Batman: The Enemy Within (Male Reader Robin)

Chapter 3: Casino aftermath

Robin's POV

I saw Batman picking up something from Riddler. I walked towards him.

Robin: What is it?

Batman: A puzzle we need to solve.

We see Montoya arresting Riddler's right hand man.

Right hand man: Your days are numbered, freaks. We'll see each other again.

Montoya: Yeah, yeah, whatever.

Right hand man: Keep one eye on the sky, jerk-offs. Heavens are gonna fall on your goddamn heads.

Montoya: Tell me all about it down at the precinct.

Me and Batman walked towards Gordon.

Gordon: Riddler's right hand in custody. Not a bad result, all told.

Gordon looks at Waller, then back at us.

Gordon: Riddler used to leave clues at all his crime scenes. Always thought he was smarter then the people trying to catch him.

Robin: That's because he hadn't met us.

Gordon: That's for damn sure. You don't know how glad I am you two are here, working with the police. Riddler's heyday was a dark time in Gotham. From what we just saw, he hasn't mellowed with age.

Waller: Commissioner Gordon.

We look at her walking over.

Gordon: Brace yourself. Just so you know... This woman has a lot of juice with the governor. Rub her the wrong way, I could end up being on foot patrol 'till I retire.

Waller: My people are trained for situations like this, Gordon. We'd have Riddler in custody, if you'd only picked up the phone.

Waller looks at me and Batman.

Waller: So, you're the legendary Batman and Robin.

Batman: And you are?

Waller just smiles.

Gordon: This is Amanda Waller. Director of "The Agency."

Robin: What are the feds doing here?

Gordon: Riddler's their case. The GCPD has been asked to open our doors to them. Give them whatever they need.

Waller: We've been tracking that maniac for some time. No one knows more about him than we do.

We stay silent.

Waller: Do these two speak?

Gordon: Just say what you want to say.

Waller: With pleasure. Riddler used to be a player in Gotham, back when Thomas Wayne and Falcone ran the city. He disappeared so suddenly, and for so long, everyone thought he was dead. Everyone was wrong. Riddler's back, and if these theatrics are anything to go by, he wants the whole city to know. My people tell me you did some good work handling him, Batman and Robin. You and me, I bet we'd make a damn fine team.

I cross my arms. Waller let's put a chuckle.

Waller: Don't worry. You'll come around. The only real problem with your setup is who you're working with. Local law enforcement clearly can't cut it.

Gordon: I got a local crime rate says otherwise. Ms. Waller--

Waller: Please, Commissioner. Tear gas in a hostage situation? We got an ambulance full of civilians with their eyes swollen shut. Not to mention you let Riddler slip through your fingers. You GCPD cowboys clearly don't know what you're doing.

Batman: You can't put this on Jim. I called for a distraction.

Waller: Then maybe you're not as impressive as I thought. I'm here to prevent this incompetence in the future.

We see Mori being carried out by a stretcher.

Waller: I gotta get a security detail on Mori while he's in the hospital. Agent Avesta will fill you in on what we know so far. As a token of interdepartmental cooperation.

Waller walks away.

Gordon: The nerve on her... Don't tell these people a thing. Especially about that puzzle. This is our town. We're are the ones that'll catch Riddler.

Agent Avesta walks over. Another agent followed her.

Avesta: Oof! I thought she was gonna bite your head off for a second.

Gordon: I'd like to see her try.

Gordon walks away.

Avesta: Special Agent Iman Avesta. Field intelligence specialist on the Riddler case. And my partner, Agent Blake.

Blake: How do you do?

She gives Batman a folder.

Avesta: I put together this psychological profile of the Riddler. You'll see when you read it, he's... changed. For your eyes only, if you catch my drift. The target of the casino attack, Rumi Mori. Any idea what Riddler wanted with him?

Batman: He's a madman. You can't look for reason in someone so clearly deranged.

Batman is doing what Gordon wanted. Not tell the Agency a thing.

Avesta: Riddler does show signs of an obsessive-compulsive disorder. But he's calculating. Fiercely intelligent. I'd be surprised if this wasn't part of a bigger plan. Let me know if you think of anything. It'd be a help.

Batman continues to look at the folder. I also take a look. I see his mugshot.

Avesta: I'm Gotham born and raised, you know. My dad ran a store in the shadow of City Stadium. I just wanted to say it's a real honor to meet you two. I do have something to ask, though. The criminally insane-- you're drawn to them, aren't you?

We stay silent.

Avesta: I'm-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry.

She typed something down on her iPad.

Avesta: I think I know you two a little better now.

Robin: We'll be in touch. Agent.

Waller walks back over.

Waller: Batman, Robin. Before you go. Gotham's your city. I respect that. But you should know, I don't have to play nice. I'm letting you hunt the Riddler for now. You better share everything you find, or... This courtesy call is gonna be something you really won't like.

We say nothing and grapple away.