A Dark Knight in Cascade:
The Panther Adventures 3
By Brate
Disclaimer: Pet Fly and DC Comics own the characters, I'm just playing with the story.
Notes: Huge apologies to everyone for taking so darn long with this story. It just wouldn't write itself!
Chapter One
Blair sprinted up the steps of the Cascade Library. Passing through the door, he waved at the woman behind the counter. "Morning, Laura!"
"Good morning, Blair. He's in the stacks." The librarian returned her attention to the computer in front of her.
"Thanks." He smiled at the brown-haired woman as he leaned over the counter. "You ready to leave that husband of yours yet?"
She smiled in return, not looking up from the screen. "When I do, you'll be the first to know."
"I'll be waiting." The anthropologist pushed off the counter and worked his way through the library to the back. He found Ellison restacking some books and attempted to sneak up on him.
"Nice try, Sandburg, but I've been tracking you since you walked in the building."
Blair stopped the exaggerated tiptoeing and advanced in a normal walk. "Had to try it. Test, you know."
"Uh huh." The sentinel stopped loading books and looked over at his visitor. "What are you up so early for?"
"It's not that early."
"It's before noon."
"Very funny. I came to see if you had any plans tonight."
"Not that I'm aware of, why?"
"I wanted to invite you to dinner."
"Sounds good, what time?"
"Six."
"You need me to bring anything?"
"No, I'll take care of everything." He didn't really want to say this part, but Jim deserved some warning. "Uh, Simon's coming, too."
"What?" The blue-eyed librarian spun around to face Blair. "Not a good idea, Sandburg."
"Come on, man. You're both my friends and I want you guys to like each other. Or at least give yourselves a chance to," he added, cutting off the coming argument.
Jim just looked at Blair for a long minute, obviously considering whether or not to come over. "Okay. I'll be there at six."
Blair gave a sigh of relief and pleasure. "Great, man. I'll see you then."
~O~O~O~
Blair stood in his loft's kitchen, preparing the evening meal for his friends. He thought back on the past few weeks since the hostage situation at the police station. Things had been remarkably calm in the city, only a few minor skirmishes that the Panther and his "sidekick" had easily handled. Well, almost easily. Blair was yelled at quite a bit until one day, a few weeks after the takeover of police headquarters, he arrived at Jim's mansion to find himself being led downstairs.
"What's going on?" he asked his host. Blair looked around at the private gym in the basement of the Ellison Mansion. It had all types of the latest exercise and training equipment along with a large mat in the center of the underground room.
"I figure it's time for you to learn some self-defense and fighting skills." At Blair's confused expression, he smiled. "Since you never stay in the car and you always seem to get into trouble anyway, anywhere, I thought you could use some help."
"Help?"
"For such a smart guy, you seem pretty slow on the uptake, Chief. As Jack has told me, 'He's a feisty scrapper, but needs some training'."
"He said that?"
"Yep. Take your shoes off and get on the mat."
The young man removed his shoes and flannel overshirt, but was shocked when Sally came out to stand on the practice mat with him.
"What's up with this?" Blair asked, motioning to the small Asian woman.
Jim leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, smirking. "Who do you think taught me to fight? The Rangers had nothing on Sally."
The Asian woman bowed to the boy and gestured for him to attack her. Blair did so unhappily and was even more unhappy to find himself flat on his back within two seconds.
After two weeks of training with her every day, Blair was happy to report that he could stay upright for almost thirty seconds.
Brought back to the present by knocking, Blair stirred the food one last time and went to answer the door. "Hello, Jim."
"Hey, Chief." The sentinel took a deep breath as he stepped into the loft. "Mmm, what smells so good?"
"Dinner, duh." Blair smiled when his friend rolled his eyes. "Simon should be here shortly."
"He's here," Jim announced just before another tap on the door.
"The Panther working overtime?" Blair asked, tapping his ear as he walked to the door.
"No. I saw him arrive as I was walking in your front door downstairs."
Blair flipped the bird at Jim and opened the door. "Come on in, Simon."
"Hello, my boy. Ooh, smells like your famous ostrich chili? My favorite."
Jim shot a look at Blair, mouthing, "Ostrich?" Blair just grinned.
"I knew you'd like it, Simon. I'd like to introduce you to Jim Ellison. Jim, this is Simon Banks."
"Nice to finally meet you, Jim," Simon said, extending his hand. "I've heard a lot about you."
Jim shook the extended hand. "You, too, sir."
"Oh, please. I hope I'm not old enough to be a 'sir' to you."
Ellison chuckled. "I doubt you are, but Sandburg here told me you're a police captain. My military background automatically kicks in."
"At least you didn't salute," Banks mumbled.
Blair stood back watching the interplay between his two friends, and hoped this evening wouldn't turn out to be a big mistake.
~O~O~O~
"...and then he had the nerve to say, 'I didn't know it was a chicken'."
