It's always dark in Gotham.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Rupert Thorne is sweating. This is outside his norm, and he knows it.

The choice of a funeral parlor for making these weapons deals felt like imaginative thinking at first, which was necessary, since the goddamned Batman has been making it his personal mission to never let a businessman get a moment's sleep.

Now, though, he's nervous. Wondering whether or not the choice of location was actually a sad irony.

Still, he has to remain smooth and in control, despite the fact that his pulse is racing.

The cigar helps. Always does. This isn't something he'd handle personally, usually, but he'll be damned if the Bat hasn't gotten him edgy. First guy to call it paranoid gets the cigar in the eye.

He doesn't like to be kept waiting, either.

Finally, though, the caskets roll in, which means they can get this done. Before the Bat shows.

"It's about time."

Comments

[det-montoya.livejournal.com]

... the hell?

There are certain things she's come to expect from Batman. Sticking around long enough to chat? Not on the list. A compliment on the use of deadly force? Every hair on the back of her neck is standing on edge.

"Keep your hands where I can see 'um!"

[sonia-alcana.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's not right. And Sonia would know; she did stalk and impersonate the guy, after all.

But her eyes are on Thorne.

[aknightdarkly.livejournal.com]

Thorne... who gets kicked by the Dark Knight, in the midst of that fluttering cape move he does when spinning away from pursuers.

As he darts back into the funeral parlor, the voice can be heard.

"Justice is served!"

[det-montoya.livejournal.com]

Oh hell no. This isn't the real deal and she knows it. She's around the tail end of the crown vic and giving chase before he's fully out of view.

Somewhere in the back of her brain, she's hoping Alcana has the good sense to stay behind cover. And call for an ambulance.

[sonia-alcana.livejournal.com]

Alcana does have good sense. And really, her chasing after Batman - any Batman - is probably not a good idea.

She's got her phone out. Dialing 911.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Everyone else at the scene of the crime is out cold, bones shattered in several places. Some will never walk again.

One will never breathe again - the head wound bleeding profusely from Thorne's bullet.

Thorne himself... his eyes are still open. He's still moving.

His head turns, focusing on the two women in sight.

Alcana. Shoulda killed that bitch months ago.

That's the only rage he can muster. Sweating profusely and breathing labored, all he can feel is fear. Sheer terror that this is the end.

It can't END like this...

[sonia-alcana.livejournal.com]

Sonia keeps her eyes on him. Hard for her to look away, really, even as she gives the address to the dispatcher on the phone.

Her expression is hard. She hopes he's scared. Scared for his life. Whether or not he dies, she hopes he understands what that's like.

[det-montoya.livejournal.com]

Montoya disappears into the funeral parlor in pursuit of the fake. She keeps the Glock out front and ready. Is it going to do her much good against her assailant? The knot forming in her stomach says no. Where the fuck is my back up?

She has no clue she's about ready to walk into the middle of a showdown.