The batmobile screeched to a halt on the platform inside the cave designed for it. Its occupant leapt out and was greeted immediately with a hot cup of tea presented by the Wayne family butler.
“Hodgken’s Black, Sir. It should help prevent some of the soreness you’ll doubtless feel tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Alfred,” the man in the mask replied, taking the cup of tea with him as he walked over to the legendary Batcomputer. “The Mad Hatter’s technology is improving each time he escapes. His guards tonight were able to anticipate some of my actions.”
“Funny how Mr. Tetch never seems to anticipate the same outcome each time. Will you be taking a closer look at his handiwork?” Alfred asked, looking at the broken hat size card Batman had set down beside his tea.
“No, there’s another pressing matter.” With a few keystrokes a newspaper story currently being prepared for the next day’s paper was brought up on screen. ‘Cat Burglar Steals Famed Austrian Owl’ read the headline.
“Ah, our mystery woman strikes again,” said Alfred. “But why would a criminal with a cat fixation steal a bird?”
“Because of this,” Batman replied, bringing up a Brazilian police report side-by-side with the story. “A warehouse in Sao Paulo was broken into last week and several crates of undocumented antiquities were taken. This book,” An old, thin, tan tome with a curiously
pockmarked cover now appeared on the monitor. “…was among the items taken, but because it was officially stolen seventy years ago it doesn’t show up on any official lists. The title is unpronounceable, but it’s known as the Merrosian Diary. According to legend,
it’s an entire manuscript written in the language of cats.”
“If you’ll excuse the expression, Sir, I didn’t know cats… got a tongue.”
Bruce Wayne turned his head for a moment to frown at his butler for the awful pun, then continued. “There are dozens of historical accounts documenting unusual phenomena regarding the book and cats, none of which are verified. In any case, it’s an item any
cat aficionado would be unable to resist, and according to my research the stolen shipment was sent to Gotham via Metropolis and now belongs to this man.” Batman hit a button and a mugshot of Oswald Cobblepot was added to the desktop. The words ‘At-Large’
were writ large below his pointy chin.
“So, you believe Penguin and Catwoman will make some sort of exchange soon.”
“Considering the other valuables near the owl that Catwoman left untouched tonight, I think it’s certain. So far we’ve had no leads into her possible identity or hideout. Facial recognition software, voice-analysis programs, somehow she’s managed to shield
all information about her public self away.”
“What about the name she gave you?” Alfred asked.
“Selina. Moderately uncommon. I’ve run the name through every search algorithm I could find; even had a couple invented. Still nothing. But, the Penguin is not as fastidious about his whereabouts.”
“So, find the bird…”
“Catch the cat.”
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