Blair groaned from behind his hands as his companions laughed. Simon was regaling Jim with some of Blair's earlier exploits, things that Ellison did not need to know. Blair had been trying to convince Jim he had what it took to ride along with a superhero full time, and un-heroic tales of his youth were not helping the situation. He stood up, grabbing his plate and glass to take to the sink. Jim followed his lead, clearing both his dishes and Banks'.
"You okay, Chief?" the sentinel asked softly as he deposited the dishes in the sink. Simon was settling himself on the couch in the living room.
"Yeah... I'm glad to see you two are getting along so well."
"I wouldn't say that."
"You seem to be having a good time picking on me," Blair accused.
"I'm just not sure how to handle him."
"What are you taking about?"
"The Panther knows Captain Banks. I'm a bit disconcerted with Jim meeting Simon."
"You seem to be dealing with it well enough." Blair chuckled at the look of consternation thrown his way. "Don't worry, Jim, you're a trooper."
They joined the captain in the living room, where he was watching a Jags game on the television.
Simon accepted the beer from Blair. "So what have you two been doing lately?"
"What do you mean, Simon?" The anthropologist tried to keep himself from having the 'deer caught in the headlights' look.
"I mean, Sandburg, that you've been disappearing more and more the last month or so. I figure it has to do with whatever project you two are doing."
"As a matter of fact, Jim's been helping me do some research for my next assignment. A large corporation wants to set up an office here, and they've hired me to look into the various aspects of having a field office in Cascade."
"Which one?"
"Wayne Enterprises."
Jim choked on his drink. "What?"
Blair, distracted by the game, absently patted his friend on the back. "It's out of New York."
"Gotham," Simon added.
"You've heard of it?" Blair was surprised.
The black man smiled mockingly. "It's a big company, Blair."
Jim polished off his beer and stood. "I hate to break up the party, but I'm going to call it a night."
"You sure?" Blair thought it'd been going well.
"I have to get to work early. I was a pleasure finally meeting you, Simon."
"You, too, Jim. I'm sure I'll be seeing you around if the kid has anything to say about it."
Blair flushed at that. He knew he hadn't been the least bit subtle in his desire for his two friends to meet. He showed Jim to the door and bid him goodnight, and then returned to the living room to sit next to the captain. He held his curiosity in silence for an unprecedented two minutes before asking, "So what did you think of him?"
"He's a librarian, Sandburg. How much more boring can you get?"
Chapter Two
"So you believe that Cascade would be a good opportunity for us?"
Lucius Fox had arrived at the Cascade airport hours earlier, and now Blair and he met for dinner at a restaurant near Fox's hotel. They were having an enjoyable discussion about a great range of things, and the anthropologist found himself liking the amiable man. Business talk went smoothly, culminating in Blair's contention that an office on this coast, and in particular this city, would be optimal to a company as large as Wayne Enterprises.
"I don't think you have a choice. The necessary expertise is available, the shipping lanes are exceptional both by air and sea, and the city's nearness to Canada will certainly facilitate your global influence."
"You're an excellent salesman, Blair."
"I don't believe I am, sir. I have been engaged by your company, and if I didn't think you would do well here, I would say so. No matter the cost to my city."
"Don't worry, I'm teasing you," the older black man laughed, his eyes crinkling. "We certainly checked you out before hiring you, and your reputation is stellar. Most surprising for a man as young as yourself."
"I try to do my best; my age is irrelevant. If it's agreeable to you, I'll bring over my findings to the hotel tomorrow where we can go over them in depth."
"That would be perfect. Why don't you join me in dessert before I head back to my hotel?"
Blair agreed.
Offering to walk the visitor back to his hotel, Blair described some of the sights of the city. The two drew closer to the hotel and Blair noticed that there was someone following along behind them. Since he'd taken to hanging out with the Panther, the young man had become more adept at reading situations; those he might have ignored once as nothing now came screaming at him to take notice. "Mr. Fox?" he whispered.
Lucius must've heard the alarm in Blair's voice. "What's wrong?" he asked, in a voice just as quiet.
"I believe we're being marked -- a man about twenty feet behind us. He's been with us for about two blocks."
The older man had been through some trials and knew enough not to tempt fate. "What do you suggest we do, Mr. Sandburg?"
Blair was feeling more confident in his fighting, but couldn't take the chance on this man getting hurt, so there was only one decision to be made. "I'd like you to walk a bit faster toward the hotel and call the police. I'll hold back a bit. I'm hoping I can drive him off."
Fox was no fool, and didn't think this young man should be responsible for his safety. "Certainly not, I believe if we stick together we'll have no trouble fending him off." The middle-aged man drew himself up in order to show that he was serious.
"Please, sir. I know I can handle this if I'm not worried about you."
Something in his pleading eyes must have convinced the older man. "I'll give you five minutes. Damn, I wish I'd brought my cell phone along."
