Fic: The Raven And The Nightingale Book III: Cherry Blossoms (13/22)
Title: The Raven And The Nightingale Book III: Cherry Blossoms (13/22)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Bruce/Dick, Lionel Luthor, Roscoe Belknap, Patrick Mulroney, Pamela Isley, Ezekiel Cannon, Gareth Small, Russell Daystrom, William Bradford
Genres: Angst, AU, Drama, Historical, Mystery, Romance
Rating (this chapter): G
Warnings (this chapter): None
Spoilers: None
General Summary: Bruce and Dick get caught up in political intrigue during a business trip to Washington City.
Chapter Summary: The Senate Cannon Committee is given a tour of the new laboratory site.
Date Of Completion: April 23, 2020
Date Of Posting: April 2, 2022
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1546
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The entire series can be found here.
PART THREE
FULL BLOOM
XIII
AMERICAN POWER
“The New World flexes its muscles
while the Old World seethes with intrigue as it slowly decays.”
Senator Henry Caldwell (R-WA)
March 4, 1905 C.E.
April 14, 1908
Washington City observed the 43rd anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination in a low-key manner. There were still those who remembered that night well, and two Presidential assassinations since kept the memories fresh.
Late that afternoon Bruce and Dick wandered over to Ford’s Theater. They said nothing but imagined the chaos of that night, the sound of the shot, screams and cries from inside the theater, the crowds celebrating the end of the war turning to disbelief and horror at the news, “The President has been shot!”
Bruce glanced at the Petersen House. “Wonder if Mrs. Cotter’s watching us from behind the curtain?”
“She’s probably considering us nosy.”
“Ha, you’re probably right.” A carriage rattled by on the street. “They carried Lincoln across the street to Petersen House. Must have been quite a sight.”
“Hmm.” Dick rubbed his arms. He glanced around as if visualizing the scene so long ago.
Bruce rubbed his chin. “I guess I’m so shook up by all this because I remember the McKinley assassination and Teddy having to come down from a vacation in the Adirondacks to take the oath. I worry about him.”
“The crowned heads of Europe are always aware of assassination possibilities. They have food tasters.”
Bruce smiled. “Maybe I can advise Ted to get one.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much, Bruce. Your uncle will be out of office in a year.”
“Yeah, I suppose.” Bruce lightly touched Dick’s arm. “Let’s go.”
& & & & & &
Later that night the Raven and the Nightingale watched the home of Roscoe Belknap in Silver Spring, Maryland. Painted a light green, the house was a Victorian with gingerbread curlicues and brown trim. The grounds were in need of care, which surprised the duo, but maybe it was an oversight. A gardener could be engaged and fix everything up.
“Maybe Belknap likes Southern Gothic,” Dick whispered.
Bruce chuckled. “Just needs some Spanish moss and weeping willows.”
“Ooh.”
Bruce ruffled his partner’s hair and Dick grinned.
“We staked out Small’s house last night and nothing happened,” Dick said.
“Yes, it’s hit-or-miss but unless we get a tip, which we won’t in a city that’s not Gotham, we’ll have to depend on luck like we got at Cannon’s house.”
“Heads-up, Raven, luck’s coming our way.”
Lionel Luthor emerged from a carriage that had just driven up and strode up the walkway. He used the door knocker with firmness and waited. The door was opened by Belknap himself. Lionel disappeared inside.
The two appeared in the ground-floor study. The spring night was warm so the windows were open. The Raven and Nightingale edged closer to find out if they could hear anything. The untrimmed shrubbery was the perfect cover.
“Ezekiel told me about yoah visit to him the other night, Mr. Luthor.” Belknap was laying on his Southern accent real thick. “To what do Ah owe the pleasure?”
“Well, Senator, I wanted your opinion on something.” Lionel’s voice was urbane and a tad oily, Dick thought. “May I sit down?”
“Certainly.”
“Now, Senator, what do you know about Dr. Victor Fries?”
