the only thing he could think of to make an easy living. He hung out with Falcone mob members and once it became clear he had an eye for money Carmine himself got him on the Bank Board and then President and in all that time he made a good chunk of money from The Roman. Some might say The Roman owned him but he didn't care he was rich he had 3 girlfriends and a fleet of sports cars. For Richard Daniel life was good, for the Roman life was good too. With Richard as bank President Falcone Imports would launder all its dirty money and everyone would be rich. For the moment Richard was worried about being late for a dinner with his live in girlfriend. The Reservations were for 8:00 pm and it was almost 7:30.
"Hurry up Honey the reservations in a half hour," he called out as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
"Richard Daniel," Batman's voice called out from the shadows. He wasn't normally out this early but it was a special case, and with Daniel's house close to Wayne Manor it wasn't much of a detour. "The Falcone Money Keep it out of the Bank."
The next day Chloe Sullivan's front page story detailing Richard Daniel's stunning announcement that he was stepping down as bank President due to personal issues and that Bruce Wayne was taking his place headlined the Gotham City Daily News. With Daniel out, the Bank turned down the Roman and left his money high and dry with no where to go. In Public Bruce Wayne was saddened by the removal of Daniel, he was a stand up guy who went from a lower middle class family to make a fortune in only 10 short years. Privately he felt he had earned a victory against the Roman in an on going war between the Falcone crime family and the law and even a small victory was something to be happy about. Stepping out of the limo Bruce Wayne walked down the red carpet for the opening of the new Wayne Center of the Arts.
August
It was hot, not too odd for August but for Carmine Falcone it was to hot, he was about ready to explode. With Bruce Wayne running things at the bank his money was going no where, it was to dirty to use and the other ways to launder the money were proving inefficient to deal with the large sum of money he had sitting in a warehouse under 24 hour guard. Though it wasn't needed, everyone knew better then to touch Falcone's money that was an automatic death sentence. Just as betraying the men who put you in power, such as Richard Daniel had done. He had taken Falcone's money and when the Roman asked for a little favor Daniel quit and lived high off money the family had paid him with.
"Morte! I want the bank rat dead," Falcone slapped his hand onto his desk.
"I warned you Falcone." Sal Maroni took a long drag of his cigarette, secretly laughing at the Roman's troubles. Had he been the Boss this wouldn't have happened. "Ever since Daniel quit no bank will touch us. My family alone has billions sitting."
"Shut up Maroni," Falcone waved his fist in Sal's direction. "You're not part of the solution; you're part of the problem."
"Carmine, we're getting choked here." Maroni didn't like being called the problem, it wasn't his fault Daniel had no spine. "The other families are laughing at you. New York, Metropolis and Chicago."
"Pop there might be away to…" Alberto tried to add his two cents but as always he was quickly shut up by his father.
"Alberto please, this is business," Falcone waved him off. "You don't know anything about how to do this. Be a lawyer or something will you. Carla, where is that no good nephew of mine. It's been two months since he left on his honeymoon. I want Johnny here now, you here me."
"He'll be here before the end of the week Carmine," Carla, Carmine's younger sister, looked up from the couch she had been sitting on.
"When he gets here, tell him I have a job for him," Falcone sat back down in his chair feeling a little better.
"You are sending him after Daniel?" Carla asked.
"Yes," Falcone said sternly lighting a cigar.
"What then?" Maroni snickered. "We can't buy Wayne."
"Don't worry about Wayne I have something in store for him," Falcone took a drag from his cigar.
September
Summer was coming to an end, after one of the hotter summers on record the cool fall air was well received by almost everyone. There were those who like summer and don't mind the heat that much. Kids of course weren't all that happy. Barbra Gordon was one of them, standing high above the city streets she didn't like the fact after 3 months of resting and playing by her grandparents pool with friends that she was now a Junior and after a long first full week of classes she was already growing tired of it all. The only things she looked forward to were Cheerleading in the fall, Gymnastics in the winter and now Softball in the spring. It was The Batman's idea to gain some upper body strength, for someone not looking for a partner he was sure giving her pointers on how to be better at crime fighting. He even gave her small assignments to add to her normal patrol, the assignment tonight, follow Richard Daniel. There had been some buzz that Falcone wanted Daniel to pay for resigning from Bank President. She wasn't to sure about the specifics but it had to have something to do with Falcone's money.
At the moment all was good, Richard and his girlfriend were strolling down the street, using the hearing devices she had recently added to her costume she could hear pretty much everything he was saying. For the most part he was playing the caring boyfriend showing no signs that he was worried about anything.
"Why don't we leave Gotham City for a while?" She heard Daniel say. "Take a little trip to Paris."