"I was just thinking the same thing." Blair winked before slowing his pace. He heard steps quicken behind him and turned in time to see the pipe coming at him. Blair sidestepped smoothly and grabbed the assailant's arm, using the assailant's own momentum to throw him to the ground. A startled grunt escaped the attacker as he landed hard on the pavement. Two quick jabs and the man was out for the count. Blair smiled as he stood over his first lone victory. He couldn't wait to tell Jim and Sally! Glancing up, he saw Fox returning. Too late, he saw two men appear behind his client.
"Watch out!" he yelled before being hit from behind. Just before losing consciousness, he glimpsed the surprise, concern, and fear flash over his companion's face.
~O~O~O~
Blair came into awareness focusing in on the pain pounding in his head. Trying to remember what happened, he rolled to the side, only to stop with a groan.
"Please hold still, sir," a gentle voice commanded.
He tried to take stock of where he was and why he hurt so badly. Listening to his surroundings, Blair quickly surmised he was in a hospital, but he still didn't know why.
Hands were at the back of his head, pushing and pressing, causing sharp pain to echo through his skull.
"Do you know your name?"
"Blair Jacob Sandburg."
"Do you know where you are?"
"Hospital?"
"Do you know why?"
Blair's eyes flew open and he tried to jump off the bed. "We were attacked! What happened to the man I was with?"
"I don't know about that, Mr. Sandburg." The woman responded, gently holding him down on the bed. "I'm Doctor Reynolds and this nice young man sewing your head back on is Doctor Willis."
Blair barely nodded at the introductions, too worried about Fox. "I have to know about Lucius, is he okay?"
At his continued attempts to get up, the doctor said, "If you lie still, I will go and find out about your friend, okay?" Reluctantly he nodded and she left the room to do as requested.
Dr. Willis finished the stitches in the back of Blair's head and placed a bandage over his work. Just as it was finished, Blair heard his name being yelled through the corridors.
"Sandburg!"
"Oh, no -- Simon." He looked up at the resident. "Can you knock me out... please?"
The man smiled as he shook his head no. "I'm afraid I can't. Don't want to mess up that pretty stitching I just did." He moved into the hallway and motioned to someone. "I think this is who you're looking for." He left the room as Simon peeked around the corner.
"Dang, kid," he said, coming into the room. "You look like something the cat dragged in."
"Lucius Fox and I were attacked outside the hotel."
"I heard; that's why I'm here."
"Do you know what happened?"
"Very little. We were called when someone found you two lying on the sidewalk. I was hoping you could shed a little light on the subject."
"How's Lucius?"
"Not good," answered Doctor Reynolds as she returned to the room, reading from a file. "Mr. Fox suffered major body and head trauma from the beating. He's in ICU in a coma. I'm very sorry," she finished. She checked the resident's work on Blair's head. "Everything looks good," she said and then left the two men alone.
"Oh, man, this sucks. Why would they hurt him so much worse than me?"
"Well, kid, I happen to be glad they took it easier on you, but I would like to know why they focused so much on Fox. Did you see who attacked you?"
"I saw the first guy real well when I kicked his butt." Blair grinned, but lost it at Simon's furious expression.
"You attacked your attacker?"
The sheepish anthropologist replied, "He came after me, I defended myself. Unfortunately, I guess he was some sort of decoy while the other two snuck up from the other side. Dammit!" He slammed his fist against the side of the bed, wincing at the jarring to his head. "I should've seen them!"
"It wasn't your fault, Blair. I'm surprised you held out as long as you did."
Blair held his tongue. Simon had no way of knowing Blair was training with Sally and working with the Panther. "Oh, I need to call Mr. Wayne, let him know about Lucius."
"He already knows."
At Blair's confused look, Simon explained that Wayne was listed as one of Fox's emergency contacts. "He was notified immediately following Fox's admission to the hospital."
Doctor Reynolds returned with Sandburg's paperwork. "Mr. Sandburg, you have a concussion so you'll need to be watched carefully. Do you have someone to stay with you, or would you rather spend the night here?"
Blair glanced at Simon, who shook his head reluctantly. "Sorry, Blair, I've got to stick around in case Fox wakes up. Mayor Taggert's going to be all over this one, since such a prominent visitor was attacked in his city."
"That's okay, I can try Jim."
The captain nodded. "I'll talk to you later, Blair. You be careful." Simon patted his friend's shoulder and left the room.
The anthropologist assured the doctor, "I have another friend that will come and get me."
"Okay," Doctor Reynolds responded, "but I'd like to speak with your ride before you leave to make sure they know what to look for."
Blair readily agreed. After the doctor left, he picked up the phone and dialed the Ellison residence.
"Ellison."
"Hi, Jim. It's me."
"Bob?"
"No, um, Blair... Sandburg."
Blair heard his friend chuckle. "Yeah, I know it's you, Chief. I was kidding."
"Oh. Okay. Anyway, I was wondering if you could pick me up."