“Victah? A fine scientific mind. He’s been on expeditions to the North Pole, you know.”
“I do. But what is your personal opinion of him? You knew him in Atlanta, didn’t you?”
“Ah did. Little quirky, but all scientists are, right?”
“Oh, definitely.” Lionel sounded amused.
“He is rathah brilliant.”
“I’ve got him in mind for our weapons research.”
“A good choice, suh.”
“We break ground next week.”
“So soon? We haven’t even done fundraisin’ yet.”
“We’re starting with the Federal money we already have.”
Bruce is right. Lionel is pretty chummy with these senators. What’s all this 'we’ stuff? He wasn’t elected.
“Ah see.”
“The research this lab will be doing will ensure American power.”
“Ah like the sound of that.”
“We’ve taken baby steps by taking over Cuba and Puerto Rico after the Spanish-American War and getting involved with the Philippines.”
“We took the Philippines ovah.”
“Yes, but it’s been constant war and insurrection for years. The guerrilla movement is flexible and successful. Despite Taft’s fondness for ‘our little brown brothers’, those brown folks are killing American soldiers and determined to win independence.”
“Ah would say that’s admirable, very 1776 of them.”
“Brown people over white? I’m surprised at your opinion, Senator.”
“Just makin’ a observation, suh. O’ course we got to uphold the natural way o’ things.”
“Natural as in white-over-brown.”
“No argument there.”
“Good. Europe is heading toward war. Maybe not for some years, but they’re on the path. Their alliances will snare them. And all their new weapons and military build-up? Have to use them sometime.”
“True. The ahms manufacturers would be happy.”
“Oh, yes. Well, thank you, Senator. I’ll get in touch with Dr. Fries.”
“Yes, suh.”
The men left the study and the Raven and Nightingale melted back into the shadows.
“Interesting,” Dick said.
“Sounds like Lionel believes in war.”
“Smart man.”
“Hmph.”
Dick grinned.
& & & & & &
The next day the Cannon Committee was driven to the site in Virginia where the new laboratory would be built. Patrick Mulroney gave a tour of the area, describing what he envisioned.
“We already have staff working in a temporary building. This way, gentlemen.”
Patrick led the men to a modest brick house a short distance away from the site. Inside the house the parlor and library had been transformed into a makeshift laboratory with tables, Bunsen burners, and cabinets filled with equipment and chemicals. Two mustachioed men in white lab coats performing experiments looked up at their entrance.
A door at the end of the room opened and in walked a woman, her red hair drawn neatly into a bun and green eyes peering out from behind square, wire-rimmed glasses. She was dressed in a simple green dress and a white lab coat.
“Ah, Dr. Isley. This is the vaunted Cannon Committee from Washington. Gentlemen, may I present Dr. Pamela Isley, a top botanist and the head of our medical research laboratory.”
Surprise showed on the faces of the men. Pamela Isley regarded them coolly. “Hello, Mr. Mulroney. Glad to meet you, gentlemen.” She looked at Bruce, who nodded.
“A pleasure, Dr. Isley,” said Ezekiel Cannon.
They shook hands and Pamela conducted a short tour of the lab.
Bruce remarked, “Glad to see your work in botany being recognized, Pamela.”
“Thank you, Bruce.”
“You know Dr. Isley?” Patrick asked.
“Her family’s well-known in Gotham.”
“The Gold Coast,” she said. “My colleagues and I are investigating the use of herbs and plants to come up with cures for various diseases.”
“That sounds a bit farfetched,” Gareth Small said. Russell Daystrom nodded his agreement.
“Different cultures throughout history have used botanicals for treating illnesses.”
“Sounds like African witch doctahs,” said Roscoe Belknap jovially.
“Or midwifery,” added William Bradford.
“I wouldn’t cross those off, Senators. At any rate, we use all the latest scientific methods and equipment.” She smiled, but Bruce sensed anger behind her professionalism. He could not blame her. The condescension in the room was thick.
