*J* (the continuation)

Part Thirty-Nine: Chapter 289: Penguin's Enygma

A limousine pulling up to a building in the Narrows would normally draw attention because of how out of place it was. But everyone in the Narrows knew who this limo belonged to. It came around often, and usually to the same destination. In the back seat of the limo, it's occupant scowls at bums littering the sidewalk that he would soon have to cross.

"Butch," he says to his driver and number one guy, "you wait here with the car. I'll be fine from here."

Butch turns to face his boss, "You sure boss?" He asks.

He's met with rolling eyes and pursed lips. "Butch, what did I tell you?" He asks in exasperation.

"To stay here with the car boss," Butch shrugs.

"Ok then, that's what I specifically ordered, right?!" The man's voice pitches.

"Right indeedy boss," Butch nods and turns around.

The man in the back impatiently waits a moment, shakes his head and rolls his eyes again, "The door isn't going to open itself Butch!' he shouts.

Butch turns to his boss again, "But you told me to stay here with the car boss."

The man pounds his fists on the seat, "Goddamnit!! After you open my damn door!"

"Yes sir," Butch replies. He quickly grabs his boss's trusty umbrella, which the boss never went anywhere without it on account of his limp. He used it as a cane to help him walk. It had sort of become his trademark. Then Butch gets out of the car. He rushes around and opens his door.

The man gets out scowling at his henchman. He ponders why the hell he hasn't killed him yet. He straightens out his suit and adjusts his tie. He thrusts his hand out for his umbrella, to which Butch hands him. The man takes a deep breath and exhales. He takes a step using his umbrella as a cane. He turns his nose up at the nearby bums and approaches the door.

Two henchman stand guard, guarding the man he had come to see. But as mentioned, he comes to this place often. A regular. So the goons tip their hats out of respect. Because this visitor, aside from being the biggest arms dealer in the city, was also one of the top mob bosses. Perhaps higher up on the food chain than their own boss. Almost as powerful as the Joker. So they promptly open the door for him.

He walks into the building and approaches the elevator. He raises his umbrella and presses the tip onto the elevator button and patiently waits. When the door opens he finds himself face to face with a man wearing a red mask. He stands paralyzed for a second, staring at the figure.

"You're in my way," the masked man growls lowly at him.

"Do you know whom it is you're addressing?" He cocks his head at the rude masked man.

"Yeah," the hooded man says and pushes by, "The only bird in Gotham that can't fly."

There was something unnerving about the hooded figure. He didn't know what it was exactly, but he was certain that the man was trouble. He gets into the elevator and goes to the top floor. When he reaches the top floor he's greeted by two more goons. They give courteous head nods and open the door of a penthouse for him.

A man seated at a desk looks up at him with a smile, "Oswald."

"Edward, why was that guy here?" The Penguin asks, hobbling over to the desk.

"What guy?" The Riddler shrugs.

"Don't play stupid with me Ed. You know who. The guy wearing the red mask," Oswald stares from behind furrowed brows with worry.

Edwards eyes go to his desks surface. "It's business."

"Business?? What kind of business Edward?"

The Riddler sighed, " I don't ask you to share in telling me everything about your business affairs, so don't stick that pointy nose of yours in mine."