"You need a ride?"
"Actually the doctor wanted someone to stay with me for the night."
"Doctor?! What the hell is going on, Sandburg?"
"Well, I'm at Cascade General. I kinda got attacked."
"Kinda? What does that mean?"
Sandburg sighed, suddenly wiped out. "Can you pick me up, please?" He tried to keep the whine out of his voice, but he was so tired.
"Yeah, I'll be right there."
A nurse came into the hospital room just as Blair hung up. He said his ride would be here shortly. She gave him the discharge papers, but reminded him that the doctor needed to speak with his ride before he could leave. Blair signed the papers and laid his head back against his pillow to rest before Jim got there. He'd like to go check on Mr. Fox, but didn't think he'd make it to the ICU without toppling over.
~O~O~O~
Quickly telling Sally where he was going, Jim rushed out of his house and jumped in his truck. As he drove, he castigated himself for being at home relaxing while his friend was being beaten, although he knew logically that he couldn't have prevented what happened. But that didn't stop the guilt. He didn't even remember the ride and upon arriving at the hospital, hoped belatedly that he hadn't run any red lights.
The sentinel rushed into the ER, instantly and unconsciously focusing his senses on his friend. An uncompromising nurse, not willing to put up with any shenanigans, stopped him in his mad dash to the rear. "I'm here for Blair Sandburg," he said, trying to move past her.
She placed a restraining hand on his muscled arm. He gave her one of his most vicious glares, which she ignored. "I'll need to check the computer... you wait here." The sentinel tapped his foot impatiently until the nurse nodded down the hall he had tried to go down before she'd stopped him. "Room 6 B."
Rushing to the indicated room, Jim paused at the threshold when he saw Blair was sleeping; he looked so young. Bruises marked the young man's face, and Jim knew there had to be worse marks on his body.
"Mr. Sandburg?"
Jim jumped in surprise. He was so focused on his friend he hadn't heard the doctor's arrival. "He's sleeping," Jim said softly. "I'm his friend, Jim Ellison. I'll be taking him home."
"Doctor Reynolds, nice to meet you. I've been caring for your friend and wanted to give you some instructions on Mr. Sandburg's care."
"Of course." Jim listened intently while keeping an eye on the sleeping anthropologist.
"I'd like you to wake him up every hour to make sure that he is all right. Check his pupils. If they are unevenly dilated, or if he has severe nausea or dizziness, I want you to bring him back here immediately. And--"
"--and make sure he's let out so that he won't pee on the rug," Blair interrupted, lifting himself into a sitting position.
"Nice of you to join the living, Junior." Jim went to his friend's side to help. "How're you doing?"
"Been better." He saw the doctor still waiting at the door. "Am I free to go, Doc?"
"Yes, but I want you to take it easy for the next twelve hours. And if you feel dizzy or nauseous, I want you back here right away."
Blair nodded. "Yes, ma'am." He slowly got off the bed and collected his jacket. "How is Mr. Fox doing by the way?"
"Not much better, I'm afraid. He's still in a coma, but he has been upgraded to serious condition." She said goodbye and left to attend to her other patients.
Blair took the news without comment. He started for the door, moving stiffly. Jim followed.
"I'm parked outside the side entrance," the sentinel said, maneuvering his friend in the right direction. Once they reached the vehicle, Jim gently bundled Blair into the car and headed for his house.
"You can just drop me off at my loft. I just had to have someone come break me out of that place."
"Nothing doing. Sally would kill me if I didn't bring you home."
Blair sank down in the seat for the ride, knowing he wouldn't be able to talk his friend out of the trip to his mansion. "At least let me get some clothes, man."
Jim seemed to debate this internally for a moment before giving in. It wasn't too far out of the way to his house and it would make his friend more comfortable. "All right, but you stay in the truck and I'll go up and grab your stuff." He parked the vehicle in front of Blair's loft.
"Deal." Blair told him what to grab, including his backpack, and they were continuing on within just a few minutes.
Arriving at the Ellison Mansion, Blair was quickly whisked away to a large guest bedroom upstairs by a worried Sally. While Jim pulled the truck into the garage, the Asian woman made sure her young charge was changing into his pajamas. She went downstairs to get the soup she'd made when Jim dashed off to pick Blair up at the hospital. The older woman had grown very attached to the young anthropologist in the weeks since they'd met. She was starting to feel like he was another son to her, and she hated to see him hurting. Sally came back up to find him under the covers and nodded approvingly. "Now let's get some of this into you, young man." She set the tray onto his lap, and tucked a napkin into his collar.
Blair ignored the food, lamenting, "I completely messed up, Sally. I had all my concentration on the one guy when there were others around."
Sally nodded. "You have to be aware at all times. You cannot completely rely on your partner's senses; you must have your own."
"I was stupid."
"You will learn." She motioned at the food. "You need to eat, build your strength."