“Now, gentlemen, I hope you’re satisfied with our little tour,” said Patrick.
“Yes, I believe we better get back to Washington,” said Cannon.
“Thank you, Dr. Isley,” said Patrick.
She nodded and went over to her assistants, who had been introduced during the tour.
Patrick ushered Bruce and the senators out and they all headed back to Washington. He rode with Bruce, who held the reins as the small caravan clopped their way to the capital.
“Dr. Isley is quite a woman,” said Bruce.
“She really is. Needless to say she’s had to jump plenty of hurdles because of being a woman, but she’s brilliant. Nothing practical may come of her research, but it won’t be for lack of trying.” He looked at his companion. “You know her well?”
“Our families travel in the same social circles. Does she know about the weapons research?”
“No, she and her staff know nothing about it. They’ll be told a cover story about their additional colleagues.”
“Seems like a lot of effort to hide weapons research.”
“It does, but we’re amateurs compared to the Europeans. Go to England or Germany and you’ll be amazed at the secrecy. You can include Austria and Russia in that, too.”
“What about the French?”
“Definitely the French. They’re always overlooked, but the Poles are pretty good at the espionage game, too.”
“I’ve been to Europe. I guess centuries of wars and intrigue have created layers of secrecy.”
“Palace intrigue has trained the Europeans in deception and skullduggery.” Patrick took off his hat and ran a hand through his red hair. “The Balkans are always seething with rebellion and ancient blood feuds. Serbia hates Austria-Hungary because they see them as oppressors. Croatia, the Czechs and the Slovaks don’t think much of them, either. They all despise Austria-Hungary and would love nothing better than to blow up Vienna.”
“Yes, I know. Always a hotbed, those Balkans.”
“Just be glad our American intrigue isn’t at their level yet.”
Bruce had to agree on that and hoped that the United States could always stay free of European entanglements.
This chapter can also be read on AO3.
This entry has been cross-posted from Dreamwidth. Comment on either entry as you wish. :)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Bruce/Dick, Lionel Luthor, Roscoe Belknap, Patrick Mulroney, Pamela Isley, Ezekiel Cannon, Gareth Small, Russell Daystrom, William Bradford
Genres: Angst, AU, Drama, Historical, Mystery, Romance
Rating (this chapter): G
Warnings (this chapter): None
Spoilers: None
General Summary: Bruce and Dick get caught up in political intrigue during a business trip to Washington City.
Chapter Summary: The Senate Cannon Committee is given a tour of the new laboratory site.
Date Of Completion: April 23, 2020
Date Of Posting: April 2, 2022
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1546
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The entire series can be found here.
PART THREE
FULL BLOOM
XIII
AMERICAN POWER
“The New World flexes its muscles
while the Old World seethes with intrigue as it slowly decays.”
Senator Henry Caldwell (R-WA)
March 4, 1905 C.E.
April 14, 1908
Washington City observed the 43rd anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination in a low-key manner. There were still those who remembered that night well, and two Presidential assassinations since kept the memories fresh.
Late that afternoon Bruce and Dick wandered over to Ford’s Theater. They said nothing but imagined the chaos of that night, the sound of the shot, screams and cries from inside the theater, the crowds celebrating the end of the war turning to disbelief and horror at the news, “The President has been shot!”
Bruce glanced at the Petersen House. “Wonder if Mrs. Cotter’s watching us from behind the curtain?”
“She’s probably considering us nosy.”
“Ha, you’re probably right.” A carriage rattled by on the street. “They carried Lincoln across the street to Petersen House. Must have been quite a sight.”
“Hmm.” Dick rubbed his arms. He glanced around as if visualizing the scene so long ago.
Bruce rubbed his chin. “I guess I’m so shook up by all this because I remember the McKinley assassination and Teddy having to come down from a vacation in the Adirondacks to take the oath. I worry about him.”