"Richard, are you serious?" The girlfriend's reply was filled with excitement; she didn't seem to wonder how a former Bank President could afford a trip like that. Unlike Batgirl who couldn't help but wonder if he was using Falcone money. "Paris in the fall, how romantic."
"Richard! Richard Daniel," Batgirl heard the voice as clear as day, pulling out a batarang she tossed it down at the car that was slowly driving up the street, its passenger side window open the batarang slammed into the rear window shattering it. She could just make out the barrel of the gun as it pointed at Richard as it came out the window. Without thinking Batgirl jumped from her perch using her new cape as a glider she hit the roof of the car with a thud just as it opened fire. Tossing a smoke bomb into the open window she both heard and felt the bomb go off as a cloud of smoke pour out of the window. With the driver not able to see the car drove into the lamp post sending Batgirl flying off the roof into a pile of trash cans. Getting up she felt the impact of two shots to her body armor, not waiting to get hit in a more exposed spot she tossed another Batarang back at the shooter and dove for cover. When the shooting was over she heard the crying of a woman looking out she saw Richard laying in a puddle of his own blood, three gun shot wounds to his chest and gut. Looking down at her own body she saw the fabric covering the armor had been basically vaporized leaving a couple dents where the bullets impacted. She also found a group of four bullet holes in her cape.
*****
James Gordon was hard at work as he normally was on Fridays and looking forward to his weekend off. Doing up the daily reports have to be the most boring part of the job but it had to be down. He barely heard the phone ringing on his desk as he filed another report.
"Gordon here," He picked up the phone as he looked over another report. "Oh dear lord. No, no, I'll call Harvey."
This wasn't good; when Richard Daniel resigned he quickly became their top witness against Falcone. He should have been kept in a safe house but Richard kept on living his life as he always had. With the Mayor cutting funding he had no one to put on Daniel to keep him safe. Gordon had his suspicions over the timing of the cuts, having come so soon after Daniel came to Dent and himself. He wouldn't have been surprised if the Mayor was some how in the pocket of Falcone. When the phone was answered Gilda Dent answered, telling him that Harvey was to busy to come to the phone. Gordon just told her what happened, asking her to pass on the news to her husband.
"Harvey?" Gilda Dent opened the basement door and went down the stairs. "Harvey you down here?"
"What's up," Harvey was standing in front of a work bench littered with all shorts of tools and half completed projects.
"Jim Gordon just called." Gilda stepped off the stairs. "Richard Daniel has been murdered. I'm scared Harvey; I'm scared someone is going to call me some night and tell me something bad has happened to you. That you…"
"Its ok, Gilda," Harvey took his wife into his arms as she began to cry. "Nothing will happen to me."
*****
Barbra stood at the work table her costume sitting on the table as she went to work repairing the damage from the bullets. The Armor had held but the fabric where the bullets hit were shredded she would have to patch it when she had more time, the tracker she placed in her father's car showed him still at the office but he would likely be heading home soon. Leaving the suit on the table she left her hide out and sealed the entryway behind her, crossing the parking garage she felt the presence of someone else in the garage before she saw him standing in the shadows.
"Daniel is dead," Batman's voice relayed no emotion.
"I did my best," Barbra walked towards Batman. "Someone forgot to tell me they would have armor piercing rounds. If it weren't for Wayne enterprises I'd be dead on the street."
"I know, Falcone's men have been well armed," Batman merely nodded. "The rounds used were the new armor piercing .45mm bullets. They explode on impact, you were lucky to get cover. The armor can stop a hit or two but after that it will crack open."
"Lucky me," Barbra sighed.
"I would like you to track down the weapons," Batman handed a CD Rom disk to Barbra who looked it over, before putting it in her purse.
"What about you?" Barbra asked.
"I'll be working with your father and DA Dent to find away to get Falcone," Batman stepped backwards from her.
"And if I find anything," Barbra looked out at the street, when she looked back she was all alone. "I got to learn how to do that."
Arriving home she was able to change into her nightgown and Robe and have a late night snack all set by the time Jim Gordon walked in the door. Saying her good nights she stepped into her room and loaded the CD Rom onto her laptop opening up everything Batman had on the weapons trade.
*****
Batman sat alone in the darkness of the cave, things weren't good, and with Daniel dead they no longer had anyone who could take down Falcone. It was no secret who had put the hammer down, it could only be Johnny Viti. But there was no way to prove it. Tossing the glass he had been drinking from across the cave he could barely hear it shatter along the far wall, standing up he changed out of the costume locking it up and went up the manor shutting down the cave for the rest of the night. Some where Carmine Falcone was laughing, deep down Batman could only hope he wouldn't be laughing for much longer.