Blair looked up at her expectant face. He hated to disappoint her, but he really wasn't hungry. "It looks wonderful, but I ate just before we were attacked."
Jim arrived in time to hear Blair's last comment. He moved over to the bed and stage-whispered, "Just eat it, otherwise she'll never leave."
Sally responded by lightly slapping Jim on the back of his head. "You be quick, he needs rest." She scowled at Jim's salute. The older woman continued to fuss for a few minutes before leaving the two men alone.
Blair sighed in relief as she left. He felt slightly uncomfortable with all the attention, although in another way he enjoyed it. He hadn't had so much concern heaped upon him since... ever. Even as a boy, he'd had to rely on himself for most things. The young man snuggled deeper into the covers, smiling. It was nice having someone care about him.
Once the door closed behind his housekeeper, Jim reached over to pluck the tray from Blair's lap. "I'll take care of this."
"Thanks, man. I was afraid I'd have to hide it in my backpack."
Jim was still waiting to hear what occurred to land his friend in a hospital. Blair's normally talkative personality was taken over by sullenness and exhaustion. Finally giving into to his curiosity, he asked, "So what happened tonight?"
"I was at a dinner meeting and on the way back to the hotel, Lucius and I were attacked by three guys."
"Lucius Fox? From Wayne Enterprises?"
"Yes." Blair was too tired to wonder how the sentinel knew of him.
Jim groaned, because he knew what -- or more specifically, who -- would be coming. "Is he all right?"
"No," Blair reported, sadly. "He's in a coma."
"I'm sorry." Jim said the words even though he knew they wouldn't help. The more time he had to think about what happened, the angrier he was becoming. His friend was attacked in his city and now, in addition, the young man felt guilty about not being able to defend Fox. Someone was going to pay for that, and pay dearly. Seeing that Blair was fighting sleep, he excused himself, after reminding his friend that he'd be in to check on him every hour.
"Can't wait," Sandburg mumbled. The young anthropologist was just drifting off to sleep when his cell phone rang. He reached down and grabbed his backpack from the side of the bed. Fumbling through it quickly, he found his phone and flipped it open. "Sandburg."
"Mr. Sandburg? Bruce Wayne."
"Mr. Wayne, I am so sorry about what happened to Mr. Fox."
"Yes, so am I. I just got off the phone with Captain Banks, and I wanted to make sure that you were all right."
"A little bruised, but I'll be fine."
"That's good to hear. I would like to speak to you when I get into town if you're up to it."
"You're coming to Cascade?"
"I'll be flying in tomorrow on my private jet."
"Did you want me to pick you up at the airport?"
"Not necessary, thank you. But maybe we could meet for coffee?"
"Of course."
"Well, you sound tired, I'm sure you need to rest. Why don't I talk to you later?"
"That'd be fine, sir. And I'm very sorry that this happened."
"It wasn't your fault, Mr. Sandburg. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
Seconds after hanging up the phone, the young man was asleep.
~O~O~O~
"Alfred, we need to pack.. I want the works."
Chapter Three
"Time to rise and shine!"
Blair groaned. There was just no justice in this world. Either his partner or Sally had woken him every hour to make sure he hadn't died in the night. Now he was being roused yet again. "What time is it?"
"It's nine, I let you sleep in," Jim cheerfully reported.
"Have I told you lately that I hate you, Jim?"
"Not since three o'clock this morning. How's your head feeling?"
Blair took stock. "Better. Instead of a big pounding, it's now a dull tapping."
"Good. Get up. Sally has breakfast for you."
"Algae shake?" Blair asked hopefully. He threw back the covers and strode into the bathroom.
"Not likely," called Jim as he headed out into the hall.
Quickly dressing in the clothes that Jim picked up for him the night before, Blair went back into the bedroom and called the hospital to check on Lucius: the injured man still lay in his coma. Blair sighed, knowing there was nothing he could do now, but still felt terrible for not being able to prevent this tragedy in the first place. He walked slowly downstairs and made his way into the dining room, greeting Sally before sitting down and eating the delicious breakfast she'd made.
Blair and Jim each thanked the housekeeper enthusiastically. "This is wonderful," Blair added.
"As delicious as the soup last night?" She eyed the two men, who exchanged a guilty glance.
"Uh, yeah," said the younger man, hesitantly.
"Mmm." She leveled her gaze at Jim. "Next time remember to empty out the food before you stick the dishes in the dishwasher." Jim ducked his head in embarrassment while Blair started to apologize. Sally chuckled and waved his apology aside. "I don't blame you, honey. At least you have the excuse of a head wound."
She took the extra food back into the kitchen.
"Busted," chided Blair.
"I never got anything past her before, don't know why I thought I would now."
"Not much of a superhero," joked Blair.
"I'd like to see the Joker go up against Sally. She'd take him out and not even work up a sweat."
They finished up their breakfast. "Can you give me a ride home, Jim?"
"Of course."