“The crowned heads of Europe are always aware of assassination possibilities. They have food tasters.”
Bruce smiled. “Maybe I can advise Ted to get one.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much, Bruce. Your uncle will be out of office in a year.”
“Yeah, I suppose.” Bruce lightly touched Dick’s arm. “Let’s go.”
& & & & & &
Later that night the Raven and the Nightingale watched the home of Roscoe Belknap in Silver Spring, Maryland. Painted a light green, the house was a Victorian with gingerbread curlicues and brown trim. The grounds were in need of care, which surprised the duo, but maybe it was an oversight. A gardener could be engaged and fix everything up.
“Maybe Belknap likes Southern Gothic,” Dick whispered.
Bruce chuckled. “Just needs some Spanish moss and weeping willows.”
“Ooh.”
Bruce ruffled his partner’s hair and Dick grinned.
“We staked out Small’s house last night and nothing happened,” Dick said.
“Yes, it’s hit-or-miss but unless we get a tip, which we won’t in a city that’s not Gotham, we’ll have to depend on luck like we got at Cannon’s house.”
“Heads-up, Raven, luck’s coming our way.”
Lionel Luthor emerged from a carriage that had just driven up and strode up the walkway. He used the door knocker with firmness and waited. The door was opened by Belknap himself. Lionel disappeared inside.
The two appeared in the ground-floor study. The spring night was warm so the windows were open. The Raven and Nightingale edged closer to find out if they could hear anything. The untrimmed shrubbery was the perfect cover.
“Ezekiel told me about yoah visit to him the other night, Mr. Luthor.” Belknap was laying on his Southern accent real thick. “To what do Ah owe the pleasure?”
“Well, Senator, I wanted your opinion on something.” Lionel’s voice was urbane and a tad oily, Dick thought. “May I sit down?”
“Certainly.”
“Now, Senator, what do you know about Dr. Victor Fries?”
“Victah? A fine scientific mind. He’s been on expeditions to the North Pole, you know.”
“I do. But what is your personal opinion of him? You knew him in Atlanta, didn’t you?”
“Ah did. Little quirky, but all scientists are, right?”
“Oh, definitely.” Lionel sounded amused.
“He is rathah brilliant.”
“I’ve got him in mind for our weapons research.”
“A good choice, suh.”
“We break ground next week.”
“So soon? We haven’t even done fundraisin’ yet.”
“We’re starting with the Federal money we already have.”
Bruce is right. Lionel is pretty chummy with these senators. What’s all this 'we’ stuff? He wasn’t elected.
“Ah see.”
“The research this lab will be doing will ensure American power.”
“Ah like the sound of that.”
“We’ve taken baby steps by taking over Cuba and Puerto Rico after the Spanish-American War and getting involved with the Philippines.”
“We took the Philippines ovah.”
“Yes, but it’s been constant war and insurrection for years. The guerrilla movement is flexible and successful. Despite Taft’s fondness for ‘our little brown brothers’, those brown folks are killing American soldiers and determined to win independence.”
“Ah would say that’s admirable, very 1776 of them.”
“Brown people over white? I’m surprised at your opinion, Senator.”
“Just makin’ a observation, suh. O’ course we got to uphold the natural way o’ things.”
“Natural as in white-over-brown.”
“No argument there.”
“Good. Europe is heading toward war. Maybe not for some years, but they’re on the path. Their alliances will snare them. And all their new weapons and military build-up? Have to use them sometime.”
“True. The ahms manufacturers would be happy.”
“Oh, yes. Well, thank you, Senator. I’ll get in touch with Dr. Fries.”
“Yes, suh.”
The men left the study and the Raven and Nightingale melted back into the shadows.
“Interesting,” Dick said.
“Sounds like Lionel believes in war.”
“Smart man.”
“Hmph.”
Dick grinned.
