Epilogue

[beware_my_power]

Hal flies over Gotham invisibly, using the ring to cloak his movements - with the destination he has in mind, it wouldn't be a good idea to be seen. There's a particular entrance available for visiting Justice Leaguers - well-hidden and very secure, but programmed to recognize certain guests

Comments

[eddie_nygma]

This is the first time the Riddler has been in Wayne Manor as an invited guest - the feeling is an odd one. As he steps inside, he locates the coat rack, and hangs up his hat and question-mark walking stick.

"Lead the way."

[eddie_nygma]

"No, I would crawl inside the head of the man that did it to find out just what sort of power he had, and what he would've expected it to do."

[aflyinggrayson]

"That's the first damned thing I did, Nygma, was go to talk to Luthor. You think you can do better, I'll see if I can arrange a conversation." He sounds angrier than before...angry and annoyed.

[eddie_nygma]

"I'm not insulting your detective skills, Grayson. Just your ability to understand the psychology of a man like Luthor - which should be no insult at all. You went to him face to face, and expected answers? No, no. I think I can be of help here, and I won't need to talk to the man."

He finishes his coffee, looking to Richard.

[aflyinggrayson]

That gives Dick cause to hesitate. He wipes his mouth (no napkin this time but the back of his hand; sometimes it's hard to get him to act like an adult) and asks slowly, "How?"

[eddie_nygma]

"Even Luthor writes things down and leaves traces of his movements. Selina.. well, she's planning at looking at some of Luthor's assets anyway. I can accompany her to keep her safe, and at the same time try to retrace Luthor's steps, and reconstruct the body of knowledge that led to his powers."

[aflyinggrayson]

Dick can't resist something of a smirk as he notes, "Selina's pretty damned good at keeping herself safe," but then he adds with an approving nod, "but I like your plan. She trusts you and probably wouldn't pay as much attention to you looking around as she would me. Besides..."

He holds his hands open, palms up, and admits, "I've got my hands full here." No, the new Batman isn't the same man as the old one, as evidenced by that humble remark and the next statement he makes. "What can I do to help?"

[eddie_nygma]

Nygma is pleasantly surprised - he would never have expected to reach this kind of accord so quickly.

"An interview with one of the eyewitnesses would be extremely helpful. Not only for observed details, but their take on Luthor's state of mind. A visit to the actual location could come in handy, if it's possible. Apart from that - Selina's the world's greatest cat burglar. She can get me any physical access I need. I may require computer-related assistance to decrypt or process some things I find - I don't think I can call up the Calculator, given the nature of what we're looking into."

[aflyinggrayson]

"No, you're damned right you can't." Dick rubs the back of his neck, which aches - much like the rest of him - and thinks, reaching for a cookie while he's at it. Oracle would be the best to be involved, but there's no way that Dick is getting her near Nygma or Nygma near her. Just in case. So if he can't have him interacting directly with Barbara, he can get someone as a savvy go-between....

Ah.

"I know a programmer that the Wayne Foundation put through college. Smart guy. You need computer-related assistance, I'll get it for you. As for a witness, I know who was there. Let me see what I can do there. Anything else?"

[eddie_nygma]

"Nothing at all. Thank you for seeing reason and discussing the matter. It's a courtesy I haven't come to expect from your colleagues."

He stands, extending a hand to the former Boy Wonder.

[aflyinggrayson]

After polishing off the cookie, Dick stands, looks at the hand and then takes it. "I think people can change, and I think Bruce was afraid to believe you had. A lot of your colleagues try but never manage to change their stripes. He's never dealt well with disappointment in people."

Understatement of the year.

"Just be careful. And steer clear of the Joker."

[eddie_nygma]

The Riddler nods.

"Of course. Do you have a preferred way for me to contact you? I think my eccentricities will let this visit slide without arousing anyone's suspicions, but I doubt I should be a regular visitor."

[aflyinggrayson]

A twitched smile comes from the younger man. "I have a cell phone, Nygma." And he pauses near that Regency writing desk to scribble it down.

[eddie_nygma]

"Doesn't everyone? Still, I'd hoped there might be some exotic police hotline, or a key to use the Bat-signal at the police headquarters. I suppose beggars can't be choosers."

He holds out a gloved hand for the slip of paper.

[aflyinggrayson]

"And how do I get in touch with you?"

[eddie_nygma]

"Your mentor preferred to break into my office and lurk in a shadow until I came home. I'm also in the Yellow Pages."