Blair went upstairs to pack his things and found everything had been taken care of. The bed was made, the room picked up, and his backpack was sitting on the bed all ready for him. How does she do that? Blair wondered. One woman taking care of such an enormous house, and everything was always done to perfection. Maybe she's an android? Jim could've gotten Kelso to build her.
His mind's wanderings were interrupted by a ringing cell phone. He quickly found it in his pack and flipped it open. "Sandburg."
"Good morning, Mr. Sandburg. This is Bruce Wayne again."
"Mr. Wayne, have you arrived in Cascade?"
"As a matter of fact, I have. I was on my way to speak with the police and I was wondering if you'd feel up to meeting with me this afternoon?"
"Certainly. I was just getting a ride back home. Why don't you meet me at my place around four?"
"I wouldn't want to inconvenience you."
"It's not, I assure you. It would give us time to talk in private." Blair gave him directions to his loft before hanging up.
~O~O~O~
Blair told Jim about the meeting as he was being dropped off.
"Wayne's coming here?"
"Yeah." Blair grabbed his backpack and started to get out of the truck. "Thanks for the ride, Jim. And for looking after me last night, too. Above and beyond the call, man."
"How 'bout I come back after work?"
Blair paused in his motion of shutting the truck's door. "You don't have to, Jim. I'm fine, really."
"I'd feel better."
Eyeing the sentinel, Blair could tell his friend wanted to return. Must be the over-protective streak. "Okay, go do your job and come back this afternoon."
Blair took a quick shower once he got upstairs. It helped to loosen up his sore muscles, but he was still feeling the beating. Blair laughed harshly to himself. At least he was feeling something. Lucius was laying in the hospital in a coma and it was his fault. He had to show off, thinking that he deserved to be partnered to a superhero. But there was something he could do.
Grabbing the phone, he dialed his friend's number.
"Banks."
"Simon, it's me."
"How're you feeling, Blair?"
"Fine. Did you find out anything?"
"Not yet, but I have Brown and Rafe on it. You think you're up to looking at some mug shots?"
"I'll be right in. Anything I can do to help." He let Simon go and then dialed Cascade Taxi to get a ride to the station. I'm really going to need to get some transportation, he thought.
Blair pushed open the doors to the Major Crime division. He wasn't a stranger to the police division, spending time there because of both his friendship with Simon Banks and his duty as a consultant. The young man walked over to a black detective wearing a loud orange and red Hawaiian shirt. "Hi, Henri."
Smiling widely, Henri Brown stood up and shook Blair's hand. "How ya doing, Hairboy?" He checked over the consultant's injuries, frowning at the still apparent bruises.
"Better, thanks. I hear you two got the case, huh?"
"Yeah, we pulled the big one," Henri motioned for Blair to take a seat, and reclaimed his own. "The chief is on Simon's ass."
"Not a pleasant thought." Blair smiled. "I feel safer knowing you two are handling it."
A young, well-dressed detective came up to the desk. "Good to see you, Blair," Brian Rafe said as he bit into a Danish. "Simon's in a meeting."
"I was looking for you guys, anyway. About the case."
"Oh, right. Captain said you'd be in to check the mug shots." Rafe motioned Blair over to the other desk. The detective opened the program of criminal photos and motioned for Sandburg to sit down. "We put in the general descriptions you gave us, and this is what the computer came up with as possible matches." Once he got Blair started, Rafe left the bullpen.
Blair started to scroll through the pictures. He was hoping to find out some more information, so he glanced aside at Brown and asked, "You got any leads?"
"We have some suspicions. There've been a couple attacks on minority businessmen in the last year; we're trying to find out if it's connected to the attack on you two."
"You think it's racial? Then why me?"
"I don't know, Sandburg, gimme a minute."
"Got it." Blair thunked himself in the head. "But that means they knew who we were."
"We're looking into it, I promise; this case is high priority."
After an hour of scanning through pictures, Blair turned the program off. "I couldn't find him in there."
Brown and Rafe looked up from their paperwork, the older detective sighing heavily. "I guess it was too much to ask for." He picked up his phone and dialed a number. "Can you let Steve know we need him in Major Crime?... Thanks."
"Taylor's the best sketch artist we have. You describe the guy you saw and he'll draw a freakin' Picasso. Hopefully, with a picture we'll be able to find the asshole and his buddies."
"Picasso? I don't think that would go over so well in court, especially if he draws the suspect with four eyes or something." Blair raised one eyebrow and grinned.
"You know what I mean, smartass. Come on, I'll set you up in the conference room, give you a little privacy."
"Hey, H," interrupted Rafe, "remember that we need to get over to the courthouse. Do you mind talking to this guy alone, Blair?"
"No, I'll be fine. You guys go on, I know this isn't the only case you must have."
"If that it were," groaned Brown. "I swear this town is getting worse, not better. If only we could clone the Panther and set him up all over the city."