& & & & & &
The next day the Cannon Committee was driven to the site in Virginia where the new laboratory would be built. Patrick Mulroney gave a tour of the area, describing what he envisioned.
“We already have staff working in a temporary building. This way, gentlemen.”
Patrick led the men to a modest brick house a short distance away from the site. Inside the house the parlor and library had been transformed into a makeshift laboratory with tables, Bunsen burners, and cabinets filled with equipment and chemicals. Two mustachioed men in white lab coats performing experiments looked up at their entrance.
A door at the end of the room opened and in walked a woman, her red hair drawn neatly into a bun and green eyes peering out from behind square, wire-rimmed glasses. She was dressed in a simple green dress and a white lab coat.
“Ah, Dr. Isley. This is the vaunted Cannon Committee from Washington. Gentlemen, may I present Dr. Pamela Isley, a top botanist and the head of our medical research laboratory.”
Surprise showed on the faces of the men. Pamela Isley regarded them coolly. “Hello, Mr. Mulroney. Glad to meet you, gentlemen.” She looked at Bruce, who nodded.
“A pleasure, Dr. Isley,” said Ezekiel Cannon.
They shook hands and Pamela conducted a short tour of the lab.
Bruce remarked, “Glad to see your work in botany being recognized, Pamela.”
“Thank you, Bruce.”
“You know Dr. Isley?” Patrick asked.
“Her family’s well-known in Gotham.”
“The Gold Coast,” she said. “My colleagues and I are investigating the use of herbs and plants to come up with cures for various diseases.”
“That sounds a bit farfetched,” Gareth Small said. Russell Daystrom nodded his agreement.
“Different cultures throughout history have used botanicals for treating illnesses.”
“Sounds like African witch doctahs,” said Roscoe Belknap jovially.
“Or midwifery,” added William Bradford.
“I wouldn’t cross those off, Senators. At any rate, we use all the latest scientific methods and equipment.” She smiled, but Bruce sensed anger behind her professionalism. He could not blame her. The condescension in the room was thick.
“Now, gentlemen, I hope you’re satisfied with our little tour,” said Patrick.
“Yes, I believe we better get back to Washington,” said Cannon.
“Thank you, Dr. Isley,” said Patrick.
She nodded and went over to her assistants, who had been introduced during the tour.
Patrick ushered Bruce and the senators out and they all headed back to Washington. He rode with Bruce, who held the reins as the small caravan clopped their way to the capital.
“Dr. Isley is quite a woman,” said Bruce.
“She really is. Needless to say she’s had to jump plenty of hurdles because of being a woman, but she’s brilliant. Nothing practical may come of her research, but it won’t be for lack of trying.” He looked at his companion. “You know her well?”
“Our families travel in the same social circles. Does she know about the weapons research?”
“No, she and her staff know nothing about it. They’ll be told a cover story about their additional colleagues.”
“Seems like a lot of effort to hide weapons research.”
“It does, but we’re amateurs compared to the Europeans. Go to England or Germany and you’ll be amazed at the secrecy. You can include Austria and Russia in that, too.”
“What about the French?”
“Definitely the French. They’re always overlooked, but the Poles are pretty good at the espionage game, too.”
“I’ve been to Europe. I guess centuries of wars and intrigue have created layers of secrecy.”
“Palace intrigue has trained the Europeans in deception and skullduggery.” Patrick took off his hat and ran a hand through his red hair. “The Balkans are always seething with rebellion and ancient blood feuds. Serbia hates Austria-Hungary because they see them as oppressors. Croatia, the Czechs and the Slovaks don’t think much of them, either. They all despise Austria-Hungary and would love nothing better than to blow up Vienna.”
“Yes, I know. Always a hotbed, those Balkans.”
“Just be glad our American intrigue isn’t at their level yet.”
Bruce had to agree on that and hoped that the United States could always stay free of European entanglements.
This chapter can also be read on AO3.
This entry has been cross-posted from Dreamwidth. Comment on either entry as you wish. :)