Nightwing: Heartless

Part 58: Catwoman

Selina Kyle was no hero, that was for sure. She was a thief, not opposed to killing if she had to, but she wasn't a sociopath. She was human, and even did the right thing every so often. At the moment she was stealing the Queen's jewels on display at Gotham Museum of Art. She had just gotten the glass off when she sensed him behind her.

"Took you long enough." She turned, hand on her hip and smirked at the Bat.

He narrowed his eyes at her, "you've been busy."

"I've broken into three jewelry stores this week. What's a girl got to do for some attention?"

"You're doing this for attention?"

"Only yours," she purred and placed a hand on his chest before dropping her voice, "we need to talk."

"Put the glass back."

Batman never trusted her with the location of the Bat Cave but she had ridden in the Batmobile a few times. She pulled her cowl back and goggles off once they were zooming down the streets of Gotham, ignoring his glare as she put her feet on the dash, a picture of nonchalance.

"What do you want, Selina."

"To help you, Bruce."

He kept his eyes on the road but his knuckles tightened on the steering wheel when she used his name. He knew behind her playful nature this was serious. He bit back whatever retort he had to let her speak.

"A girl needs your help."

"Is that an innuendo?"

Selina sighed and dropped her act, "I'm serious. You don't have much time."

Batman glanced over, "where?"

"Other side of the harbour, few miles north in the woods, there's a secluded house. Shadows own it." That got his attention. "There must be a basement level of some kind. I think that's where they're keeping her."

"Think?"

"I was only there for a few minutes." But she had seen enough. Poor thing was half dead and still being killed.

"Who is she? Shadow target? Daughter of a dignitary." Selina took a breath, not sure how much she should say. He would eventually find out, but would it distract him too much once he was inside? "I need to know everything, Selina."

"She's a means to an end," Selina finally said, "to get at you, I would assume, or the League. I don't know the plan. I don't even know her relation-"

"Selina."

"That night at the opera fundraiser," Selina started, knowing he remembered, "there was a girl there, got caught in the crowd, we met but she didn't have anything valuable, but..." she paused, knowing she was testing Batman's patience, "she ran back inside and I guess she ran into Harley and Ivy. Helped the kid."

Batman slammed on the breaks, spinning the car and turning his full attention to Selina. His gaze was intense. "She was with Nightwing?" Selina nodded. "Small, brown hair, black dress?" Selina nodded again and Batman cursed. "She's the one in trouble?" Selina nodded again. "Who's holding her?"

"Deathstroke." Batman cursed again. "And Bruce," Selina started, "it looked like she'd been there a while. You don't have much time." Then she opened the door and stepped out. Batman nodded at her once in thanks and then sped off, probably a thousand thoughts running through his head.

Catwoman watched him drive off. She didn't know much, but she had told him what she knew. Now it was up to him. The girl's life wasn't on her anymore.