"And render us obsolete?" asked Rafe, mock-aghast.
"At least this city would be safe enough to walk around in, right, Hairboy?"
"I'm not even in this conversation." Blair raised his hands in surrender. "No way am I siding against Simon in his own bullpen."
"Smart man, smart man." Brown looked up at the opening door to see a young, good-looking black man come into the bullpen. "Oh, here's Taylor. Let me get you two set up and Rafe and I'll get going."
Blair and the sketch artist were directed to the conference room down the hall. Getting down to business, the anthropologist described to Taylor exactly what he recalled about the attacker. In no time a sketch was rendered. "Yep, that's him," Sandburg said, looking at the portrait. "Now what?"
"I have another appointment," Taylor responded. "I'll just put this on Detective Brown's desk, and he can decide what action to take to find this guy."
"I can do that for you," Blair said. "I have to pick up my backpack I left on his desk, anyway."
Taylor glanced at the consultant's badge attached to the front of Blair's jacket and nodded. "That'd be great, thanks. I hope they get the guys that worked you over."
"Yeah," Blair agreed distractedly as he studied the sketch. "I think this picture will give us a chance." Sandburg shook Taylor's hand in parting and watched the artist leave. On his way back to the bullpen, Blair stopped in the copy room and made a photocopy of the sketch. He decided to send it to Jack Kelso, hoping that the Panther's resources might be able to uncover something the police could not. He dropped off the drawing at Henri's desk with a note attached, and then left the police station.
He needed to do some research.
Maybe it wasn't a Cascade thing, but a Wayne thing. A company that big had to have many enemies. Maybe they decided that a move could be made outside Gotham. Hailing a taxi, Blair hurried back to the loft, determined to dig deep into Wayne Enterprises. After faxing the sketch to Kelso, he logged onto his computer and started searching the 'Net. He waded through article after article about Wayne Enterprises. It'd had a few problems with various companies, both big and small, who wanted a piece of the Wayne pie. The company had also been the target of villains such as the Joker, the Riddler, and the Mad Hatter. Blair shook his head in wonder. I'm just thankful that those crazies are on the other coast, he thought.
After delving into Bruce Wayne's organization, Blair concentrated his search on local businesses. He wanted to find out whether local companies had been having any trouble with attacks. An hour later, he was no closer to finding out who could've attacked him and Lucius. Logging off, he pushed back from his desk, wincing at the headache that had returned with a vengeance. He decided to take a nap, resolving to not think about it for at least two hours.
~O~O~O~
A sharp knock on the door startled Blair and he almost fell off the sofa. Glancing at the clock, he groaned. Three o'clock. He hadn't meant to sleep that long.
"Sandburg, you in there?"
"Yeah," Blair called back. "Just a minute." The anthropologist stood up carefully, his bruised muscles that had tightened in his sleep had caused the soreness to return. Ambling over to the door, he unlocked it and opened it with a flourish.
"You look like shit," Ellison remarked.
"Yeah, man, thanks." Blair attempted to smooth down his unruly hair. "Nice to see you, too."
"Feeling any better?"
"So-so." Blair waggled his hand. "How was work?" He walked over to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water, quickly draining the contents.
"Work was work." Jim eyed the mess of scribbled notes covering the kitchen. "And what have you been up to?"
Seeing the direction the sentinel was looking, Blair shrugged and said, "I was trying to figure out a reason for the attack.
Jim nodded. "Any luck?"
"Not really," Blair said regretfully. "One of the detectives mentioned some attacks locally, but I haven't seen anything to suggest they're related."
When another knock sounded on the door, Jim was already on his way to answer it.
A moment of shock showed on the visitor's face before he acknowledged the man who opened the door for him. "Ellison."
"Wayne." Jim moved aside for the newcomer to answer.
"You two know each other?" Blair asked in surprise.
"We go back a ways," Jim admitted.
"What? Did you two meet at the Millionaire Boys' Club?"
"Something like that, Mr. Sandburg." Wayne moved over to shake the young man's hand. "It's nice to finally meet you in person."
"Blair, please, and it's nice to meet you. I was just about to call the hospital again, to see how Lucius is doing."
"The same, I'm afraid." The businessman shook his head sadly. "And feel free to call me Bruce."
Jim stood back, watching Blair and Bruce interact. They were getting along too well. The librarian wasn't used to these feelings of jealousy; he wasn't usually the jealous type of guy. And it wasn't as if he disliked Simon Banks and his close friendship with the anthropologist -- it had to be Wayne. Jim didn't like him and he didn't want Blair to like him. How childish was that?
Knowing it was childish didn't stop the feelings.
Blair noticed the tension emanating off his sentinel, but he couldn't guess the reason. Even when Wayne said something directed at both of them, Jim would let Blair answer, choosing to remain silent. The consultant would've started laughing if he couldn't tell Ellison was taking it so seriously.
"I'd better be going," Bruce said, interrupting the introspection by both men. "I'm staying at the Excelsior if you need to reach me."
