The One-Seven

Chapter 35: Revelations

"You're trying to tell me that you just ran into the forest, alone, without backup, thinking that one of the most dangerous men on the planet was waiting for you...because of a hunch?"

"Well when you say it like that, it sounds kind of ridiculous."

"It is ridiculous!"

Montoya threw her hands up in exasperation, before waving a dismissive hand at Percy,

"You are quite literally the craziest mother fucker I have ever met in my entire life."

"I'm going to choose to take that as a compliment,"

"It's not and you shouldn't."

Percy chuckled as he opened the door for Montoya leading into the interior of central booking. They'd gotten word from Gordon that Lawton had finally woken up and had been processed. He was currently waiting in one of the interview rooms for Percy and Montoya.

As they walked through the doors to the monitor room where the Commissioner and District Attorney would watch the interview, Percy and Montoya found the men already there and waiting for them.

"Hell of a job, detective," said Dent, a wide smile on his face as he rose from his chair and gave Percy a firm handshake.

"Thank you, sir," said Percy cautiously. Given the way the man had acted the other night, and general...aloof attitude, Percy was more than a little wary of the man. Something about him struck Percy as being very off.

"That was the easy part," grunted Gordon, "Hard part is going to be getting him to cooperate. Jackson, he was your collar, you want first dibs?"

"Please and thank you," nodded Percy, before glancing at the monitor of the interview room. Lawton was sitting, bound in a straight-jacket in order to restrict his movements, alone in the room. Percy cocked his head curiously,

"Lawyer hasn't shown up yet?" Asked Percy,

"Federal Supervillain Detention Act," said Dent, "Passed a couple of years ago in response to the massive uptick in the classification of criminal activity. Any person who is classified as a 'supervillain,' loses their constitutional protections. They're deemed as large enough menaces to society that the benefits to the country heavily outweigh the consequences." Dent shrugged, "At least as far as the Supreme Court is concerned at any rate. Who knows if it'll stick around but for now, that means that he's free game." He paused, "But maybe try not to give the man another concussion." He winked at Percy, who felt immensely uncomfortable by the gesture by tried his best not to show it.

"Right," said Percy slowly, "Well then, I guess I'll go crack him a little then," "Don't go easy on him," said Montoya as Percy slid past her and out of the room. He missed the worried look that Gordon shot to Dent as Percy left the room. As Percy shut the door behind him, he was greeted by the unwelcome surprise of the Batman waiting for him. Standing on the other side of the hall.

"The hell are you doing here?" Demanded Percy, his good mood immediately souring at the sight of the vigilante,

"I'm going to speak to Lawton," said Batman. It wasn't a request, it wasn't a question. It was a simple statement of fact.

"Hell no," spat Percy, "This was our investigation, our collar. You had nothing to do with this, and furthermore you're not even a fucking cop. Like hell I'm going to let you interview him before I get the opportunity."

"He won't crack to you," said Batman. He was wrong, but Percy was still very consciously aware that the man likely didn't know that Percy had used the mist on him previously, and Percy had absolutely zero desire to give that information away here and now.