The Super Killer

Ch.5

Palmer sat next to Gordon in the back seat of his automated car. He lit up a cigarette and asked Gordon, "Are you sure the security system disabled itself?"

Gordon answered, "That's what the test said."

"The same system that's controlled by Brother Eye."

"Palmer, I know."

"If the killer can connect to Brother Eye—"

"Enough with the dick waving."

"—the killer can track every person. Including the supers. And us."

"Do you really think that eluded me?"

"No," Palmer said with a bit of a chuckle, "just thinking out loud. Guess you're the smart one here."

Gordon reached into his back pocket and pulled out his pack of cigarettes, which were all crushed and broken. He looked at Palmer who had a cigarette for him. He took it and said, "What are your real plans in Gotham?"

"Talk to Brother Eye," Palmer replied. "When did you start smoking?"

"This morning. What else are you going to do in Gotham?"

"Speak with Robin."

"You think Robin had something to do with this?"

Palmer raised a nicotine-stained finger with each name: "Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, Damian Wayne, Nightwing. How many aliases does one person need before you stop trusting them? He also knows Wayne Manor inside and out, and I wouldn't be surprised if he knew a way into the good graces of Brother Eye."

Gordon lowered the car's window and let the smoke drift out. "Do you think Corporon's catching on?"

"No, but he isn't stupid." Palmer looked down at his shoe where the shit had hardened. "We need to forget about him for the moment; this killer is much more important. But if he says anything, I'll remind him that he, like every commissioner, obeys my orders."

Gordon nodded. "Humans need strong leadership."

"You're right," Palmer said, snuffing his cigarette. "We need heroes to save us from ourselves."