"Why don't you stay for dinner?" Blair asked, not wanting his visitor to think him rude.
"I'm afraid not, I already have plans for the evening," the millionaire replied, eyeing the raised hackles of Ellison at Blair's offer. Normally he would stay just to ruffle his adversary's feathers, but tonight he needed to accomplish something.
Not wanting to take no for an answer, Blair offered to fix Bruce brunch the next morning. Wayne agreed, and with a quick goodbye to both men, he left the loft.
Once the door closed, Blair whirled on Jim. "What is your deal?"
"No big deal, Chief. I just don't like the guy."
"Well, this is my home, and he was my guest. You could've been a bit more civil."
Jim was saved from answering by his pager going off. He gave it a quick glance. "Trouble," he announced, grabbing his jacket from the hook.
"I guess it's a good thing Bruce left," Blair commented. "Let's go."
"No way, Darwin. You're injured, you stay put."
"You might need me." He could see Jim wasn't convinced. "I promise that I'll stay in the car."
Jim snorted. "I've heard that before."
"Cross my heart," said the anthropologist, matching his actions to his words.
"Okay, but if I need to, I will tie you to the damn seat."
They drove quickly, zipping through town in Jim's truck, and entered the warehouse where the Panther kept his equipment. Kelso was busy on another gadget, barely sparing a wave at the new arrivals. Jim swiftly dressed in his costume and Blair met him at the Jaguar. They drove away, headed into the city, when Blair shivered and reached over to crank up the heater.
"Man, it's cold," Sandburg shivered in his seat, wrapping his arms around himself. "How come you have a seat warmer and I don't?"
The Panther glanced at his friend, who was dressed in as many layers as humanly possible. "When I bought it, I really wasn't expecting to have passengers, Chief."
"Touché." Heat began pouring from the vents and he settled down in his seat. "So what's the trouble?"
"There's been a gang terrorizing the people in Anderson Park. I want them to stop."
"They dared to terrorize a park in your city? The fools."
The superhero smirked in return. "Indeed."
Taking mostly back roads, the duo arrived at the park in record time. The Panther parked the Jaguar on the east side, and extended his hearing to encompass the entire park. After a few seconds of listening, he heard his targets. "They're on the north end. They're planning to attack a couple that just entered the park."
"Let's go get 'em!"
The masked man turned to look at his companion. "There is no 'let's.' You are staying in this car."
"I know, I know." When the Panther didn't move, Blair added, "I already promised. Come on, before they get away."
The masked man watched him for another second before slamming the car into gear and racing to the north side of the park. He pulled up just as the gang was starting to threaten the young man and woman. The Panther jumped out of the car and ran toward the gang members. The couple managed to break free and run away as the superhero confronted the gang.
The anthropologist already had his hand on the door handle, praying that he would be forgiven when he saw a movement out of the corner of his eye. He thought maybe gang reinforcements were coming in, but was pleasantly surprised to see another superhero coming to the Panther's aid... Batman. He took a fleeting moment to wonder why Batman was in Cascade while the two heroes quickly disposed of the gang. The Panther held one up to his face and said something to which the gang member readily nodded. Dropping the criminal, the Panther walked over to where Batman was standing over the prone body of one of the unconscious gang members foolish enough to battle the two superheroes.
Watching the exchange through the windshield, Blair could barely contain his excitement. He was eager to meet the other superhero, but knew better -- for once -- than to leave the car. The two costumed men talked for a few moments -- well, argued really. Blair again wished for sentinel hearing or even a parabolic microphone so that he could eavesdrop. He saw the Panther say something to Batman, who shook his head in rejection. After a few more exchanges, the Panther stalked back to the car, while Batman took off in the other direction, fading into the shadows before disappearing.
Returning to the Jag, the Panther got in, but didn't say a word to Blair.
The anthropologist tried to contain his curiosity, but couldn't resist asking questions. "You let them go?"
"I gave them a warning." The superhero gave an evil grin. "They won't be back."
Blair shuddered involuntarily. "You know Batman?" he asked, trying for "casual."
"Don't get me started."
"You guys pen pals or something?"
"Yeah, and we also see each other at the conventions, too," the Panther replied sarcastically.
Knowing he would get nothing more from the masked man, Blair let the conversation drop. Maybe he'd bring it up again later when his friend was in a better mood. The Panther took the long way back to the lair, ensuring himself nothing else was amiss. For once it was a quiet night, and the duo returned quickly. Dressed once again in his street clothes, Jim was silent and sullen as he dropped Blair off at the loft.
"You'll be okay?" Jim spoke for the first time since they left the park.
"I'm fine, Jim," Sandburg replied as he stepped out of the truck. "One hundred percent."
The sentinel grunted in response. "I'll stop by tomorrow to check on you."
"You don't have to, Mom."
"I know I don't, Junior, but I'm going to."