To Be Continued…
Coming next time:
Holiday strikes
Batman and Harvey Dent strike a blow against The Roman
The Roman takes his revenge.
Batman
The Long Halloween
Part II
Holiday
Based off the Comic Book miniseries The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale
Gotham City
Halloween
Johnny Viti was relaxing in the tub, his wife of 5 months was visiting her mothers for the week leaving him alone, and he did what he believed all married men would do if they had a week to do what they wanted. He drank all night, slept with hookers he picked up off the street and strippers from one of the clubs the Falcone family owned. He didn't care what his uncle would say if he knew what he was doing. As far as he was concerned he had his uncle right where he wanted him, his wife was Carmine's Goddaughter and he would happily run to the DA's to rat out the whole family if he didn't get what he wanted. It was about a month ago that Carmine had ordered him to shoot Richard Daniel; the only hitch was the wannabe Bat, Batgirl, nearly blew the whole thing. As Johnny sat in the tub he imagined all the things he would do to this Batgirl if he ever caught her, all of them included raping and murdering her. Carmine knew what made him tick so he wouldn't be all the surprised if he knew what his nephew would do.
The room was dark with the only sounds coming from the bathroom; the masked figure walked slowly pulling the gun out of the pocket of the overcoat. Slipping the rubber baby bottle nipple around the barrel the figure opened the door to find Johnny laying in the Tub with his eyes closed. He didn't even know he wasn't alone anymore. Pointing the gun at Johnny the figure fired two times into his head. Laying the Gun on the floor next to a small Jack-o-lantern and the shell casings the figured turned and left Johnny's apartment.
*****
Jim Gordon's office was lit by a small desk lamp as He looked over the evidence from the Viti shooting. A small Jack-o-lantern and the gun with the remains of a baby bottle nipple. Harvey Dent sat across Gordon his thoughts focusing more on his wife sitting alone at home to deal with the trick or treaters. He was sure Gordon wasn't thinking about his daughter, knowing teenagers he was sure she was off at some party with her friends. Turning his focus back to the subject of discussion Dent looked down at the report that lay on the desk.
"Two shots to the head," Dent was saying. "You ask me, it couldn't have happened to a better person."
"District Attorney Dent," Gordon's voice was harsh as if talking to a guilty child. "I don't ever want to hear that kind of talk in this room, or even in this station house."
"If we can, let's not lose focus," Batman's calm voice silenced the two men before anything else could be said by either man. A .22 caliber pistol was left at the scene, the handle was taped and the serial number was filed off. Leaving no trail to follow, just like the killer wanted, either a pro or someone who knew what they were doing. The Baby bottle nipple for a silencer, cheep but effective, can be found anywhere in the city."
"And don't forget the Plastic jack-o-lantern." Dent added. "Happy Halloween Johnny. Bang, you're dead. Who has the balls to whack Falcone's nephew? Maroni, he wants to take over, we know how he feels about the Roman. Carla Viti, out to start a gang war with her own brother."
"You don't think she'd kill her only son, do you Batman?" Gordon turned to the window where Batman was standing only moments earlier to find no one. "Batman?"
"I think he left, Jimbo," Dent replied looking out the window.
Batman had left the room, for the whole meeting he felt they were being watched as the meeting went along he peeked out the window hoping the catch a glimpse of who it was that was watching them. When he finally did he found himself not at all surprised that it had been Catwoman. She had all but vanished in June after the night of Johnny Viti's wedding. To have her back and snooping around again was a bit unnerving. Despite the normal happenings it was pretty calm not having to deal with Catwoman every other night. He still wasn't all that sure about how he felt when it came to Catwoman. She was a thief but her crimes were harmless in the long run. Never stealing more then she would need and never harming anyone and she never robed anyone who was of low means. A crook with high morals and that confused Batman he was used to criminals who didn't seem to have morals at all.
"We were in the middle of a conversation, where would he have gone off too," Catwoman was peering through night vision goggles and headphones hooked up to a long range microphone, not the kind of things one can find on the street. "Curious…"
"And Curiosity killed the cat," Batman grabbed the microphone and ripped the headphones and goggles from her head.
"But satisfaction brought her back," Catwoman countered as she rolled away from Batman.
"I was wondering where you have been," Batman stood ready for any move Catwoman might make.
"In case you haven't heard, Falcone put a billion dollar bounty on my head," Catwoman was crouched down seemingly ready to strike but making no move too.
"Mine too," Batman informed her.
"Yes, well I'm not you," Catwoman countered.
"You know I would see you, why are you here," Batman stood straighter but ready, sure she wasn't here to fight.
"I'm not here to help," Catwoman stood up and walked closer to Batman. "But I might be helpful."
"And what do you want in return," Batman remained motionless.
"Maybe I'll need help someday," Catwoman leaned in closer. "You would then return the favor."
"No promises Catwoman," Batman didn't move in response. "I know you to well."
"I'll take the chance then," Catwoman leaned closer until her mouth was next to his ear, or where she assumed his ear was. "Now listen very carefully, I will say this only once."
*****
Batman led Harvey dent through the darkness of the storage yard, he was a little surprised when Harvey asked to come along, even after he learned the info had come from Catwoman. But here they were crawling through the shadows. He couldn't help but wonder what Batgirl would think; he made it very clear he didn't want a partner and yet here he was with Dent going on a mission that he never went on with her.
"This had better pay off," Dent whispered. "I promised Gilda I'd help hand candy out to the kids. Why would Catwoman help us?"
"I'm not sure," Batman wasted little time with talking, straight to the point all the time. "Other then it's in her interest if the Roman's attention is focused elsewhere."
"Well if she's right," Dent found a light switch near the door they had entered. "We're about to give Falcone Ten or Twenty million other things to think about."
*****
Catwoman had told him to follow the money, because he wasn't able to get it into the banks he was forced to stockpile it some where he believed it was safe. Now the two men stood in front piles of money stacked high to the ceiling and going back to the far wall. It was far more then the 20 million dollars Catwoman said was there. With out counting it all there had to be nearly 500 million dollars here and The Roman was about to lose it all.
"Oh Boy," Dent's voice came out softly the shock coming through clearly to Batman. "You know if we were two different men standing in a room full of untraceable money."
"We're not," Batman cut Dent off mid thought. He may bend the rules but he was untouchable.
"Yeah, but I was just thinking how easy it would be," Dent continued.
"Don't," Batman reached into his belt pulling out a match book.
"Okay then," Dent poured the gallons of gasoline on the stacks of the money. Heading towards the rear of the room to get all as much of the cash soaked, he paused to run hisfingers though the money. Puling out a silver dollar he kept for good luck he flipped it once, landing on tails he went back to work pouring the gas. Returning to the front of the room carrying a now empty gas can he turned to Batman as he lit a match. "We've been trying to hurt Falcone. Human lives mean nothing to him, but this, this is going to be a Halloween he won't soon forget. Think we used enough gas in there Batman."
Batman didn't reply, only watched as the building went up in flames bathing both men in a wave of heat. His thoughts turned to Falcone, as the roof caved in sending a shower of flames into the air. Batman knew that somewhere The Roman was no longer laughing. Parting ways with Dent, Batman took to the roof tops as Harvey drove home. Taking one last look at the fire as fire trucks finally arrived, Falcone wasn't going to like this at all, and he wouldn't be laughing again anytime soon Batman was certain of it.
*****
Harvey Dent pulled up to his house just as a group of kids were at the door dressed in all shorts of costumes including one kid dressed up like Superman. Coming up the front walk the kids collected their candy and left for the next house.
"You guys get plenty of candy?" Harvey smiled as the kids ran by with their thanks. He always loved Halloween the looks on the kid's faces always brightened his day no mater how bad it got.
"There's a smile I haven't seen in a while Gilda Dent commented as Harvey entered the house and kissed her. "Somebody have a good day."
"This was a night to remember, Gilda," Harvey hung his coat on the coat hanger by the door as he closed the door behind him.
"That's good Harvey," Gilda stayed in his arms. "I was kind of hoping we could make this a night we'd remember."
"Let me just open the mail," Harvey walked over to the table where the mail was laid out. "What's this package?"
"I don't know," Gilda walked into the kitchen to place the candy bowl on the counter. "It was delivered about an hour ago."
Across the street, a simple black car sat running. No one would even think to recall what the car looked like or even if anyone was in it. Just the way the Irish liked it. A group of assassins they worked for only the richest and most powerful. All former IRA rebels the five of them had escaped British forces arriving in the United States only a year before. Now they were in Gotham City doing a job for The Roman. They had been sent to take out Harvey Dent only an hour before, minutes after the warehouse housing 500 million dollars of Falcone money burned down. They didn't know why they were targeting a DA like Dent but they didn't care as long as they got paid. When Dent arrived home the driver started the car so they could make a quick get away, when it happened.
"Do it," The leader of the gang, Donny Boy said from the back seat. From the passenger seat Dapper Keith dialed the phone number he was given. After two rings the Dent house exploded into a ball of flames and debris. In the driver's seat Jimmy Slick pressed down on the gas and sped away from the burning house.
To be continued….
Coming next time
Batman and Jim Gordon team to tie The Roman to the attack on the Dents
Batman encounters Solomon Grundy
Holiday Strikes again
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